Hunters Reminded to Apply for Ohio's Controlled Deer and Waterfowl Hunts

COLUMBUS, OH - Hunters wanting to participate in Ohio's fall controlled deer and waterfowl hunts have until July 31 to submit permit applications for a random drawing according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife. These special hunts are held on selected public areas to provide additional hunting opportunities.

New this year, all applicants, adults and youths, must possess a current hunting license in order to apply for a controlled hunt.

Hunters can save time and money by submitting their applications online at www.wildohio.com. The online application fee is $3 per hunt; online applicants can use VISA, MasterCard or Discover. Application fees are non-refundable.

Hunters will be selected at random from submitted applications and notified by U.S. mail in September. Only those selected will be notified. Applicants are encouraged to view the status of their application by visiting the Wild Ohio Customer Care Center at www.wildohio.com. Hunters visit this site to see if they were selected for a hunt; if chosen, they can then print their own permit.

Special deer hunts are also slated for the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Lucas County), NASA/Plum Brook Station (Erie County), Ravenna Training & Logistics Site (Portage County), as well as Mosquito Creek (Trumbull County), Killdeer Plains (Wyandot County) and Old Woman Creek (Erie County) state wildlife areas.

Waterfowl hunts will be conducted at Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge (Lucas County), Mosquito Creek (Trumbull County) and Mercer (Mercer County) state wildlife areas. There will be no controlled hunt at Magee Marsh this year due to wetland construction.

More specific information about hunt dates and locations, including opportunities dedicated to youth, women and mobility-impaired hunters, can be found at www.wildohio.com.