Medina voters pass deer hunting ordinance within city limits, according to unofficial election results

MEDINA — Medina residents voted for an amendment to the city of Medina's ordinances authorizing the bowhunting of white-tailed deer, according to unofficial election results Tuesday. "It's good to see that the citizens of the city of Medina agree with the majority of Council that bowhunting is a necessary tool in order to manage the ever-growing number of deer in our city," Medina City Council President John Coyne said. "This is not going to end all the deer problems. … It will only assist in managing the number of deer in our city." According to unofficial election results, the amendment passed with 5,552 votes or 58.09 percent for the levy to 4,006 votes or 41.91 percent against it. This passage is the result of more than a yearlong process of getting voters' perspectives on a passed ordinance. Last September, Medina City Council passed an ordinance that allowed limited hunting of white-tailed deer by crossbow or longbow in response to the high deer population within city limits. The vote followed almost six months of public meetings regarding the specifics of deer control and the possible lethal and/or nonlethal methods available. During the meetings, city residents could talk, ask questions and offer their opinions on the then-proposed ordinance. Of the residents who spoke, perspectives were given both in favor and against a hunting program in Medina. After the ordinance was passed by Council, a group of Medina residents worked together to submit a referendum against it. The group circulated a petition throughout the city to get signatures and ultimately, was able to collect enough signatures to certify the petition, which placed the issue onto the Nov. 7 ballot for city residents to vote on. "The people that worked to get a better plan and to defeat this did exactly what you would want constituents to do," Medina Councilman-At-Large Bill Lamb said. He was the only council member to vote against the ordinance. "They followed the rules. They got a petition. They spent a month gathering signatures (and) knocked on thousands of doors. … They really got a sense of how people felt about this issue. We lost this but I don't think we've lost the battle." The Council-approved ordinance, which was approved by Medina voters on Tuesday, states that the limited hunting of white-tailed deer by crossbow or longbow may be permitted under the following conditions, which would be added to a section of the city's codified ordinances: The mayor or his designated representative may issue a permit to an archer applicant, which would only allow bowhunting. The permit will be limited to areas deemed safe and to licensed hunters or property owners who have provided proof of successfully passing a hunter education course or another preapproved, equivalent type of safety training. The hunter has written permission from the property owner. The hunter must comply with all laws, rules and regulations set by both the city and state. All applicants must agree, in writing, to defend, release and indemnify the city for any negligent acts. The mayor or his designated representative can determine any other requirements that would be deemed necessary to preserve and protect the health, safety and welfare of the city residents. Finally, the mayor or his designated representative is authorized to publicize any rules and regulations necessary to carry out the provision of the section and any other rules and regulations necessary for public health and safety. In addition, the ordinance states that the city's administration, along with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and the Division of Wildlife will work to adopt long-term, nonlethal options for deer population control. Once Tuesday's election results are certified, Coyne said the ordinance will go into effect. To view the full ordinance passed by Council, visit bit.ly/3QnLjqP. Contact reporter Sara Crawford at (330) 721-4063 or scrawford@medina-gazette.com.