In April 2023, a deer reduction plan was approved by Mill Creek Park Board of Commissioners. This plan was based on an aerial survey costing taxpayers $32,975. It claimed there were 387 average deer per mile. We believe this number is greatly exaggerated. Residents spoke at board meetings disputing these numbers. Instead of listening to the residents who have lived in the park for decades, who would be the first to know if the deer population had risen to those levels, the Board of Commissioners approved the hunting.

331 hunters were picked from a lottery, each was permitted to bring a partner. From September 30th to February 4th these hunters, we knew nothing about, “on the honor system” were in our woods by our neighborhoods. Firearm and bow hunting took place in Huntington Woods, Hitchcock Woods, Collier Preserve, Vickers Nature Preserve, Sawmill Creek, Metro Parks Farms, Hawkins Marsh & Springfield Forest. Areas of the park located in Youngstown were originally part of the plan but the city would not allow it.

The plan also included a targeted removal. On two occasions, USDA sharpshooters were paid to bait, heard and slaughter 38 deer on Mill Creek Park Golf Course. The cost for the slaughter of these deer was $12,069.

A new survey, costing taxpayers $35,000 is currently being done. With no results yet from that survey, Mill Creek has already announced hunting will begin again in the fall. Nick Derico, Natural Resourse Manager, is saying this hunting season was successful because there were no incidents, injuries or accidents. The definition of an accident is “an incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally.” This plan is approved for 10 years.

Residents were restricted from using their property because of numerous safety concerns. They witnessed hunters dragging dead deer. Deer were killed running into highways. Deer shot by arrows were reported in neighborhoods and others were found rotting. Hunters bragged and posted pictures of the “tame” deer they had killed. 204 deer were killed.

In September 2023, a civil lawsuit was filed by 4 property owners living in Mill Creek Park seeking to stop the hunt. Dennis Malloy, Regional Director of Whitetails Unlimited, and eight years experience as a state wildlife officer for Ohio Department of Natural Resources, testified regarding the survey Mill Creek conducted. Malloy said “We have a population, not an overpopulation, I think the numbers are ridiculous. I’ve looked at other areas, other parts of the country, and there is no way in the world that data is correct.” Judge Donofrio’s magistrate Nicole Butler heard the case and ruled hunting could go forward. The case is ongoing.

At Decembers Mill Creeks Board meeting, the board was presented with petitions, signed by 2500 Mahoning County residents, asking for the removal of Aaron Young, Executive Director. The board has yet to address these petitions. Petitions were also presented to Judge Rusu, the probate judge responsible for appointing the board members. He also has not addressed the petitions and has recused himself. A visiting judge, John Campbell, retired from Carroll County, met with residents regarding their concerns that the board is not responsive to the residents.