Smaller group of hunting-ranch protestors turn out for Vienna protest

VIENNA

Their numbers were smaller and their hopes of stopping the Candywood Whitetail Ranch from opening this year were all but gone, but 20 people turned out Monday to hold signs and continue to protest the business.

“We’re just trying to keep it in front of the media, keep the public involved,” said Holly Justice of Youngstown, the organizer of the physical and online protests that have occurred over the past few months.

“We know it’s official, but they have to apply again in the fall. We’re going to talk to the [Ohio Department of Natural Resources] early and reach out to the Vienna Township trustees,” she said.

Justice said she accepts that the ranch will be open for business sometime this year, following ODNR and Ohio Department of Agriculture approval of the owner’s plans to provide hunting of white-tailed deer and other game for a price.

But the owners of the ranch have not provided answers to protestors’ questions about how the business will operate, Justice said.