Game Check

The automated game-check and permanent tagging process no longer requires hunters to transport their deer or turkey to an official game-check station for permanent tagging. License agents will process game-check transactions, but will not visually inspect or permanently tag deer or turkey on behalf of hunters.

Metal tags have been discontinued. Hunters will not receive a metal tag for their deer.

Hunters are encouraged to complete the automated game-check and permanent tagging process in a sheltered area.

Deer and turkeys must be permanently tagged by 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest.

Hunters now have three options for automated game check. They may check their deer or turkey:

1.) On the Internet at ohiogamecheck.com or visit wildohio.com and click on "Wild Ohio Customer Center" and then click on "Game Check: Report a Deer or Turkey Harvest." To game-check a harvest online, make sure to use a computer hooked to a printer. A game check receipt will be issued and SHOULD be printed. When using a smartphone for game check, you must access your customer account at wildohio.com when you are at a computer, click on the Game Check button, and print your game check receipt.

2.) By telephone at 1-877-TAG-ITOH (1-877-824-4864) - This option is only available to those who are required to purchase a deer or turkey permit to hunt deer or turkeys. Hunters checking their harvest as a landowner cannot use the telephone option.

3.) At all license agents

Landowners CANNOT use the telephone game-check option!

Game-check options for the landowner are:

• Visit wildohio.com. Click on "Wild Ohio Customer Center" and then click on "Game Check: Report a Deer or Turkey Harvest." To game-check a harvest online, make sure to use a computer hooked to a printer. A game-check receipt will be issued and MUST be printed. When using a smartphone for game check, you must access your customer account at wildohio.com when you are at a computer, click on the Game Check button, and print your game check receipt along with your permanent tag(s).
• Visit any authorized license sales agent. A list of sales agents can be found here. Hunters do not need to take their deer to the agent for the game check. Authorized license sales agents will be available for game-check during normal business hours. Call for exact hours of operation before you go.

Regardless of the game-check method, the hunter must provide the 10-digit permit number, which is printed in large numbers on every permit.

The hunter must answer a series of questions like those traditionally asked at game-check stations. At the end of the process, the hunter will be issued an 18-digit permanent tag number. The first six digits are pre-printed on the permanent tag(s). When a hunter has game-checked their deer or turkey by Web or agent, they will receive a game-check receipt with their permanent tag number printed on it. Hunters using the telephone game-check method will receive the final 12 digits of the number over the phone. The first six digits are pre-printed on the permanent tag(s).

The 18-digit permanent tag number must be written on the permanent tag(s) in the spaces provided on the permanent tag(s). Remember, the first six digits are pre-printed on the permanent tag(s). The hunter must write the date and time of kill on the permanent tag and sign it.

DEER HUNTERS must write the permanent tag number on BOTH permanent tags. Like the metal tag, the completed permanent tag must then be attached to the deer. The temporary tag can be discarded. This completes the game-check and permanent tagging process.

Click here to check your deer or turkey online now.

Watch a video highlighting your three game check options.

Hunters can access their game-check history in their customer account at wildohio.com.

Find a License Agent that Checks Game

The check station that you have traditionaly visited may not be checking game in the new license sales and game check system. Now, all license agents are also game check stations. Please use the tool below to find a license agent near you that is also checking game.

Please contact the license agent to verify their hours of operation and to ensure they are online to check game.