Ohio’s 2025 Acorn Mast Survey Results October 24, 2025 ODNR News
Red and white oaks produced more acorns than last year and the average from 2005. More acorns means deer will have to move less to fiind food, making it harder for hunters to find deer. See link above for the report.
Infectious diseases are killing deer and risking rural US economies: 'You smell the dead everywhere' October 21, 2025 Ohio, The Guardian
... Chronic wasting disease (CWD) and epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) are killing wild deer in greater numbers in dozens of rural counties across the midwest that depend on the industry. The number of sick and dead deer reported by the public to Ohio’s department of natural resources grew from 2,093 in 2024 to 8,759 this year. "...
How white-tailed deer overcame extinction October 9, 2025 Ohio, Farm and Dairy
... overhunting and loss of habitat due to deforestation drove the once flush population of white-tailed deer to statewide extirpation by 1909. White-tailed deer along with wild turkey were nowhere to be found in Ohio until 1943 ... Because of the reestablishment of forest lands and regulations put in place by the Division of Wildlife, Ohio’s deer herd had grown over the course of about one hundred years from statewide extirpation ..,
State rejects plan to kill 100 deer in MetroParks October 4, 2025 Ohio, The Vindicator
... permitting Mill Creek MetroParks to have 50 deer killed in the area near its Boardman golf course — not the 100 it requested... “only valid in park areas where deer management is allowed and does not supersede any local ordinances.” ... Youngstown officials in April 2023 said the planned deer reduction through shooting or bow hunting would violate city ordinances...
EHD outbreak impacts Ohio’s deer herd, livestock largely unaffected October 3, 2025 Ohio's Country Journal
... we’ve had thousands of reported deer deaths... this year’s environmental conditions were favorable for a large outbreak. NOAA data showed that in Athens, the spring months averaged about three degrees warmer than the historical norm of 51 degrees, giving midges a head start ... The biting midges prefer shallow, stagnant, muddy water with warm conditions...
North Olmsted preparing for deer culling season with new resident survey October 2, 2025 Ohio, cleveland.com
... Prior to beginning the North Olmsted Police Department’s annual white-tailed deer management program, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources/Division of Wildlife requires an annual survey of residents...
Shaker Heights to add surgical sterilization to deer culling program September 29, 2025 Ohio, cleveland.com on MSN
... Shaker Heights plans to add surgical sterilization to its deer management program for the first time this year, complementing the practice of culling the herd with sharpshooters that has been in place since 2016... Connecticut-based White Buffalo is asking $31,340 to capture and sterilize 15-20 female deer in the more densely-populated southern section of the city, where sharpshooting is a challenge...
Recent trends in Ohio deer numbers are about to collide with spread of deadly disease September 28, 2025 Columbus Dispatch on MSNBC
... Epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) isn’t an abnormality in Ohio, but it grew to be an especially effective killing instrument because of a perfect storm of conditions during the spring and summer ... The Ohio Division of Wildlife has agreed to reduce the harvest limit in the three hardest-hit counties from three to two, effective on the Dec. 1 start of gun week..,
Climate change drives increase in Athens deer population September 24, 2025 Ohio, The Post
... Warmer conditions extend the rut, or mating cycle, of white-tailed deer, which typically is in the beginning of November, according to Ryan Donnelly, an ODNR wildlife officer assigned to Athens County. “The fact that there are very young deer now suggests perhaps they have two cycles in a year, or their reproductive cycle is extending,” ...
Cleveland Heights council looks at ways to thin the deer herd, starting with resident survey September 23, 2025 Ohio, cleveland.com
... In South Euclid, 160 deer were sterilized over the past four years, as of late January, when Cuyahoga County Councilwoman Sunny Simon gave an update to city officials -- who also received some grants to fund the program... If amenable, a new deer population survey would also be warranted...
