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Controlled Hunting Access Lotteries

Controlled access lotteries offer a unique opportunity for you to pursue several different species across the state of Ohio. Successful applicants will receive a permit, rules, and a hunting area map. Permits are offered for mourning dove, quail, waterfowl, white-tailed deer, ring-necked pheasant, small game, turkey, and trapping. 

Apply for a trapping permit at one of the five wildlife district offices on October 8th, 2022.

2022 Controlled Access Lotteries 

Expand the tabs below to view the 2022 Controlled Access Lotteries.

Furbearer Lotteries - District 1 - Central Ohio

  • Lottery will be held at 1500 Dublin Rd, Columbus, OH 43215. Registration will end at 12:30PM, and the drawing will start promptly at 12:45pm.
  • Applicant: Beaver/Otter trapping will be open to all applicants. Furbearer trapping and raccoon permits will be open to applicants 18 and older. Applicants will be issued no more than three permits.
  • Each permittee may select one partner. Partner must remain the same for the entire year.
  • A permittee may transfer their permit to another fur taker permit holder if the transfer is completed prior to the permit start date. Permits are non-transferable after the permit start date.
  • Dates: Beaver/Otter controlled trapping permits are valid from 12/26/2022-2/28/2023. Raccoon permits are valid from 11/10/2022-1/31/2023. Furbearer permits are valid from 11/10/2022-12/17/2022 and 12/18/2022-2/28/2023.
  • Unit: Some permits will be assigned to trapping units. Trapping units will be listed on the permit and referenced on the map. 
  • Applicable permits: Applicants must have a valid hunting license and fur taker permit to apply for furbearer, beaver/otter, and raccoon lotteries.

The following furbearer hunting lotteries will be offered in Central Ohio:

Furbearer Lotteries - District 2 - Northwest Ohio

  • Lottery will be held at 952 Lima Ave, Findlay, OH 45840. Registration will end at 12:30PM, and the drawing will start promptly at 12:45pm.
  • Applicant: Beaver/Otter trapping will be open to all applicants. Furbearer trapping and raccoon permits will be open to applicants 18 and older. Applicants will be issued no more than three permits.
  • Each permittee may select one partner. Partner must remain the same for the entire year.
  • A permittee may transfer their permit to another fur taker permit holder if the transfer is completed prior to the permit start date. Permits are non-transferable after the permit start date.
  • Dates: Beaver/Otter controlled trapping permits are valid from 12/26/2022-2/28/2023. Raccoon permits are valid from 11/10/2022-1/31/2023. Furbearer permits are valid from 11/10/2022-12/17/2022 and 12/18/2022-2/28/2023 (3/15/2023 for Magee Marsh and Pickerel Creek).
  • Unit: Some permits will be assigned to trapping units. Trapping units will be listed on the permit and referenced on the map. 
  • Applicable permits: Applicants must have a valid hunting license and fur taker permit to apply for furbearer, beaver/otter, and raccoon lotteries.

The following furbearer hunting lotteries will be offered in Northwest Ohio:

Furbearer Lotteries - District 3 - Northeast Ohio

  • Lottery will be held at 912 Portage Lakes Dr, Akron, OH 44319. Registration will end at 12:30PM, and the drawing will start promptly at 12:45pm.
  • Applicant: Beaver/Otter trapping will be open to all applicants. Furbearer trapping and raccoon permits will be open to applicants 18 and older. Applicants will be issued no more than three permits.
  • Each permittee may select one partner. Partner must remain the same for the entire year.
  • A permittee may transfer their permit to another fur taker permit holder if the transfer is completed prior to the permit start date. Permits are non-transferable after the permit start date.
  • Dates: Beaver/Otter controlled trapping permits are valid from 12/26/2022-2/28/2023. Raccoon permits are valid from 11/10/2022-1/31/2023. Furbearer permits are valid from 11/10/2022-12/17/2022 and 12/18/2022-2/28/2023.
  • Unit: Some permits will be assigned to trapping units. Trapping units will be listed on the permit and referenced on the map. 
  • Applicable permits: Applicants must have a valid hunting license and fur taker permit to apply for furbearer, beaver/otter, and raccoon lotteries.

The following furbearer hunting lotteries will be offered in Northeast Ohio:

Furbearer Lotteries - District 4 - Southeast Ohio

  • Lottery will be held at 360 E. State St, Athens, OH 45701. Registration will end at 12:30PM, and the drawing will start promptly at 12:45pm.
  • Applicant: Beaver/Otter trapping will be open to all applicants. Furbearer trapping and raccoon permits will be open to applicants 18 and older. Applicants will be issued no more than three permits.
  • Each permittee may select one partner. Partner must remain the same for the entire year.
  • A permittee may transfer their permit to another fur taker permit holder if the transfer is completed prior to the permit start date. Permits are non-transferable after the permit start date.
  • Dates: Beaver/Otter controlled trapping permits are valid from 12/26/2022-2/28/2023. Raccoon permits are valid from 11/10/2022-1/31/2023. Furbearer permits are valid from 11/10/2022-12/17/2022 and 12/18/2022-2/28/2023.
  • Unit: Some permits will be assigned to trapping units. Trapping units will be listed on the permit and referenced on the map. 
  • Applicable permits: Applicants must have a valid hunting license and fur taker permit to apply for furbearer, beaver/otter, and raccoon lotteries.

