The ODNR Division of Wildlife and the City of Akron invites waterfowl hunters to participate in a special drawing on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 for hunting at LaDue Reservoir. Registration at the Geauga County Fairgrounds will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the drawing will follow promptly at 6 p.m.

There is no fee for applying. Hunters will place a registration card in a drum, names will be drawn for available dates and blinds, and first drawn will receive first choice.

Each applicant must bring a valid 2008 hunting license, federal duck stamp, or an Ohio wetlands stamp. There are 10 blind sites available and a calendar will be available showing all available hunting days for the 2008-09 waterfowl season. A maximum of three persons may hunt each day and while the hunting partners may differ each day, the permit holder must always be present. Permits will be issued for a period of one week and may only be used for the blind location chosen. Hunting will occur only on Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday until noon during the dates listed on the permit.

Only temporary blinds and electric boats motors are acceptable and all other outboard motors are prohibited.

Feeding the hungry

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has collaborated with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) in an effort to assist with the processing costs associated with donating venison to a food bank.

Subsidy monies

A $100,000 subsidy grant has been awarded to FHFH to help pay the processing fee on donated venison. The grant money is being provided in two $50,000 allotments that are to be matched with funds generated or collected by FHFH. The Division is subsidizing this year’s FHFH operation as an additional deer management tool, helping wildlife managers encourage hunters to kill more does.

“In establishing a dedicated fund, the division hopes to provide hunters with an option to donate excess venison to food banks throughout Ohio,” James Marshall, assistant chief of the Division of Wildlife, said. “By providing hunters with an affordable outlet for donating extra venison, the division hopes to ultimately encourage hunters to kill more does.”

Take an extra doe

Finding ways to kill more does will help wildlife managers keep Ohio’s deer population management plan on track. Deer hunters can again buy additional antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for the 2008-09 deer-hunting season. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains at $15.