Mill Creek MetroParks officials have no intention on ending deer hunt early, despite being ahead of schedule
MILL CREEK METROPARKS - Mill Creek MetroParks officials have no plan to slow down the controlled deer hunt after announcing that the program is ahead of schedule.
So far, 64 deer have been harvested, with 30 more killed by USDA Wildlife sharpshooters.
The hunt is to reduce the number of deer in the park after park officials say data showed an average of 387 deer per square mile.
On Monday, attendees of the park's board meeting wondered how many more deer would be harvested before the effort ended.
Park officials say that the MetroParks has no intention on ending the hunt early, even if they meet or exceed the harvest estimate provided in their White-tailed Deer Management Plan.
"The fact that hunters have harvested 64 deer with archery equipment in just two weeks is impressive and is testament to the number of deer that are on the landscape, further supporting the need for such a program to take place," said Mill Creek MetroParks Natural Resource Manager Nick Dericko.
The harvest range of 66-133 deer for the year was an estimate based upon hunter success rates, provided by the Ohio Division of Wildlife from other controlled hunting opportunities throughout the state.
