By Duane Bailey

Hunting is not only a popular recreational pursuit in Ohio, but its importance to our state’s economy cannot be understated. Ohio ranks eighth nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry.

Each year, hunting has an $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging, etc. Deer hunting is especially significant with approximately 420,000 people hunting deer during the deer-gun season alone.

This year’s deer gun season will be open Monday, Nov. 28 through Sunday, Dec. 4 with a bonus weekend opportunity on Dec. 17-18.