Lima region, state see big increase in deer harvest on first day

The deer-gun season got off to a big start in the nine-county region with hunters bagging 1,034 deer on opening day, an increase of 22 percent from a year ago.

Only two of the nine counties - Mercer and Hancock - saw a decrease in numbers Monday.

Logan County again had the biggest deer harvest in the region with 169 compared to 155 a year ago. Putnam County was next with 157, an increase of 56. Hardin County was No. 3 with 133 deer, just four more than it recorder in 2007.

Rounding out the region, with 2007 numbers in parentheses:

• Allen 130 (67)

• Shelby 123 (117)

• Auglaize 102 (78)

• Hancock 83 (103)

• Van Wert 74 (33)

• Mercer 63 (64)

Statewide, more than 33,000 white-tailed deer were harvested Monday.

The state Division of Wildlife says the tally was up 70 percent compared with the first day last year. The agency says hunters were hampered by heavy rain at the start of the 2007 season, while Monday was breezy with only occasional rain or snow across the state.

Tuscarawas County had more than 1,800 deer checked on Monday, the highest number in the state. Washington County was second with a little over 1,450.

The deer season for hunters using guns continues through Sunday, then resumes over a weekend later in the month.

Officials estimated the state had a white-tailed deer population of 700,000 before the hunt.