Yes, it’s that time of year again that has dove hunters worked up to a frenzy. Southwest Ohio has some fine public dove fields. They’re so popular that special drawings for reserved spots on Opening Days are scheduled for this Saturday. Dove hunti9ng begins Sept. 1.
It’s time again to draw for those early controlled dove hunts. The drawings will be at noon on Saturday, Aug. 26. The controlled hunts are scheduled to be held Sept 1 and 2.
Drawings will be held at Fallsville, Rush Run, Spring Valley and Indian Creek wildlife areas. Drawings for hunts at Woodland Trails will be held at Rush Run and Bott at Indian Creek.
Controlled hunts will also be held at the St. Marys Fish Hatchery on Sept. 1, 2, 3 and 9.
The Sept. 1 hunt will be drawn on Aug. 26 at noon at the hatchery. Drawings for Sept. 2, 3 and 9 will be held at noon on the days of the hunts. Youth will be given priority at St. Marys on Sept. 2 and 3. An adult must be present with the youth(s) and sign the permit.
Hours for dove hunting on District Five wildlife areas are noon to sunset from Sept. 1-10. Hours are sunrise to sunset for the remainder of the dove hunting season. Accommodations will be provided to handicapped hunters that are selected for the controlled hunts.
In order to participate in the drawings, hunters are required to present a 2016-2017 hunting license and current Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification. HIP certification is free and can be obtained by calling (877) HIP-OHIO.
Shotguns cannot be capable of holding more than three shells, unless it is plugged with a one-piece filler which limits the capacity of the gun to three shells. The filler must be such that it cannot be removed without disassembling the gun. Doves may be hunted with lead shot.
For dove hunting information, call the District Five (Xenia) office at (937) 372- 9261. You can also contact staff at Fallsville (937)-987-2508, Rush Run (513) 726-6795, Spring Valley (937) 488-3115 and Indian Creek (513) 875-2111.
Good News: Ducks Aplenty
There is good news for waterfowl hunters. According to Ducks Unlimited, surveys conducted by wildlife services in the U.S. and Canada, duck populations are about the same as last year, 34 percent above the 1955-2016 long-term average.
“This is great news for waterfowlers who can now turn their attention to preparing habitat, tuning up dogs and relentlessly watching the weather forecasts for the onset of fall and winter weather that will push the birds on their annual southward migration,” said DU Chief Scientist Tom Moorman.
Headed for Some Lake Erie Fishing?
With autumn approaching, Lake Erie fishing is on the minds of many. Before you go, I suggest a visit to the wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/fishing-lake-erie Website.
If you are planning on fishing on a charter boat, party (head) boat or private boat, the guide put together by the pros at the Division of Wildlife is a comprehensive array of suggestions, reminders and reports.
I was particularly impressed by the story of one charter captain’s struggle with the toxic algae that has been plaguing parts of the lake for several years. You can read about Capt. Dave Spangler by clicking on the LECBA link and then on “Captain of the Year.”
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Open this year’s hunting season with a trip to Olde English, proud to sponsor outdoors columnist Jim Morris on Press Pros Magazine.com!