SPORTS

Controlled hunts ramping up throughout Ohio

Dick Martin

Buckeye waterfowl hunters are invited to participate in special drawings for several controlled hunts. The popular Magee Marsh Wildlife Area early teal and goose hunt is one. A drawing will be held at the Marsh beach parking lot, 13229 W. Ohio 2, Oak Harbor, at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 12, with registration from 5 to 6:20 p.m.

Drawings for the Pipe Creek Wildlife Area Waterfowl Hunts and Metro Park Waterfowl Hunts will be held at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 20 at Osborn Park. Registration is from 5 to 6:20 p.m.

Teal hunt lottery available

Hunters interested in hunting Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area on the opening day of teal season or Labor Day are encouraged to enter a lottery. Deadline is Aug. 1. Both adults and youth can apply for the adult morning hunts. Only youth (under 18) can apply for the youth afternoon hunts. Zones and hunt days will be assigned in the order they are drawn. Successful applicants will receive permits and special instructions in the mail. Successful applicants may bring up to two guests to hunt with them. Both teal and Canada geese may be hunted.

To apply, applicants must submit a 4x6-inch postcard listing their name, address, Customer ID number and phone number. Only one postcard per applicant is allowed. Postcards should be sent to ODNR Division of Wildlife, District Two, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay, OH 45840. Postcards need to be labeled at the top for the particular hunt in which the hunter is applying (adult teal, youth teal). The Wildlife Area is located in Sandusky County off Ohio 6 between Fremont and Sandusky.

Lottery available for Buckeye Lake hunting

Finally, lottery drawings for Buckeye Lake State Park and Hebron State Fish Hatchery waterfowl hunting blind locations will be held Aug. 15. The drawings take place at the Buckeye Lake State Park office located at 2905 Leibs Island Road, Millersport, OH 43046. Registration will begin at 7:30 a.m. The Buckeye Lake drawing begins at 8 a.m. and Hebron immediately follows. Hunters can apply for both drawings.

Interested applicants must appear in person at the Buckeye Lake State Park office with proof of 2015-16 Ohio hunting license, valid Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp, a signed 2015 or 2014 Federal Migratory Bird Hunting stamp and Harvest Information Program certification. There is a $50 nonrefundable permit fee for state park lottery winners, payable by cash, check or charge.

Bass tournament upcoming

Bass fishermen might be interested in either of two tournaments coming up next month. One is the Mud Hole Bass Club tournament Aug. 30 at Clear Fork Reservoir. Entry fee is $50 per boat with tournament hours 7 a.m. or first safe light. First place winners will receive $800, second $350, third $300, fourth $200, and fifth $150. There will be an optional big bass pot for $10 per boat and a five-fish limit per boat. For entry forms, call 419-512-9605.

The second tournament is the Pink Lady Benefit Bass Tournament which will be fishing for the cure for Breast Cancer. It will be held Sept. 19 at Clear Fork with an entry fee of $50 per boat. Tournament hours are 7 a.m. or first safe light with a first place win receiving $600, second $450, and third $200. There will be an optional big bass pot for $10 per boat. Call 419-512-9605 for entry forms or questions.