By Dan Armitage, host of Buckeye Sportsman, Ohio’s longest-running outdoor radio show
Following a visit from Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) shared information on how residents, business owners and visitors can find up-to-date information on the ongoing effort to combat the unprecedented growth of aquatic vegetation that has shocked boating on indian lake.
“The ODNR is working hard to control the vegetation in Indian Lake,” said Mary Mertz, director of the ODNR. “We will provide regular updates through online and in-person channels to ensure that everyone who loves this lake knows the status of improvement efforts.”
ODNR staff will participate in Indian Lake Watershed Project (ILWP) and Indian Lake Development Corporation (ILDC) and other community meetings to discuss ongoing actions and hear feedback from stakeholders. ILWP and ILDC meetings are held monthly and are open to the public.
Interested Ohioans will also be able to see weekly plans, photos and videos, and vegetation removal operational reports posted on the Indian Lake Aquatic Vegetation Management tab of the ODNR website and on the Indian Lake State Facebook page. Park.
Residents are reminded that aquatic spraying can only be done by approved companies, including Aqua Doc and Aquatics Plus Pond Management. Approved private aquatic vegetation collection companies are Burrey Aquatic Restoration and Shoreline Construction. There are two aquatic vegetation drop sites available for residents to deposit aquatic vegetation removed from private docks. Sites include the Moundwood Marina gravel exit parking lot located off State Route 368 on the east side of the Moundwood Boat Ramp entrance and the heliport parking lot on the southeast corner (large parking lot located off State Route 366 near Artist Island, between Russell’s Point and the spillway).
Additional signs will be posted throughout the park to provide direct links to vegetation removal information.
ODNR has three dedicated aquatic vegetation harvesters operating at Indian Lake during the 2022 season and has contracted with the Indian Lake Watershed Project for additional harvester services that began in early June. ODNR anticipates that two additional combine contracts will be signed in the coming weeks. Aquatic herbicides are also being used to control overgrowth and staff have been added to increase the efficiency of the operation.
ODNR is working with Aqua Doc, a lake and pond management company, to determine the current vegetation community, analyze the effectiveness of current methods for vegetation control, and develop a Lake Vegetation Management Plan to address maintenance of overall water quality and recreational use of the system. .
Stakeholder feedback and recommendations are important to this effort; share them with ODNR staff by emailing [email protected].
Controlled hunting applications accepted
Applications for hunting opportunities on Ohio controlled public lands will be accepted beginning Friday, July 1, 2022, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. These hunts provide special opportunities for hunters to pursue deer, waterfowl, doves and more on public lands during the 2022-23 season. The application period is open for all hunters until Sunday, July 31.
Controlled hunts take place in select areas around Ohio and are available through the Division of Wildlife and the Division of Parks and Boats. Available hunts for the 2022-23 season include deer, waterfowl, doves, pheasants, squirrels and quail. The Wildlife Division offers hunts for adults, youth, people with reduced mobility and mentors with trainees. Firearms and archery options are available.
Hunters can apply for controlled hunts by completing the application process online using the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System or by calling 1-800-703-1928. There is a $5.50 service fee for the phone option. Each hunt requires payment of a $3 non-refundable application fee. Clients can apply for more than one hunt, but can only apply for each hunt once a year.
All applicants, youth and adults, must possess a valid Ohio hunting license and meet age requirements. Junior hunters must be under the age of 18 at the time of the hunt to participate. Adults must be 18 years or older at the time of application. Those applying to hunt deer will also need a valid deer permit to apply. Find more information at wildohio.gov on the controlled hunting page.
Participants may use a deer management permit during controlled deer hunts. Deer driving permits are $15 and can be used to hunt antlerless deer only. Deer management permits are valid on private land and select public hunting areas through November 27, 2022. They are also valid during authorized controlled hunts between September 10, 2022 and February 5, 2023.
Hunters are drawn randomly from submitted requests. Selected applicants will be notified and provided additional information about the hunt by Monday, August 8, including a permit, rules, and a map of the hunt area. Each controlled hunt opportunity is unique, and applicants are encouraged to thoroughly review all site-specific information, including rules and requirements, before applying. Application statuses can be viewed through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System.
You can explore detailed information about each hunting area, its habitats, and its species through the Find a Destination web page at ohiodnr.gov. For more information about hunting in Ohio, download the HuntFish OH mobile app or visit wildohio.gov. Follow Your Wild Ohio Hunter’s Facebook page for hunting tips and helpful information as this season comes out.
cranes on the way back
Once gone from our landscape, the sandhill crane is making a comeback in the Buckeye state, according to the Midwest Crane Count conducted in mid-April by a group of volunteers. Statewide, 371 sandhill cranes were found in a count coordinated by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, the International Crane Foundation and the Ohio Bird Conservation Initiative.
Conducted in preselected counties known to have sandhill crane nesting habitat (wetlands), Wayne County topped the list with volunteers documenting 84 birds. Geauga County was second with 56, followed by Trumbull with 47 and Holmes County with 18. Ashland County volunteers counted 11 sandhill cranes.