Ohio expands on its controlled hunt program with applications being accepted through July 31st

Once again July ushers in the need to apply for Ohio special and controlled hunts for this autumn and winter.

However, the texture of this year’s application process is different from the past, including recent history for applying/

For starters there will not be deer hunt at the popular NASA-owned Plum Brook Research Station in Sandusky County. This was done, said spokesmen for the Ohio Division of Wildlife due to the COVID-19 hoop-jumping that would been a necessary component of the federal reservation.

Also, the name of the Ravenna Arsenal deer hunt now reflects a new moniker, that being named after President James A. Garfield. Garfield grew and lived his entire life in Northeast Ohio, becoming a Civil War hero for the Union as well as graduating from Hiram College.

It is said, too, that Garfield was the poorest person ever to run for and win the presidency. But I digress.

Anyway, there are now scads of changes, and you’ll need the Ohio Division of Wildlife to sort through the special lottery hunts. These hunts take in the call to chase deer and waterfowl at various wildlife areas but also state nature preserves, state parks and even at some state park beaches along with archery-only and shotgun as well as muzzleloading hunts.

The Wildlife Division has assembled several controlled hunts for doves in a number of southwest Ohio locations along with mentored pheasant hunts as one for the hunting of bobwhite quail. Oh, and one for squirrels at Mosquito Lake State Park.

New this year, too, is that all state parks waterfowl blinds drawings will be coordinated through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System.

Persons can apply for a specific hunt only once, and the non-refundable application fee is $3 per hunt with the filing deadline set for July 31^st.

Here is a large portion of the Ohio Division of Wildlife’s release on the subject:

“Hunters may apply for the controlled hunts by completing the application process online using Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System at wildohio.gov. See the complete list of eligible hunts and locations in the 2020-2021 Controlled Hunting Opportunities bookl

“Because of social distancing requirements, controlled hunt applications will only be accepted online or by phone for the 2020-2021 season. No in-person drawings will be available this year.

“All applicants, youth and adult, are required to possess a valid Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements. Find more information at wildohio.gov on the Controlled Hunts page. Customers without internet access may call 1-866-703-1928 and apply for hunts by phone. There is an additional $5.50 service fee to apply for the phone option.

“Hunters are randomly drawn from submitted applications. Successful applicants will be notified and provided additional hunt information by Monday, Aug. 10th.

“Successful applicants will receive a permit, rules and hunting area map. Each controlled hunt opportunity is unique, and applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review all site-specific rules and requirements prior to applying. The application status can be viewed through Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System.

“Successful applicants can choose a blind location on Saturday, Aug. 15th. A $50 fee is charged to construct a blind for state park waterfowl hunts. Permittees are responsible for this additional fee.”

- Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

JFrischk@Ameritech.net

JFrischk4@gmail.com