Applications for the 2010-2011 bow hunting session are no longer being accepted.
2010 Season Information
The 2010-2011 Bow Hunting Qualifications will take place on August 7 & 8, 2010. You must have submitted an application prior to the deadline above and have received a written invitation to attend.
The Hamilton County Park District is seeking qualified bow hunters to help control urban deer populations at Richardson Forest Preserve, Oak Glen Nature Preserve, Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary, portion of Kroger Hills, Triple Creek, Mitchell Memorial Forest and Woodland Mound during the 2010/2011 bow hunting season. Hunters will be selected by lottery and, if selected, must demonstrate the ability to place 4 out of 5 arrows in a 10" diameter target from 20 yards. This qualification will be held on August 7 and 8 from 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and you must have an invitation to participate. Selected bow hunters will be required to show proof of completing an approved State Hunter Education course and possess all required Ohio Hunting licenses and permits. Selected bow hunters must also attend a meeting to ensure understanding of safety regulations.
*Preference will be given to Hamilton County residents who are not employed by the Park District.
To apply, send attached Application Form and the non-refundable application fee for each person on the application to:
ATTN: Controlled Bow Hunt
Hamilton County Park District
10245 Winton Road
Cincinnati, Ohio 45231
Completed applications must be received by 3:00 pm on July 12, 2010.
Controlled Bow Hunt Questions and Answers - 2010-2011
How are bow hunters selected?
Bow hunters who were a successful antlerless deer hunter in 2009-2010 hunting season get in automatically after submitting one application. They are invited to qualify based on the number of does and then buttons they harvested in the previous season. Bow hunters who harvested an antlered deer only do not get in automatically and are part of the lottery system. Everyone else who applies for the 2010-2011 season is subject to the lottery and will be invited to the qualifications based on the random lottery drawing. All hunters are required to pass or show proof they have already passed a State Hunter Education course, possess a current Ohio hunting license and deer permit and be able to place at least four out of five arrows in a 10" diameter target from an elevated position at 20 yards. Each hunter must also attend a brief meeting to ensure understanding of the safety regulations. The drawing will give preference to Hamilton County residents.
What if a hunter has not passed a hunter education course or can not produce proof?
A bow hunter can satisfy this requirement by passing the written portion of the Ohio Hunter Education course. A score of 80 out of 100 questions is required to pass. A complete review is available at: http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Hunting/huntered/hunted.htm
Will I need Hunter's Education before qualifications?
Yes, you will be required to pass the Hunter Safety Education Course prior to your qualification time. Hunters can fill this requirement at the qualification site by arriving at least one hour before their qualification time to take the Hunter Safety Test. The test may only be offered on Saturday August 7.
Where are the areas for bow hunting located?
Richardson Forest Preserve (401 acres) near the intersection of Kemper Road and Lick Road, Triple Creek (90 acres) on Buell Road, Oak Glen (100 acres) on Thompson Road and Oak Glen-Rumpke Tract (186 acres) along East Miami River Road and Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary (100 acres) on Sheits Road in Colerain Township, Mitchell Memorial Forest (295 Acres) along Jordon Road and Buffalo Ridge road, Kroger Hills (100 acres) on Wooster Pike in Terrace Park, and Woodland Mound(120 acres) along Nine mile Road. Please check back for updates on hunting locations at this website after May 21, 2010. Hunters will receive topographic maps and aerial photos of the area that they select to hunt.
How many hunters are allowed in each area?
The quota for Richardson Forest Preserve is 16 hunters per two-week session and 8 hunters for Oak Glen-Rumpke Tract and 12 for Mitchell Memorial Forest. The quota for each of the other sites is four. This should maintain sufficient hunting pressure to reduce deer numbers without excessive crowding.
How long is each hunter allowed to hunt?
Successful antlerless deer hunters from the previous season qualify for up to four weeks of hunting time. All hunters who are part of the lottery are only eligible for a two week session during the 2010-2011 Ohio Deer Archery season.
Additional Bow Hunt Questions
Where can a hunter hunt within each area?
The boundary of each area will utilize streams, roads, trails or property lines. Hunting is permitted anywhere within each area except within 30 yards of a neighboring property.
What happens when a hunter harvests a deer?
Once a deer is harvested, the deer must be checked at an official check station in Hamilton County. In addition, the Park District must also be provided other information such as sex, age, date and time of kill by phone call to the hotline at 728-3551 ext. 450 ASAP.
Can a hunter apply more than once?
Yes. The application form this year allows you to apply multiple times while submitting only one application. Each application will cost $5.00 per person on the application as long as you supply and active email address for each person on the application. If you do not submit an active email address on the application the application fee will be $20.00 per person for each application submitted. Submitting more than one application will increase your chances of being selected. However, no name will be drawn more than once. If you helped with Hunters for Habitat last February, 2010 you qualify for two free applications for the drawing when you submit your application. Please write a reminder note on the application to help ensure you receive this earned benefit.
