Local

NICK DERICO: Why the controlled hunting program and targeted removal program are different

By Nick DeRico Mill Creek Metroparks

May 23, 2023 2:10 PM

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Mill Creek MetroParks Natural Resources Manager Nick DeRico responded Tuesday to Mahoning Matters’ request for comment about the difference between the controlled hunting program and the targeted removal program which is being planned to control the deer population. Here is his full response).

There are many differences between the controlled hunting program and the targeted removal program.

Will be conducted only at regional facilities throughout the county, where traditional hunting practices are determined to be safe and feasible.
Will utilize licensed hunters of the State to harvest deer, which will be selected through a random lottery conducted by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Will take place throughout the majority of the statewide hunting seasons, including both archery and firearm hunting opportunities at select facilities.
The maximum number of permit holders for the year will be 344, with a maximum number of permit holders at one time being 26 these numbers are the total number of permit holders for all properties which will be spread across nearly 2,000 huntable acres. The number of hunters per property is determined by the available acreage and will vary.
The exact number of deer which will be harvested in year one of the controlled hunting program is difficult to foresee due to a number of factors, however, based upon data from other ODNR controlled hunts we anticipate a success rate of ~20% (success rate meaning what number of permit holders successfully harvest a deer).

Will be conducted in the more urban areas of the MetroParks such as Mill Creek Park and Yellow Creek Park, where traditional hunting is not feasible.
Will be conducted by USDA Wildlife Services, using professional marksmen to harvest deer – all USDA harvested deer are then processed and donated to local foodbanks.
Will take place over a handful of days during the late fall/winter depending upon weather conditions and/or staff availability.
Again, this portion of the plan will be conducted by USDA Wildlife Services – they will be operating with only 1, perhaps 2 teams per night to harvest deer.
For the targeted removal portion of we are anticipating 50-100 deer to be harvested in Mill Creek Park and an additional 10-20 deer to be harvested from Yellow Creek Park.

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