ODNR to Offer Youth Deer Gun Hunts at State Nature Preserves

Permits to participate in youth gun hunts will be awarded by lottery

COLUMBUS, OHIO - An increasing deer population, resulting in extensive damage to plant communities, has led the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves to coordinate special controlled deer hunts including youth hunts at four state nature preserves—Desonier (Athens County), Goll Woods (Fulton County), Johnson Woods (Wayne County) and Lawrence Woods (Hardin County). A random drawing will be held to select participants for all four hunts.

The hunts will take place November 21 during the regular youth deer gun hunting season. At each site, successful applicants must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult partner. Only one deer may be harvested during the youth hunting season. Youth hunters aged 17 years and younger are eligible. All Ohio hunting rules and regulations will apply.

Interested applicants should submit a 3x5 card with their printed name, complete address and daytime telephone number along with the preserve hunt title (i.e. “Desonier Woods Youth Deer Hunt”) and a $5 processing fee (check or money order) for each entry to ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, 2045 Morse Road, Bldg. F-1, Columbus, Ohio 43229. Applicants may apply for more than one hunt but will only be drawn once. Permits are transferable.

Applications must be received by October 1, 2009. Successful applicants will be notified by mail and must attend a pre-hunt meeting. For more information about the preserves or the special management hunt lottery, please visit www.ohiodnr.com/dnap.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.