COLUMBUS, OH -- The Ohio Wildlife Council has approved the states early migratory bird hunting seasons for this fall, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
September 1 will kick off the states hunting seasons with the opening of hunting for dove, Canada goose and teal, rail, moorhen and snipe. Squirrel hunting season also starts that day.
Hunters look forward to the opening day of hunting season, and September 1 gives us a lot to be excited about, said Steven A. Gray, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife. My family and I always look forward to going out on September 1, Ohios opening day.
Ohios dove hunting season has been set for September 1 through October 19, and December 13 through December 23 with a daily limit of 15 birds and possession limit of 30 birds.
Controlled dove hunts will be available for the first time on Rush Run and Pickerel Creek state wildlife areas in Preble and Sandusky counties. Information on individual hunts is available by calling 800-WILDLIFE (800-945-3543).
Canada geese may be hunted statewide September 1-15 during the special early season, with a daily limit of five birds and possession limit of 10 birds after the first day. The daily bag limit is two Canada geese for birds taken in the Crane Creek/Ottawa, Mosquito Creek, Mercer and Killdeer Plains mandatory reporting zones.
The early teal hunting season will be open September 1-16 with a daily bag limit of four birds and possession limit of eight after the first day.
Waterfowl hunters must have a valid hunting license in addition to a state wetlands habitat stamp endorsement, a federal duck stamp, and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification. Everyone who intends to hunt migratory game birds must obtain a new Harvest Information Program certification.
Sora rails, Virginia rails, and moorhens may be hunted September 1 through November 9 with a daily limit of 25 rails and 15 moorhens. Hunting season for snipe will be September 1 through November 30 and December 8 - 23 with a daily bag limit of eight.
The woodcock hunting season is open October 17 through November 30 with a daily bag limit of three birds and a possession limit of six birds.
Hunting hours during the seasons for rails, moorhens, snipe, woodcock, teal, doves, and Canada geese are sunrise to sunset. The only exceptions will be on wildlife areas that have special posted hunting times for dove hunting. The 2003 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons brochure will be available by mid-August at license outlets, Division of Wildlife district offices or by calling 800-WILDLIFE.