Hot
Links Go Index
Advertising
Boat
Classifieds
Community
Cottages
Entertainment Events Food Fishing Fun
Stuff Motel
Obituaries
Real
Estate State
Park Restaurants
Directory
Map
SAVE $
SEARCH
Lake Song
Lake conditions.
|
For Hunters New
Duck Blind Map
A few facts - Ohio hunters are very
important to the preservation of wild life. Proceeds from hunting licenses all
go to the Division of Wildlife. Since natural predators are gone due to urbanization,
hunters keep wild life in check.
Great Start to Deer Gun
Season! Logan County deer hunters checked and tagged 169 deer.
Last year's opening day total was 155. Deer-gun numbers up statewide
Written by Bill Tipple Wednesday, 03 December 2008 Ohio hunters
were on the mark for opening day of the 2008 deer-gun season. Hunters took 33,034
white-tailed deer on Monday, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
(ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The deer-gun season remains open through Sunday,
December 7th, and then reopens for two days on Saturday and Sunday, December 20th-21th.
The preliminary figures from deer check stations throughout the state
show a significant increase from last year's opening day total of 19,391. Monday's
weather was breezy with intermittent rain or snow across the state, a stark contrast
to opening day 2007 when hunters were hampered by heavy rain.
Counties
reporting the highest numbers of deer checked on Monday included Tuscarawas-1,821,
Washington-1,456, Coshocton-1,307, Harrison-1,286, Guernsey-1,202, Licking-1,134,
Ashtabula-1,089, Holmes-1,088, Knox-954, and Athens-828. Combining
the results of Monday's harvest with those from the early muzzleloader season,
the first six weeks of archery season and the recent youth deer-gun season, a
preliminary total of 95,074 deer have been killed so far this deer hunting season.
That number compares to 84,161 harvested last year at this time. In all, hunters
took a total of 232,854 deer during all of last year's hunting seasons.
Approximately
400,000 hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-gun season.
Ohio's deer population was estimated to be 700,000 prior to the start of the fall
hunting seasons.
The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal
in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 6th nationally
in annual hunting-related sales and 4th in the number of jobs associated with
the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has a $1.5 billion economic impact
in Ohio. Hunting related retail sales in Ohio total more than $700 million.
Hunters
are encouraged to kill more does this season using the reduced-priced antlerless
deer permit (valid in Zone C through December 7) and donate any extra venison
to organizations assisting Ohioans in need. The Division is collaborating with
Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay for the processing of donated
venison.
Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required
to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor
and funding for the effort lasts.
| Ohio
is among the nation's leading producers of raw furs. "Fur takers can expect
a good season." according to a wetland wildlife supervisor for the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. The season runs through January 1.
2009 and Ohio's beaver-trapping season runs December 26th to February 28th, 2009,
statewide.Additional hunting information is contained in the 2008-2009 Ohio Hunting
Regulations brochure, available where Ohio hunting licenses are sold, on the Internet
at www.ohiodnr.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-WILDLIFE
New Indian
Lake Beaver Trapping Record! Written by Doug Loehr Saturday, 03 January
2009 00:00 If one goes back 150 years, fur trapping and collecting animal
pelts provided a pretty good living for those who lived off the land. Beaver trapping,
for example, provided a good income for many people. But then along comes progress
and eventually much of the frontier is inhabited which forces wild game to look
for residence elsewhere.  Mike
Taylor of Bellefontaine captured this 81- pound beaver Dec. 27 using a conibear
trap in a gravel pit near Indian Lake. EXAMINER PHOTO | DOUG LOEHR And
so here we are in the year 2009, and for about a dozen years now beavers are making
a strong comeback. So strong, in fact, they are becoming a problem at many of
Ohios lakes, rivers and reservoirs, and around ponds or slow moving streams
bordered by stands of small trees. In addition, evidence is highly noticeable
everywhere boaters look around Indian Lake, and wading fishermen who fish the
Mad River in Logan and Champaign counties. One Logan County trapper who has
taken advantage of the beaver abundance is Mike Taylor of Bellefontaine. He has
trapped the beavers for the last several years finding success about 100 times.
But when the season opened Dec. 26, he didnt have to wait more than a full
day to capture the largest beaver of his life.
This beaver weighs
81 pounds, and I caught it in a conibear trap Saturday (Dec. 27) in a gravel pit
only a few short yards from residents around Indian Lake, Mr. Taylor said.
A good beaver pelt will bring between $30-$40 from area fur buyers, but
Ive already been offered many times that amount and it hasnt even
been skinned out yet. As big as this one is I think Im just going to keep
it. Beavers, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Wildlife, live to be about 10-years-old, with an average weight of
35-40 pounds, with some as large as 70 pounds. They forage on bark and twigs from
trees such as aspen, poplar, maple, and cottonwood, as well as aquatic and marsh
plants. I caught more than 40 two years ago, with some up to 60 pounds,
Mr. Taylor added. Ohio adopted a trapping season for these furbearing animals
once they began to flourish again in the early 1960s, and today their population
in Ohio is estimated to be at around 25,000 and unless controlled, their populations
could increase about 25-30 percent annually. I cant speak for
their populations in Logan County, other than the fact that Ive not had
a very hard time catching beavers for the last three years, Mr. Taylor said.