Ohio to limit deer hunting due to disease; hunters call for more September 18, 2025 Athens County Independent
... This year marks the worst EHD season the state has ever recorded ... As of Sept. 18, the public had reported nearly 7,500 dead or sick deer to the ODNR.... in some cases vanished herds, dead deer on their properties, and orphaned fawns..,
Hunting season is nearly here: When it comes to whitetail deer, you can't beat SW Ohio September 17, 2025 Ohio, Dayton Daily News
... estimates of a sustained population that numbers in the neighborhood of 800,000 statewide ... For years, the limit was one deer per year. Now all but a few counties allow three deer per year (only one with antlers)..,
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease sweep through Ohio's deer population September 11, 2025 WHIZ News
... The ongoing lack of rain has led to an epidemic in Ohio’s deer population called Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD)... over 5,000 reported cases throughout Ohio and mostly in the Southeastern region ...
'Death Is in the Air.' This Drone Pilot and Deer Tracker Is Uncovering Mass Whitetail Die Offs September 10, 2025 Outdoor Life
... longtime deer tracker and drone pilot Shon Butler says that EHD-caused dieoffs in southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia are much worse than many folks realize. “It’s an extreme kill over in Ohio,” ...
Increased rainfall could lead to higher cases of fatal virus in Ohio deer August 26, 2025 Knox Pages
... more reports of deer infected with epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a fatal virus commonly known as EHD. Huegel said rainfall creates water pools where midge flies breed. Midge flies spread the disease to deer through their bites...
Elyria drone business takes flight with pet and deer recovery services August 24, 2025 Ohio, Morning Journal
... The drone, a Matrice 30T, costs about $12,000 ... Kincaid assists hunters in tracking down deer and helping families recover missing pets...Using a thermal imaging camera that captures heat signatures and powerful zoom, he can scan neighborhoods, wooded areas, or fields...
EHD virus is spreading to deer throughout the Midwest August 22, 2025 Ohio, WTAP13h
... Athens County was the first county in Ohio to confirm a positive case of EHD in 2025, Washington was 2nd and then Meigs County, the outbreak has been showing the highest numbers through these counties in Ohio ..,
Hemorrhagic disease confirmed in Wood County deer test August 22, 2025 Ohio, Marietta Times
... Testing has confirmed dead deer in Wood, Jackson, Pleasants and Ritchie counties were infected with epizootic hemorrhagic disease ..,
Dead deer reported in Hamilton County. What to know August 19, 2025 Ohio, Yahoo on MSN
... over the weekend, the number of dead deer reports in Newtown and Anderson Township had jumped to 10... officials at the Ohio Division of Wildlife said it's possible the deer are suffering from epizootic hemorrhagic disease, a viral infection caused by biting midges ...
Mill Creek Deer Debate Rages On July 26, 2025 Ohio, The Vindicator
... “They first said there were 387 deer per square mile. Now it’s 14 to 14.9 per square mile. Why such a big difference?” ... “We believe homeowners have the right to say, ‘We don’t want hunting in our backyards,'” she said, adding, “We’re here for the long haul. We want to stop this terrible hunt in Mill Creek Park.” ...
Mid-Ohio Valley deer deaths likely linked to disease July 25, 2025 Ohio, News and Sentinel
... the Ohio Department of Natural Resources this week confirmed one positive case of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in Athens County. Another test from a deer found in Washington County is pending... a Coolville resident ... has seen up to 15 dead deer on his property since July 15 ..,
Mill Creek, Mahoning rallies for Mill Creek deer ahead of reduction efforts July 25, 2025 Ohio, WFMJ.com
... The local "Help Save the Mill Creek Park Deer Group" is hoping to rally Mahoning residents to the deer's rescue. It is planned to be a peaceful demonstration and, according to a statement from the group, aims to remind the public of "Mill Creek MetroParks administration's mismanagement" of wildlife....
MetroParks director: Deer reductions must continue, despite new deer survey July 24, 2025 Ohio, The Vindicator
... why the MetroParks still plans to carry out a deer reduction plan this fall if there are 14 to 15 deer per square mile in those 14 square miles of parks and the MetroParks’ goal is to reach a density of 18 deer per square mile. Mill Creek MetroParks has eliminated 415 deer in the first two years of its reduction program ...
