2025 - 2026 Deer Management Program

Purpose

The goal of the City of Oxford’s Deer Management Program is to maintain deer populations at sustainable levels that: 

  • Protect the health of the local ecosystem.
  • Prevent the spread of disease.
  • Reduce deer-vehicle collisions. 
  • Limit damage to vegetation and habitats.

For the 2025–2026 hunting season, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) has set the Butler County bag limit at three (3) deer per hunter. Deer may be harvested using either-sex permits, deer management permits, or a combination of both. Deer Management Permit Validity: September 27, 2025 – December 21, 2025. 

City of Oxford Deer Management Program runs September 27, 2025 – February 1, 2026. 

Program Requirements 

All ODNR hunting rules and regulations, as outlined in the Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations 2025–26, apply. The following are additional City of Oxford requirements: 

  • All participants must hold a valid Ohio hunting license and meet hunter education requirements through ODNR. 
  • Hunters must obtain an ODNR hunting permit and report each harvested deer (including tag/permit number and confirmation code) to the City by 12:00 PM the day after harvest, or 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest, the last day of the season. 
  • Bow hunting only is permitted. 
  • Hunters must harvest an antlerless deer before an antlered deer and are encouraged to reach their bag limit to aid population control. 
  • All hunting must be conducted from hunter-supplied tree stands. 
  • The number of hunters will be limited based on available public and private property. Selection is at the City Manager’s discretion, with preference to public safety personnel and prior successful participants. 
  • Hunting is allowed only on Oxford-owned property or private parcels of three or more contiguous acres. Hunting locations on public land will be designated by the City Manager. 
  • Participants must notify the City Manager or designee when they will be hunting. 
  • The City may remove hunters for insufficient participation and replace them with alternates. 
  • Hunters are encouraged to donate harvested deer to the Community Meal Center (Hamilton, Ohio). Oxford will reimburse the cost of the Deer Permit for donated deer. Reimbursement requests must be submitted within two weeks of harvest. 

General Rules 

  • All participants must follow Ohio Game Laws and Oxford program requirements. 
  • Eligibility is determined solely by the City Manager or designee; written permission is required. No additional adults or children may be present, other than those with written permission. 
  • All participants must complete a state-approved hunter safety course. 
  • Only bows legal under ODNR’s Legal Deer Hunting Equipment regulations are permitted. 
  • All hunting must be from tree stands—no ground or blind hunting. 
  • Stands must display the hunter’s name, address, and phone number. 
  • No permanent or screw-type stands are allowed. 
  • All stands must be removed by February 1, 2026. 
  • Antlered deer may only be taken after an antlerless deer harvest. 
  • Hunters must wear at least 50% hunter orange (vest, coat, jacket, or coveralls—solid or camouflage). 
  • Field-dressing waste must be removed and disposed of at a location approved by the City Manager. 

Deer donations must go to the Community Meal Center through: 
H & M Processing 

7532 Cincinnati-Brookville Road 

Okeana, OH 45053 

(513) 907–7367 

The Chop Shop Deer Processing 

7030 State Route 128 

Cleves, OH 45002 

(513) 353-3337 

Call ahead to arrange delivery. 

  • All deer must be legally tagged and checked via a certified station or ODNR’s automated system. 

Special Note: For Oxford-designated properties adjacent to Miami University land, if a wounded deer enters MU Natural Areas, notify Ms. Nancy Feakes, MU Natural Areas Field Manager, immediately at (513) 524-2197 or feakesn@miamioh.edu. She will coordinate with MU Police. 

ODNR Archery Rules Summary 

License & Permits 

  • A valid Ohio Hunting License and Deer Permit are required. 
  • It is illegal to attach a temporary tag to a deer taken by another person. 

Bow/Longbow

  • Minimum draw weight: 40 lbs.
  • Arrow tip: minimum two cutting edges (exposed or unexposed), minimum width ¾ inch. 
  • Expandable/mechanical broadheads are legal; poisoned/explosive arrows are prohibited. 

Crossbow 

  • Minimum draw weight: 75 lbs. 
  • Same arrow tip requirements as bows. 

Tree Stand Regulations 

  • Permanent-type stands and screw-in steps are prohibited on public hunting lands. 
  • Landowner permission is required for such modifications on private property. 

Deer Checking 

  • Only the harvester may check the deer utilizing one of the methods below:
  • MOBILE APP: HuntFishOH
  • ONLINE: ohiogamecheck.com
  •  CALL (automated): 1-877-TAG-IT-OH (1-877-824-4864) 
  •  IN-PERSON: Visit any authorized license sales agent
  • Some check stations in proximity to Oxford: 
Walmart #2275 
5720 College Corner Pike 
Oxford, OH 45056 
(513) 524-4122 
Gillman’s Home Center 
5745 College Corner Pike 
Oxford, Ohio 45056 
(513) 524-9030 
Baker Hardware 
6550 Hamilton Scipio Rd
Okeana, OH 45053 
(513) 756-9700