Can I shoot a deer on my property in Ohio?

Question

I have a very pesky and bold deer living near my house. I have seen it several times in the middle of the day coming right up to my house and eating all my plants. It has done the same at my neighbors' houses. I even once walked outside and yelled at the deer, but it wouldn't move. I am very tempted to just shoot the deer, not necessarily kill it, just to keep it away from my property and my neighbors' properties. Is it legal to do this on my own property in the state of Ohio?

Answer 1

You have to have the same license and tag that anyone else would need.

Answer 2

Yes Don't Kill Just make a phone call to Animal Control they will catch it and release it in the wild away from People

Answer 3

should be fine- i know thers like rules like during wat part of year and stuff-couple of BB gun bullets should scare the c**p out of it, at least temporarily

Answer 4

If it's deer hunting season. Just because its on your property doesn't make it your own deer.

Answer 5

you would be a fool to believe anything that people tell you on here...........I know your state has a fish and wildlife website that you can find by doing a simple search

Answer 6

yes u could we use to do it

Answer 7

Do not shoot the deer.  I don't think you realize that deer are not strong enough to withstand a bullet, and they will die of blood loss if shot.  Do you want to murder an innocent animal?  If so, that says something about your character.

Leave it alone.  You should be happy to have such a beautiful creature to observe.  I wish I got to see a deer every day.

Answer 8

Depends on your weapon, zoning, and local laws.  If you shoot it, kill it, because a wounded animal will only die slowly.

Answer 9

No.  Actually there is a spray that you can use to keep them away.  I found some at ACE Hardware.  Good Luck.

Answer 10

Well I'm not sure but, I wont tell if you don't tell ;)

Answer 11

you need to wait till deer season or get a farmers tag to kill it now, if your going to shoot it then kill it. if you shoot it and let it run off its just going to slowly bleed to death and be a very painful death, just shoot it and kill it fast. then gut it  and eat it!

Answer 12

Unless you qualify for an exemption (and then you probably have to wait for the proper season) Deer is a game animal in Ohio. That means to shoot/kill them legally, you need either a deer tag during hunting season or an agricultural permit to remove nuisance deer (at times other than hunting season). Since the earliest deer season doesn't start till almost October, you probably need to talk to the agricultural extension agent about a nuisance permit for deer.

As for shooting the deer with something that won't kill it, not the best solution. First it may not make bambi move away from the area. Second doing so might have legal reprecussions since I'm not sure if Ohio has laws against "harrassing" game animals. It would probably be better to just use an appropriate bow, muzzle-loader, or 12 or 20 gauge shotgun (pick the one that you can use in your area safely and legally) and kill the nuisance.

Answer 13

Probably not.  Even if it was in season and you had the tags and licence it is probably illegal to shoot that close to houses.  Get a paintball gun.

Answer 14

You might be charged with animal cruelty or harassing wildlife in some states.

Also, if you are close enough to hit it with bb gun, the deer may attack you.

I suggest that if you rally want it gone that you should find a friend who hunts to kill the deer for food as safely and humanely as possible.