State to draw for duck blind permits

There aren’t that many waterfowl hunters in Ohio, relatively speaking, but the few who pursue ducks, geese and the like comprise a dedicated group.

A 3 a.m. wake-up and a walk or boat trip in the dark to set up before first light to await the arrival of quacking or honking birds demands rigor. The rewards include satisfaction, a glimpse of dawn’s beauty and an afternoon nap.

If birds happen along, so much the better.

Productive spots to hunt waterfowl in Ohio long have been at a premium, dating to the draining of the Great Black Swamp and the reduction of the state’s wetlands by 90 percent from pre-settlement days. Still, opportunities remain.

Among them are lotteries for 280 permits to construct blinds at 18 state parks, including Alum Creek, A.W. Marion, Buck Creek, Buckeye Lake, Deer Creek, Delaware and Indian Lake in central Ohio. Lotteries are scheduled on Saturday, as follows:

• Alum Creek, 24 blinds. Applications accepted 8 a.m., drawing at 8:30 at the park office, 3305 S. Old State Road, Delaware. For details, phone (740) 548-4631.

• Buck Creek, 19 blinds. Applications 7:30 a.m., drawing 8 a.m. at park office, 1976 Buck Creek Lane, Springfield. For details, phone (937) 322-5284.

• Buckeye Lake, 13 blinds. Applications 7:30 a.m., drawing 8 a.m. at park office, 2905 Liebs Island Road, Millersport. For details, phone (740) 467-2690.

• Deer Creek, 14 blinds and A.W. Marion, three blinds. Applications 8:30 a.m., drawing 9 a.m. at park office, 20635 State Park Road, Mount Sterling. Phone (740) 869-3124.

• Delaware, 25 blinds. Applications 8 a.m., A broad-winged hawk perches outside the Thompson Library at Ohio State on Wednesday. drawing 8:30 a.m. at the marina, 5202 U.S. Route 23 North, Delaware. For details, phone (740) 548-4631.

• Indian Lake, 35 blinds. Applications 8 a.m., drawing 8:30 a.m. at campground office, 13156 State Route 235 North, Lakeview. For details, phone (937) 843-2717.

Applicants must show a 2018 Ohio hunting license, an Ohio wetlands habitat stamp endorsement in the applicant’s name and a signed 2018 federal duck stamp. Applicants under 18 need a parent or legal guardian present to sign the permit.

A hunter must appear in person and may apply for one permit. A $50 non-refundable permit fee, payable in cash, check or credit card, is required from winners. Winners have 45 days to construct a blind.

For details about other locations, visit wildohio.gov.

Deer lottery

Blackhand Gorge State Nature Preserve east of Newark will be among the preserves where special deer hunts will be held to knock down the floradamaging whitetail population.

The archery hunt drawing will be held at 6 p.m. Sept. 5 at the preserve office, 5213 Rock Haven Road, Newark. For details and requirements, phone

Charlotte McCurdy at (330) 607-3566 or email charlotte. mccurdy@dnr.state. oh.us

A ticket for the drawing costs $5. Lottery winners will have a two-week block to hunt with a partner.

Hunts at Blackhand Gorge, Davey Woods, Gallagher Fen, Goll Woods, Gott Fen, Lawrence Woods, McCracken Fen and Old Woman Creek state nature preserves will be archery-only hunts. Lake Katharine in Jackson County will be open to gun and muzzleloader hunting for a limited number of days. For details, visit wildohio.gov.

Parting shots

Special controlled dove hunts will be held Sept. 1-2 at Deer Creek Wildlife Area and Trump Wildlife Habitat Hunting Preserve in Pickaway County. Drawings for participation permits are scheduled for noon Aug. 25 at Deer Creek Wildlife Area headquarters in Mount Sterling. For details, phone (740) 869-2365. … The Hartley’s Hawgs tandem of Nathan Fiant and Braden McNamara finished 16th among 54 teams in the 2018 Bassmaster Junior Championship on Carroll County 1,000 Acre Recreational Lake in western Tennessee.