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Permits to participate in controlled hunts will be awarded by lottery for 2026-2027 season

ODNR Offers Special Deer Hunts on State Nature Preserves and Scenic River Lands

July 14, 2026 Dan Ramey

Article presented by Litter Quality Propane …

COLUMBUS, Ohio – 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 2026-2027 hunting season. These locations were identified as areas where browsing by high deer populations poses a threat to native plant communities.
 
The division is offering gun and archery hunts in 22 counties this year. Five state nature preserves will permit gun or 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 where they would 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 pre-hunt orientation. Other special hunt requirements include:

  • Hunters must possess a valid 2026-2027 hunting license to purchase tickets.
  • Some of this year’s hunts will require an adult hunting license. 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 multiple types of special hunts at Caesar Creek Gorge, Lake Katharine, and Sheepskin Hollow state nature preserves will have to purchase separate lottery tickets for each hunt lottery.

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 preserves listed below will be offering special archery hunts, with the exception of Caesar Creek Gorge (Warren County), which will offer special gun and muzzleloader hunts. Additionally, Lake Katharine (Jackson County) and Sheepskin Hollow (Columbiana County) will offer special gun and archery hunts, and Boch Hollow (Hocking County) and Stage’s Pond (Pickaway County) will offer gun hunts.
 
Locations and dates for special hunt meetings are listed below. For more details related to available hunting dates at each site and local contact information, visit ohiodnr.gov.
 
BUTLER and PREBLE COUNTIES
Hueston Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 15 at 9 a.m. at Hueston Woods State Park Lodge located at 6301 Park Office Road, College Corner, OH 45003.
 
CHAMPAIGN COUNTY
Davey Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 23 at 11:30 a.m. at the preserve parking area located at 7661 Lonesome Road, St. Paris, OH 43072.
 
CLARK COUNTY
Gallagher Fen State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 23 at 9 a.m. at the preserve parking area located at 4709 Old Columbus Road, Springfield, OH 45504.
 
CLINTON COUNTY
Culberson Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug.15 at 2 p.m. at Caesar Creek State Nature Preserve office located at 4080 Corwin Road, Oregonia, OH 45054.
 
COLUMBIANA COUNTY
Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve (archery and gun). Meeting will be held on Aug.16 at 3 p.m. at Middleton Twp. Fish and Game located at 50501 Richardson Ave., Negley, OH 44441.
 
DARKE COUNTY
Abshire-Graves Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug.13 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Stillwater Prairie Preserve maintenance barn located at 9750 State Route 185, Covington, OH 45318.
 
FULTON COUNTY
Goll Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. at the preserve office located at 26093 County Road F, Archbold, OH 43502.   
 
GREENE COUNTY
Roxanna Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 20 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Spring Valley Wildlife Area Shooting Range located at 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville, OH 45068.
 
HARDIN COUNTY
Lawerence Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 22 at 1 p.m. at preserve parking area located at 13278 County Road 190, Kenton, OH 43226.
 
HOCKING COUNTY
Boch Hollow State Nature Preserve (gun). Meeting will be held on Aug. 22 at 11:30 a.m. at the preserve office located at 7211 Bremen Road, Logan, OH 43138.
 
HURON COUNTY
Augusta-Anne Olsen State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. at the preserve office located at 4934 W. River Road, Wakeman, OH 44889.        
 
JACKSON COUNTY
Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve (archery and gun). Meeting will be held on Aug.15 at 10 a.m. at the preserve office located at 1703 Lake Katharine Road, Jackson, OH 45640.
 
MADISON COUNTY
Anges Andreae and Little Darby Forrest preserves (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 27 (Ticket sales at 5:15 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m., and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Pastime Park in the Youth Agriculture Building located at 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City, OH 43064.
 
MERCER COUNTY
Baker Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 23 at 3 p.m. at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Villa Nova shelter house located at 834 Edgewater Drive, St. Marys, Ohio 45885.
 
MIAMI COUNTY
Cool-Davis Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 13 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Stillwater Prairie Preserve maintenance barn located at 9750 State Route 185, Covington, OH 45318.
 
PICKAWAY COUNTY
Stage’s Pond State Nature Preserve (gun). Meeting to be held on Aug. 22 at 9 a.m. at the preserve office located at 4792 Hagerty Road, Ashville, OH 43103.
 
PORTAGE COUNTY
Eagle Creek State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 22 at 10 a.m. at the preserve office located at 11027 Hopkins Road, Garrettsville, OH 44231.
 
SENECA COUNTY
Collier State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 22 at 4 p.m. at the preserve parking area located at 1655 W. Township Road 38, Tiffin, OH 44883.
 
SHELBY COUNTY
Gross Woods State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 23 at 2 p.m. at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park Villa Nova shelter house located at 834 Edgewater Drive, St. Marys, Ohio 45885.
 
UNION COUNTY
Milford Center Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 27 (Ticket sales at 5:15 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Pastime Park in the Youth Agriculture Building located at 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City, OH 43064.
 
Terra Nova Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 27 (Ticket sales at 5:15 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Pastime Park in the Youth Agriculture Building located at 370 N. Chillicothe St., Plain City, OH 43064.
 
WARREN COUNTY
Caesar Creek Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 20 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Spring Valley Wildlife Area Shooting Range located at 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville, OH 45068.
 
Caesar Creek Gorge State Nature Preserve (gun and muzzleloader). Meeting will be held on Aug. 15 at 12:30 p.m. at the preserve office located at 4080 Corwin Road, Oregonia, OH 45054.
 
Deerfield Gorge Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 20 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Spring Valley Wildlife Area Shooting Range located at 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville, OH 45068

Halls Creek Scenic River Lands (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 20 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m., and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Spring Valley Wildlife Area Shooting Range located at 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville, OH 45068.
 
Halls Creek State Nature Preserve (archery). Meeting will be held on Aug. 20 (ticket sales at 5:30 p.m., drawing at 6:20 p.m. and meeting at 6:30 p.m.) at Spring Valley Wildlife Area Shooting Range located at 3570 Houston Road, Waynesville, OH 45068.

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