Think about applying for controlled hunting events

It’s that time when hunters begin to think about fall and the opportunities they might experience this year.

Among those thoughts, ought to be planning to apply for one or more of Ohio’s many controlled hunts held on some very special places.

But to be sure, you can’t win one of these limited sought-after hunts if you don’t apply.

Last year, 29,344 anxious hunters applied for one or more of the list of hunting opportunities with just 1,386 winners.

While many of the hunts are available only to certain hunters, there are plenty of good choices to go around.

The odds

If you are an adult waterfowl hunter, the odds of getting picked for Magee Marsh, on the Lake Erie shoreline, are one in 17.

There’s just 144 spots or half day hunts at Magee, a very special outing indeed.

Next door at Ottawa NWR the odds are 1 in 4 and that’s about as good as it gets when we’re talking about odds.

Last fall 4,704 adults applied to hunt deer at what used to be called the Ravenna Arsenal with just 88 picked — and from reports heard after, success was limited.

ODNR

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is now accepting applications for controlled deer and waterfowl hunts on selected areas through July 31.

These special hunts are held on selected areas to provide additional opportunities for Ohio’s hunting enthusiasts.

All applicants must have a 2017-2018 Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements.

Hunters can apply at wildohio.gov with an application fee of $3 per hunt and will be randomly drawn and notified by email if they are selected.

More specific information about hunt dates and locations can be found at wildohio.gov on the Controlled Hunts page.