State Rep. Lauren McNally steps into Mill Creek MetroParks deer debate, brings new research
Mahoning County residents contacted their state representative, State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown), to help save the deer at Mill Creek MetroParks.
McNally contacted the nonpartisan Legislative Service Commission to conduct research “on the intersection of state agencies, state law, case law, and the governance of Metroparks in Ohio.”
McNally responded with the following statement:
“The deer mitigation plan being proposed by Mill Creek Metroparks has been a source of contention for Mahoning County residents, many of whom have reached out to me personally or to my office to discuss it,” said Rep. McNally. “I understand and share the concerns raised about the hunting portion of the Metroparks’ plan, especially in densely populated areas like the city of Youngstown. I also share the goal of ensuring the longevity of our Metroparks and properly preserving this incredible community asset for the long-haul. That is why I have dedicated numerous resources from my office and various departments within the state to help address the questions on people’s minds and give them answers. This information is the result of that time and work.”
McNally issued comments from three attorneys who reviewed the case.
In short, they thought the case will end up in court when since Mill Creek’s ruling the deer culling was questioned by cities such as Youngstown.
“While the Division currently defers to local ordinances, it is unclear how a court may rule in a case where a hunter or metropark employee is authorized by the Division to cull deer in a metropark, but a municipal corporation prohibits doing so by an ordinance,” they wrote. “This matter is ultimately for a court to determine.”
Hunting case law
The researchers looked at other legal cases in Ohio in order to find out:
1) The authority of a municipal corporation to ban hunting or the discharging of a firearm,
2) Case law on the intersection of local and state governments regarding the subject of hunting, and
3) The legal governance of both hunting in Ohio and Metroparks generally.
“People are scared, confused, and looking for ways to calm their fears. My hope is that this unbiased, nonpartisan research will better inform their understanding of who is in charge of what, how decisions are made, and what the state actually does or can do when it comes to these plans,” said McNally.
Visit the House of Representatives website to view their research and read the case studies provided, including
It contains previous cases in Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, the definition of a metroparks and dissects the many hunting laws in place.
In their limited research, the LSC ultimately confirmed “a Metroparks’ status as a political subdivision governed by a board of park commissioners who are appointed by a probate judge. The memo outlines the powers of such a body politic and corporate, including the maintenance of the park and decision-making on that maintenance including deer culling.”
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This story was originally published May 16, 2023 at 12:00 AM.