Ohio State Parks Duck Blind Lotteries Set for August 18
OutdoorHub 08.06.12
More than 270 permits are offered to hunters wishing to construct a blind to hunt ducks and geese on select Ohio State Park lakes this waterfowl hunting season. A lottery drawing for the permits will be held at 16 state parks and two wildlife areas the morning of Saturday, Aug. 18.
Interested applicants must appear in person at a participating state park office with proof of a 2012 Ohio hunting license, state wetlands stamp endorsement in the applicant’s name and a signed 2012 or 2011 federal duck stamp. Applicants under the age of 18 must have a parent or legal guardian present sign the permit contract, and they must provide the required license and stamps.
Participating state parks include Portage Lakes and West Branch in northeast Ohio; East Harbor, Indian 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.
Applications will be accepted 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 may 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 (exact change) or check only. Lottery winners have 45 days to construct their blinds, and all blinds must be dismantled by March 15, 2013.
Hunters wishing to participate in the lotteries at Delaware or Indian Lake state parks are advised that the nearby Delaware marina, and the Indian Lake park office and commissary no longer sell hunting licenses and duck stamps. Hunters should purchase their license and stamp from another vendor prior to the lotteries.
Waterfowl hunting opportunities are also offered through lottery drawings for blinds at the Mercer Wildlife Area on Grand Lake St. Marys and the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area adjacent to Mosquito Lake State Park. The drawings will be held at the respective wildlife area offices on Aug. 18. There is no fee for use of the blinds at these areas. Lottery participants must also have a current Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification.
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 800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com.
