Worthington Enacts Federal Agreement to Cull Up to 150 Deer This Winter
Sharpshooters will begin operations Dec. 1, with municipal police securing cull sites and state prison labor processing venison for food pantries.
Worthington's formal partnership with federal wildlife biologists took effect Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, clearing the path for municipal sharpshooting operations aimed at thinning the suburban deer herd this coming winter. Under the cooperative agreement authorized by Worthington City Council, sharpshooters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services are scheduled to cull up to 150 white-tailed deer between Dec. 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Worthington City Council adopted Resolution No. 53-2026 on Sept. 8, 2026, directing City Manager Robyn Stewart to execute agreements with both the federal agency and state corrections officials. Council members authorized the culling campaign to address public safety concerns and property damage by reducing deer-vehicle accidents, mitigating over-browsing, and minimizing negative interactions between deer and residents. The upcoming winter deployment follows the city's inaugural season of targeted removal operations completed in early 2026.
Sharpshooting Protocols and Police Coordination
Federal wildlife specialists will conduct culling operations using rifles equipped with noise-suppression devices to minimize neighborhood disruption. Marksmen will operate over designated bait sites, with federal personnel coordinating directly with Worthington's project coordinator to inspect, propose, and certify baiting and shooting zones prior to their use.
To protect the public during nighttime operations, the city established safety procedures for municipal properties. Law enforcement officers must verify that shooting areas are closed and empty of visitors one-half hour prior to removal operations on any city-owned properties. In addition, municipal police officers will remain available throughout removal operations in direct communication with Wildlife Services personnel.
Residential Yard Safety Evaluations
Because suburban deer browse heavily across residential neighborhoods, city officials also invited homeowners to volunteer private properties for removal operations. The city accepted applications from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026, and federal wildlife personnel are currently evaluating the submitted properties for safety and suitability.
Volunteering a property does not guarantee its selection for the program. If federal specialists identify a private property as suitable, the city will contact the homeowner to enter into an agreement formally authorizing its use for targeted culling operations.
Venison Processing and Food Bank Donations
Resolution No. 53-2026 also authorized a secondary municipal contract with Ohio Penal Industries, a state operation that provides job training and skill development in meat processing to incarcerated adults. Working at a USDA-inspected butchery facility, incarcerated workers will butcher the harvested deer and process and store ground venison in two-pound packaging.
Under the terms of the agreement, Worthington will pay Ohio Penal Industries $130 per deer to cover processing and packaging. The city is responsible for coordinating meat disbursements to area food banks and soup kitchens.
Program Costs and Timeline
Reimbursement for federal sharpshooting services may not exceed $73,190.61 under the cooperative financial plan. Combined with processing fees capped at $19,500 if the full quota of 150 deer is reached, the city's total direct program commitments under both agreements approach $93,000.
Sharpshooting operations are scheduled to conclude by March 31, 2027, contingent on weather and site conditions. Wildlife Services must deliver a final annual report to the city no later than April 30, 2027. Both the federal cooperative agreement and the Ohio Penal Industries processing contract are scheduled to expire on June 30, 2027.
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Worthington's formal partnership with federal wildlife biologists took effect Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, clearing the path for municipal sharpshooting operations aimed at thinning the suburban deer herd this coming winter. Under the cooperative agreement authorized by Worthington City Council, sharpshooters from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services are scheduled to cull up to 150 white-tailed deer between Dec. 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
Worthington City Council adopted Resolution No. 53-2026 on Sept. 8, 2026, directing City Manager Robyn Stewart to execute agreements with both the federal agency and state corrections officials. Council members authorized the culling campaign to address public safety concerns and property damage by reducing deer-vehicle accidents, mitigating over-browsing, and minimizing negative interactions between deer and residents. The upcoming winter deployment follows the city's inaugural season of targeted removal operations completed in early 2026.
Sharpshooting Protocols and Police Coordination
Federal wildlife specialists will conduct culling operations using rifles equipped with noise-suppression devices to minimize neighborhood disruption. Marksmen will operate over designated bait sites, with federal personnel coordinating directly with Worthington's project coordinator to inspect, propose, and certify baiting and shooting zones prior to their use.
To protect the public during nighttime operations, the city established safety procedures for municipal properties. Law enforcement officers must verify that shooting areas are closed and empty of visitors one-half hour prior to removal operations on any city-owned properties. In addition, municipal police officers will remain available throughout removal operations in direct communication with Wildlife Services personnel.
Residential Yard Safety Evaluations
Because suburban deer browse heavily across residential neighborhoods, city officials also invited homeowners to volunteer private properties for removal operations. The city accepted applications from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026, and federal wildlife personnel are currently evaluating the submitted properties for safety and suitability.
Volunteering a property does not guarantee its selection for the program. If federal specialists identify a private property as suitable, the city will contact the homeowner to enter into an agreement formally authorizing its use for targeted culling operations.
