OAK HARBOR, Ohio - A survey by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife hopes to yield information that will allow the division to be more responsive to the desires and preferences of Ohio's waterfowl hunters.

The names and addresses of approximately 3,000 waterfowl hunters statewide will be randomly selected to receive the survey in the mail in mid-June, based on their participation in the Federal Migratory Bird Harvest Information Program (HIP). Hunters are entered into HIP automatically when they purchase their hunting license and state wetland stamps.

"The last time a survey of Ohio waterfowl hunters was done came in the late 1970s. This will be a good opportunity for hunters to make a difference in their waterfowl hunting season," said Steve Barry, state waterfowl biologist at the Division of Wildlife's Crane Creek Wildlife Research Station in Oak Harbor.

The survey forms will be marked with an identification number to measure the geographical response of waterfowl hunters who receive it. All personal responses will be kept confidential and names of individuals will not be associated with the responses given.

All hunters who return their surveys postmarked by July 14 will be entered into a special drawing for their choice of a donated $500 cash prize or a Ducks Unlimited edition shotgun. These prizes will be awarded in September at the Lake Erie Waterfowl Festival held September 23 at Magee Marsh.

Dates and bag limits for all migratory gamebird seasons are established each summer under a set of guidelines issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. These guidelines offer individual states some flexibility in establishing their waterfowl hunting rules. In addition to biological and environmental information, such as migration survey data and the average date of fall freeze-up, the Division of Wildlife also takes into account the desires of hunters in establishing waterfowl regulations.

"The Division of Wildlife will use its waterfowl hunter survey data to make the best possible decisions regarding future selection of waterfowl hunting zones and season dates," said Barry.

Waterfowl hunters and others who have an interest in Ohio's hunting and fishing rules may also address their comments to the chief of the Division of Wildlife, 1840 Belcher Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43224. The wildlife agency each year in late winter hosts regional open-house forums that allow for public review and comment on proposed hunting and trapping rules and regulations. A statewide public hearing to review and comment on proposed hunting rules and seasons also is held in Columbus following the open house forums.

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For Further Information Contact:
Steve Barry, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(419) 898-0960
-or-
John Wisse, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6539