GAMBIER — Gambier’s controlled deer mitigation program is tracking forward.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife authorized participants in the village’s hunting program, allowing hunters to harvest three additional antlerless deer during bow hunting season.
Antlerless deer checked in using a management permit doesn’t count toward the county or statewide deer bag limit, according to the ODNR. The last day deer management permits can be sold is Dec. 22.
The permit would allow hunters to bag three additional antlerless deer on a property owner’s acreage — hoping to decrease the deer population within the village.
Hunters need to have written permission from the property owner and it must be submitted to the village before hunting, according to the participation form.
The form also states that all harvested deer must be reported/checked to the Division of Wildlife and proof of the deer check must be reported to the village within three days of the harvest using the village’s harvest report.
The village is conducting a citizen survey to see if property owners would be willing to participate in the controlled hunt permitting process. The survey was sent via mail on Wednesday.
The village is getting “a lot of calls” from potential hunters and landowners wanting to permit bow hunters to tag deer on their land, according to the buildings and grounds committee’s September meeting minutes.
In August, Gambier residents filled council chambers to voice their concerns about the stark increase in deer roaming throughout the village streets, front lawns and sidewalks.
Many residents balanced their love for deer with wanting to keep the village and their property safe.