ODNR to Open 23 State Nature Preserves to Special Archery Hunts

COLUMBUS, OH - An increasing deer population, resulting in negative impacts to native plant communities, has led the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Natural Areas and Preserves to coordinate special archery deer hunts at 23 state nature preserves across the state.
 
High quality habitats at these state nature preserves, including Eagle Creek, Fowler Woods, Goll Woods and Lake Katharine, have been negatively impacted by over-browsing deer. For example, large flowered trillium-Ohio's state wildflower and once common at Lake Katharine State Nature Preserve-have nearly disappeared from this site because of foraging deer.
 
"Conducting special management hunts enables the division to protect native plant communities in Ohio's best natural areas," said Steven Maurer, chief of ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. "An added benefit is that Ohio's hunters are given an opportunity to explore high quality areas and assist ODNR with critical land management activities."
 
There will be five two-week archery  hunt sessions beginning September 26 through November 29, 2009. Each special archery hunt permit will be good for two hunters for two weeks.
 
Participating hunters in Zone A will be allowed to harvest two deer under state hunting rules-one on a $15 antlerless tag and one on a $24 either-sex tag. The Zone B limit is two on the antlerless tag and two on the either-sex tag. Similarly, the Zone C limit is six, three on antlerless tag and three on either-sex tag.
 
To apply for the special archery hunt lotteries, applicants must send in a 3x5 card with their name, address, daytime phone number and the hunt name (such as Goll Woods Archery Hunt), along with a $5 processing fee for each entry.
 
You may apply for multiple sites but each card must be marked with the appropriate hunt location. Do not send multiple payments-one check equaling $5 per card is sufficient. Do not send cash-checks and money orders must be made out to ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Processing fees are not refundable.
 
Mail entries to the ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, 2045 Morse Road, Bldg. F-1, Columbus, OH  43229.  Lottery entries must be received by August 15, 2009.
 
Successful archery hunt applicants will be notified by mail, and are required to attend one of two orientation meetings set for September 19 and 20 at various locations. Visit ohiodnr.com/dnap for a full listing of lottery rules and special hunt details.
 
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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EDITOR'S NOTE - A list of all special preserve archery hunts is below.

For further information, contact:
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
614. 265. 6520
Gary Obermiller, North Region, ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
419. 706. 0559
Martin McAllister, South Region, ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves
937. 545. 8313
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860