But when you take a look around Indian Lake, these borrow pits found along
our highways and even at Mountain Lake, beavers are creating quite a problem for
the trees that surround these waters.
. 

| Photo
1-"The guys have out done themselves. This is an even bigger beaver - 70 lbs
4oz!" The beaver was caught on Friday, January 18, 2002 by Justin Kuehl age 19
from Wapak and Larry Dishong age 58 from Maplewood. Photo2 and 3 - This
is the first huge beaver trapped back in the game reserve area by Justin Kuehl
and Larry Dishong. This beaver weighed 60 lbs. 8oz.! Trapping season for beaver
ends February 28, 2009. Click on photos to enlarge.
Ohio hunters and trappers set to begin pursuing furbearers will
find good populations of these animals. The Ohio Division of Wildlife
predicts a good season for hunters this year. ?Food sources and habitat conditions
for furbearers have been very good this year across Ohio,? said Mark Shieldcastle,
wetland wildlife supervisor for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
Division of Wildlife. Fur takers can expect a good season. For the third year,
43 counties will be open for river otter trapping from December 26 to February
29, 2008. River otters were reintroduced into four Ohio watersheds between 1986
and 1993 and have increased their range in the state. They were removed from the
state endangered species list in 2002. Full details of open counties, checking
and permit requirements can be found in River Otter Trapping Regulations. In most
regions of Ohio, hunting and trapping seasons for fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk
and weasel open November 10, and close January 31, 2009. The trapping season for
mink and muskrat is open November 10 through February 28, 2009. Exceptions are
Erie, Ottawa and Sandusky counties, and in Lucas County east of the Maumee River
where raccoon, mink and muskrat trapping seasons will remain open through March
15, 2009. Ohio's beaver-trapping season runs December 26 to February 28, 2009
statewide. There are no daily bag limits or restrictions on hours when furbearers
may be hunted or trapped, with the exception of river otters where bag limits
are dependent on the county where the trapping occurs. Special hunting regulations
for coyotes apply during the one-week statewide deer-gun season November 26-December
2 and the deer-gun weekend of December 15-16. A fur-taker permit is required in
addition to a valid Ohio hunting license to hunt or trap fur-bearing animals,
except for coyotes, which may be hunted or trapped year round without a fur-taker
permit. A special Division of Wildlife permit is required to trap beaver and otters
on state public hunting areas. As before, otters that are accidentally captured,
either in excess of bag limits or in closed counties, must be released unharmed.
Otters that cannot be released must be turned over to the Division of Wildlife.
Beaver trappers in particular, are advised to watch for otter sign and modify
their set placements where necessary. The Ohio State Trappers Association and
the Division of Wildlife have published a guide on how to recognize otter sign
and use various otter avoidance techniques while trapping for beaver in areas
closed to otter trapping. A copy of this publication and reports about observing
otters in Ohio can be ordered by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. Ohio is among the nation?s
leading producers of raw furs. Last year, there were 94 licensed fur dealers and
26,224 licensed fur takers in the state. Additional hunting information is contained
in the 2007-2008 Ohio Hunting Regulations brochure, available where Ohio hunting
licenses are sold, on the Internet through the link below, or by calling toll-free
1-800-WILDLIFE. © 2008 ODNR / Division of Wildlife
At Indian Lake hunting licenses can be bought at the INDIAN LAKE STATE PARK 12774
SR 235 N LAKEVIEW. Stamps can be purchased at any Ohio post office. Hunters
need to have current hunting license, current state duck stamp and either last
year or this year's federal state stamp. Ohio's hunting regulations and seasons
can be found at this website.
Click here for Ohio License
fees Click here for hunting
and trapping news Indian Lake has designated
areas for hunting and trapping. For a view of the designated areas on the map,
click here. Early Goose Season Announced
Hunters
may sign up for the early goose season locations at the Indian
Lake State Park office beginning Tuesday, Aug. 14. No call-ins will be accepted.
There will be six locations this year and special restrictions apply. The early
goose season begins Sept. 1 and runs through Sept. 15. Consult the park office
for additional hunting restrictions. Duck Blind Drawing
August 16, 2008 Indian Lake State Park "Duck Blind" Drawing will be conducted
on Saturday August 16, 2008 at 8:00 am at the Park Office. The drawing will be
held to permit the construction of permanent duck hunting blinds at 34 sites on
Indian Lake. Applicants must show their current or last year's hunting license,
and current or last year's federal duck stamp and current or last year's validated
state wetland stamp. Successful applicants shall pay the $50.00 permit fee construct
a blind on the designated location within 45 days of the issuance of the permit. Register
for blinds at Indian Lake State Park at 937-843-2717 Indian
Lake State Park Office. YOUTH HUNTING
- Ohio's youth hunters will again have several added opportunities to learn and
practice their hunting skills this fall. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Division of Wildlife offers several ways for families to hunt together and create
lasting traditions in the state's outdoors. WATERFOWL: Youngsters age 15 and
younger wanting to pursue waterfowl may do so, statewide, on Saturday and Sunday,
October 4-5. SMALL GAME: Hunters age 17 and younger may hunt statewide for
rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated weekends,
October 25-26 and November 1-2. Quail also may be taken in 16 designated open
counties. Pheasant releases for young hunters will occur prior to these dates
on the following state wildlife areas: Resthaven, Oxbow, Berlin, Killdeer Plains,
Camp Belden, Grand River, Spencer, Wellington, Delaware, Dillon, Caesar Creek,
Rush Run, Fallsville and Darke, as well as Charlemont Metropark in Lorain County.
