I live in Hudson. May I hunt on my own property?
Yes, but only for white-tail deer and you must meet the land requirements of a minimum of five (5) acres. Although you or your family members do not need an Ohio hunting license or Ohio deer permit when hunting on your property, you will still need a Hudson hunting permit. This will be issued upon full completion of Hudson’s Controlled Hunting program requirements at no cost.
How many deer may I shoot?
A total of four (4). Hudson resides in Summit County, which has been designated a four deer county by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Ohio Division of Wildlife. Four deer means no more than one antlered deer and three antlerless deer. An antlerless deer is defined as any deer having antlers less than three (3) inches in length. If a landowner chooses to hunt deer outside of Summit County, but still in Ohio, he/she may harvest up to ten total deer, only one which is antlered. Deer taken in Hudson are counted as part of the ‘ten’ total deer.
Do I need to check my deer?
1) The State of Ohio, per ODNR rules, requires the checking of deer. Information about the State requirements for checking deer is available on their website here. You can check your deer on the ODNR website here.
2) Hudson alsorequires a separate check, which can be done online using this Deer Check Form or by completing the form enclosed in the deer hunting permit packet and returning it to the Hudson Police Station. You also may check a deer by phone (330-342-1800). The separate check allows Hudson officials the ability to gauge the efficacy of the deer management program, as the State of Ohio only breaks down deer harvest by county, not by municipality.
When may I hunt deer?
From September 30, 2022 to February 4, 2024.
May I use firearms?
No. The only weapons allowed under Hudson’s Controlled Hunting Program are bow and arrow, and crossbow and bolt, following Ohio hunting guidelines for weight of pull.
May I allow hunters to use my property for purposes of hunting deer?
Yes, but your property must meet the minimum acreage requirements, and the hunter must have successfully completed Hudson’s deer hunting application process, and have both his/her permit and property owner’s permission form on his/her person while hunting on your property. The hunter must also follow all other Ohio Department of Wildlife hunting regulations relative to archery hunting and appropriate hunting dress.
Do I have to allow a hunter on my property to pursue a shot deer that has run from another property?
No, but it would allow the hunter to retrieve the animal, as opposed to allowing it to rot and decay, which could bring unwanted wild scavengers, insects and odors to your property. Most hunters are very responsible, respecting the property rights of homeowners. Hudson’s ordinance requires hunters to notify the Hudson Police Department if they plan on going onto someone else’s property for purposes of retrieval. The hunter will be advised to contact the landowner for such permission. The Hudson Police Department will assist in determining the landowner if it is not obvious.
