Oxford Deer Management Program
The 14th season of Oxford’s Deer Management Program starts at dawn on Saturday, September 24th, 2022 and will end at dusk on Sunday, February 5th, 2023.
Since 2009, the City of Oxford has maintained a Deer Management Program (DMP) as a way to successfully mitigate deer population. Keeping our local herds at sustainable levels can have many positive effects on our city, environment. and the herd itself.
History
Prior to 2009, there was a growing concern for the large number of deer that were perceived within the City limits. Residents were worried about landscape and environmental damage, as well as the possibility of an increasing number of automobile-deer accidents.
What is the solution?
Program Details
Oxford’s DMP allows for hunters to apply for a permit to hunt deer in one of several permissible program areas. Public safety, being one of great concern, is being preserved by many of the rules and regulations of the program. Some of these include:
- Program participants are only allowed to use bows authorized by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
- Participants are required to be in a tree stand for more visibility and a safer angle.
- Participants are required to pass the ODNR Hunter Safety Training Course.
- Participants are required to wear hunter orange at all times.
- The city-owned and private properties that participate in the DMP have orange signs posted alerting the public of hunting in the area.
Large deer populations can have detrimental effects. A high population can lead to overgrazing which alters the natural ecosystem. It can prevent the growth of tree saplings and has the potential to eliminate all vegetation under six feet. Overpopulation of the herd can contribute to starvation and disease, as the herd struggles to support itself in an area deemed too small for its size.
Larger deer populations can also lead to an increase in deer-vehicle collisions.
The Silver Lining
While maintaining deer population to protect our environment (and our roads) was the goal of Oxford’s DMP, there have been other beneficial side-effects. Most importantly, the donation of venison to a local food bank. All program participants are required to donate, at minimum, their first deer to the Community Meal Center (CMC) in Hamilton, Ohio. The CMC has been provided with grants from ODNR and Farmers & Hunters Feeding the Hungry to cover all processing costs.
Final Thoughts
Last season, a total of nine deer were harvested and eight of those were donated to the CMC! Since the program began in 2009, Oxford’s DMP has donated over 3,340 pounds of venison.
This year, 21 hunters have been certified and issued permits to hunt on seven tracts of land. Five are City-owned plus two others - the Oxford Cemetery and the Oxford Country Club. Announcements of the season have been sent to the 73 privately-owned parcels in close proximity to any of the hunted lands.
For more information, take a look, here:
- Deer Management Program
- Oxford Deer Management Program 2022-2023
- NEW - Miami University’s plan for Deer Management in their Natural Areas
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