WHITE-TAILED DEER: A youth deer-gun season will be open statewide, November
22- 23. Young hunters age 17 and younger who are accompanied by a non-hunting
adult may take one deer of either sex during this season, in accordance with existing
bag and deer zone limits. WILD TURKEY: It is not too early to be planning
to participate in the spring youth wild turkey hunting for 2009. A statewide spring
youth wild turkey season will be offered on Saturday and Sunday, April 18-19.
This hunt is open to youths age 17 and younger. CONTROLLED HUNTS: The Division
of Wildlife also offers several controlled hunts for young hunters throughout
the hunting season. Applications to participate in these hunts are accepted June
1 through July 31. Applications are available at the division's five district
offices and on the division's web site, and may be completed by mail or online.
There are controlled youth hunts for white-tailed deer, wild turkey and waterfowl.
To participate in the upcoming youth hunts, all young hunters must be accompanied
by a non-hunting adult, and must abide by all regular hunting hours and bag limits.
The seven-day deer-gun season is open each day from a half-hour
before sunrise to sunset and ends Sunday at sunset. With an estimated population
of 700,000 white-tailed deer, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division
of Wildlife anticipates a harvest of 140,000 to 145,000 deer.
Ohio has more than a million acres of land open to public hunting, including more
than 65,000 acres which has been added during the last 10 years. Deer
hunting contributes an estimated $266 million to Ohio's economy each year and
helps to support thousands of jobs. Venison is delicious and nutritious meat,
low in fat and cholesterol. It is the number one wild game served by hunters in
Ohio. Deer hunters also contribute thousands of pounds of venison to organizations
that help feed less-fortunate Ohio residents through special programs.
2007
- Steve Mc Cafferty Jr. Shot
near Huntsville, Ohio. Southeast of Indian Lake.
Joe
Williams from DeGraff a neighboring community to Indian Lake shot his eight-point
whitetail buck in eastern Logan County on Nov. 26, 2001 during Ohio's deer gun
season. The deer's antlers measured 1703/8, which officially places the Williams'
buck as the second largest eight-point whitetail deer ever scored in Ohio, and
the fifth-largest ever scored in the world. The Ohio state record is 186, and
the world record is 190. wild
turkey 
2008-2009
Hunting Season Dates and Bag Limits
SPECIES |
OPENING DATE |
CLOSING DATE |
DAILY BAG | White-tailed
Deer: Archery |
September 27 | February
1 |
Refer to Deer Hunting Section for details on zone
and bag limits | White-tailed
Deer: Early
Muzzleloader Wildcat Hollow, Salt Fork Wildlife
Area, Shawnee State Forest | October
20 | October
25 | White-tailed
Deer: Youth Gun | November
22 | November
23 | White-tailed
Deer: Gun | December
1 | December
7 | White-tailed
Deer: Gun (extended) | December
20 | December
21 | White-tailed
Deer: Muzzleloader | December
27 | December
30 |
Wild Turkey: Fall |
October 11 | November
30 |
Refer to Turkey Hunting Section for details
on seasonal bag limits | Wild
Turkey: Spring |
April 20 | May
17 | Squirrel
(gray, red, fox, black) |
September 1 | January
31 | 6 |
Mourning Dove |
September 1 - Refer to Publication
298 or Small
Game Section |
Ruffed Grouse |
October 11 | February
28 | 3 |
Goose and Brant | Refer
to Waterfowl Season Dates or refer to Publication
295 Click here to review all Waterfowl
Season Information | Ducks,
Coots, Mergansers and Canvasbacks | Refer
to Waterfowl Season Dates or refer to Publication
295 Click here to review all Waterfowl
Season Information |
Cottontail Rabbit |
November 7 | February
28 | 4 |
Ringneck Pheasant
| November
7 | January 11 |
2 (cock pheasants only) |
Bobwhite Quail |
November 7 | November
30 | 4 |
Fox, Raccoon,
Skunk, Opossum, Weasel |
November 10 | January
31 | No Limit |
Crow
Fri. Sat. Sun. Only |
June 6, 2008 | March
15, 2009 | No Limit |
Coyote |
No closed season for hunting or trapping |
No Limit |
Wild boar | No closed season
for hunting | No Limit |
Groundhog |
Closed during deer gun season only |
No Limit | |