Hamilton County Park District 2011-2012 Bow Hunting Season information
The 2011-2012 Bow Hunting Qualifications will be August 6th & 7th 2011. You must have submitted an application prior to the deadline above and have received a written invitation to attend.
Changes for 2011-2012 season
The Hamilton County Park District is expanding the bow hunting acreage from the previous eleven hundred acres in nine parks from the 2010-2011 bow season to thirty three hundreds acres in fourteen parks in 2011-2012 season in an attempt to reduce the increasing population of deer. The fourteen parks include; Richardson Forest Preserve (273 acres), Triple Creek (45 acres), Oak Glen (91 acres) and Oak Glen-Rumpke Tract (160 acres) Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary (100 acres), Mitchell Memorial Forest (501 Acres), Miami Whitewater Forest (1071 acres) Shawnee Lookout (309 acres) Embshoff Woods & Nature Preserve (136 acres) Kroger Hills (68 acres), Withrow Nature Preserve (55 Acres) and Woodland Mound (250 acres),
In the 2011-2012 season the Hamilton County Park District has enlisted the help of Bowhunting Field Coordinators to help facilitate the huge expansion and reduce possible hunter conflicts. These Coordinators are experienced bow hunters who will be able to give advice on hunting as well as help in locating the hunting areas and help solve any issues or concerns hunters may have. Everyone will be required to meet with the coordinator in the park they will be hunting before hunting season begins or they will not be able to hunt.
The following is a list of other changes for the 2011- 2012 bow hunting season which we feel will help facilitate an increase in deer harvest and maintain a positive experience for the hunter.
- We have changed from a two week session to a four week session.
- Baiting can occur anywhere as long as the hunter uses approved bait (kernel corn)
- Successful antlerless deer hunters who harvest three antlerless deer or more from the previous year in our program can receive 8 weeks or two months of hunting time.
- New safety zone rules
- Bow hunters will only be able to hunt and borrow time in parks where they have met with the Field Coordinator.
For more information about the Hamilton County Park District Controlled Bow Hunting Program please contact Jim Mundy by email at jmundy@greatparks.org or by phone at 513-728-3551 ext.275
Controlled Bow Hunt Questions and Answers - 2011-2012
How are bow hunters selected?
Bow hunters who were a successful antlerless deer hunter in 2010-2011 hunting season get in automatically after submitting one application. They are invited to qualify based on the number of doe’s 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. The drawing will then give preference to Hamilton County residents, over everyone else who applies from outside of the county for the 2011-2012 season. All hunters are required to pass or show proof they have already passed a State Hunter Education course. Each hunter must 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.
What if a hunter has not passed a hunter education course or can not produce proof?
A bow hunter 21 years of age or older 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/Home/hunting__trapping/Hunter_Trapper_Certification_tool/HunterEducationandCertification/tabid/18566/Default.aspx
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 6th.
Where are the areas for bow hunting located?
Richardson Forest Preserve (272 acres) near the intersection of Kemper Road and Lick Road, Triple Creek (45 acres) on Buell Road, Oak Glen (91 acres) on Thompson Road and Oak Glen-Rumpke Tract (160 acres) along East Miami River Road and Newberry Wildlife Sanctuary (136 acres) on Sheits Road in Colerain Township, Mitchell Memorial Forest (501 acres) along Jordon Road and Buffalo Ridge road, Kroger Hills (70 acres) on Wooster Pike in Terrace Park, Woodland Mound (250 acres) along Nine mile Road, Withrow Nature Preserve(55 acres) Along Five Mile road, Miami Whitewater Forest(1071 acres) between Dry fork Road and Strimple road in Crosby and Whitewater Township, Shawnee lookout(309 Acres) along Lawrenceburg road in Cleves, Ohio and Embshoff Woods & Nature Preserve(137 acres) in Delhi. Please check back for updates on hunting locations at this website after May 21, 2011. 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 number hunters vary per park depending on size and accessibility to the property. We are currently looking for approximately 430 hunters for the 2011- 2012 deer season.
How long is each hunter allowed to hunt?
Deer hunters from the previous season who has taken three or more antlerless deer qualify for up to two months of hunting time. All hunters who are part of the lottery are only eligible for one month during the 2011-2012 Ohio Deer Archery season. Hunters are also permitted to borrow unused time from other bowhunters if they have met the requirements to hunt in that park.
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 31 yards of any neighboring property and 67 yards safety zone from any trail road or building.
What happens when a hunter harvests a deer?
Once a deer is harvested, the deer must be checked in by phone or your computer 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.
How many names will be drawn?
Everyone who enters will be part of the random drawing. We anticipate needing approximately 350 hunters after the successful hunters form 2010-2011 have chosen their time. Hunters who pass the qualification and do not receive hunting time will be able to borrow time from other hunters who have received time during the 2011-2012 deer season. Each year we have several hunters who have to cancel for various reasons throughout the season. Hunters who do not receive assigned hunting time are considered alternate hunters and will be contacted in the order drawn to fill any vacancies that may occur.
Will the hunter have a choice of their four-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, before and after the bow qualifications. Please go to www.greatparks.org look for bow hunting under recreation or conservation and look for the name and email address of the coordinator for the park you want to hunt in and setup a time to meet with them so they can show you around. Two weeks prior to the hunting season all areas will be closed to scouting.
Is baiting allowed?
Yes. Hunters will be able to bait anywhere using whole kernel corn.
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 twenty eight day 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 by phone or computer 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 and you have met with the coordinator for that park. 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. You must have already met with the coordinator in the park you borrowed time.
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 four weeks?
No, you can hunt in any park open to hunting as long as you get time from another hunter and you have met with the coordinator of that park prior to bow season. If you think you would hunt in multiple parks open for hunting, we encourage you to meet with the coordinator and scout them out before hunting season.