How many names will be drawn?
Everyone who enters will be part of the random drawing. We anticipate needing approximately 300 hunters after the successful hunters form 2008-2009 have chosen their time. Hunters who pass the qualification and do not receive a two week session will be able to borrow time from other hunters who have received time during the 2010-2011 deer season. Each year we have several hunters who have to cancel for various reasons throughout the season. Hunters who do not receive two weeks and are considered alternate hunters will be contacted in the order drawn to fill any vacancies that may occur.
Will the hunter have a choice of their two-week session or hunting location?
Yes, After the successful hunters from last year have chosen their time then all other hunters will get to choose based on a first drawn, first choice basis, providing they have met all requirements. First name chosen will have first choice and so on.
Will there be time for scouting and preparing your hunting location?
Yes. Anytime after the bow qualifications and two weeks prior to the beginning of hunting season may be used for this purpose.
Is baiting allowed?
Yes. But only in assigned areas.
Are ATVs allowed?
No. Motorized vehicles will not be permitted beyond the designated parking areas.
Can I qualify with one bow, and then use another for hunting?
No. You must hunt with the bow you used to qualify. However, you may qualify with up to two bows. To qualify with two bows you must qualify with the hardest bow first. You must pass with the first bow to have an opportunity to qualify with the second bow.
How does Hunting with a buddy work?
You must submit your buddy’s name with yours on the space provided on the application. An application fee of $5.00 per person is required if an active email is provided for each hunter and $20.00 per person if no active email is provided for each hunter. The correct fee amount must be submitted with the application. Each hunter’s name will be entered into the drawing; if one of the hunters is drawn the other is automatically drawn. A hunter from Hamilton County can now hunt with a buddy from outside the county.
What happens if I pass the qualifications and my Buddy does not?
If either one of the hunters fail to pass the qualification the other hunter who passes will be hunting without a partner. There is no opportunity to pick a new partner.
Will there be other opportunities to hunt more than the two week session?
Yes, but you must be willing to share your contact information with other hunters (details will be given at qualification day).
What if I harvest more deer than I can use?
The harvested deer will belong to the hunter; however, a field dressed deer from the program can be dropped off at End of the Trail Deer Processing to be donated to the "Hunters for the Hungry" program at no expense to the hunter.
What kind of equipment is allowed?
All equipment must conform to the State of Ohio requirements. Compound, long, recurve and crossbows are allowed. Longbow: minimum draw weight 40 lb. Crossbow: draw weight not less than 75 lb., or more than 200 lb.
Are tree stands allowed?
Yes, wearing of a safety harness is required with use of any tree stand. Hunting on the ground is also permitted. The harness must be worn while hunting off the ground. Failure to do so will result in loss of hunting privileges. Climbing, ladder, tripod stands and pop-up blinds are all allowed. However, only limited clearing of shooting lanes is allowed. Cutting of sticks, branches or bushes larger than ½" (unless it is bush honeysuckle) is prohibited. It is unlawful to construct, place or use a permanent-type tree stand, or to place spikes, nails, wires or other metal objects into a tree to act as steps or to hold a tree stand on Park District property.
What hours are hunters allowed to hunt?
Archery season hours are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. The official times for sunrise and sunset are found in the hunting digest. Be sure to use the times for Western Ohio.
Are bow hunters allowed to take a mature buck?
Yes, but hunters are encouraged to harvest does to help control the population.
How many deer are participants allowed to take?
As many as are allowed by State Law using State of Ohio Urban and Regular Deer Hunting permits. Antlerless Deer permits are issued in addition to the Special Deer permits for regular hunting seasons.
Are there plans to allow hunting for other species?
No. The controlled bow hunting program is an ecological management tool for white-tailed deer only.
How will hunters be monitored for compliance with Hamilton County Park District Policy and State laws?
All harvested deer must be checked at a State of Ohio deer check station for permanent tagging. Bow hunters may be checked periodically by Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers or Park District Rangers to ensure compliance.
Can hunters trade time with each other to help maximize their hunting opportunities?
Yes, hunters are allowed to trade time with other hunters in different sessions and even different parks as long as it is one of the areas open for hunting. We prefer hunters who cannot hunt every day during there hunting session allow other hunters use this time to increase hunter opportunity and hopefully increase hunter harvest.
I passed the qualification process and all the time for hunting was taken, will I still be able to hunt?
Yes, but you will have to call hunters from a list provided, and borrow some of the time they will not be able to hunt.
If I borrow time from other hunters can it be in any park that has hunting or do I need to stay in the same park that I picked for my two weeks?
No, you can hunt in any park open to hunting as long as you get time from another hunter. If you think you would hunt in multiple parks open for hunting, we encourage you to scout them out before hunting season.
