505.26 INTERFERENCE WITH HUNTING DEER.

   (a)   No person may, for the purpose of hindering or preventing the lawful hunting of deer by a permitted hunter as defined in Section 505.01(o) herein, engage in any of the following conduct:

      (1)   Block, obstruct, impede, or attempt to block, obstruct or impede a person lawfully hunting deer;

      (2)   Erect a barrier with the intent to deny ingress or egress from areas where deer may be lawfully hunted;

      (3)   Make or attempt to make unauthorized physical contact with or in any way interfere with a person lawfully hunting deer;

      (4)   Engage in or attempt to engage in theft, vandalism or destruction of personal or real property;

      (5)   Disturb or alter, or attempt to disturb or alter the condition or authorized placement of personal or real property intended for use in the lawful hunting of deer;

      (6)   Enter or remain upon public lands or waters, or upon private lands or waters without the permission of the owner thereof, or an agent of that landowner, where deer may be lawfully hunted;

      (7)   Make or attempt to make loud noises or gestures; set out or attempt to set out animal baits, scents, lures, or human scent; use any other natural or artificial visual, aural, olfactory or physical stimuli, or engage in or attempt to engage in any other similar action or activity in order to disturb, alarm, drive, attract or affect the behavior of deer, or disturb, alarm, disrupt, annoy or interfere with a person lawfully hunting deer.

   (b)   This section shall not apply to a law enforcement officer, game officer, or conservation officer enforcing the laws of the State of Ohio or any local ordinance, nor shall it apply to any private landowner, or agent thereof, on land or waters owned by that private landowner, nor anyone officially authorized by the City of Mentor to engage in Mentor's Deer Management Program.

   (c)   The City of Mentor and/or the Division of Wildlife may initiate a civil action in the Court of Common Pleas for injunctive and other relief for any violation of this section.

   (d)   Any person who violates any provision of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree for each violation.
(Ord. 13-O-10. Passed 1-15-13.)