Oregon, OH Animal Ordinances: Bird Protection (2026)

10 makes it unlawful for any person to hunt or trap a wild bird (or wild quadruped) anywhere within the City of Oregon, Ohio, except inside the specific hunting area the ordinance describes by a long chain of streets, roads and section lines running through the eastern part of the city, plus a small archery-only carve-out for parcels of five acres or more. The section defines 'hunting' broadly to include pursuing, shooting, following, lying in wait for, or wounding a wild bird whether or not the act succeeds, and defines 'trapping' as setting or using any device designed to close upon, hold fast, confine or otherwise capture a wild bird.

The ordinance does carve out an exception: it does not prohibit capturing or disposing of wild pigeons, starlings, or other birds that are pests or a threat to persons or property, provided the method used is proper and humane and complies with State of Ohio rules. Hunting on Lake Erie waterways within city limits is separately permitted under State Hunting Regulations, and hunting is barred entirely on Maumee Bay State Park land without authorization from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Anyone trapping wild birds lawfully within the permitted zone must tag every trap with a durable, waterproof, legible tag bearing the trapper's name and mailing address, check traps at least every 24 hours, and may not hold a live-trapped animal longer than 65 days from capture. The Division of Police enforces the section, which was most recently amended and passed on May 27, 2025.