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.

• Registration will be open from July 15 through August 12, 2025. A lottery system will be used to select participants. Lottery results will be posted August 14, 2025.
• Lake Metroparks registration system requires all customers to create an account login, username and password in order to access program registration, facility reservations and Farmpark membership purchases.
• If you require assistance registering, please call Lake Metroparks Registration Department at 440-358-7275.
• Click here to register online beginning July 15.

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.
• Selected program participants may not trade or switch sites with another program participant without express authorization from the program coordinator.
• Participants who successfully harvest a deer will be entered into a guaranteed lottery for the next hunting season (2026-2027) 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 are also eligible.

For the 2025-26 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.

Sites at River Road Park have been selected by Lake Metroparks and will be assigned for each hunter. A hunter may choose to hunt from this location or provide his or her own stand/blind for hunting as long as it is placed anywhere within 100 yards of their assigned stand location.

Participants selected to hunt at Indian Point Park Lower (Vrooman Road Corridor) and Lake Erie Bluffs may choose a hunting site within the area assigned to them provided that the site selected is not within a designated safety zone. Hunters must provide their own stand/blind
while hunting at these locations.

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

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

For a complete list of updated rules and regulations, click here.

MANDATORY REQUIREMENTS

Participants must complete an online orientation that explains the operational aspects of the program, rules & safety information, and requirements of participants. This orientation will take the place of the mandatory orientation meetings of past seasons. Participants selected in the lottery will receive information explaining how to access the online orientation. Participants must complete the online orientation and provide proof of completion before they will receive a permit to hunt.

Participant 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 testing will take place at Lake Metroparks’ Hidden Lake archery range at 7024 Kniffen Rd. Leroy Twp., OH 44077.  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 Lake Metroparks staff or volunteers who will determine whether a participant has successfully passed. Testing will take place from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 6 and Sunday, September 7, 2025. We ask that participants in groups 1-3 complete the test on Saturday, September 6 and participants in groups 4-6 complete the test on Sunday, September 7.

Participation

Participants are required to be in compliance with all Ohio Division of Wildlife regulations and have the appropriate license(s).

Program participants may be accompanied by one non-hunting companion, who:

• Must remain in the vicinity of permit holder.
• Must wear orange.
• May not be a Lake Metroparks employee.
• Driving of deer not permitted.

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 12 pm on each of the following dates: 10/19/25, 11/9/25, 11/30/25, 12/21/25 and 1/11/26.

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 complete the online orientation before they can hunt.

Click here to download the Partner Application. Send completed partner applications to cvandusen-difabio@lakemetroparks.com.