Wildlife Management Program

Regionally and throughout the state, changes in habitat and the elimination of natural predators have allowed deer herds to grow to unnatural densities. In order to restore and maintain a balanced ecosystem, Lake Metroparks implemented and has conducted a deer management program since 2011.

• Applications will be accepted from July 23 through August 20, 2019. A lottery system will be used to select participants. Lottery results will be posted August 22, 2019. 
• Click here to register online.
• Applications may also be completed in person with the Lake Metroparks Registration Department in the Administrative Office at Concord Woods located at 11211 Spear Rd. in Concord Twp.

Eligibility

• Participation in the 2019-2020 controlled, archery-only hunt will be limited to Lake County residents or business owners 18 years of age or older. 
• Interested eligible applicants are required to apply.
• Lake Metroparks employees and immediate family members residing within the employee's household are not eligible.

Selection & Locations

• Pre-qualified applicants will be selected in a lottery and issued a permit to hunt on park property if they meet all criteria for the program.
• Selected participants will be assigned a three-week slot, as determined by Lake Metroparks. These assignments (location and hunting time) are based upon the time in which an applicant’s number is drawn in the lottery.
• Participants who successfully harvest a deer will be entered into a guaranteed lottery for the next hunting season (2020-2021) if that participant registers to hunt for the next hunting season. This drawing will take place prior to the main drawing. A participant’s number will be drawn followed by a hunting slot number to determine their hunting assignment. Hunting partners who harvested a deer the previous season are also eligible.

For the 2019-2020 Controlled Hunt Program, archery hunting will take place at River Road Park in Madison Township, Indian Point Park in Leroy Township, Lake Erie Bluffs in Perry Township and Hell Hollow Wilderness Area in Leroy Township. Assignment to a particular hunting time and location is dependent upon the order in which an applicant’s number is drawn in the lottery.

Participants selected in the lottery to hunt at River Road Park hunt from specific sites designated by Lake Metroparks. Tree stands are provided for hunters. Hunters may choose to bring their own tree stands or blinds while hunting provided that they are professionally manufactured and placed within 100 yards of their designated stand location.

Participants selected in the lottery to hunt at Indian Point Park Lower (Vrooman Road Corridor) and Lake Erie Bluffs hunt within assigned areas designated by Lake Metroparks. Participants may choose a specific hunting location within their assigned area, provided that their site is not within a designated safety zone. Hunters choosing to hunt from elevated positions must provide their own tree stand or blind provided they are professionally manufactured.

Sites at Indian Point Park Upper (along Seeley Road) have been selected by Lake Metroparks. Participants selected to hunt at Indian Point Park Upper may only hunt from the blinds at this location.

Participants selected to hunt at Hell Hollow Wilderness Area in Leroy Township hunt within an area identified by Lake Metroparks. Hunters must provide their own stand/blind while hunting at this location. 

Rules & Regulations

Click here for a complete list of updated rules and regulations.

Proficiency Test

All participants must demonstrate skill proficiency using his/her own equipment. Four out of five shots OR eight out of ten shots must land into 7.5” target at 12 yards. No practice shots permitted prior to test; maximum of ten shots permitted per test. One “fail to qualify” permitted per season (test may be retaken one time). Proficiency tests will be held during mandatory orientation meetings held at Hidden Lake utilizing the archery range at the park. Participants must bring their bow and arrows equipped with target points in order to take the test. Targets will be supplied by Lake Metroparks. Testing will be administered by a Lake Metroparks representative who will determine whether a participant has successfully passed.

Mandatory Meetings

Participants are required to attend one mandatory meeting for their assigned group to be held at Lake Metroparks' Hidden Lake shelter located at 7024 Kniffen Rd. in Leroy Township. Participants are asked to attend the meeting scheduled for their assigned group. Those dates are: 

• Group 1: Sun., Sept. 8, 2019 at noon
• Group 2: Sun., Sept. 8, 2019 at 2 pm
• Group 3: Sun., Sept. 22, 2019 at noon
• Group 4: Sun., Sept. 22, 2019 at 2 pm
• Group 5: Sun., Oct. 6, 2019 at noon
• Group 6: Sun., Oct., 6, 2019 at 2 pm

Property Access by Participants

Participants will be permitted to access the properties to be hunted in order to familiarize themselves with stand locations and property layouts after noon on each of the following dates: 10/20, 11/10, 12/1, 12/22 in 2019 and 1/12 in 2020. 

Partner System

Each program participant has the opportunity to name one “partner” for their own stand and group assignment. The designated “partner” will be allowed to hunt only when the primary participant chooses not to hunt. The “partner” is required to fill out the partner application, pass the proficiency test and attend the mandatory meeting with their primary program participant before they can hunt. 

Click here to download the Partner Application.