Changes to Ohio deer hunting limits May 15, 2025 FOX 8
... the Ohio Wildlife Council voted earlier this month to increase the antlerless deer limit on public hunting areas from one to two deer and to allow deer management permits to be used to hunt or take deer from public hunting areas...
Ohio Wildlife Officers recognized by national conservation organization for prominent deer deer poaching case April 28, 2025 The Highland County Press
... sentenced to pay the maximum restitution for the 18-point trophy buck, $35,071.73. This was the largest restitution value for a single white-tailed deer in Ohio’s history...
Wildlife officials try to save deer stuck in bucket April 1, 2025 Ohio, WJW-TV Cleveland on MSN
... officers and a veterinarian have gone out at least four times to try and tranquilize the deer to then remove the bucket. However, at last check, the efforts have been unsuccessful... Situations like this are not uncommon...
More Ohio deer are dying from Chronic Wasting Disease. Here's why that matters March 27, 2025 The Statehouse News Bureau
... CWD was first found in the state in 2020. Since then, there’s been 73 total deer that have tested positive ... “At some point in the future, maybe we'll be talking about CWD as a threat to conservation of deer species ..." [Clint McCoy, wildlife biologist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources]
Cortland takes aim at deer hunting minimum property size March 5, 2025 Ohio, Tribune Chronicle
... Seeking to increase required acreage from 5 to 15 acres ... council believes it is in the best interest of its residents ...
Cleveland Heights mulling deer culling program March 3, 2025, Ohio, WEWS
... Cuda said that whatever decision is made will be humane. He said he would potentially like to follow in the footsteps of neighboring South Euclid, which uses deer sterilization to stabilize the population. The deer are also tagged, so they can track which deer have been treated. The city also uses licensed sharpshooters...
Chronic Wasting Disease's growing footprint March 1, 2025 Ohio, The Courier
... The Division of Wildlife has tested 33,543 wild deer since 2017. A total of 74 deer have been reported as infected statewide. During the 2024-25 reporting period, 24 of the 5,720 tested animals from the DSA tested positive ... In December 2020, Ohio confirmed its first wild deer infected with chronic wasting disease in Wyandot County..,
Medina mayor proposes police sharpshooting to control deer population February 24, 2025 Ohio, cleveland.com
... more than a dozen hunters took advantage of the city’s deer hunting ordinance this past season, city officials said the program did not produce the results they had hoped for...
Ohio may expand tracking as chronic wasting disease spreads in deer. What it means for you February 23, 2025 Yahoo on MSN
... First identified in a wild deer taken in 2020 near Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area in Wyandot County, the total of confirmed CWD infections last week stood at 75. Since the Wyandot County find, infected deer have been confirmed in four more contiguous counties, Marion, Hardin, Allen and Morrow...
Mill Creek Park, Judge rejects bid to oust Mill Creek Park leaders over deer hunt February 22, 2025 Ohio, WFMJ
... A visiting judge has rejected a petition to remove Mill Creek MetroParks' executive director and park commission members, ruling that the group acted lawfully in its deer management program...
Ohio Supreme Court won’t hear Mill Creek Park deer hunt case February 18, 2025 WKBN Youngstown on MSN
... The lawsuit filed in 2023 by four residents with properties near the park aimed at preventing the deer management plan from taking effect, but hunting continued throughout the lengthy court battle. Those against the hunt had raised concerns about safety as well as whether thinning the herd was necessary...
Middleburg Heights deer population far exceeds state average, study shows February 16, 2025 Ohio, Cleveland.com
... “At the end of the day, (Wildlife Services officials) don’t like to give you a hardline number (for acceptable deer per square mile) because they say it’s about what your community is willing to tolerate,” Swanson said...
