Special Deer Hunts on Seven State Scenic Ohio River Properties
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will offer special archery deer hunts at seven locations, which border three of Ohio’s state scenic rivers, through local lottery drawings. The hunts will offer sportsmen a unique opportunity to explore seldom visited sites, while lessening the impact of deer browsing on native plant populations.
The Scenic Rivers program has identified properties along some of Ohio’s highest quality rivers and streams to be open for the hunts. These woodland and successional habitats, including broad floodplains and upland regions, have seen very little hunting and should offer good sporting conditions.
Application for the hunts will be handled at the local level by ODNR staff during scheduled drawings. At that time, hunters can enter the drawing by purchasing a single ticket at the price of $5. Hunters must possess a valid 2017-2018 hunting license to purchase tickets.
Names will be randomly drawn, and those selected will be assigned a specific time to hunt. An orientation meeting will be conducted immediately following the drawing, outlining special regulations for the hunts. Hunters will be permitted to hunt with a partner. The partner is not required to attend the drawing or orientation.
All of these special hunts will be archery only, and each winner will receive a two-week period in which they can hunt at that particular site. Hunters may enter the drawings for all seven of the hunts, but they must attend the drawing/orientation meeting for each hunt. Entry forms will not be accepted by mail or phone.
Hunt locations and drawing dates are listed below:
Hunts along the Big and Little Darby Creek (Terra Nova, Milford Center, Andre Agnes and Little Darby Forrest Preserve): Drawing/orientation meeting will be held at the Plain City Youth Building, located in Pastime Park, 344 N. Chillicothe Street, Plain City, on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 2 p.m.
Terra Nova (Union County) – This site is located on Big Darby Creek. The hunt site is located on North Lewisburg Road in North Lewisburg
Milford Center (Union County) – This is site located on Big Darby Creek. The hunt site is located between Middleburg-Plain City Road and North Darby Coe Road just southeast of Collins Road.
Andre Agnes and Little Darby Forrest Preserves* (Madison County) – Both sites are located on the Little Darby Creek. This hunt is being conducted in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy and opens two new sites for bowhunting this season through Friday, Dec. 22.
Hunts along Little Miami River (Deerfield Gorge, Caesar Creek, Hall’s Creek and Roxanna): Drawings/orientation meetings for four sites along the Little Miami River will be held at the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers Visitor’s Center, 4020 N. Clarksville Road, Waynesville, on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 10 a.m.
Deerfield Gorge (Warren County) – This site is located on the Little Miami River. The hunt site is located on King Avenue, Maineville.
Caesar Creek (Warren County) – This site is located on the Little Miami River. The hunt site for Caesar Creek is located on County Road 30 (Middletown Road), Waynesville.
Hall’s Creek (Warren County) – This site is located on the Little Miami River. The hunt site for Hall’s Creek is located on Mason Morrow Millgrove Road, Morrow.
Roxanna (Greene County) – This site is located on the Little Miami River. The hunt site for Roxanna is located on U.S. Route 42, Spring Valley.
Stillwater River Hunt: The drawing/orientation meeting will be held at the Barn at Stillwater Prairie, 9750 State Route 185, Covington, on Saturday, Sept. 16, at 4 p.m.
Abshire-Graves (Darke County) – This site is located on the Stillwater River. The hunt site is located on State Route 185, Versailles.
Cool-Davis (Miami County) – This site is located on the northeast corner of the State Route 185 bridge crossing over the Stillwater River in Miami County.
For more information about hunting seasons and regulations, call 800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.gov.
