The 11th annual Waterfowlers Boot Camp is coming up on July 25 and 26 at the Cardinal Center Campground near Marengo.
This annual event is a must see for waterfowl hunters in the area. There are always plenty of vendors whom you can get firsthand knowledge from. There is also a Kids Boot Camp as well as a Teen Boot Camp to entertain the youngsters. Duck and goose calling contests, decoy carving contests, shooting contests, and turkey calling contests are on the schedule as well.
Admission and parking is free and show hours are 8-5 on Saturday and 8:30-3 on Sunday. The Ohio Waterfowl Association and several Delta Waterfowl Chapters are putting on a hog roast with live music on Saturday evening. More details can be found at www.theohiowaterfowlersbootcamp.com.
• Applications are now being accepted for controlled deer and waterfowl hunts on selected Ohio public areas during the 2015-2016 season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. . Hunters have until Friday, July 31, to submit permit applications for a random drawing.
These special hunts are held on selected public areas to provide additional opportunities for Ohio’s hunting enthusiasts. All applicants, youth and adult, must possess a 2015-2016 Ohio hunting license and meet the age requirements in order to apply for a controlled hunt.
Hunters can apply for the controlled hunts by completing the application process online using the Wild Ohio Customer Center at wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) and requesting a mail-in application. There is a non-refundable application fee of $3 per hunt. Hunters will be randomly drawn from submitted applications. Successful applicants will be notified and provided additional hunt information by mail and email.
Applicants are encouraged to visit the Wild Ohio Customer Center to view the status of their application and, if selected, print their controlled hunt permit. More specific information about hunt dates and locations, including opportunities dedicated to youth, women and mobility-impaired hunters, can be found at wildohio.gov.
• Anglers interested in learning the art of fly fishing and practicing their skills on a half-mile section of Cold Creek at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County are encouraged to enter a lottery for beginning fly-fishing clinics, according to the ODNR.
There are 125 slots available for the popular program. Sessions will be held on Fridays from Sept. 4 through Oct. 9, with the exception of Sept. 25. Deadline for submitting a lottery entry is Aug. 20.
In addition to fly-fishing instruction by Division of Wildlife staff and volunteers, attendees will be able to test their newly acquired skills by fishing for the abundant rainbow trout found in Cold Creek. Anglers may also encounter an occasional brown trout. Instruction will be from 8 a.m. until noon or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 4, Sept. 11, Sept. 18, Oct. 2 and Oct. 9.
To apply, applicants must submit a postcard listing their: name, address, and phone number. The applicant may bring one guest, but the guest’s name must be listed on the postcard at the time of submission. Only one postcard per applicant and guest is allowed and no duplicates may be submitted. Postcards should be sent to: ODNR Division of Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, Ohio 45840 Attention: Linda Ringer.
Successful applicants will receive an assigned session date and time. Permits are non-transferable. All anglers age 16 and older are required to have a valid Ohio fishing license. Funds generated from the sale of fishing licenses go toward conserving and restoring habitat, enforcement of fishing regulations, hatchery operations, fish stocking in public fishing areas, and enhancement of research and educational outreach. For more information on Ohio’s fishery resources, call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.gov on the web. The Castalia State Fish Hatchery is located in Erie County off State Route 269, near Castalia.
Until next time, Good Hunting and Good Fishing!
