MetroParks opens lottery for 18 bowhunting spots in Butler County

Hunters in the West Chester and Liberty Township area have until Monday, Sept. 7, to apply for one of 18 lottery-assigned spots in MetroParks of Butler County's annual Controlled Bowhunting Program.

The 2026–2027 season runs from Saturday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2027, across three park properties: Day Farm, Governor Bebb MetroPark and the Thomas property. Applications are open now at yourmetroparks.net and require a $20 fee.

The program targets areas where white-tailed deer overgrazing has damaged forests and crop production, according to MetroParks' conservation page. Beyond protecting native plants and forest regeneration, the agency says the hunts help reduce deer-vehicle collisions and limit the spread of tick-borne illnesses across the county's roughly 5,000 acres of managed parkland.

"This program is a science-based tool that allows us to restore balance to our natural areas," Joe Dumyahn, MetroParks' director of natural resources and conservation, said when the program opened Aug. 10. "When deer populations grow unchecked, the impact on forests, wetlands, and the species that depend on them can be severe."

Every applicant must pass a marksmanship qualification at the Meadow Ridge MetroPark Archery Range, located within the 456-acre Meadow Ridge MetroPark. The range is open daily at no charge. A lottery then assigns successful qualifiers to designated hunting zones.

Youth hunters ages 10 to 17 can also apply. They need an adult sponsor and will hunt exclusively at Day Farm.

How to apply

Deadline: Monday, Sept. 7
Fee: $20 (online application)
Requirement: Marksmanship qualification at Meadow Ridge MetroPark Archery Range
Spots available: 18, assigned by lottery
Season: Sept. 26, 2026 – Feb. 7, 2027