Skilled area bow hunters looking for places with plenty of deer should consider taking part in the sixth annual Five Rivers MetroParks controlled deer hunt.
Hunters 18 and older must sign up by Aug. 9 and enter a lottery for the opportunity to hunt deer in selected remote, nonpublic areas of the MetroParks. There is a $5 application fee.
The annual controlled hunts are conducted to manage the size of the herd, minimize deer damage and prevent disease.
“Last year we had 450 apply for 270 spots,” said Michael Enright of the MetroParks. “This year we estimate we’ll have 600 to 800 apply for the same number of spots.”
He said 49 deer were taken last year, and that’s about the number his staff would like to see harvested by this year’s hunts – between 40 and 60.
Interested hunters, who must have a current Ohio hunting license and deer permits, can obtain more information and register online at www.metroparks.org/bowhunting.
After hunters have been picked by lottery, they must pass both a shooting qualification test and orientation, scheduled for Aug. 22-23 at the Gander Mountain store, 8001 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights. Hunters must have proof they have passed a hunter-education course or may take a test provided by the MetroParks.
Those drawn will be allowed one month to hunt in a selected area and must take an antlerless deer before an antlered deer. The hunting will be scheduled between October and January, and all deer killed count toward a hunter’s annual state bag limits.
Several of the MetroParks hunting areas are within the state’s urban hunting zones.
For more information, contact Enright at michael.enright@metroparks.org or call (937) 277-4109.
“This is a good program for people who are looking for a good place to hunt that’s close to home, and at the same time, it helps us control the size of our deer population,” Enright added.
Source: DaytonDailyNews
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