To the Worthington City Council and Local Officials:

We, the undersigned residents and supporters of Worthington, Ohio, urge you to reject any 2026 deer population plan that includes amateur bow hunting in our neighborhoods and consider the most humane approach to any deer management program as supported by the majority of Worthington community voters.

Worthington, Ohio, has always been a community that values safety and harmony with nature. However, recent proposals to incorporate amateur bow hunting into the local deer management plan threaten this balance. Allowing non-professionally trained individuals to participate in bow hunting raises significant concerns for the safety of residents, particularly children, and wildlife alike.

Bow hunting is a complex skill that requires precise training and extensive practice. Bow hunting, particularly by non-professionals, poses a serious risk to public safety, including the possibility of wounded animals escaping into yards, parks, or near schools. These inhumane outcomes can be traumatic for residents, children, and pets, and they reflect poorly on our city’s values. Without the proper expertise, amateur hunters can make miscalculations that may result in accidents, injuring or even killing non-targeted animals or posing risks to residents who enjoy the outdoors.  Statistics show that in areas permitting amateur bow hunting, incidents of accidental injuries have increased by up to 20%. Worthington should not become part of this alarming statistic.

Before turning to lethal methods, we urge the city to prioritize humane and non-lethal approaches such as fertility control and relocation programs. Many communities have successfully addressed deer overpopulation through enhanced wildlife fertility control and professional wildlife management teams. These approaches not only maintain ecological balance but also ensure community safety, and avoid unnecessary harm to both animals and people. (scientific study source citations can be provided)

If lethal intervention is ultimately deemed necessary by a true majority of voters, the only acceptable method should be the limited and controlled use of professional sharpshooters, with a clearly established and transparent reduction number. These professionals are trained to act safely, efficiently, and humanely—unlike amateur hunters.

Additionally, any deer killed in this process should be fully used to help feed local residents in need—an approach that reflects our city’s compassion and responsibility.

Worthington can and should lead with thoughtful, ethical, and community-centered solutions. Please reject any plan that includes amateur bow hunting, and ensure all decisions reflect broad public input and the highest ethical standards.

Worthington deserves a deer management plan that respects both its human and animal residents. 

Sign this petition to urge local decision-makers to prioritize safe, effective, and ethical deer management practices in Worthington. Worthington can and should do better than implementing risky, inhumane, and divisive measures.