Nine special deer hunts at nature preserves open by lottery this year for Ohio hunters
Deer that have been overeating native Ohio plants will be the target of several special hunts this year.
Ohio hunters interested in harvesting a deer during those hunts must attend an informational meeting and then pay $5 to have their name submitted for a drawing, according to a news release provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
"Hunters who wish to apply for hunts at multiple sites will have to attend multiple meetings and purchase additional tickets," the news release explained.
Hunters must attend the meetings and present their applications in person. Entries will not be accepted through the mail.
Nine state nature preserves open for hunts
"Nine preserves have been identified as locations where native plant communities are threatened by high deer populations," the state's announcement reads.
Special gun hunts will be offered this year at Boch Hollow and Stage’s Pond state nature preserves.
Gun and archery hunting opportunities both will be provided at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve.
Archery only hunts will be available at Caesar Creek, Davey Woods, Gallagher Fen, Goll Woods, Hueston Woods and Lawrence Woods state nature preserves.
"Ohio’s nature preserve system protects some of the state’s rarest and highest quality ecology," the ODNR states. "Browsing by deer exerts a negative impact on many sensitive habitats and has been linked to increasing the spread of non-native, invasive plant species."
'Special regulations will be addressed at the orientation meetings'
Some of the special hunts offered this year will be for antlerless deer only.
"Harvesting does first helps manage the deer population," the release reads. "Other special regulations will be addressed at the orientation meetings following the drawings."
The Lake Katharine meeting will be 10 a.m. Aug. 19 at 1703 Lake Katharine Rd. in Jackson, which is in Jackson County. For more information, contact Josh Deemer at 740-285-5971 or joshwa.deemer@dnr.ohio.gov.
The Caesar Creek meeting will be 9 a.m. Sept. 9 at 4080 Corwin Rd. in Oregonia, which is in Warren County. For more information, contact Eric Sagasser at 937-418-8710 or eric.sagasser@dnr.ohio.gov.The Goll Woods meeting will be 9 a.m. Aug. 26 at 26093 County Road F in Archbold, which is in Fulton County. For more information, contact Ryan Schroeder at 419-445-1775 or ryan.schroeder@dnr.ohio.gov.
The Lawrence Woods meeting will be 2 p.m. Aug. 26 at 13278 County Road 190 in Kenton, which is in Hardin County. For more information, contact Ryan Schroeder at 419-445-1775 or ryan.schroeder@dnr.ohio.gov.
The Gallagher Fen meeting will be 9 a.m. Aug. 26 at 4709 Old Columbus Rd. in Springfield, which is in Clark County. For more information, contact Michelle Comer at 937-537-6173 or michelle.comer@dnr.ohio.gov.
The Hueston Woods meeting will be 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at 6301 Park Office Rd. in College Corner, which is on the border of Butler and Preble counties. For more information, contact Eric Sagasser at 418-87937-10 or eric.sagasser@dnr.ohio.gov.
The Davey Woods meeting will be 1 p.m. Aug. 26 at 7661 Lonesome Rd. in St. Paris, which is in Champaign County. For more information, contact Michelle Comer at 937-537-6173 or michelle.comer@dnr.ohio.gov.
The Boch Hollow meeting wil be 12:30 p.m. Aug. 12 at 7211 Bremen Rd. in Logan, which is in Hocking County. For more information, contact Levi Miller at 740-380-8919 or levi.miller@dnr.ohio.gov.
The Stages Pond meeting will be 9 a.m. Aug. 23 at 4792 Hagerty Rd. in Ashville, which is in Pickaway County. For more information, contact Levi Miller at 740-380-8919 or levi.miller@dnr.ohio.gov.
Hunters must have a valid 2023-2024 hunting license to purchase tickets. Names will be randomly drawn. Those selected will be assigned a specific time to hunt.
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Twitter: @zachtuggle
This article originally appeared on Mansfield News Journal: 9 special Ohio hunts slated where deer negatively affecting habitat
