FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 10, 2000

COLUMBUS, OH -- Lottery opportunities for waterfowl hunting from some of the state's top duck blind locations will soon be available, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Hunters who wish to apply for a permit to set up a blind to hunt ducks at an Ohio state park during the 2000-2001 waterfowl hunting season must enter a lottery drawing to be held at selected state park offices on Saturday, August 19. Several locations are also available at state wildlife areas by calling (800) WILDLIFE.

Duck blind permits are available at 17 state park locations throughout Ohio. To enter the lottery, applicants must appear in person at the participating state park office on the day of the drawing and show proof of a current or 1999 Ohio hunting license, along with a federal duck stamp and state wetlands habitat stamp issued in the applicant’s name. Applications will be taken beginning at 8 a.m., with the lottery immediately following.

Each entrant can apply for only one duck blind permit; no one can apply or draw for another person. There is a $50 non-refundable permit fee for lottery winners. Lottery winners have 45 days to construct their blinds. All blinds must be dismantled by March 15, 2001.

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

Opportunities for duck blind hunts are also available at the following ODNR Division of Wildlife areas: Mosquito Creek and Grand River in northeast Ohio; Resthaven, Pipe Creek, Magee Marsh, Pickerel Creek in northwest Ohio; Clark Lake and Spring Valley in southwest Ohio; and Killdeer Plains in central Ohio. Call (800) WILDLIFE for specific times and locations for lottery drawings.

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EDITORS NOTE: ATTACHED IS A LIST OF PARK ADDRESSES AND TELEPHONE NUMBERS, ALONG WITH THE NUMBER OF DUCK BLINDS AVAILABLE AT EACH PARTICIPATING PARK

For Further Information Contact:
ODNR Media Relations
(614) 265-6875