This year's fall hunting starts Tuesday with the opening of squirrel, mourning dove, Canada goose, rail, moorhen and snipe seasons.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, has set squirrel season to run through Jan. 31 with a daily bag limit of six.
Dove season runs through Oct. 25 and resumes Dec. 7-21, with a daily limit of 15 birds and a possession limit of 30 birds.
Canada geese may be hunted statewide Tuesday through Sept. 15 during the early season, with a daily limit of four birds and possession limit of eight birds after the first day.
Early teal season is open Sept. 5-20, with a daily bag limit of four birds and possession limit of eight after the first day.
Sora rails, Virginia rails and moorhens can be hunted Tuesday through Nov. 9, with a daily limit of 25 rails and 15 moorhens. Snipe season is Tuesday through Nov. 29 and Dec. 7-23, with a daily bag limit of eight. The woodcock hunting season is open Oct. 10-Nov. 23, with a daily bag limit of three birds and a possession limit of six birds.
Hunting hours during the seasons for rails, moorhens, snipe, woodcock, teal, doves, and Canada geese are sunrise to sunset. The only exceptions are to be on wildlife areas that have specially posted hunting times for doves.
Deer archery season starts Sept. 26 and runs through Feb. 7.
Waterfowl hunters must have a valid hunting license in addition to a state wetlands habitat stamp endorsement, a federal duck stamp and a Harvest Information Program certification. Anyone who intends to hunt migratory game birds must obtain a new HIP certification each year.
Other hunters must have a valid hunting license with any special permits required such as a deer tag.
For more information, check the 2009-10 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulationsand the2009 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons brochure at wildohio.com.
Hunting pilot program
The Division of Wildlife has teamed with the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation and the Quality Deer Management Association to announce the development of a pilot Web-based deer hunter access program in four Ohio counties.
The Web site,huntohiofarms.com, is available as part of a two-year pilot project to be focused in Harrison, Jefferson, Tuscarawas and Carroll counties.The program then is to be evaluated to determine its acceptance within the hunting and farming communities. If successful, it would be expanded to include the entire state.
Interested hunters can log on to develop a profile of themselves that would include years of hunting experience, preferred method of harvest such as archery, gun or muzzleloader, available dates and counties they would like to hunt.
Farmers, in one of the four pilot counties, would search the hunter database and contact hunters that meet the landowner's criteria.
Hunters who participate would have to agree to a set of rules and regulations governing the use of the land.Hunters unwilling or unable to abide by these established guidelines would be removed from the database.
Participating landowners and hunters would be required to complete an annual exit survey detailing their experience with the program.
There is no charge to participate or hunt enrolled properties. Enrollment in the program does not guarantee a place to hunt.
According to the Division of Wildlife, access to deer is key to successful management. Because 95 percent of Ohio's land base is in private ownership, access to private property is vital to the success of Ohio's deer management program. Access to private property is a privilege that cannot be legislated.
For that reason, it is essential hunters and landowners work cooperatively to develop positive relationships that facilitate the harvest of deer, specifically does, from private property.
Black Swamp fall fest coming
Black Swamp Conservancy invites anyone interested to attend its annual Fall Fest 2-4 p.m. Sept. 13 at Side Cut Metropark Rotary Pavilion, 1025 River Road, Maumee, within the park system of Metroparks of the Toledo Area.
John Jaeger plans to play his role as the "Black Swamp Doctor" and visitors can explore the Maumee River, create a Black Swamp mural, earn a "conservation kid" award or participate in other activities.
Light refreshments are to be served. For more information, call (419) 872-5263, e-mail bsc@blackswamp.org or visit www.blackswamp.
org.
SWCD board meeting dates
Seneca Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors has changed its regular meeting dates to 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. The change is effective through Jan. 31, 2010.
Meetings take place at the Ag Service Center, 3140 S. SR 100, and are open to anyone interested in attending.
Eells Park open Labor Day weekend
Stan Poe of Bettsville sent a note reminding people H.P. Eells Park is open to area residents Labor Day weekend for camping, swimming, picnicking and other outdoor entertainment.
The village of Bettsville operates the park as a non-profit entity.
He invites anyone with questions to visit a Web site he has created. The Web address is long, so it's simpler to type "Bettsville Park Labor Day Weekend" into a search engine such as Google and find it that way.
Lake Erie advisors needed
Ohioans interested in promoting and protecting the excitement and diversity of Lake Erie and its watershed are encouraged to apply for an appointment to the Ohio Coastal Resources Advisory Council.
There are two vacant seats on the board, which advises the ODNR director on the Ohio Coastal Management Program and the promotion, protection, enhancement and wise use of Lake Erie's coastal resources and watershed.
Applications can be obtained online atohiodnr.com/coastalor by contacting ODNR Office of Coastal Management at (419) 626-7980.
The Office of Coastal Management is to review applications and final appointments are to be made by the director. First consideration is to be given to residents of counties within the Lake Erie watershed.
The 19 members are appointed to four-year terms. They represent a broad range of interests, experience, and knowledge relating to the management, use, conservation, protection and development of coastal area resources.
Park programs
* Linda Rose, program director for the Seneca County Park District, is planning a Toddler Trot for ages 12-36 months with an adult companion at 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8. Children are to learn about "woolly bears" and go on a hunt at Zimmerman Nature Preserve. The preserve is on SR 18 next to Autumnwood Care Center.
To register or for more information, call (419) 435-3915 or e-mail scpd_programs@yahoo.
com.
* The Hancock Park District reminds users boat rentals close Labor Day weekend with reduced rates, but fall color float trips are available through October at Riverside Landing Boat Rental in Riverside Park, Findlay.
Rentals of canoes, paddle boats and kayaks are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $1 per half hour 1-7 p.m. Sept. 5-7.
Groups using six to eight canoes or individuals can make reservations for all-day float trips as long as there are good water levels for $20 per canoe (groups) or $25 per canoe (individuals).
Call (419) 425-PARK/7275 for reservations and further information. The boathouse phone is (419) 423-1902.
Reminders
* Sunday, 1 p.m., Seneca Muzzleloaders black powder shoot, primitive rifles only, Sandusky River Coon Hunters grounds, TR 131,
(419) 447-2656, (419) 862-1327, (419) 734-2269.
* Tuesday, 6:30 p.m., Seneca County Pheasants Forever meeting, Sandusky River Coon Hunters lodge, TR 131, (419) 937-2264.
* Wednesday, 7 p.m., Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton action pistol/bowling pin shoot, Don Hunter, (419) 937-2066, orpa@bright.net.
* Wednesday, 7 p.m, Seneca Muzzleloaders meeting, Sandusky River Coon Hunters lodge, (419) 447-2656.
Vicki Johnson covers
outdoors and agriculture news for The A-T. E-mail her via outdoors@
advertiser-tribune.com
