CLEVELAND — The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is allowing special deer hunts at eight state nature preserves across the state in an effort to control deer populations that affect native plant communities. The hunts will be awarded to hunters through a lottery system.
Hunters interested in the special hunts must attend meetings organized by local ODNR managers. During those events, hunters can enter the drawing by purchasing a single ticket for $5.
Hunters must also have the following requirements:
• Hunters must possess a valid 2019-2020 hunting license in order to purchase tickets.
• Names will be randomly drawn and those selected will be assigned a specific time to hunt. An orientation will be conducted immediately following the drawing.
• Hunters will be permitted to hunt with a partner; however, the partner is not required to attend the drawing or orientation.
• Hunters interested in both the Lake Katharine gun and archery hunts will have to purchase separate lottery tickets for each event.
ODNR says high deer populations impact sensitive habitats at several state nature preserves. Wildlife experts say evidence suggests that deer browsing may promote the spread of garlic mustard, a non-native invasive plant that disrupts the growth of many native Ohio plants.
All hunters may apply for hunts at multiple preserves, but they must attend the meeting for each hunt in order to enter for the drawing.
Hunt locations and meeting dates are as follows:
• Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve (Jackson County) – The drawings will be held at the preserve office, located at 1703 Katharine Road, Jackson, 45640 on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 10 a.m. Contact Josh Deemer at 740-285-5971 or joshwa.deemer@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
• Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve (Hocking County) – The drawings will be held at the preserve office, located at 7211 Bremen Road, Logan, 43138 on Saturday, Aug. 24, at 10 a.m. Contact Levi Miller at 740-380-8918 or levi.miller@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
• Davey Woods State Nature Preserve (Champaign County) – The archery hunt drawing will be held at the Davey Woods State Nature Preserve parking area, located at 7661 Lonesome Road, St Paris, 43072 on Sunday, Sept. 1, at 3 p.m. Contact Michelle Comer at 937-537-6173 or michelle.comer@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
• Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve (Clark County) – The archery hunt drawing will be held at the Buck Creek State Park office, located at 1976 Buck Creek Lane, Springfield, 45502 on Wednesday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. Contact Michelle Comer at 937-537-6173 or michelle.comer@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
• Marsh Wetlands State Nature Preserve (Portage County) – The archery hunt drawing will be held at the Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve office, located at 11027 Hopkins Road, Garrettsville, 44231 on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 10 a.m. Contact Adam Wohlever at 330-527-5118 or adam.wohlever@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
• Gott Fen State Nature Preserve (Portage County) – The archery hunt drawing will be held at the Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve office, located at 11027 Hopkins Road, Garrettsville, 44231 on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 12 p.m. Contact Adam Wohlever at 330-527-5118 or adam.wohlever@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
• Goll Woods State Nature Preserve (Fulton County) – The archery hunt drawing will be held at the preserve office, located at 26093 County Road F, Archbold, 43502 on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 9 a.m. Contact Ryan Schroeder at 419-445-1775 or ryan.schroeder@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
• Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve (Hardin County) – The archery hunt drawing will be held at the preserve parking area, located at 13278 County Road 190, Kenton, 43226 onSunday, Sept. 8, at 1 p.m. Contact Ryan Schroeder at 419-445-1775 or ryan.schroeder@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more.
