08/16/2026
Ohio Public Land Deer Hunting Challenge
Overview and Participation Details
• The "Wizard of the Woods Ohio 10-Day Public Land Challenge / Deer Pool" offers a unique opportunity for participants to engage with fellow hunters and create lasting experiences.
• To ensure successful participation, kindly review the detailed guidelines provided by our host, Jesse Mley.
• This autumn, a minimum of ten hunters will participate in a public land hunt in Ohio, commencing at sunrise on Friday, October 30th, and concluding at last light on Sunday, November 8th, 2026.
• All harvested game must be tagged within this specified timeframe.
• Participants have the flexibility to join at any point; however, late arrivals will result in a reduction of available hunting days.
• The precise location will be confidentially shared among registered contestants.
• Upon arrival, participants are required to check into the designated group communication channel.
• This challenge provides an excellent platform for fostering new connections and creating memorable experiences within the deer hunting community.
Rules and Financial Obligations
• Key regulations and terms of participation are outlined as follows:
• A minimum of ten hunters is required for the event to proceed.
• Participants may choose to hunt independently or form teams.
• A non-refundable entry fee of $500 per hunter is due by October 1st, one month prior to the commencement of the contest.
• This fee necessitates the signing of a contract issued by Wizards of the Woods LLC.
• Payments can be submitted via check or money order, payable to Wizard of the Woods LLC.
• A comprehensive list of confirmed contestants will be distributed two weeks before the contest's start date.
• While individuals or teams will operate independently during the hunt, all participants will maintain regular communication through a group text message.
• Please note that messaging is restricted after 9 p.m.
• All hunters are required to remain within the designated public land hunting area in Ohio.
Participant Responsibilities and Early Departure
• Participants are solely responsible for their personal expenses, including but not limited to food, lodging, and transportation.
• Should an individual successfully tag out and wish to depart early, this is permissible.
• Prior to departure, the participant must provide a photograph featuring a Wizard shirt and rack measurements, and sign the deer pool sheet.
Prize Structure and Fund Allocation
• Prizes for the largest buck are structured as follows:
• First place: $2000
• Second place: $1000
• Third place: $500
• Prize payouts will be disbursed to individual winners via check one week following the contest's conclusion.
• All remaining funds will be allocated to the operational costs of hosting the event.
Contest Duration and Reporting Requirements
• In summary, each team or individual will have a 10-day period, from October 30th to November 8th, 2026, to harvest a public land buck, either individually or with a partner.
• A video documenting the recovery must be recorded and shared with all members of the group message and the Facebook group during this timeframe.
Registration and Commitment
• For serious inquiries and further details, please direct your communication via direct message.
• We emphasize the importance of commitment and kindly request that you ensure your full participation before joining.
• We will periodically update the list of registered hunters.
• A minimum of ten hunters is required for the contest to take place.
