State accepting applications for annual controlled hunt lottery
Measured by shrinking daylight, the summer of 2023 marches at first slowly and then with gathering speed toward dimming fall.
Autumn and late summer bring the hunt. Plans therefore must be laid, especially during a time when locating places and opportunities to pursue game increasingly are a challenge.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife is accepting applications this month for its annual lottery designed to ratchet up the chances for productive hunting of deer, waterfowl and other game. Applicants may apply for one or more controlled hunts held on public land, some within an easy jaunt from Columbus.
An application for each designated hunt costs a non-refundable $3 using the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System at wildohio.gov. A phone application is available for an additional $5.50 by dialing (800) 703-1928. Deadline is July 31.
Applicants must hold a valid Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements. Rules for youth hunts require that participants be under age 18 at the time of the hunt. Adults must be at least age 18 at the time they apply.
Applicants for controlled deer hunts must hold a deer permit.
Deer management permits, which cost $15 each and may be used to check antlerless deer only, will be valid during authorized controlled hunts through Feb. 4. Outside of controlled hunts, deer management permits may be used on private land and at select public hunting areas through Nov. 26.
Regular either-sex deer permits, which cost a resident adult $31.20, may be used to take an antlered deer and remain valid through the close of the season on Feb. 4, 2024.
Licenses and permits can be obtained at the wildlife division web site.
Controlled hunts are designated as participant specific, meaning for adults, for youths, for the mobility impaired and for mentors with apprentices. Species-specific hunts include deer, waterfowl, dove, pheasant, squirrel and quail. Options include firearm and archery hunts.
The following is a list of hunts in or near central Ohio for which drawings will be held in early August from the pool of July applicants:
• Deer archery: Deer Creek State Park adult, Deer Creek youth and Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area adult.
• Deer firearms: Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area adult, Killdeer Plains mobility impaired, Killdeer Plains youth, Killdeer Plains mentor, Urbana Wildlife Area adult, Hebron Fish Hatchery adult and Hebron youth.
• Waterfowl: Deer Creek State Park September goose and teal, Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area September goose and teal, Killdeer Plains waterfowl, Killdeer Plains youth waterfowl, Indian Lake State Park September goose and teal, Hebron Fish Hatchery youth waterfowl and Hebron waterfowl.
• Waterfowl blinds availability: A.W. Marion State Park, Alum Creek State Park, Buckeye Lake State Park, Deer Creek State Park, Delaware State Park and Indian Lake State Park.
• Dove: Indian Lake State Park, Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area, Pickaway County Wildlife Area, Delaware Wildlife Area, Urbana Wildlife Area mentor, Urbana youth and Kokosing Wildlife Area.
• Pheasant: Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, Kokosing Wildlife Area and Urbana Wildlife Area.
Successful July applicants will be provided hunt details by Aug. 8.
Information about lotteries for deer hunts at state natural areas, including several in central Ohio, will be announced in August. Persons interested in controlled archery deer hunting at the Transportation Research Center in Logan and Union counties should send an email of inquiry to wildlife@trcpg.com.
In-person drawings for beaver, otter and furbearer slots on public land will be held at the five wildlife district offices on Oct. 14. The central Ohio district office in Columbus is located at 1500 Dublin Road.
outdoors@dispatch.com