DMU Union, Ohio
Unit info
- Game species
- White-tailed Deer, Wild Turkey
- Group
- Central Ohio
- Area
- N/A
- Public land
- N/A
White-tailed Deer — season & harvest
- Reported harvest
- 1,372
Draw odds for White-tailed Deeraren't on file for this unit yet. Check your state wildlife agency website for current draw statistics.
Season & harvest data is published for White-tailed Deer so far. Wild Turkey also occur here — that data can be added as the community contributes.
About this unit
AI-compiled · sourcedUnion County sits on the urban fringe of Columbus in central Ohio, a landscape dominated by productive row-crop agriculture — corn, soybeans, and wheat — broken by creek drainages, woodlots, and small farm ponds. The county is overwhelmingly private land; public hunting access is sparse, pushing most hunters onto leased or permission farmground. Deer densities are solid for central Ohio, and the county produced 1,372 total deer in the 2024-25 season (592 antlered, 780 antlerless). Portions of Claibourne and Jackson townships fall within an ODNR Chronic Wasting Disease Surveillance Area (DSA), unlocking bonus early archery and early gun seasons in those townships. Hunting pressure is moderate-to-high on accessible private parcels near Marysville, lighter on more rural eastern and northern reaches of the county. The county carries a three-antlerless-deer bag limit, making it a viable destination for hunters seeking meat-freezer opportunities in addition to buck hunting.
Flat to gently rolling glaciated till plain; predominantly corn, soybean, and wheat fields with scattered woodlots, creek-bottom timber strips along Mill Creek and Darby Creek tributaries, and small farm ponds. Elevation ranges roughly 900–1,100 ft. The southeastern corner grades toward Columbus exurban sprawl (Dublin/Marysville corridor).
Moderate to high on accessible private land around Marysville and the Columbus urban fringe; landowner permission and lease competition is stiff. More rural northern and eastern townships see lighter pressure. Limited public land means crowding is not a concern on public ground, but good private parcels are worked hard by local hunters and lease holders. CWD DSA designation in Claibourne and Jackson townships brings some additional hunter interest for early seasons.
Statewide bag limit applies: 1 antlered deer per license year; up to 3 antlerless deer in Union County (general statewide limit; county not reduced). Antlerless deer management permits valid statewide through late December. CWD Disease Surveillance Area (Claibourne and Jackson townships): bonus early archery Sept 13–Feb 1 and early gun Oct 11–13 (2025-26 dates). Public hunting area antlerless limit: 2 deer. 2024-25 harvest: 592 antlered, 780 antlerless, 1,372 total.
2025-26 seasons: Archery Sept 27 2025–Feb 1 2026; Youth Gun Nov 22–23 2025; Gun Dec 1–7 and Dec 20–21 2025; Muzzleloader Jan 3–6 2026. DSA early archery from Sept 13; DSA early gun Oct 11–13. Wild turkey hunting available in spring season per statewide regulations. White-tailed deer is the primary big-game target. No elk or bear.
Solid farmland deer herd with 1,372 deer checked in 2024-25 — among the more productive central Ohio counties. Three-antlerless limit offers genuine meat-hunting opportunity. CWD DSA townships add early-season bonus gun and archery dates. Classic Midwest ag-country hunting: big-field bucks, creek-bottom funnels, and rut movement through standing corn edges. Private-land access is the main challenge — hunters who invest in landowner relationships or OHLAP-enrolled parcels find quality deer in a low-pressure environment relative to southern Ohio public-land competition.
Questions, tips & discussion
Ask anything about DMU Union— or drop a tip or trick: access points, where game holds, glassing spots, conditions, crowding, gear that worked. This is where the unit's species-specific intel gets built, hunter by hunter.
Nothing posted yet about DMU Union.
Be the first — ask a question (“Best public access on the north end?”) or share a tip (“Glass the burn scars off the main ridge at first light”).
Boundaries: ODNR official county-based deer management units. Community info last updated 16d ago.