Nonresident Landowners Now Required to Purchase Nonresident Ohio Licenses and Permits

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Changes will also impact Ohio residents that own land in Indiana

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife reminds nonresident landowners that they are legally required to purchase nonresident licenses to hunt, trap or fish in Ohio.

The new law went into effect on July 1, 2011 and requires a nonresident owner of land in Ohio and the owner’s children and grandchildren, if applicable, to purchase a nonresident hunting license, deer or wild turkey permit, fur taker permit, or nonresident fishing license.

Prior to July 1, Ohio landowners with residency status somewhere other than Ohio did not have to purchase licenses or permits to hunt, trap or fish on land they own. Landowner license exemptions will only apply to Ohio residents.

This change in Ohio law nullifies a reciprocal agreement with Indiana, which means that Ohio residents with land holdings in Indiana are required to purchase a nonresident hunting license, deer or wild turkey permit, fur taker permit, or nonresident fishing license. Similarly, children and grandchildren of a nonresident landowner must purchase hunting, fishing, and trapping licenses and permits.

In Ohio, a resident is considered, by law, a person who has resided in the state of Ohio for the past six consecutive months.  In Indiana, a resident is considered, by law, a person whose true fixed and permanent home and principal residence has been in Indiana for 60 consecutive days prior to purchasing a license or permit and who does not claim residency for hunting, trapping or fishing in another state or country other than the U.S. All others are nonresidents.