deer

Relief may be available for landowners suffering damage to their crops, gardens or ornamental trees because of deer. Deer damage control permits are available outside of Ohio’s hunting season (and occasionally during) to those who document damage caused by deer.

The permit allows a certain number of deer to be killed, depending on the extent of damage. In order to get a permit, landowners need to complete an online form documenting substantial damage caused by deer. An official with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources then follows up with the landowner via phone, email or an on-site visit. Sometimes the official will suggest an alternative to shooting the deer such as fencing, repellents or scare devices, said Amy Milam, Ohio Farm Bureau’s director of legal education.

If the permit is authorized, only the designated shooters listed on the permit may kill a deer, and it’s encouraged that they be antlerless deer. The permit can be revoked if the terms listed on the permit are violated such as irresponsible shooting. Milam noted that it’s unlawful to sell, barter or trade any part of a deer killed or to keep antlers. She also said city or village ordinances may limit landowners’ ability to obtain a deer damage permit.

Hunters killed 196,988 white-tailed deer during the 2021-2022 Ohio deer hunting season. ODNR said its hunting regulations are designed to maximize recreational opportunities and minimize conflicts with landowners and motorists.

Apply for deer damage permit

ODNR will consider issuing a deer damage control permit if landowners document substantial damage to:

Corn
Soybeans
Wheat
Hay
Produce
Nursery stock
Orchards
Christmas trees
Gardens and flower beds
Livestock

The issue of property taxation remains as one of the biggest challenges our members face today. Ensuring agricultural property is valued for its agricultural potential and not development is critical to the continued success of Ohio agriculture.
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Matt Aultman

Darke County Farm Bureau

Giving farmers a voice
The plan we are on is great. It’s comparable to my previous job's plan, and we are a sole proprietor.
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Kevin Holy

Geauga County Farm Bureau

Ohio Farm Bureau Health Benefits Plan
I could not have done it without the resources I have found through Farm Bureau.
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Gretchan Francis

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Bringing the farm back to life
We really appreciate what Farm Bureau has done to get people interested in this line of work and workforce development and getting people interested in this industry.
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Jody Brown Boyd

Brown's Family Farm Market

Finding farm labor
We work terrifically with the Ashtabula County Farm Bureau, hosting at least one to two outreach town hall events every year to educate new farmers and existing farmers on traditional CAUV and woodlands.
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David Thomas

Ashtabula County Auditor

CAUV: Past, present and future
Because we are younger farmers just starting out, Farm Bureau has a lot of good opportunities and resources to help us grow in the future.
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Hannah Kiser

Sandusky County Farm Bureau

Farm Bureau involvement
Through the Select Partner program, we became educated in farm insurance and weren't just selling policies. It became more and more clear why farmers need an advocate like Ohio Farm Bureau.
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Chad Ruhl

Farm manager, CSI Insurance

Select Partner Program
So many of the issues that OFBF and its members are advocating for are important to all Ohioans. I look at OFBF as an agricultural watchdog advocating for farmers and rural communities across Ohio.
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Mary Smallsreed

Trumbull County Farm Bureau

Advocacy
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