ODNR offers special deer hunts on state nature preserves, scenic river lands

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,” whereas 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.