Boating, Ohio 1 comment

100 Days Of Summer: Day 41- Apply for Ohio State Park Boat Dock

By Lou Yuhasz on August 15th, 2010

Sunset, Lake Erie, Cleveland, Ohio Style
Image by RunnerJenny via Flickr

Continuing Cheat Week, as I Try To catch up, Here’s another Summer Deadline Fast Approaching:

COLUMBUS, OH – Boat owners wishing to rent public boat docks at several popular Ohio State Park lakes have until Tuesday, August 31 to enter lottery drawings used to select renters for available docks.

Lottery drawings will be held in September for boat docks at Alum Creek, Buck Creek, Cleveland Lakefront, Deer Creek, Delaware, Lake Milton, Paint Creek and Rocky Fork state parks. Application forms are now available through the individual park offices.

Completed forms may be submitted in person by Tuesday, August 31, or sent by certified mail/return receipt. Only one application per boat is permitted, and must be submitted by the boat owner. Lottery applicants must be able to show current proof of boat ownership or lease at the time of entry. Boats titled to dealerships are not eligible.

The drawings are held on or before the third Saturday in September. Applicants need not be present to win, and the winning lottery applicants will be notified by the park. Persons selected by the 2010 lottery are entitled to renewal privileges for up to five years. Renewals may completed in person or on-line at www.ohiostateparks.org.

Contact the individual park offices for specific details on allowable boat sizes, dock amenities and dock rental fees, as well as other application procedures. In addition to the parks conducting the lotteries, several state parks have seasonal docks available for rent on a first-come first-served basis including Buckeye Lake, Dillon, Mosquito Lake, Salt Fork and West Branch.

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.gov

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Hunting, Ohio Comments turned off

Ohio 2010 Squirrel Hunting Season Begins Sept.1st

By Lou Yuhasz on August 15th, 2010

A taunting fox squirrel
Image by Benimoto via Flickr

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio’s squirrel season will open on September 1, providing hunters with an opportunity to take as many as six squirrels each day, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

A long-time tradition for many hunters, Ohio’s squirrel season offers ample hunting opportunities for fox and gray squirrels across the state.  It is a great time to get out in the woods and scout for the upcoming deer and fall wild turkey hunting seasons or take a youth hunting.  Legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.

The season closes January 31. Squirrel season will be closed during the one-week statewide deer gun season, beginning November 29 through December 5; deer gun weekend, December 18 and 19; and during early muzzleloader deer season, October 18-23 at the following areas: Salt Fork State Wildlife Area, Shawnee State Forest and Wildcat Hollow.

The abundance of nut crops is a good indicator of squirrel numbers the following year.  Squirrels have higher survival and reproduction after years with an ample supply of acorns and hickory nuts.  Statewide nut production ratings for fall 2009 were lower than average, especially for oaks in the southeastern portion of the state.  Therefore, the predicted squirrel hunting outlook for the 2010-11 season is below average, particularly for gray squirrels.  However, the early spring green-up and mild temperatures may offset some of the negative effects of poor mast production.

Fox squirrel populations may have fared better than gray squirrels. Primary range for fox squirrel includes the western and northeastern portions of Ohio.  Mast production for most tree species remained above average in these regions in 2009.  Additionally, supplemental food (i.e., corn) may be more available to fox squirrels inhabiting agricultural areas.

Hunters who wish to participate in the new squirrel hunting diary program, designed to track trends in nut crops and squirrel populations across the Buckeye State, should contact the Waterloo Wildlife Research Station 360 East State St., Athens OH 45701, for more information.

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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Hunting, Ohio 1 comment

100 Days of Summer: Day 40- Apply for the Duck Blind Lottery

By Lou Yuhasz on August 15th, 2010

Duck Hunting Shuttle w/ Water Wings
Image by dglassme via Flickr

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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Boating, Camping, Ohio Comments turned off

100 Days of Summer: Day 39-Cheaper Camping at Grand Lake St. Mary’s

By Lou Yuhasz on August 15th, 2010

Grand Lake St. Marys Lighthouse
Image via Wikipedia

COLUMBUS, OH—In an effort to off-set lost revenues of local businesses and individuals, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is offering deep discounts on camping and shelter house rentals at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.

Campsite fees and shelter house rentals at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park are being discounted by 50 percent. Discounts will be offered until December 31, 2010. For existing reservations, discounts will be applied at the time of arrival.

“Discounting ODNR services may be unprecedented, but the problem at Grand Lake St Marys is also unprecedented. We are taking the steps we can to attract visitors, and these camping and shelter house discounts are one way to help.” said ODNR Director Sean Logan. “Every dollar spent at the state park by each visitor brings benefits that reach far beyond our own marinas and other facilities.

Reservations for Grand Lake St. Marys may be made by calling toll-free (866) OHIOPARKS (644-6727) or on-line at www.ohiostateparks.org. When making a camping reservation, please select the “Grand Lake Special” from the drop-down menu for discounts. No other discounts will apply to this special discount, which is being offered exclusively at Grand Lake St. Marys State Park.

Grand Lake St. Marys State Park offers a variety of overnight and day-use activities including: 176 electric campsites and 28 non-electric sites; full service camp store; bike rentals; miniature golf; basketball and volleyball courts; playground equipment; dog park; and free WiFi.

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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Fishing, Hunting, Ohio Comments turned off

100 Days of Summer: Day 38- Picnic at Ohio’s Newest State Park

By Lou Yuhasz on August 14th, 2010

COLUMBUS, OH – As of August 27, families and groups can enjoy the spacious picnic shelters at Wingfoot Lake State Park near Akron, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).  Reservations for the shelters will be taken beginning August 18 at 7 a.m.

Wingfoot Lake, Ohio’s newest state park, will be open to the public on Friday, August 27, following a public dedication ceremony scheduled for Thursday, August 26. The park is ideally suited to family outings, reunions and outdoor receptions, church and civic club gatherings, scout functions, and other outdoor events.

“Our staff and volunteers have been working hard to get the park ready to welcome visitors,” said John Hunter, Ohio State Parks acting chief. “There has been a great deal of public interest in Wingfoot Lake, and excitement about the shelter houses, in particular.”

Six shelter houses are available by reservation. Each offers picnic tables, grills and electrical hookups, with restrooms and parking nearby. Some also offer fireplaces and have doors that may be closed in inclement weather. Capacities vary from about 50 people to groups of more than 400.

Reservations for the shelter houses can be made through the Ohio State Parks reservation call center at 866-644-6727, or on-line through the Ohio State Parks website at www.ohiostateparks.org. Click on the reservations button on the Wingfoot Lake page for information on fees and features, and to make reservations. Reservations may be made up to one year in advance.

In addition to the picnic shelters, the park will also offer paved walking paths, playgrounds, mini golf and disc golf courses, cornhole, horseshoes, paved basketball and tennis courts, sand volleyball courts, grass courts for badminton and bocce ball, and baseball diamonds.  Shoreline fishing will be permitted on the 444-acre lake, and small boats, including pontoon boats and paddle craft, may be rented.

There are no overnight facilities or camping available. A state wildlife area, which offers fishing and hunting opportunities, is adjacent to the state park.

Wingfoot Lake State Park is located off Waterloo Road at 993 Goodyear Park Boulevard near the community of Suffield in Portage County.

Since the 1940s, Wingfoot Lake park served as a corporate retreat for Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company employees and their families. The State of Ohio acquired the property from Goodyear in 2009 and transferred the recreational facilities to the Ohio State Park system.

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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