Wildlife Management Program – Veterans w/SCD

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. Lake Metroparks intends to offer a portion of this program to veterans of the United States armed forces with service-connected disabilities.

• Applications for the 2026-27 Controlled Hunt Program for veterans with service-connected disabilities will be accepted beginning July 14, 2026. Click here for the application.
• Applications will be accepted through August 11, 2026.
• Applications must be mailed to Lake Metroparks administrative offices or be completed in person with the Lake Metroparks Registration Department in the administrative offices at Concord Woods located at 11211 Spear Rd. in Concord Twp., OH 44077.
• Applications received by mail must be postmarked no later than August 11, 2026. A hunting schedule will be posted on August 14, 2026.

Eligibility

• Participation in this portion of the controlled, archery-only hunt will be limited to veterans of the United States armed forces with service-connected disabilities 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

• Program participants will be assigned hunting times throughout the Ohio Archery Deer Season based on the overall number of applicants, needs & accommodations, and levels of interest.
• A lottery system may be used to select participants if the number of applicants exceeds the number of available hunting slots.

For the 2026-27 Controlled Hunt Program for veterans with service-connected disabilities, archery hunting will take place at Big Creek Williams Rd. property. Participants hunt from specific sites designated by Lake Metroparks. Tree stands or ground blinds are provided for hunters depending on the particular location. Hunting takes place in both wooded and meadow habitats. Parking is available within close proximity to each site. Access to the interior of most areas is gained through unimproved and mowed paths.

NOTE: It is the applicant’s responsibility to inform Lake Metroparks of medical/physical conditions and/or request related accommodations.

Rules & Regulations

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

Mandatory Requirements

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 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 4:30 to 7:30 PM on Friday September 4, 2026.

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 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.

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: 9/20 (Group 1), 10/18, 11/8, 11/29, 12/20 in 2026 and 1/10 in 2027.