District 3 · Akron
Hunting Near Lakewood
City in Cuyahoga County, 4-deer limit. No public hunting property within 10 miles; Camp Belden Wildlife Area is the closest, 22 miles out.
Photo: Erik Drost (CC BY 2.0)
Quick facts for hunters bound for Lakewood
A sizeable Cuyahoga County city, Lakewood falls in the Northeast Ohio district of the Division of Wildlife. Lakewood had 49,517 residents in the Census Vintage 2024 count, on 5.5 square miles of land. Put plainly, Lakewood has no public hunting land within 10 miles. Out to 25 miles there are 1 property, starting with Camp Belden Wildlife Area. Around Lakewood a hunter may take up to 4 deer in Cuyahoga County this season.
Town point, population and land area from the Census 2024 Gazetteer and Vintage 2024 estimates; wildlife district from the ODNR County Contacts layer; public land rings from ODNR and PAD-US boundaries (GIS acres); deer limit from the 2026-27 deer bag limit map. Checked November 6, 2026.
Hunting properties closest to Lakewood
The Census point for Lakewood is the start of every measurement, and the far end is the closest line of each ODNR or federal boundary. Inside a 25-mile radius of Lakewood the list has 1 state wildlife area. Farther rows are measured from Lakewood to each property’s mapped centre rather than its edge. Size champion of the ring: Camp Belden Wildlife Area, near 610 acres. Status is the ODNR hunting-status layer: restricted parcels allow hunting with limits, such as set zones or archery only. The check-with-ODNR tag marks a property whose rule text and map layer differ on hunting.
| Public land and distance | Kind | Acres | ODNR status | Game | Lotteries |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camp Belden Wildlife Area · 22 mi | Wildlife area | 610 | Restricted | pheasant | – |
| Tinkers Creek State Park · 26 mi to centre check with ODNR | State park | 397 | Check rules | woodcock, waterfowl + | – |
| Auburn Marsh Wildlife Area · 30 mi to centre | Wildlife area | 466 | Restricted | Ohio seasons | – |
| Spencer Lake Wildlife Area · 30 mi to centre | Wildlife area | 618 | Open | deer, turkey + | 1 lottery |
| Punderson State Park · 30 mi to centre check with ODNR | State park | 741 | Check rules | deer, waterfowl + | 1 lottery |
| Ladue Hunting Area · 32 mi to centre | Public hunting area | 8,427 | Restricted | deer, turkey + | 4 lotteries |
| Findley State Park · 32 mi to centre | State park | 838 | Restricted | deer, waterfowl + | 1 lottery |
| Aquilla Wildlife Area · 33 mi to centre | Wildlife area | 60 | Restricted | Ohio seasons | – |
| Wellington Wildlife Area · 33 mi to centre | Wildlife area | 203 | Open | Ohio seasons | – |
| Marsh Wetlands State Nature Preserve · 33 mi to centre | Wildlife area | 152 | Restricted | Ohio seasons | – |
Distances and acres from places.json and lands.json (ODNR_LANDS and hunting-status layers, PAD-US 4.1, USFS layers; GIS measures, not surveyed acreage); status from the ODNR hunting-status layer; lotteries from the 2026 controlled hunting access lists. Checked November 6, 2026.
What Cuyahoga County rules mean for Lakewood
ODNR prints the Cuyahoga County deer class as four-deer; deer from different counties add up to the statewide 6, with one antlered buck in total. Cuyahoga County is outside the CWD Disease Surveillance Area, so the DSA bait ban and early seasons do not apply. For ducks, Lakewood uses the Zone B dates set for 2026-27. The Northeast zone spring dates cover Cuyahoga County; fall hunting runs there too. And in Cuyahoga County, river otter trapping is in Otter Zone B. An Ohio resident pays $19.00 for the annual hunting license and $31.20 for an either-sex deer permit. Gun-season orange is a garment rule in Ohio: a vest, coat, jacket or coveralls in solid or camouflage hunter orange. A tagged deer has to be checked in by noon the next day.
