Cincinnati Parks: 2021 CincyParks Wildlife Management Controlled Bow Hunting

Press release from Cincinnati Parks:

Megan Baudendistel

2021-09-10

Autumn is one of many people’s favorite season. Cooler temperatures, drier weather, changing leaves and fewer insects make it a fantastic time to enjoy a nice hike on the trails. Autumn allows for other forms of outdoor recreation too, such as controlled bow hunting.

One of the greatest challenges throughout our park system is the loss of young tree seedlings and spring wildflowers, due to the overpopulation of white-tailed deer. This loss alters forest composition and hinders the long-term regeneration of future forests. As a result of this changing ecosystem, all the wildlife is negatively impacted.

White-tailed deer are considered a keystone species, known for affecting other organisms in an ecosystem. They are browsers, meaning they eat all forms of plant material including seedlings, leaves, buds, flowers, fruit, bark, young trees and branches. Without the presence of keystone predators, like mountain lions, wolves, and black bears, the uncontrolled overpopulation of deer threatens the natural environment. Left unchecked, the forest becomes over-browsed of favorite deer species, such as oak trees, degrading forests for park patrons to enjoy now and into the future.

Controlled Bow Hunting

The Cincinnati Parks Division of Natural Resources is responsible for the conservation of park forests, trees and greenspaces for future generations to enjoy. This includes active management of the deer herd in select parks since 2007.

Parks’ controlled bow hunting program has become very popular and well established with an exemplary safety record. Each season helps to improve upon the next. The program is based on the recommendations of Ohio state wildlife officers and years of field observation by Parks staff and outside experts.

Outreach & Park Access

Safety

There are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you stay safe while hiking:

This press release was produced by Cincinnati Parks. The views expressed here are the author’s own.