Bow Hunters Report 23 Deer Taken During Mill Creek MetroParks Autumn Hunt
YOUNGSTOWN — In the ongoing seasonal deer management efforts, bow hunters participating through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) lottery have confirmed harvesting 23 white-tailed deer within Mill Creek MetroParks during the first three weeks of the hunt.
Another four deer kills have been reported by hunters but are pending verification to determine if these took place on MetroParks land or on adjacent private property, according to park officials.
Sharpshooting Operations Underway Near Mill Creek Golf Course
Separately, sharpshooters employed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture have been active in the area north of U.S. Route 224 near the Mill Creek Golf Course in Boardman, reportedly removing deer to complement hunter harvests.
Deer advocate Mickey Drabison noted that roads to this location were temporarily blocked, a typical practice during sharpshooting to ensure public safety during concentrated culling efforts.
The MetroParks have received authorization from ODNR to remove up to 50 deer during this season, which extends through February 1, 2026.
Details of Hunter Harvest by Location and Date
The bow hunting season, which began on September 28, saw its first confirmed deer kills on September 29: one doe in Collier Preserve, Canfield, and another in Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary East, Beaver Township.
Additional doe harvests occurred on October 1 in Hitchcock Woods, Boardman, and on October 2 with two does taken in Collier Preserve.
In the second week, 13 deer were confirmed harvested across various park preserves, with two additional kills awaiting confirmation.
- Sawmill Creek Preserve, Canfield: 6 deer
- Mill Creek Wildlife Sanctuary East: 3 deer
- Huntington Woods, Boardman: 2 deer
- Hitchcock Woods: 1 deer
- Antlered deer: 1 confirmed, 1 pending confirmation
In the third week, five deer kills have been verified with two more pending confirmation, including:
- Collier Preserve: 2 deer
- Hitchcock Woods: 1 deer
- Huntington Woods: 1 deer
Adjustment to Confirmation Procedures
Rachel Sobnosky, Natural Resources Manager for Mill Creek MetroParks, explained that this year’s confirmation process for hunter-reported deer is being modified to prevent discrepancies experienced last season regarding deer harvest numbers.
Wildlife Perspective on Deer Population Management
White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) populations in suburban and park areas such as Mill Creek MetroParks often require active management due to the species’ reproductive capacity, which can lead to overpopulation, resulting in habitat degradation and increased vehicle collisions.
Bow hunting and sharpshooting are complementary strategies employed to maintain deer densities at ecologically sustainable levels, which benefits both forest understory regeneration and reduces human-wildlife conflicts.
The successful removal of does—the primary breeders—is particularly impactful in managing population growth, explaining the predominance of doe harvests during this season.
The use of targeted culling by licensed hunters and sharpshooters demonstrates an adaptive management approach consistent with ODNR guidelines aimed at balancing ecological health with recreational and community safety concerns.
Additional reporting and sources from: Bow hunters kill 23 deer so far in Mill Creek MetroParks hunt | News, Sports, Jobs – The Vindicator
