(a) Regardless of the prohibitions against hunting contained in Section 505.11, the limited hunting of deer shall be allowed as part of a City deer management program.
(b) No person shall engage in deer hunting in the restricted areas of the City as designated in Section 505.11 except in compliance with the provisions that are provided herein.
(c) Deer hunting may be permitted during periods and within locations specified by the Chief of Police, including but not limited to public parks. No deer hunting permit shall be issued by the Chief of Police unless the following criteria have been satisfied:
(1) All applicable state licenses and permits have been obtained; and
(2) The hunter agrees to abide by all of the hunting laws, rules, and regulations of the State of Ohio and the City of Heath.
(d) The Chief of Police shall establish appropriate rules and regulations for deer hunting within the City as are necessary to preserve and protect the health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the City. These rules and regulations shall be approved by the Mayor following review by the Council.
A report on the program’s performance shall be made available to the Council no later than ninety days after full implementation of the program and no later than annually.
(e) The Chief of Police shall establish procedures for the issuance of deer hunting permits in accordance with the rules and regulations provided in subsection (d) hereof. The limited deer hunting permit may restrict the hunter to specific areas, times, and such other restrictions as the Chief of Police may deem appropriate.
(f) Any person engaged in deer hunting must comply with all of the conditions and restrictions imposed by the State of Ohio and the City of Heath and must have the applicable permits on his or her person at all times while engaged in deer hunting within the City.
(g) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.
(Ord. 40-2009. Passed 6-1-09.)