Deer limits from the 2026-27 deer bag limit map and regulations; DSA from OAC 1501:31-19-03; CWD detections from ODNR; waterfowl zones from the 2026-27 regulations; turkey zones from the turkey rules. Checked November 6, 2026.
The first stops out of Lakewood
Camp Belden Wildlife Area, 22 mi
Camp Belden Wildlife Area is a 610-acre state wildlife area located 3 miles north of Litchfield. Hunted for: pheasant.
Descriptions, species, dove fields and access from each property’s ODNR page and the ODNR property details layer, or the agency page linked on the land page (lands.json); lotteries from the 2026 controlled hunting lists. Checked November 6, 2026.
Lakewood openers for 2026-27
Spring turkey rows still show the 2026 dates: ODNR had not published the 2027 spring dates when these pages were checked.
| Game | Split or method | Zone | Opening | Closing | Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Statewide | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | |
| Deer | Youth gun | Statewide | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | |
| Deer | Gun | Statewide | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | |
| Deer | Bonus gun | Statewide | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Statewide | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 5, 2027 | |
| Wild turkey | Fall | Fall counties | Oct 1, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Squirrels | Regular | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Cottontail | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Pheasant | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Chukar | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Chukar | Youth small game weekend | Statewide | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | |
| Chukar | Regular | Statewide | Nov 6, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Teal | Early teal | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Statewide | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl | Statewide | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 1) | Zone B | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 2) | Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Jan 10, 2027 | |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 1) | Zone B | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 2) | Zone B | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Statewide | Oct 16, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 25, 2026 | |
| Snipe | Snipe | Statewide | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | |
| Rails | Rail | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Gallinule | Gallinule | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 9, 2026 | |
| Crow | Crow (Fri-Sun) | Statewide | Jun 5, 2026 | Mar 7, 2027 | |
| Groundhog | No closed season | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Hunting (no closed season) | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Coyote | Trapping (no closed season) | Statewide | Sep 1, 2026 | Aug 31, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Red fox | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Gray fox | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Raccoon | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Hunting | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Skunk | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Opossum | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Weasel | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | |
| Mink | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Muskrat | Trapping | Statewide | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| River otter | Trapping | Otter Zone B | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | |
| Beaver | Trapping | Statewide | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 |
From the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations and the 2026-27 hunting seasons list (ODNR Division of Wildlife), checked November 6, 2026.
What Cuyahoga County hunters checked
The county where Lakewood sits checked 822 deer in 2025-26. Early numbers for 2026-27 in Cuyahoga County: 366 deer through November 3, 2026. By method in the 2025-26 summary, Cuyahoga County gave 74 deer to gun hunters, 549 to crossbows and 184 to vertical bows. Turkey check-ins for Cuyahoga County, spring 2026: 12.
| Season | Checked | With antlers | Without | Bow and crossbow | Gun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022-23 | 929 | 357 | 572 | 896 | – |
| 2023-24 | 912 | 357 | 555 | 875 | – |
| 2024-25 | 806 | 312 | 494 | 769 | 37 |
| 2025-26 | 822 | 339 | 483 | 764 | 58 |
Final weekly deer harvest reports: 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26; 2026-27 to date from the in-season report; spring turkey from the 2026 spring turkey results; 2025-26 by method from the 2025-26 deer summary. County totals, not town figures. Checked November 6, 2026.
Wildlife offices near Lakewood
The shortest drive from Lakewood to an ODNR wildlife office is 36 miles, to ODNR Wildlife District 3: Northeast Ohio. For area maps and field staff, Grand River Wildlife Area headquarters (West Farmington) is the closest wildlife area base to the county centre. Cuyahoga County has its own wildlife officer: Zach Hillman, per ODNR.
District offices from the ODNR wildlife contacts page and Districts layer; county wildlife officers from the ODNR County Contacts layer; nearest offices measured from the town point (services.json); ranger district offices from the USFS office layer (places.json). Checked November 6, 2026.
