Luck-of-the-draw helps for limited deer hunts

6/22/2000

Nine limited-entry or "controlled" deer hunts are planned this fall by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which is giving hunters until July 31 to apply for random drawings for available slots.

The hunts are developed each year to help control deer populations in large, enclosed areas and in areas typically off-limits to general hunting. They also are designed to provide additional opportunities to certain hunters.

The wildlife division also is offering seven controlled deer hunts for youths ages 15 or younger, who are accompanied by licensed adults age 18 and older, on many of the same areas.

Application forms are available from Ohio Wildlife District 2, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay, 45840, or call 419-424-5000. A $3, nonrefundable processing fee is levied for each hunt. Successful applicants generally will be able to take along a partner. Youth hunts are listed on a separate application. Watch for special requirements included for various hunts.

Urban permits may be used for antlerless deer in these special hunts, but they will not be sold on-site.

Following is a summary of the planned hunts and dates:

Youth-only hunts Oct. 7 and 14. Call Ohio Wildlife District 3, Akron, 330-644-2293.

hunts, Jan. 5, 6, 12, and 13. Additional $20 user fee to U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service for successful applicants. Three partners allowed together. Nine permits per day at Ottawa, four a day at Navarre. Call Ottawa Refuge, 419-898-0014.

The captain of a Canadian commercial fishing vessel is scheduled for a pretrial hearing Monday in Oregon Municipal Court on charges that his boat illegally fished seven gillnets in Ohio waters of western Lake Erie on May 11.

Paolo Adragna, of the Coranet, based in Leamington, Ont., was charged during a special lakewide surveillance project that involved Ohio, U.S., Canadian federal, and Ontario law enforcement officers. In all 23 gill nets were seized, seven of them said to be set in Ohio waters, 300 yards inside the international line, west of Middle Sister Island.

Charges also were filed against the Coranet's owners, Gaspare Adragna and Pierina Adragna, also of Leamington. All three are accused of fishing with gill nets in Ohio waters and commercial fishing without an Ohio commercial fishing license.

The use of gillnets has been banned in Ohio waters of Lake Erie since 1983.

Recently the Lake Erie Fisheries Research Unit at Sandusky received $5,000 for computer equipment for the unit's new research vessel as a result of a $15,000 payment levied in a 1999 case.

That case involved illegal gillnetting by other Canadian commercial fishermen, who were ordered to pay into the Great Lakes Fisheries Conservation Funds. The funds are used to enhance and protect fishery resources on the lakes.

Fishing report - Walleye action in western Lake Erie was good Tuesday and fair Monday, but winds kept boats off the water yesterday.

The Toledo Ship Channel-West Sister Island area remains the most consistent producer, though anglers also are doing well at Wagon Wheel Reef off Pelee Island in Canadian waters, according to area baitshops. Mayfly rigs and weight-forward spinners, all with nightcrawlers, are working well in gold, silver, and fire-tiger color patterns.

Mayflies, while hatching in large numbers, have not slowed the action so far, and wind direction so far has kept them from piling up unbearably on the south shore.

Area streams are high, fast, and muddy from recent rains. Only catfishing is being reported in the streams under these conditions.

The Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge and Ottawa NWR Association are sponsoring a photography contest to celebrate National Wildlife Refuges Week and natural beauty.

Prints submitted must be mounted on mat board, with no glass, and may range from 8-by-10 inches to 16-by-20 inches. A maximum of 12 entries in color and/or black-and-white may be submitted in the following categories: wildlife, plants, ONWR, sunrise/sunset, and people enjoying nature.

Age classes include 5 to 12, 13 to 17, and adult. Entries will be accepted Sept. 1 through 14, with winning entries displayed during refuge week in October. Prizes will be awarded. For other details and entry forms, call Ottawa refuge, 419-898-0014, extension 815.

Steve Pollick is the Blade's outdoor writer.