The following furbearer hunting lotteries will be offered in Southeast Ohio:

Furbearer Lotteries - District 5 - Southwest Ohio

  • Lottery will be held at 1076 Old Springfield Pike, Xenia, OH 45385. Registration will end at 12:30PM, and the drawing will start promptly at 12:45pm.
  • Applicant: Beaver/Otter trapping will be open to all applicants. Furbearer trapping and raccoon permits will be open to applicants 18 and older. Applicants will be issued no more than three permits.
  • Each permittee may select one partner. Partner must remain the same for the entire year.
  • A permittee may transfer their permit to another fur taker permit holder if the transfer is completed prior to the permit start date. Permits are non-transferable after the permit start date.
  • Dates: Beaver/Otter controlled trapping permits are valid from 12/26/2022-2/28/2023. Raccoon permits are valid from 11/10/2022-1/31/2023. Furbearer permits are valid from 11/10/2022-12/17/2022 and 12/18/2022-2/28/2023.
  • Unit: Some permits will be assigned to trapping units. Trapping units will be listed on the permit and referenced on the map. 
  • Applicable permits: Applicants must have a valid hunting license and fur taker permit to apply for furbearer, beaver/otter, and raccoon lotteries.

The following furbearer hunting lotteries will be offered in Southwest Ohio:

Apply for Thursday Waterfowl Permits - NEW 2022 

New this year: Controlled Hunt Reservations available online

  • Controlled waterfowl permits will be offered first come, first serve within the OLHAP system

Mobile App                     Desktop App

  • Registration opens at 10 am on the Wednesday before the Thursday hunt. Registration for will remain open until 10 am on Thursday.  Permits will be valid from legal shooting time till 1pm.  
  • Hunts will be offered on Thursdays during waterfowl seasons at the following wildlife areas: Andreoff, Killdeer Plains, Magee Marsh, Mercer, Mosquito Creek, Nimisilla Reservoir, Pickerel Creek, and Pipe Creek. 
  • One permit will be issued per unit, per day, and the permittee may have two hunting partners per unit.
  • A hunter is allowed to obtain 6 waterfowl permits per month.

Deer Hunts

Deer Archery Hunts:

  • Applicants: Deer archery hunts will be open to all applicants, except the Deer Creek SP and Steinen WA youth archery hunts which will be open for youth applicants only, and the Buck Creek SP Veterans archery hunt which will be open to veterans only (see definitions in FAQs below).
  • Number of hunters with the permittee: Permittee and one hunting partner will be allowed to hunt. The hunting partner must remain the same for the duration of the permit.
  • Unit: Each permit will have an assigned unit that can be referenced on the map provided with the rules sheet.
  • Permit Duration: Valid permit dates will be shown on your permit. Permits will be issued for 2-week periods throughout the season generally starting on a Sunday and ending on a Saturday. This may vary at the beginning and end of the season. If permitted refer to the dates listed on the permit. 
  • Shooting hours: Shooting hours are legal start time to legal end time daily for the duration of the permit.
  • Applicable permits: Deer management permits may be used on all controlled deer hunts administered by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Deer harvested on a controlled hunt do not count towards the county bag limit.
  • Additional Information: Eagle Creek All Species Hunts allow permittees to harvest any species in season during the permit dates. Any legal implement may be used during the hunts based on statewide hunting regulations.

The following deer archery hunts will be offered:

Deer Firearms Hunts:

  • Applicants: Hunts will be offered for adults, youth, mobility impaired, and mentor/mentees. 
  • Number of hunters with the permittee: Permittee and one hunting partner will be allowed to hunt.
  • Unit: Each permit will have an assigned unit that can be referenced on the map provided with the rules sheet.
  • Permit Duration: Permits will be issued for one day, on a Saturday or Sunday. If permitted refer to the date listed on the permit. 
  • Shooting hours: Shooting hours are legal start time to legal end time daily for the duration of the permit.
  • Applicable permits: Deer management permits may be used on all controlled deer hunts administered by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Deer harvested on a controlled hunt do not count towards the county bag limit.

The following deer firearms hunts will be offered:

Waterfowl Hunts

  • Applicant: Waterfowl hunts will be open to all applicants. Youth hunts will be offered for the youth waterfowl weekend.
  • Number of hunters with the permittee: Permittee and two hunting partners. Youth hunts allow the permittee, one youth hunting partner, and one non-hunting adult. Only one hunting partner will be permitted for the 2612-Magee Special Mentor Waterfowl hunt.
  • Dates: September Goose and Teal hunts will occur on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday during the September season. Waterfowl hunts will occur on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday during open waterfowl seasons for each location (unless noted be an *). If permitted refer to the date listed on the permit. 
  • Unit: Each permit will have an assigned unit that can be referenced on the map provided with the rules sheet.
  • Permit Duration: 1 day
  • Shooting hours: Sunrise to 10am for September Goose and Teal hunts. One half-hour before sunrise until 1pm for all other waterfowl hunts.
  • Applicable permits: A hunting license, a wetland habitat stamp, a federal habitat stamp, and HIP certification are required before waterfowl hunting.

