Auburn Marsh, which consists of wetlands and woodlands, is tightly ringed by small farms; a housing development is sited on the south side. Accordingly, only bowhunting is allowed. "Not many people know about it," said Westerfield. "The area is on the edge of the Urban Deer Unit. Gun hunting is not allowed, but if you're a bowhunter, it's a good place to go."

The LaDue Reservoir Public Hunting Area in Geauga County is another good option for public-land hunting. The area on state Route 44 about 11 miles south of Ravenna is owned by the city of Akron. Most of the area's 1,000 acres lie outside of the Urban Deer Unit.

Boundaries for the unit begin at the point in Lorain County at which state Route 58 meets the Lake Erie shoreline.

Additional information and boundary details may be obtained from the ODOW's District Three office at (330) 644-2293.

YOUNGSTOWN URBAN DEER UNIT
Deer numbers are good in the Youngstown area, according to biologist Westerfield, but the common problem of gaining access to private property remains.

"The first thing I would do if I were going to hunt the unit is to get a county map," he advised. "Look for townships because this is generally where you'll be able to hunt. Call the local sheriff's office and verify that your chosen township allows hunting, and then drive around. Look for some good deer habitat -- and then start knocking on some doors."

According to the ODOW's Kramer, the outskirts of the unit bordering farmland may be the best bet for taking whitetails. Deer damage can sometimes be severe in these outlying areas, and landowners may be willing to allow hunters to take excess deer.

Some communities require multi-acre plots before a building permit will be issued. The resulting suburban developments are loaded with small woodlots that create ideal deer habitat. A hunter may need to acquire permission from a couple of these landowners in order to find good numbers of deer and some larger bucks as well.

The tiny 50-acre Warren WA is the only public area open to deer hunting in the unit. The area is on Austintown Warren Road south of Warren. It's about one-third forested, with the rest in wetlands and shrubbery, but it's a haven for deer.

Lying in parts of Mahoning and Trumbull counties, the Youngstown Urban Deer Unit boundaries begin where the Ohio-Pennsylvania state line meets the Ohio Turnpike and then along the Ohio-Pennsylvania state border to the Ohio Turnpike.

Hunters may contact the ODOW's District Three office at (330) 644-2293 for more information.

COLUMBUS URBAN DEER UNIT
The Columbus Urban Deer Unit covers Franklin and the southern half of Delaware counties. The city of Columbus is in the middle of the unit.

Franklin and Delaware counties are loaded with cornfields and woodlots on private property, two factors that provide good hunting opportunities for metro-area hunters hoping to take several deer.

According to Huss, the only publicly-accessible land in Franklin County is the Battelle-Darby Creek Metro Park. No permission is required; statewide hunting laws are in effect. "There is some hunting pressure because the park is open to public access, but it's a popular place for bowhunters," said Huss.

To reach the park, take the West Broad Street (U.S. 40) exit west off I-270. Travel about five miles on Broad Street, turn left on Darby Creek Drive and continue for about three miles to the park's main entrance.