GREAT OUTDOORS: Applications for controlled hunts due July 31

It may seem early to be thinking about hunting season, but it isn't if you have an interest in winning any of the controlled hunts or trapping on public lands offered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.The Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks and Watercraft host dozens of controlled hunts and waterfowl blind locations on select properties in Ohio. Hunts for adults, youth, mobility impaired andmentors with apprentices are examples of some of the categories that are available.Applications are due July 31.By allowing the entire month of July to submit an application for the species of game at the locations of interest, then allowing a week for the drawing and notification of the successful applicants, it isjust a few weeks later that some of the 2023-2024 hunting seasons open.For example, the special early teal, resident Canada goose, mourning dove, certain shorebird and squirrel seasons all open in early September, with opportunities to draw for each of these species.Species-specific hunts that can be applied for this month include deer, waterfowl, dove, pheasant, squirrel, rabbit and quail. Both firearm and archery opportunities are available.Trapping opportunities are also offered for certain areas through this and other application methods to be announced. Additional opportunities are offered later for specified Natural Areas and Preserves, MetroParks and other smaller areas.Having been through the process of applying electronically several times, I can navigate it alright, but it may be difficult for someone who is attempting this for the first time.Before applying for any of these controlled hunts, one must purchase a hunting license for the 2023-2024 season. Requiring applicants to have a hunting license may be in part designed to deter anti-hunters fromclogging the system with applications that will never be redeemed, robbing legitimate hunters of opportunities. This tactic has been used in the past. The license requirement also helps to ensure that licensed hunters apply only once, the allowable limit per location. Beginning at wildohio.gov can generally lead to a lot of Division of Wildlife tabs, but I found that: oh-web.s3licensing.com/ is the perfect place to start.From there, click on the tab labeled "Licenses and Permits (Purchase)." This opens a page that will ask you to either: provide your ODNR Customer ID number (generated from a previous purchase); allow youto create a new one; or allow you to use your Social Security number or driver's license to proceed. Once this page is filled out and you verify that the information is correct, the hunting license purchase can be completed. Then, controlled hunts of interest can be checked off and entered into yourcart.Each hunt will cost $3 to apply. Telephone applications (866-703-1928) are also available but with a service fee of $5.50.There are several nearby controlled deer hunt lottery drawings, including various offerings of firearm, archery, mentored and/or mobility-impaired opportunities at Killdeer Plains, Magee Marsh, PickerelCreek and Andreoff Wildlife areas; Maumee Bay State Park, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and the Castalia State Fish Hatchery.For waterfowl, Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, Howard Marsh (Toledo Metroparks), Pipe Creek Wildlife Area, Pickerel Creek Wildlife Area and Putnam Marsh (East Sandusky Bay) are offered during the early (September) goose and teal season, and the general waterfowl seasons.Unlike the central and southwestern portions of the state, there are no controlled dove hunts offered in northwest Ohio, but many of our local wildlife areas allow walk-in hunting for this speedy and tastygame bird.Despite the sometimes-long odds, I have been drawn for several of these hunts over the years. Good luck if you apply.