Ohio State Parks Duck Blind Lottery set for August 21

COLUMBUS, OH – More than 370 permits are available to hunters wishing to hunt ducks and geese from a blind at an Ohio State Park lake this waterfowl hunting season. A lottery drawing for the permits will be held at 17 state parks and two wildlife areas the morning of Saturday, August 21.

Participating state parks include Portage Lakes and West Branch in northeast Ohio; East Harbor, Indian Lake, Kiser Lake and Lake Loramie in northwest Ohio; Buck Creek, Caesar Creek, Cowan Lake, East Fork, Hueston Woods, and Rocky Fork in southwest Ohio; and Alum Creek, A.W. Marion, Buckeye Lake, Deer Creek, and Delaware in central Ohio.

Interested applicants must appear in person at a participating state park office with proof of a 2010 Ohio hunting license, state wetlands stamp endorsement in the applicant’s name, and a signed 2010 or 2009 federal duck stamp. Applicants under the age of 18 are encouraged to have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the permit contract.

Applications will be taken beginning at 7:30 a.m. at most parks, with the lottery drawings at 8 a.m. at the park office, unless otherwise noted in the listing below.

Each hunter can apply for only one duck blind permit and no one can apply or draw for another person. There is a $50 non-refundable permit fee for the state park lottery winners. Most locations accept cash, checks or credit cards for payment, except for Portage Lakes where payment is by cash or check only.  Lottery winners have 45 days to construct their blinds and all blinds must be dismantled by March 15, 2011.

Waterfowl hunting opportunities are also available through lottery drawings for blinds at Mercer Wildlife Area on Grand Lake St. Marys and Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area, which is adjacent to Mosquito Lake State Park. The drawings will be held at the respective wildlife area offices on August 21. There is no fee for use of the blinds at these areas.

Information on waterfowl hunting seasons, locations and restrictions will be discussed by park staff and wildlife officers during the lotteries. For general information about hunting seasons and regulations, call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife.

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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(EDITORS NOTE: A list of park addresses and telephone numbers, along with the number of duck blinds available at each participating park, is below.)

For more information, contact:
Jean Backs, ODNR Parks and Recreation
614. 265. 7077
Heidi Hetzel-Evans, ODNR Media Relations
614. 265. 6860