ODNR SPECIAL ARCHERY DEER HUNTS ON STATE NATURE PRESERVES AND SCENIC RIVER LANDS

For Immediate Release

July 28, 2025

ODNR Offers Special Deer Hunts on State Nature Preserves and Scenic River Lands

Permits to participate in controlled hunts will be awarded by lottery for 2025-2026 season

COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Natural Areas and Preserves is holding special deer hunts at state nature preserves and state scenic river lands across Ohio during the 2025-2026 hunting season. These locations were identified as areas where browsing by high deer populations poses a threat to native plant communities. The division is offering gun and archery hunts in 22 counties this year.

Ohio’s nature preserve and state scenic rivers system protects some of the state’s rarest and highest quality terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Excessive browsing by deer negatively impacts many sensitive habitats and has been linked to increasing the spread of non-native, invasive plant species.

To participate, hunters must attend a mandatory meeting for each preserve they’d like to hunt. After each meeting, hunters will have an opportunity to purchase a $5 ticket to be entered into the preserve’s special hunt drawing. (Hunters who wish to apply for hunts at multiple sites will have to attend multiple meetings and purchase additional tickets.) Entry forms will not be accepted by mail.

After the drawing, successful entrants will be asked to remain for a pre-hunt orientation. Other special hunt requirements include:

• Hunters must possess a valid 2025-2026 hunting license to purchase tickets.

• Some of this year’s hunts will require an adult hunting license for eligibility

• Names will be randomly drawn and those selected will be assigned a specific time to hunt. For archery hunts, an orientation will be conducted immediately following the drawing.

• Hunters will be permitted to hunt with a partner; the partner is not required to attend the drawing or orientation.

Some of the hunts this year will be “antler-less deer only,” while others will allow the taking of antlered deer but only after harvesting an antler-less deer first. Harvesting the does first helps manage the deer population. Other special regulations will be addressed at the orientation meetings following the drawings.  

Big and Little Darby Creek Scenic River Land Archery Hunt Lottery

Meeting will be held on Aug. 21 (Ticket sales at 5:15 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m) at Pastime Park in the Youth Agriculture Building located at 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City, OH 43064.

UNION COUNTY

• Milford Center Scenic River Lands (archery).

• Terra Nova Scenic River Lands (archery).

MADISON COUNTY

• Anges Andreae and Little Darby Forrest preserves (archery).