(a) Notwithstanding any other section of this chapter, the culling of deer shall be allowed only as provided in this section, as follows:
(1) Definitions. As used in this section,
“Culling” means the selective reduction of specific animals, i.e., males/females, mature/immature, within a selected species.
(2) Culling; permitted conditions. The culling of deer by use of crossbow, longbow or other bow and arrow hunting device shall be permitted only when the following apply:
A. Culling is permitted, if approved by the Chief of Police, during State authorized bow season. Applications for permits at any other time than the State bow season are based on need and must be approved by the Chief of Police and the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
B. At all times, property owners shall make application for culling with the Chief of Police, who will determine that a problem exists to warrant culling.
C. The Village shall provide experienced licensed cullers to conduct the culling. The Chief of Police shall determine who shall be licensed.
D. The permit issued to property owners shall be for a specific time period and shall specify the number of deer to be taken.
E. The person culling must possess a current State hunting license, and possess a current Gates Mills Village permit from the Chief of Police.
F. The Village shall have on file the necessary documentation required concerning the culler and the location where the culler is culling deer.
G. Culling shall normally take place during the State Archery Hunting Season (October to January).
H. The permitted property owner shall be responsible for notifying all abutting property owners of the fact that culling will be done on the permit holder’s property.
I. The Chief of Police and the Ohio Division of Wildlife shall jointly determine the number and gender of deer to be culled as part of the specific permit being granted.
J. The culling site shall consist of a minimum of five (5) contiguous acres of property.
K. Familiarity with the boundaries of the culling site shall be the responsibility of the property owners requesting the cull and the experienced licensed culler. Prior to the commencement of any culling whatsoever, all owners of the site shall have met with the experienced licensed culler and fully indicate, by walking if necessary, all boundary lines of the site.
L. All culling activities must take place on the approved culling site, and the approval of the property owners must be submitted to the Chief of Police.
M. Pursuit of wounded or killed deer onto adjacent property is prohibited when said property owner notifies the Chief of Police, in writing, that this activity is prohibited. Such notification shall be made to the permit holder(s) who, in turn, are responsible for notifying their respective hunters. When this situation arises, the hunter shall notify the Police Department who will attempt to mediate the problem with the hunter and the property owner where the deer may be located.
N. Culling of deer shall be conducted only during specific daylight times established by the Chief of Police.
O. No culling shall be permitted on legal holidays recognized by the Village of Gates Mills.
P. All hunting shall be done from elevated tree stands. Hunting from fixed and permanent structures such as homes, garages, sheds, etc. is strictly prohibited.
Q. No culling shall be allowed within 500 feet of a school or church property line.
R. The property owners requesting culling of deer shall pay a twenty- five dollar ($25.00) fee to the Village for the permit.
S. Culling on Conservancy or Metro Park property shall not be allowed.
T. The experienced licensed culler shall notify the Chief of Police of all deer kills within 24 hours of such kills, and such notification shall include the nature of such kills, the gender of the deer, etc., as required by the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
(b) All persons who are licensed to cull must comply with the safety guidelines established by the Village of Gates Mills, which may be amended from time to time by the Mayor and the Chief of Police with the approval of the Village Council.
(c) Whoever violates any provision of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree. (Ord. 2004-43. Passed 9-14-04; Ord. 2017-45. Passed 2-13-18.)