Venison Processing and Food Bank Donations
Resolution No. 53-2026 also authorized a secondary municipal contract with Ohio Penal Industries, a state operation that provides job training and skill development in meat processing to incarcerated adults. Working at a USDA-inspected butchery facility, incarcerated workers will butcher the harvested deer and process and store ground venison in two-pound packaging.
Under the terms of the agreement, Worthington will pay Ohio Penal Industries $130 per deer to cover processing and packaging. The city is responsible for coordinating meat disbursements to area food banks and soup kitchens.
Program Costs and Timeline
Reimbursement for federal sharpshooting services may not exceed $73,190.61 under the cooperative financial plan. Combined with processing fees capped at $19,500 if the full quota of 150 deer is reached, the city's total direct program commitments under both agreements approach $93,000.
Sharpshooting operations are scheduled to conclude by March 31, 2027, contingent on weather and site conditions. Wildlife Services must deliver a final annual report to the city no later than April 30, 2027. Both the federal cooperative agreement and the Ohio Penal Industries processing contract are scheduled to expire on June 30, 2027.
How we know this
The sources and records behind this story, with the facts they support.
City Council Resolutions · Resolution No. 53-2026 · resolution
Supporting evidence (16)
Worthington's formal partnership with federal wildlife biologists took effect Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026, clearing the path for municipal sharpshooting operations aimed at thinning the suburban deer herd this coming winter.
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This agreement shall become effective on October 1, 2026
Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services are scheduled to cull up to 150 white-tailed deer between Dec. 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
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conduct removal activities between 12/1/2026 and 3/31/2027.
Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services are scheduled to cull up to 150 white-tailed deer between Dec. 1, 2026, and March 31, 2027.
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deer may be removed as part of this agreement.
Worthington City Council adopted Resolution No. 53-2026 on Sept. 8, 2026, directing City Manager Robyn Stewart to execute agreements with both the federal agency and state corrections officials.
Read supporting passage
Adopted: September 8, 2026
Council members authorized the culling campaign to address public safety concerns and property damage by reducing deer-vehicle accidents, mitigating over-browsing, and minimizing negative interactions between deer and residents.
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WHEREAS, the City of Worthington (“City”) has established a deer management program that aims to address concerns related to public safety and property damage by reducing deer-vehicle accidents, mitigating over-browsing, and minimizing negative interactions between deer and residents.
Federal wildlife specialists will conduct culling operations using rifles equipped with noise-suppression devices to minimize neighborhood disruption.
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rifles equipped with noise-suppression devices.
Marksmen will operate over designated bait sites, with federal personnel coordinating directly with Worthington's project coordinator to inspect, propose, and certify baiting and shooting zones prior to their use.
Read supporting passage
inspect, propose and certify baiting and shooting zones to be used.
Law enforcement officers must verify that shooting areas are closed and empty of visitors one-half hour prior to removal operations on any city-owned properties.
Read supporting passage
shooting areas are closed and empty of visitors
In addition, municipal police officers will remain available throughout removal operations in direct communication with Wildlife Services personnel.
Read supporting passage
Law enforcement shall be available during removal operations and in direct communications with APHIS-WS.
Resolution No. 53-2026 also authorized a secondary municipal contract with Ohio Penal Industries, a state operation that provides job training and skill development in meat processing to incarcerated adults.
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The Ohio Penal Industries (OPI) is a multi-industry educational operation which provides opportunities for training to incarcerated adults, including skill development in the area of meat processing.
Working at a USDA-inspected butchery facility, incarcerated workers will butcher the harvested deer and process and store ground venison in two-pound packaging.
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Process and store ground venison in two-pound packaging.
Under the terms of the agreement, Worthington will pay Ohio Penal Industries $130 per deer to cover processing and packaging.
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The City of Worthington will be charged $130 per deer to include processing
The city is responsible for coordinating meat disbursements to area food banks and soup kitchens.
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Coordinate meat disbursements to food bank/ soup kitchen facilities.
Reimbursement for federal sharpshooting services may not exceed $73,190.61 under the cooperative financial plan.
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may not exceed: $73,190.61.
Wildlife Services must deliver a final annual report to the city no later than April 30, 2027.
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provide a final annual report to the Cooperator no later than April 30
Both the federal cooperative agreement and the Ohio Penal Industries processing contract are scheduled to expire on June 30, 2027.
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30th day of June 2027
https://www.worthington.org/2025/Deer-Management
Supporting evidence (3)
The upcoming winter deployment follows the city's inaugural season of targeted removal operations completed in early 2026.
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The City completed its first season of targeted removal operations in early 2026.
The city accepted applications from Sept. 1 through Sept. 30, 2026, and federal wildlife personnel are currently evaluating the submitted properties for safety and suitability.
Read supporting passage
Residents were invited to volunteer their property between September 1 and September 30. Volunteered properties are being evaluated by Wildlife Services for safety and suitability.
If federal specialists identify a private property as suitable, the city will contact the homeowner to enter into an agreement formally authorizing its use for targeted culling operations.
Read supporting passage
If a property is identified as suitable, the property owner will be contacted and asked to enter into an agreement formally authorizing its use for targeted removal activities.