Franklin County hunting affected by outbreak of often-deadly deer disease February 16, 2025 Ohio, Yahoo on MSN
... “Franklin County, while an urban county ... suffered quite a bit of EHD mortality this past summer/fall,” wrote Clint McCoy, a deer specialist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife... “68 of our 88 counties (77%) showed harvest increases of at least 10% over their three-year averages.” ..,
Ohio deer hunter adult success rate for 2024-25 season was highest ever February 9, 2025 The Columbus Dispatch on MSN.com
... The 2024-25 ... resident adult hunter success rate, a number derived from permit sales, finished at 46.2%, an all-time high... The hunter success rates in recent years, which have ranged around 45% ..,
White-tailed deer hunting still a popular pastime: NE Ohio fishing report February 7, 2025 Ohio, Cleveland.com
... Crossbows have become the weapon of choice for many deer hunters, taking 32 percent, or 78,254 deer. Crossbow success was followed by rifles shooting straight-walled cartridges (77,027, 32%); shotguns (34,338, 14%); vertical bows (30,839, 13%); and muzzleloading rifles (17,092, 7%)...
Ohio’s Final 2024-25 Deer Hunting Season Report February 4, 2025 DNR News
... Hunters across Ohio checked 238,137 white-tailed deer during the 2024-25 hunting season that concluded on Sunday, Feb. 2, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife... Deer type checked this season. Does: 115,683 (49%). Antlered bucks: 97,618 (41%). Button bucks: 21,689 (9%). Ohio hunters were issued 431,660 deer permits across all hunting seasons...
Chronic wasting disease, an unstoppable killer of deer, creeping closer to Columbus January 26, 2025 Ohio, MSN
... CWD was confirmed in a doe taken during 2024 on a sliver of the Delaware Wildlife Area ... From 2014 and into 2020, 25 confirmed cases of CWD had been found, all restricted to four captive herds in Ohio. Since the initial 2020 confirmation within the free-range population, 72 infected deer have been identified among almost 33,000 tested..,
Deer advocates in Cincinnati push ban on bow hunting after headless deer found near school December 30, 2024 Ohio, Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati on MSN
... she made a grim discovery finding a headless deer so close to The Seven Hills School. Next to it was the arrow she said was used to try and kill it...
Mill Creek deer hunt opponents want Ohio Supreme Court to hear their case December 19, 2024 Ohio, WFMJ
... Attorney Marc Dann has filed a notice of appeal to a decision from the 7th District Court of Appeals which upheld a deer management program at the park...
Ringleader Sentenced to Jail in Clinton County for Poaching 18-Point White-Tailed Deer December 11, 2024 Ohio Attorney General
... sentenced to 90 days in jail and ordered to pay a combined $43,000 in penalties, restitution and court costs for the unlawful harvesting last year of an 18-point white-tailed deer, a trophy animal viewed as a valuable state natural resource...
Ohio’s 2024 Weeklong Deer Gun Hunting Season Results December 9, 2024 hometownstations
... Ohio hunters checked 87,192 white-tailed deer during the weeklong gun season that ... the highest total since 2011 (90,282). In 2023, hunters reported 70,103 deer during the seven-day gun season, and the three-year average is 70,806...
Ohio’s deer season kicks off with big numbers December 8, 2024 The Columbus Dispatch on MSN.com
... Almost certainly, the gun numbers won’t approach those of yesteryear when 100,000 and more whitetails might be checked during gun week. Last year, the week’s take totaled 70,103 after an opening-day kill of 19,363...
Ohio's 2024 acorn mast survey shows strong red oak production December 6, 2024 Ohio, The Highland County Press
... This year, the proportion of red oaks statewide bearing acorns (68 percent) was well above last year (54 percent), while the percentage of white oaks statewide with acorns (36 percent) was slightly below last year (40 percent). The long-term average for red oak production is 55 percent, and 34 percent for white oaks...,
Deer gun season starts Monday in Ohio November 20, 2024 Ohio, Toledo Blade
... Early in the archery season in September and October, there were fears that the deer population was getting wiped out by the Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease... John McCoy, deer biologist with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, said overall the “herd is as large as it’s ever been.” ..,
Deer-related crashes continue to be a problem across the state November 22, 2024 Ohio, Cleveland
... Since 2019, 109,507 deer crashes have happened in the state, according to Ohio State Highway Patrol. About 47% of those crashes occurred in October, November, and December...
