Applications for controlled hunts open through July

Applications for Ohio’s public-land controlled hunts are being accepted until Wednesday, July 31, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

These hunts provide special opportunities for people to pursue deer, waterfowl, doves, pheasants, and more on public lands during the 2024-25 season, according to a July 11 news release from the division.

The Division of Wildlife, as well as the Division of Parks and Watercraft, hosts controlled hunts on select areas around Ohio. Hunts for adults, youth, mobility impaired, and mentors with apprentices are available. Species-specific hunts include deer, waterfowl, dove, pheasant, squirrel, and quail. Firearm and archery hunts are available for some species, according to the news release.

Hunters may apply for controlled hunts by completing the application process online using Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System or via phone by calling 1-866-703-1928. A $5.50 service fee applies to the phone option. Each hunt requires payment of a nonrefundable $3 application fee, according to the release. Customers may apply for more than one hunt but may apply to each hunt only once per year.

All applicants, youth and adult, are required to possess a valid Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements. Youth hunters must be under age 18 at the time of the hunt to participate. Adults must be 18 or older at the time of the application. Those applying for deer hunts also must have a valid deer permit. Find more information at wildohio.gov on the controlled hunt page.

Participants may use a deer management permit during controlled deer hunts. Deer management permits cost $15 and may be used to harvest antlerless deer only. Deer management permits are valid statewide until Dec. 22, according to the release.

The Division of Wildlife is offering permit-only ring-necked pheasant hunts in select areas. In addition to controlled hunts at Andreoff, Killdeer Plains, Kokosing, Mosquito Creek, and Urbana wildlife areas, several properties new to controlled access will be open to permitted hunters in 2024. These include East Fork, Fallsville, Funk Bottoms, Hancock County Wildlife Area 5, Parkersburg, Pater, Pickerel Creek, Pleasant Valley, Salt Fork wildlife areas, and Coldwater Creek Nature Corridor, according to the release.

Hunters are randomly drawn in lottery style from submitted applications. Successful applicants will be notified and provided additional hunt information by Thursday, Aug. 8, including a permit, rules, and a hunting-area map. Each controlled hunt is unique, and applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review all site-specific information, including rules and requirements, prior to applying. Application statuses can be viewed through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System. Successful applicants are not permitted to buy, sell, exchange, or trade their permits.

Explore detailed information about each hunting area through the Controlled Hunting Access Lotteries webpage at ohiodnr.gov.

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