COLUMBUS, OH -- In a continued effort to reduce the number of urban Canada geese present in Ohio, hunters with a special permit will be able to participate in a 20-day late goose hunting season that is open January 13 through February 1 in selected areas, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
This special late season is only open in portions of the North Waterfowl Zone. These areas include Union, Delaware and Licking counties in central Ohio; Stark County; the portions of Ashtabula, Lake and Geauga counties north of Route 6; and the portion of Summit County south of Interstate 80 in northeast Ohio; and Hardin, Allen, Henry, Seneca, Huron, Fulton and Auglaize counties in northwest Ohio. Also included in northwest Ohio are the portions of Lucas County west of Interstates 75 and 280, portions of Wood County west of I-280 and south of I-80, and portions of Sandusky and Erie counties south of I-80.
The Mercer Canada Goose Zone in Auglaize County is closed to the late goose hunting season.
Hunters are required to have a valid Ohio hunting license, a federal duck stamp, a state wetlands habitat stamp endorsement, a H.I.P. certification, and a late goose hunting season permit. Legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. The daily bag limit during the late season is two Canada geese.
Individuals wishing to participate in this special late season may apply for the special permit in person at any of the wildlife agency district offices, which are located in Columbus, Akron, Athens, Findlay and Xenia. Applications can also be made at the ODNR Division of Wildlife's administrative headquarters at the Fountain Square complex in Columbus, or the Crane Creek Research Station at Magee Marsh in Oak Harbor. Hunters also may apply for these free late goose season permits by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE, any wildlife district office, or the Crane Creek office at (419) 898-0960.
Permits will be available only at these locations through February 1.
Hunters participating in the late goose season must fill out and return their daily hunting diary to the Crane Creek Research Station by February 9, regardless of whether they hunt during the season. The Division of Wildlife uses this information, including that from permit holders who do not hunt geese in the late season, to assist the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in setting waterfowl regulations.
The 70-day general goose and brant hunting seasons in the South and Ohio River Zones remain open through January 31.