The deer hunting season has drawn to a close and the statistics for North Royalton have been tallied. With this season’s end, North Royalton Chief of Police, Keith Tarase, reported the 2025-26 season’s update to Council at a recent Council Safety Committee meeting. The Ohio Deer Hunting Season for 2025-26 , for archery, started on September 27, 2025 and concluded on February 1, 2026, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
“The white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), commonly referred to as the whitetail, is perhaps Ohio’s best-known wildlife species,” according to officials at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife. “It is seen in the state’s wildlife areas, parks and nature preserves as well as in the backyards of rural and suburban residents. As the state’s only big game animal, it has provided table fare for generations of the state’s inhabitants, from Native Americans to thousands of sportsmen and women today.”
The Deer Hunting Program in North Royalton began in 2016 after voters approved a measure on the March, 2016 ballot. In 2021 the program was changed to one doe before getting a buck,” according to North Royalton Police Chief Keith Tarase. “In 2022, I removed the restriction of requiring a doe.” In March of 2020, the North Royalton City Council unanimously adopted legislation that reduced the Municipal Deer Damage Control Permit fee in half. Previously, the fee was $150 and thought by many to be too high, prohibiting hunters to participate in the program
Since the passage of the original ordinances that permit the bow hunting of the white-tailed deer within the city limits several years ago, the number of white-tailed deer has been slowly, but steadily declining. This season was similar to last year, with 47 deer harvested, compared to 45 last year. Overall, the numbers have been decreasing, with 58 deer harvested the previous year and 82 taken the previous year. The following is the breakdown of deer taken by hunting: Ward 1, 7, compared to 13 last year, and 21 the previous year; Ward 2, 4, compared to 2 last year and 6 the previous year; Ward 3, 9, compared to 2 last year, and 4 the previous year; Ward 4, 0, compared to 0 last year and 3 the previous year; Ward 5, 7, compared to 10 last year and 11 the previous year; Ward 6, 20, compared to 18 last year and 13 the previous year, according to Tarase. The total number of antlered was 23 and antler less was 24.
Over the past five years, the numbers of deer hunters change from year to year. In 2020, there were 97 hunters, who harvested 153 deer; in 2021, 92 hunters harvested 115 deer; in 2022, 111 hunters harvested 82 deer; in 2023, 110 hunters harvested 58 deer, in 2024, 107 hunters harvested 45 deer and in this last season, 106 hunters and 47 deer harvested.
Those interested in participating in the bow hunting of white-tailed deer program for the 2026-27 season can apply to the city now through August 15. The proposed statewide deer hunting dates for 2026-27 for deer archery will be September 26, 2026 through February 7, 2027. Those applying for a nuisance permit can do so now until the beginning of bow hunting deer season next year. For information about the North Royalton program, you can visit the City’s website at www.northroyalton.org. The Municipal Deer Control Permit Packet is located under the Important Information section.
By GLORIA PLEVA KACIK
Contributing Writer
