Hunting Opportunities at Ohio Preserves

Prior to colonization, Ohio’s forests were home to predators like wolves that helped balance populations of smaller herbivorous wildlife. But as predator populations have declined due to habitat destruction and fragmentation, populations of some species—like white-tailed deer—have grown beyond what some areas can support without causing degradation to the environment.

Where We Allow Hunting

Currently, hunting opportunities exist at our Edge of Appalachia Preserve in Adams County and our Morgan Swamp Preserve in Ashtabula County.

How to Apply for a Hunting Permit

Permission to hunt is granted by Nature Conservancy staff to a limited number of applicants.

Our Morgan Swamp hunting permit application period was open from August 1st through August 31, 2022. Applications to hunt at Morgan Swamp are now closed.

Our Edge of Appalachia hunting permit application period will be open from August 15, 2022 through January 8, 2023. To apply for an Edge of Appalachia hunting permit, please submit a hunting permit application between August 15 and January 8. Note, these limited permits will be granted on a first come, first served basis.

For general hunting or permit questions, please contact:

• Morgan Swamp Preserve: Derrick Cooper, derrick.cooper@TNC.org 
• Edge of Appalachia Preserve: Rich McCarty, 937-544-2880 ext. 16 or rmccarty@tnc.org

The Hunter and Guest shall abide by the following conditions and restrictions at all times:

• The Hunter and Guest must comply with all local, state, and federal laws and ordinances governing hunting activities, including obtaining government licenses or permits required. All federal and state hunting and game laws and regulations must be followed. Please refer to the current Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations available from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.
• No species other than white-tailed deer may be hunted under this Permit.
• Please respect private property. Hunters are responsible for staying within preserve boundaries. Trespassing on adjacent private lands is expressly prohibited. TNC land may not be accessed from adjacent private land without the expressed permission of that landowner.
• No hunting is allowed within a 1,000-foot radius of any residence.
• No permanent deer stands are allowed. Deer stands may not be nailed, bolted, or otherwise attached to trees using any hardware that penetrates the tree. Only ladder stands—no climbing with spikes. All stands/blinds must be completely removed from the preserve by March 1st, 2023. Any stands/blinds found after this date shall become the property of TNC and may be removed by TNC.
• Any deer stands or blinds left for more than one day must be visibly tagged with the permit number assigned to the hunter who placed it. The tag and permit number must be easily visible from the ground. Any stand or blind found without a tag and permit number will be assumed to belong to an unpermitted hunter and will be immediately removed.
• No baiting is allowed on TNC property. This includes corn or apple piles, mineral licks, etc.
• No motorized vehicles of any kind are allowed on TNC land.
• No unnecessary discharge of any firearm, bow, or crossbow is allowed (including target practice).
• No vegetation may be cut or removed.
• Release of any animal species, native or non-native (such as pheasant), is strictly forbidden.
• No fires, camping or littering is allowed. Please remove used cartridges from the site.
• Do not field dress on trails or in parking areas.
• Alcohol is prohibited on TNC property.
• For our Morgan Swamp Preserve, hunting on Nature Conservancy land south of Shaffer Road to TNC’s office on Callender Road is bow only.