Athens County · Ohio · Free guide
Public Hunting Land in Athens County, Ohio
Athens County has 6 public areas listed in Ohio DNR and federal public land data, covering roughly 30,200 acres inside the county. Most areas below link to an official page or map, where the rules, seasons and access details live. Pair the map work with today's deer forecast for your ZIP before you head out.
Rules, seasons and access are set by the managing agency. Check each area's official page before you hunt.
Boundaries are approximate: check the official map before you hunt.
Check today's deer movement near Athens County
Enter your ZIP for the local forecast.
What stands out in Athens County
- Wayne National Forest is a patchwork. Private land sits between the public tracts, so check the forest map for boundaries before you walk in.
- About 3,490 acres of Zaleski State Forest sit in Athens County; most of the 27,822-acre forest is in Vinton County.
- Waterloo Wildlife Area is rugged and heavily forested, 10 miles west of Athens at State Routes 56 and 356, with gravel roads and several parking areas.
- Fox Lake, four miles west of Athens, mixes rolling hills, woods, open fields and two water areas.
- Wallace H. O'Dowd Wildlife Area (the former Trimble and Sunday Creek wildlife areas) runs into Hocking County.
Public areas
Wayne National Forest, Athens Unit
- Acres in county
- about 18,800
- Managed by
- USDA Forest Service
- Notes
- The Forest Service describes the Wayne as a patchwork of public land across the Appalachian foothills, with private land between tracts. Use "Download a Map" on the official page.
- Check official rules and maps
- Official property page
Wallace H. O'Dowd Wildlife Area
- Acres in county
- about 4,400 (also in Hocking County)
- Managed by
- ODNR Division of Wildlife
- Notes
- Includes the former Trimble Wildlife Area and Sunday Creek Wildlife Area. The BENCAD Trail passes through the northern part.
- Check official rules and maps
- Official map (PDF)
Zaleski State Forest
- Acres in county
- about 3,500 (also in Vinton County)
- Managed by
- ODNR Division of Forestry
- Notes
- The second-largest forest in Ohio's state forest system at 27,822 acres. The State Forest Guide lists a hunters camp and a fire tower.
- Check official rules and maps
- Official map (PDF)
Waterloo Wildlife Area
- Acres in county
- about 2,600
- Managed by
- ODNR Division of Wildlife
- Notes
- Rugged and heavily forested, 10 miles west of Athens at the junction of State Routes 56 and 356.
- Check official rules and maps
- Official map (PDF)
Poston Plant Lands Hunting Area
- Acres in county
- about 1,200
- Managed by
- ODNR, on AEP land
- Notes
- Not on AEP's current recreation areas list. Check with AEP before you go.
- Check official rules and maps
- Official map (PDF) · AEP recreation
Fox Lake Wildlife Area
- Acres in county
- about 450
- Managed by
- ODNR Division of Wildlife
- Notes
- Four miles west of Athens. Rolling hills, woods, open fields and two water areas; more than half wooded.
- Check official rules and maps
- Official map (PDF)
Gifford State Forest
- Acres in county
- about 320
- Managed by
- ODNR Division of Forestry
- Notes
- Features listed include experimental seed orchards, a fishing pond and a picnic area.
- Check official rules and maps
- Official map (PDF)