The antlerless permit has been used in past seasons to reduce deer numbers across the state. With most county deer population goals met, the antlerless permit, which mostly targeted does, has been deemed unnecessary.
New this year: The .450 Marlin straight-walled cartridge was added to the list of specific straight-walled cartridge rifles legal for use during the deer-gun and youth deer-gun seasons. Also new this year, two additional days of deer gun season will be offered Dec. 28-29 to provide more gun hunting opportunities. There will be no antlerless-only muzzleloader season this year.
Hunters who frequent southeast Ohio should be aware some public hunting lands have changed access requirements. So check with landowners of both public and private lands before traveling to hunting locations.
American Electric Power (AEP) has closed the Avondale Area to public access. In addition, two other properties, Poston Plant Lands and Gavin Wildlife Area, have had some access changes.
AEP allows the public to use more than 83,000 acres of its land by obtaining a free permit. Hunters should send a request to American Electric Power Company, 59 W. Main Street, McConnelsville, Ohio 43756 or online at aep.com/environment/conservation/maps.aspx.
Whether hunting public or private property, it’s always a good practice to check in with the landowner before arriving at their favorite hunting locations. Hunters should always obtain written permission before hunting, fishing or trapping on private property. Hunting without permission remains one of the primary violations state wildlife officers encounter in the fall.
Hunters looking for additional areas can check out the Division of Wildlife’s website at wildlohio.gov or call the Wildlife District 4 Office in southeastern Ohio at 740-589-9930.
Shooting camp: A special trapshooting camp will be offered by the Greene County Fish & Game Club on Oct. 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The camp is free and open to women and youth in grades 5-12.
Equipment can be provided and lunch will be served to all participants. It will be held at the club’s trap area, 1538 Union Rd, Xenia. For more information or to sign up, call Dave Schock at 937-427-5814
On target: There's a new archery range in the area, open to the public, free of charge. Thanks to a $15,700 ODNR grant, the Miami County Park District has opened a four-lane range that includes a platform to simulate tree stand shooting.
The range, located in Garbry Big Woods Reserve near Piqua, is open 8 a.m.-midnight every day of the year. For more information, visit miamicountyparks.com.
Talking turtle: The 2015 Ohio Snapping and Softshell Turtle Management Summit will be held Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Wildlife District 1 office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus.
The focus is the management of snapping and softshell turtles in Ohio. For more information, visit wildohio.gov or call 800-WILDLIFE.
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