Ohio DNR to host scenic river deer hunts this fall

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (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.

MORE COVERAGE FROM OHIO OUTDOOR NEWS:

Ohio Insider: Lake Erie walleye fishing is great, but potential ‘fly in the ointment’ exists

Ohio’s young shooters fare well at SCTP Nationals

Ohio’s duck zones could change in 2026 hunt

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 here.

Adams County

Chaparral State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at the preserve office located at 209 Hawk Hill Road, West Union.

Davis Memorial State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve office located at 209 Hawk Hill Road, West Union.

Johnson Ridge State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve office located at 209 Hawk Hill Road, West Union.

Shoemaker State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve office located at 209 Hawk Hill Road, West Union.

Whipple State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve office located at 209 Hawk Hill Road, West Union.

Columbiana County

Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held on Sunday, Aug. 17 at 2:30 p.m. at Middleton Twp. Fish and Game located at 50501 Richardson Ave., Negley.

Darke County

Abshire-Graves Scenic River Lands (archery). The meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 14 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., meeting follows 6:20 p.m. drawing) at Stillwater Prairie Preserve maintenance barn located at 9750 State Route 185, Covington, Ohio.

Fulton County

Goll Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. at the preserve office located at 26093 County Road F, Archbold.     

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.

Highland County

Miller Sanctuary State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at Chaparral Prairie State Nature Preserve office located at 209 Hawk Hill Road, West Union.

Hocking County

Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve (gun). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 16 at 11:30 a.m. at the preserve office located at 7211 Bremen Road, Logan.

Huron County

Augusta-Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Sept. 6 at 10 a.m. at the preserve office located at 4934 W. River Road, Wakeman.        

Jackson County

Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve (archery, gun, muzzleloader). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug.16 at 10 a.m. at the preserve office located at 1703 Lake Katharine Road, Jackson.

Madison County

Anges Andreae and Little Darby Forrest preserves (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.

Miami County

Cool-Davis Scenic River Lands (archery). The meeting will be held on Thursday, Aug. 14 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., meeting follows 6:20 p.m. drawing) at Stillwater Prairie Preserve maintenance barn located at 9750 State Route 185, Covington, Ohio.

Pickaway County

Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve (gun). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug 16. at 9 a.m. at the preserve office located at 4792 Hagerty Road, Ashville.

Portage County

Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at the preserve office located at 11027 Hopkins Road, Garrettsville.

Seneca County

Collier State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. at preserve parking area located at 1655 W. Township Road 38, Tiffin.

Shelby County

Gross Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). The meeting will be held Saturday, Sept. 6 at 9.a.m. at Gross Woods State Nature Preserve parking lot located at 19575 Botkins Road, Jackson Center.

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.

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.