Waterfowl hunters are invited to participate in special drawings for controlled hunting opportunities, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife will be holding drawings in northwest Ohio at the following locations: Pipe Creek Wildlife Area Waterfowl Hunts- A drawing will be held at Osborn Park Thursday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is from 5 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. at Osborn Park, 3910 Perkins Ave., Huron. East Sandusky Bay Metro Park Waterfowl Hunts- A drawing will be held at Osborn Park Thursday, Aug. 11, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is from 5 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. at Osborn Park, 3910 Perkins Ave., Huron. Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Early Teal and Goose Hunt- A drawing will be held at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area Wednesday, Aug. 17, at 6:30 p.m. Registration is from 5 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. at the Magee Marsh beach parking lot, 13229 W. State Route 2, Oak Harbor. Beginning in 2017 this drawing will be held through the online computer lottery at wildohio.gov.

Adult participants are required to present their current Ohio Wetland Habitat Stamp or Resident Hunting License. Youth Hunters are required to bring their current Resident Youth Hunting License to be eligible to participate in the drawings. For more information on Ohio’s wildlife resources, call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.gov.

The crowd at these drawings can be quite large but a chance to hunt Magee Marsh is worth taking the chance. Of course, with teal hunting, success is very dependent on the weather. I’ve had some teal hunts at Magee that were awesome and I’ve had others where I’ve felt like I was suffering heat stroke spending the morning swatting skeeters in the extreme heat. However, if a cold front sweeps through in early September, you will be glad you attended the blind draw and had a chance to hunt Magee.

• If you are looking for information about the annual Waterfowler Boot Camp and Outdoor Festival held each summer at the Cardinal Campground, according to the Ohio Waterfowl Association website, there isn’t going to be one this year. OWA is citing a lack of volunteers and funding for the reason on canceling the show.

However, an alternative offering for duck and goose hunters is available nearby. The first annual Northern Ohio Waterfowl Swap Meet is going be held Aug. 20-21 at the Cedar Creek Barn which is located just south of Lexington on U.S. 42. There is a long list of vendors already committed to attend. Decoys, outfitters, and call makers are on the list of attendance. Admission is free and there is even a decoy painting youth activity sponsored by Delta Waterfowl. A Facebook page has been set up where you see the actual list of vendors planning on attending. Show times are Saturday 9-6 and Sunday 9-4.

• Outdoor enthusiasts interested on the basic skills needed to kayak fish are encouraged to attend a free informational workshop provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife on Wednesday August 17, 2016 from 5:30 p.m – 9 p.m.

All equipment will be supplied. The workshop is free of charge but pre-registration is required as space is limited. No walk-ins will be admitted. Deadline for registration is August 5th. Registered attendees will be provided with location and directions. Register by calling Jordan Phillips at 614-902-4196, or email [email protected] .

This course is hands on and will take place outdoors. Please dress appropriately and be prepared to get wet. Items to bring include, valid Ohio fishing license for participants over 16 years of age, sunscreen, sunglasses, hat, soft-soled shoes or sandals with heel straps, towel, a dry change of clothes, and a drink. Please no glass drinking bottles.

For information on fishing in Ohio please visit wildohio.gov. Until next time, Good Hunting and Good Fishing!

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Water and Wings by Ken Parrott

Ken Parrott is an Agricultural Science teacher with Northmor High School.