Ohio hunting season is coming soon. Here is how to get ready

July showed up not unexpectedly last week, its arrival nonetheless surprising for how quickly it arrived. Half the year 2024 has been used up.

In fewer than 60 days the start of hunting season on Sept. 1 will make legal the taking of squirrels and doves. Before the month of transition to autumn ends, bow hunters will take their first shots at Ohio deer.

Ohio holds plenty of whitetails, although getting access to them on private land has become increasingly problematic for those unwilling or unable to pay a property owner’s price for permission. Public land has been expanded in recent years but not enough to make up for diminishing access.

Those in need of a place to hunt come fall, however, can take a stab until July 31 at winning an open slot in one of many controlled hunts sponsored by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. One requirement is a willingness to spring for a $3 non-refundable application fee to enter the lottery for any controlled hunt of choice.

Controlled hunts are offered not only for deer but for waterfowl, doves, pheasants, quail and other small game.

Detailed instructions, hunt information and application links can be found at wildohio.gov. Phone applications cost $5.50 each at 866-703-1928.

Because of a limit on the number of hunters and a multitude of refuge deer, successful lottery applicants and a chosen hunting partner tend to do well.

Deer hunts using firearms are scheduled at Hebron Fish Hatchery, located in the Buckeye Lake area east of Columbus. Separate hunts for youths and adults are in play.

Firearms hunts near to central Ohio include those at Urbana Wildlife Area, Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area and Dillon State Park. The hunts are aimed variously at adults, youths, mentors, veterans and the mobility impaired, so be sure your qualifications are matched to any of the controlled hunts.

Deer archery hunts close to central Ohio are scheduled at Deer Creek State Park near Mount Sterling and at Buck Creek State Park near Springfield.

The grounds at Hebron hatchery will be open to controlled waterfowl hunting separately for both youths and adults. A goose and teal hunt is scheduled in early September at Deer Creek State Park.

Waterfowl hunters can apply for only one of the lotteries that allows winners the right to select from designated locations and set up blinds at Alum Creek,

Buckeye Lake, Deer Creek or Delaware state parks. The blind selection date is scheduled Aug. 17. A $50 non-refundable permit fee valid for the season for must be paid upon the selection of a blind location.

Controlled dove hunts are scheduled Sept. 1 and Sept. 2 at Charles O. Trump Wildlife Area in Pickaway County, Delaware Wildlife Area, Pickaway County Wildlife Area and Deer Creek State Park. Permits cover one of the two days, not both.

The lottery for controlled deer hunting at the Transportation Research Center in Logan and Union counties will be administered by center personnel. For details about the hunt and lottery, email queries to wildlife@trcpg.com.

Several locations along Big Darby and Little Darby creeks in Madison and Union counties are expected to be open for controlled deer archery hunts. In the past, the sites have included Terra Nova and Milford Center, both in Union County, and Agnes Andreae and Little Darby Forrest in Madison County.

The Darby hunts are overseen by the Ohio Division of Natural Areas and Preserves. Drawings have been conducted at Plain City, typically in August or September. Details about dates and times haven’t been released to the public.