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Deer Season Off To Slow Start

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Ohio's deer season has gotten off to a soggy start as rain contributed to lower opening-day numbers.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says hunters with guns on Monday bagged 23,600 white-tailed deer. That was down 39 percent compared to the first day of last year's hunt, when weather conditions were described as "near ideal."

Division of Wildlife deer project leader Mike Tonkovich says the reduced tally from gun hunting also reflects the growing popularity of archery hunting.

Coshocton County had the highest number of deer counted at check stations Monday, nearly 1,200.

The season runs through Sunday and then resumes for two more days over the Dec. 17-18 weekend.

About 420,000 hunters are expected to take part in this year's deer-gun season.