An appellate court will hear arguments on whether deer kills in parks are legal

 People who want to save deer in Mill Creek MetroParks gathered at Newport Library in Youngstown.

They are not happy with the Board of Trustees wanting more deer in the parks killed this year.

They are waiting for a decision by a visiting judge about the parks board, after members gathering 2,500 signatures on a petition.

"Judge Campbell, what we would like him to do is disassemble the board. We also have our State Representative Lauren McNallyon our side too. She is all in favor of more board transparency," Chris Flak, Co-coordinator of Help Save The Mill Creek Park Deer."

Members of the group critize the appointments of the board members saying there is no diversity of thought.

They believe people who use the park and love the animals should also have a seat at the table.

Judge Robert Rusu appoints members to the Mill Creek MetroParks board. 

Probate judges in all Ohio counties are given that authority. 

Folks here say the board keeps changing its reasons for the need to kill deer from sickly deer, to vegetation, and to oak saplings.

Michael Drabison tells 21 News saplings can't grow under a canopy of trees since the trees block sunlight. 

Others point out the park clears the underbrush and says the parks board is blaming this on the deer instead.

"For the rationale for the hunt, they said the deer were sick. They showed skinny diseased deer on their website. Those weren't even pictures that came from our parks," Flak emphasized.

People here say they want honesty, transparency, and accountability.

Arguments over whether the hunts are legal are scheduled in the 7th District Court of Appeals October 9th.

Although Mill Creek MetroParks says last year proves the hunts are safe, the Help Save The Mill Creek Park Deer Group believes it is a deadly situation waiting to happen.

"You live in Huntington and Hitchcock those hunters are there half an hour before sun up, half an hour after bows and arrows hunting in your backyard. They've been on people's property. Now they want to go with sharpshooters past the golf course down to around Newport. That's not safe," Michael Drabison, Co-coordinator of Help Save the Mill Creek Park Deer, said.

In order to help fund the legal expenses the group is is holding a basket raffle, a 50-50 raffle and are selling save our deer t-shirts. The event will be held at West Side Bowl on Mahoning Avenue in Youngstown, October 13, 2024 from 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.