To feed or not to feed November 16, 2024 Ohio, Advertiser-Tribune
... Only leave enough bait or feed out that can be consumed completely within 48 hours. Only use food or bait labeled for use for that animal. Do not use human foods to feed or bait wildlife. Switch it up! To the extent possible, move the area feed or bait is placed to reduce the risk of disease spread...
Youngstown, MetroParks deer kill number climbs to 105 October 23, 2024 Ohio, The Vindicator
... The reduction plan resulted in 204 deer being removed last year from Oct. 1 to late January. This year, ODNR approved MetroParks to remove 75 white-tailed deer using U.S. Department of Agriculture sharpshooters through March 31. Last year, the MetroParks removed 38 deer using that method...
Youngstown, Court of Appeals rules deer hunts can continue in Mill Creek MetroParks October 23, 2024 Ohio, WKBN Youngstown on MSN
... Ohio’s Seventh District Court of Appeals Wednesday afternoon ruled that Mill Creek MetroParks can continue with its hunts ... the courts decision ...
Plan for 'stupid money' fails: Ohio poacher pleads guilty in trophy deer controversy October 20, 2024 Ohio, Yahoo
... Rather than get “buying house type money” and modest fame for killing what might’ve been scored as Ohio’s biggest buck, Alexander got investigated, indicted and last week pleaded guilty in a Clinton County courthouse to numerous charges...
Ohio poacher pleads guilty to illegally taking 18-point trophy buck October 17, 2024 NewsNation
... ... The larger buck’s antlers have 18 scorable points, and the final restitution has been calculated at $35,071.73. The final restitution for the second buck, with eight scorable points, is $4,625...
EHD in Deer Population: Thorn Bottom Hunting Preserve Hosts Roundtable Discussion with DNR, Local Farmers & Hunters October 14, 2024 Ohio, West Bend News
... Hundreds of dead deer between Paulding and Defiance counties have now been reported. Addressing attendees’ voiced concerns about carcasses being in the waterways, Haines stated that they have been in contact with the local and state health departments ... Officer Farley, commented that hunters are conveying their concern to him about the declining deer population ..,
Ohio's 2024 Acorn Mast Survey Shows Strong Red Oak Production October 11, 2024 Ohio Department of Natural Resources
... In poor mast years, deer are forced to use other food sources, and travel distances between feeding ... This year, the proportion of red oaks statewide bearing acorns (68%) was well above last year (54%), while the percentage of white oaks statewide with acorns (36%) was slightly below last year (40%). The long-term average for red oak production is 55%, and 34% for white oaks.., The Survey
This Halloween decoration can be dangerous for deer, wildlife officials warn October 6, 2024 Ohio, KXAN Austin on MSN.com
... The Division of Wildlife posted the warning on Facebook Friday, stating that every year, they receive reports of deer getting their heads stuck in the buckets...
Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease spiking in parts of NW Ohio, killing deer October 3, 2024 Ohio, 13abc
... In and around Thorn Bottom Hunting Preserve vultures are circling the sky taking advantage of dozens of dead deer killed by Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease..,
Middleburg Heights to determine size of deer population September 29, 2024 Ohio, Cleveland.com
... The U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s (APHIS) Wildlife Services office will conduct a citywide aerial survey in late November or early December using drones and infrared imaging ... Currently, there are no plans to cull the deer ...
Beachwood will likely cull deer again this season, but examine a sterilization plan for next year September 27, 2024 Ohio, Cleveland.com
... City Council would like to explore sterilization as a method of reducing the Beachwood deer population, but it is too late to do so this year... According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the sterilization portion of the program can currently only be undertaken as part of a research project ...
EHD, Ohio Division of Wildlife asks public to report sick deer September 26, 2024 WTOL
... the division said it is seeing reports of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD)... Deer appears disoriented and shows little or no fear of humans ... A map of the reports is below:
