With the passage of ordinances for the hunting of white tailed deer last year, hunters have been able to hunt within the city borders. The first full season has concluded. The Ohio Deer Hunting Season for 2016-2017, for archery started on September 24 and concluded on February 5, 2017, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“It was pretty successful,” said North Royalton Chief of Police, John Elek. In North Royalton, 187 deer were taken in this program season. The following is the breakdown: Ward 1, 8 deer with a deer damage permit, 77 deer with a hunting permit for a total of 85; Ward 2, no deer with a deer damage permit, 13 deer with a hunting permit for a total of 13; Ward 3, no deer with a deer damage permit, 10 deer with a hunting permit for a total of 10; Ward 4, no deer with a deer damage permit, 9 deer with a hunting permit for a total of 9; Ward 5, no deer with a deer damage permit, 27 deer with a hunting permit for a total of 27; Ward 6, no deer with a deer damage permit, 43 deer with a hunting permit for a total of 43. Twenty-two permits were issued in Ward 1, 5 in Ward 2, 4 in Ward 3, 4 in Ward 4, 12 in Ward 5 and 18 in Ward 6.
Two ordinances pertaining to the hunting of white tailed deer by bow hunting in North Royalton, introduced last May were unanimously adopted in June. This followed the passage of the measure at the March 15, 2016 Primary, where the six communities all passed the measure, in an effort to address the deer population problem on a more regional level. In North Royalton, 6,395 voters voted for the measure and 2,968 voted against the measure. The first ordinance permits the hunting of white tailed deer by long bow or short bow during hunting season or during the rest of the year through the use of the nuisance abatement process. Either way, the hunter would need to abide by certain criteria that is set forth in the ordinance.
The bow hunting of white tailed deer program has been established in the city of North Royalton, as well as five other communities, including Strongsville, Broadview Heights, Seven Hills, Parma and Parma Heights. Sixty five permits had been issued. According to Elek, the city made the cutoff at 65, due to the constrains of manpower to issue the permits. The first permit was issued on August 16 and two other nuisance permits were granted under the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Deer Nuisance Permits.
Elek said that the program has worked smoothly and with little incident. He said that there have been a few incidents where deer that had been shot wandered onto other property, but there have been procedures in place to handle that situation. He said that much of the activity in North Royalton took place in the northwestern section of the city.
Those interested in participating in the program for the 2017-18 season can apply to the city now through August 15. Those applying for a nuisance permit can do so now until the beginning of bow hunting deer season next year, according to Elek. “Because last year went so well with very little complaints, I don’t see a problem letting whoever is interested apply. We will be able to handle it,” said Elek. He sees the program grow in popularity for this year, stating, “we are accepting more this year. In fact, they are already calling.”
For information about the North Royalton program, you can visit the city’s website at www.northroyalton.org, Click on Municipal Deer Control Permit Packet – Ord. 16-83, under the Important Information section.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer