Checking the Ohio hunting license cost 2026 before the season? If you’re planning to hunt whitetail, turkey, or small game in Ohio, the first thing you need — before the camo, before the calls — is the right license and permits. Ohio’s hunting license fees are among the most affordable in the Midwest for residents, but nonresidents saw a major price change in 2026. Here’s the complete, current breakdown of what an Ohio hunting license costs in 2026, plus every deer and turkey permit fee, verified against Ohio Division of Wildlife figures and state law.
Ohio Hunting License Cost 2026: Quick Answer
For the 2026–27 license year, the Ohio hunting license cost 2026 is straightforward: an Ohio resident hunting license costs $19, a nonresident hunting license costs $125, and youth (17 and under) and senior (66 and older) licenses cost $10. Deer and turkey permits are sold separately: resident deer and turkey permits are $30 each, while the nonresident deer permit jumped to $210 under the state budget bill (HB 96) — up from $74.
2026 Ohio Hunting License Fee Table
Prices below are what you actually pay at checkout, including the standard writing fee. Buy at wildohio.gov, on the HuntFish OH mobile app, at licensed retailers statewide, or by phone at 1-800-945-3543.
| License type | Who it’s for | 2026 cost |
|---|---|---|
| Resident hunting license | Ohio residents 18–65 | $19 |
| Nonresident hunting license | Hunters from outside Ohio, 18+ | $125 |
| Youth hunting license | Residents and nonresidents 17 and under | $10 |
| Senior hunting license | Ohio residents 66 and older | $10 |
| Apprentice hunting license | First-time hunters hunting with a licensed mentor | $19 resident / $125 nonresident* |
*Apprentice licenses let new hunters try the sport without first completing hunter education, but you must hunt alongside a licensed adult mentor. Confirm current apprentice pricing at wildohio.gov before buying.
Ohio Deer & Turkey Permit Fees 2026
Your hunting license alone doesn’t cover deer or turkey — Ohio requires a separate either-sex or antlerless permit for each, per Ohio Revised Code § 1533.11. This is where the big 2026 change hits:
| Permit | Resident | Nonresident | Youth (17 & under) | Senior (66+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer permit (either-sex) | $30 | $210 (was $74) | $15 | $11 |
| Wild turkey permit (spring or fall) | $30 | $37 | $15 | $11 |
The nonresident deer permit increase
The jump from $74 to $210 for the nonresident deer permit came from HB 96, Ohio’s 2026–27 state budget, which the legislature passed in 2025. Lawmakers argued Ohio’s nonresident deer fees were the lowest among top whitetail states, and the increase brings Ohio closer to the national average while keeping resident fees flat. A nonresident chasing an Ohio buck in 2026 now pays $125 (license) + $210 (deer permit) = $335 before fees — so budget accordingly.
What the License Year Covers
Ohio hunting licenses run on a March 1 through end-of-February license year. A license bought in, say, October 2026 is valid through February 2027. Licenses typically go on sale March 1 each year. Your license covers all legal game birds and wild quadrupeds — but remember these common add-ons and rules:
- Deer and turkey: separate permits required (see table above), and you must carry the permit while hunting.
- Waterfowl: you’ll also need a federal duck stamp and Ohio wetlands habitat stamp on top of your license.
- Hunter education: required for first-time buyers born on or after January 1, 1982, unless you buy an apprentice license.
- Landowner exemption: Ohio resident landowners (and certain family members) hunting on their own land don’t need a license or deer/turkey permits — HB 96 expanded the list of qualifying relatives.
A hunting license doesn’t cover fishing — see our breakdown of Ohio fishing license costs for 2026 if you do both.
Multi-Year and Lifetime Licenses
If you hunt every year, Ohio sells 3-year, 5-year, 10-year, and lifetime hunting licenses that lock in today’s rates. These are especially worth a look for young hunters — a lifetime license bought for a child pays for itself many times over. Current multi-year pricing is posted at wildohio.gov and at license agents; senior multi-year and lifetime options are also discounted.
Where Your Money Goes
Every dollar from license and permit sales goes into Ohio’s Wildlife Fund, which pays for the Division of Wildlife’s management of more than 750,000 acres of public land and 2 million acres of water. Buying your license isn’t just a legal requirement — the Ohio hunting license cost 2026 is the single biggest funding source for the habitat that makes Ohio one of the country’s top deer states.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a hunting license to hunt on my own land in Ohio?
Ohio resident landowners — and an expanded list of family members under HB 96 — may hunt on their own property without a hunting license or deer/turkey permits. Everyone else, including guests and lessees, needs the proper license and permits.
How much is a nonresident Ohio hunting license plus deer permit in 2026?
For the Ohio hunting license cost 2026, nonresidents pay $125 for the hunting license plus $210 for the deer permit, totaling $335 before writing fees — a significant increase from prior years due to HB 96.
When do 2026 Ohio hunting licenses go on sale?
Ohio’s license year runs March 1 through the end of February. Licenses for the 2026–27 year went on sale March 1, 2026, at wildohio.gov, the HuntFish OH app, license agents, and 1-800-945-3543.
Does Ohio offer a senior discount on hunting licenses?
Yes. Ohio residents 66 and older pay $10 for an annual hunting license and $11 each for deer and turkey permits. A bill (HB 64) has been introduced to lower the senior threshold to age 65, but it had not been enacted as of this writing.
Can I buy my Ohio hunting license online?
Yes — the easiest way is wildohio.gov or the HuntFish OH mobile app, where your license is available immediately after purchase. You can also buy at sporting goods stores and other licensed agents statewide.
Ohio hunting license cost 2026 fee figures verified against the Ohio Legislative Service Commission’s Department of Natural Resources agency fee schedule and Ohio Revised Code § 1533.11. Fees can change by statute or rule — confirm current prices at wildohio.gov before you buy. This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal or professional advice.
