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.

• The application period for the 2024-2025 Controlled Hunt Program for Veterans with Service-Connected Disabilities is now closed.
• Click here to see the schedule. Please refer to the number you were assigned upon receipt of your application. If you have been selected for this program your number will appear in a group and stand assignment. Please call 440-358-7275 if you are unsure of your receipt number.
• The schedule is also posted at the Lake Metroparks Administrative Offices at 11211 Spear Rd, Concord Twp., Ohio 44077.
• If you know that you are unable or unwilling to hunt in your assigned slot, please let us know as soon as possible so that we may fill that slot. All stand and group assignments are final. You may contact the Lake Metroparks Registration Department at 440-358-7275. Alternate selections will be posted as necessary.
• Applicants drawn are required to pass a proficiency test and meet additional requirements prior to receiving a permit. Each permit assigns a hunter a specific stand and period during which he/she may participate during Ohio archery deer season. Hunters must follow hunting guidelines established by the Ohio Division of Wildlife and Lake Metroparks.

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 2024-25 Controlled Hunt Program for veterans with service-connected disabilities, archery hunting will take place within a portion of Lake Metroparks’ Big Creek Corridor property in Concord Township. Hunting will take place in natural areas that include forest and meadow habitats. A blind or tree stand will be provided in each area by Lake Metroparks. Hunters may bring their own tree stands or blinds provided that they are professionally manufactured and they hunt within designated hunting area. 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., Ohio 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 4:00 to 7:00 pm on Friday, September 6, 2024.

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 the proficiency testing to 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: 9/22/24 (Group 1), 10/20/24, 11/10/24, 12/1/24, 12/22/24 and 1/12/25.