ODNR offers special hunts on State Nature Preserves

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 high deer populations pose a threat to native plant communities.

The division is offering archery hunts in 22 counties this year. Three state nature preserves will permit gun and muzzleloader hunts. Permits for all special hunts will be awarded through a lottery system.

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 (cash-only) 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 mandatory pre-hunt meeting. 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, visit ohiodnr.gov for eligibility requirements.
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.
Hunters interested in the Lake Katharine gun, muzzleloader, and archery hunts will have to purchase separate lottery tickets for each event.

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

All the preserves listed below will be offering special archery hunts. Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve (Jackson County) will offer archery, gun, and muzzleloader hunts, and Boch Hollow (Hocking County) and Stage’s Pond (Pickaway County) will both offer special gun hunts.

For more details related to available hunting dates at each site and local contact information, visit ohiodnr.gov.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
Davey Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6 at noon at the preserve parking area located at 7661 Lonesome Road, St. Paris, OH 43072.

HARDIN COUNTY
Lawerence Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 1 p.m. at preserve parking area located at 13278 County Road 190, Kenton, OH 43226.

UNION COUNTY
Milford Center Scenic River Lands (archery). The meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., meeting follows 6:20 p.m. drawing) at Pastime Park in the Youth Agriculture Building located at 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City, OH 43064.

Terra Nova Scenic River Lands (archery). The meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 21 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., meeting follows 6:20 p.m. drawing) at Pastime Park in the Youth Agriculture Building located at 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City, OH 43064.

The ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves is dedicated to preserving and protecting Ohio’s unique natural heritage and restoring the finest land and water resources in the state by managing a system of 152 state nature preserves and 16 scenic rivers.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.