Shops and butchers serving Lakewood hunters
57 gun, archery or outdoor shops, 6 taxidermy shops and 0 processors are listed within 25 miles of Lakewood. No deer processor is listed within 25 miles of Lakewood; many custom butchers take deer, so call around.
Listings from Yellow Pages, store locators, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry and the ODNR office list (services.json); not every listing was checked as open, so call first. Checked November 6, 2026.
Lakewood: closest lines for a slug-gun zero
Parma Armory Shooting Center Gun Safety Training Institute tops the Lakewood list at 5 miles.
Spencer Lake Wildlife Area Shooting Range is the nearest ODNR-listed range, about 29 miles out. Details
Straight-line miles from the town centre; ranges checked November 6, 2026.
Lakewood hours on key season dates
Ohio deer hunters may shoot from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset; ducks, geese, squirrels and fall turkeys stop at sunset; rabbits, pheasants, quail and doves wait for sunrise.
| Date | Opener | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game | Duck window | Pheasant window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:17 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. | 6:47 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. | 7:17 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall turkey | 7:22 a.m. | 7:11 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 7:41 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 7:11 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:04 a.m. | 5:18 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:48 p.m. | 6:34 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. | 7:04 a.m. to 5:18 p.m. |
| Nov 21, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:22 a.m. | 5:04 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:34 p.m. | 6:52 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:04 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:33 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 7:03 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 7:33 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:50 a.m. | 5:00 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. | 7:20 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. | 7:50 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 7:53 a.m. | 5:08 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:38 p.m. | 7:23 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. | 7:53 a.m. to 5:08 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Eastern Time); checked November 6, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Lakewood hunters ask, the data answers
Where do I check the waterfowl boundary near Lakewood?
The 2026-27 regulations print the boundary roads; Cuyahoga County is in Zone B either way.
Can I hunt over a corn pile near Lakewood?
On private land with permission, yes, since Cuyahoga County is outside the DSA; never on wildlife areas, state forests or other public hunting ground.
Can I go hunting near Lakewood this week?
Very likely: 14 season rows were live in Cuyahoga County on November 6, 2026 for Deer, Squirrels, Cottontail, Pheasant and Chukar.
When do gobblers open around Lakewood?
Cuyahoga County is in the Northeast zone; in 2026 it ran May 2 to May 31, 2026. ODNR had not posted 2027 dates. Fall: open, October 1 to October 25, 2026.
Do waterfowl hours at Lakewood end sooner than deer hours?
Yes: ducks and geese stop at sunset, 5:18 p.m. at Lakewood on November 6, 2026, while deer hunters get another half hour.
Who takes a poaching report near Lakewood?
The county wildlife officer, Zach Hillman ((330) 245-3033), or the Turn In a Poacher number in the regulations.
Can I apply for a lottery hunt near Lakewood?
None of the properties within 25 miles of Lakewood is on the 2026 lottery list.
Can I get a deer butchered close to Lakewood?
0 deer or meat processors appear within 25 miles of Lakewood; call ahead in the gun week.
Is there huntable public ground a short drive from Lakewood?
Yes: Camp Belden Wildlife Area is 22 miles out. The 10-mile circle holds nothing public, though.
Where do the Cuyahoga County deer figures come from?
ODNR’s final weekly harvest reports, county by county; 2025-26 closed at 822 for Cuyahoga County.
What is the deer bag limit around Lakewood?
The county limit is 4. Deer taken on controlled hunts do not count toward it.
Answers from places.json, lands.json, regs.json, harvest.json and services.json, the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations and the 2026-27 hunting seasons list. Checked November 6, 2026.
Lakewood trip planning
More planning for Lakewood: county rules, deer limits and the statewide land map.
Other photos on this page: Scott Bauer, USDA NRCS (Public domain); Art Anderson (CC BY-SA 3.0); OhioOakTree (CC BY-SA 4.0); U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Public Domain Mark 1.0).