The following waterfowl hunts will be offered:

*will be allowed to hunt all days of the week

Waterfowl Blind Lotteries

  • Applicant: Waterfowl Blind Lotteries will be open to all applicants. 
  • Dates: Permits will be issued for August 20, 2022. Permittees are responsible for arriving at the address listed on the permit at 8:00AM on August 20, 2022 to make their blind selection.  
  • Unit: A pick number will be listed on the permit in the unit section (i.e. Unit: Pick 1). The pick number represents the order in which you will make your blind selection on August 20. 
  • Permit Duration: A season-long permit will be issued to you for the blind which you select on August 20. The permit generated from the lottery is null after August 20, 2022. Permits issued for Mosquito Lake SP Waterfowl Blind Drawing will be for one (1) week durations and valid for the dates listed on permit. 
  • Additional Information:
    • Applicants may only apply for a blind lottery at one location per year. The computer will gray out other waterfowl blind lotteries once you select the location to which you wish to apply.
    • Permittee is responsible to pay a $50 non-refundable permit fee upon blind selection (except at Grand Lake St. Mary’s, Spring Valley, Mosquito Lake, and Clark Lake).

The following waterfowl blind lotteries will be offered:

  • 2558-MOSQUTO LAKE SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet
  • 2959-A W MARION SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2960-ADAMS LAKE SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2961-ALUM CREEK SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2962-BUCK CREEK SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2963-BUCKEYE LAKE SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2964-CAESAR CREEK SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2965-CLARK LAKE WA WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2966-COWAN LAKE SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2967-DEER CREEK SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2968-DELAWARE SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2969-EAST FORK SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2970-EAST HARBOR SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2971-GRAND LAKE ST MARYS WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2972-HUESTON WOODS SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2973-INDIAN LAKE SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2974-LAKE LORAMIE SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2975-ROCKY FORK SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2976-SPRING VALLEY WA WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 
  • 2980-WEST BRANCH SP WATERFOWL BLIND DRAWING | Rules Packet 

Dove Hunts

  • Applicant: Dove hunts will be open to all applicants. Youth and mentor hunts will be offered at Urbana WA, Caesar Creek WA, and St. Mary's Fish Hatchery.
  • Number of hunters: Permittee and one hunting partner will be allowed to hunt. 
  • Dates: One-day permits will be issued for either September 1 or September 2. If permitted refer to the date listed on the permit. 
  • Unit: A number will be listed on the permit in the unit section (i.e. Unit: Stake 1). The unit number represents the stake that you are permitted to hunt. Refer to the map provided to locate and navigate to your assigned stake. Stakes are placed in fields approximately 100ft apart.
  • Permit Duration: 1 day
  • Shooting hours: Sunrise to sunset.
  • Applicable permits: A hunting license and HIP certification are required before dove hunting.

The following dove hunts will be offered:

Small Game Hunts

Pheasant Hunts

  • Applicant: Pheasant hunts will be open to all applicants. 
  • Number of hunters: Permittee and up to four hunting partners. 
  • Dates: Controlled pheasant hunts will occur on the Saturday of youth pheasant weekends, opening day of small game season, Veterans Day, and Thanksgiving Day. 
  • Unit: Each permit will have an assigned unit that can be referenced on the map provided with the rules sheet.
  • Permit Duration: 1 day
  • Shooting hours:  Shooting hours are legal start time to legal end time daily for the duration of the permit. 
  • Applicable permits: A hunting license is required to hunt pheasant.

The following pheasant hunts will be offered: 

Squirrel Hunts

  • Applicant: Squirrel hunts are open to all applicants.
  • Number of hunters with the permittee: Permittee and one hunting partner 
  • Unit: Each permit will have an assigned unit that can be referenced on the map provided with the rules sheet.
  • Permit Duration: Permits will be issued for 2-week periods throughout the season generally starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. This may vary at the beginning and end of the season. If permitted refer to the date listed on the permit. 
  • Shooting hours: Shooting hours are legal start time to legal end time daily for the duration of the permit.

The following squirrel hunts will be offered: 

Quail Hunts

  • Applicant: Quail hunts are open to all applicants.
  • Number of hunters with the permittee: Permittee and one hunting partner.
  • Dates: Saturdays throughout November.
  • Permit duration: 1 day
  • Shooting hours: Shooting hours are legal start time to legal end time daily for the duration of the permit.

The following Quail hunts will be offered: 

ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves & Scenic Rivers Deer Hunts

Controlled hunt lotteries for deer hunts on Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers properties will be held in late August-early September. Check here in August for more information.

Transportation Research Center Controlled (TRC) Deer Archery Hunt

The Transportation Research Center Controlled (TRC) Deer Archery Hunt in Logan and Union County will be administrated by TRC personnel.  Please send an email to wildlife@trcpg.com if you are interested in participating in this opportunity for more information.

Turkey Hunts - Coming in March 2023

Scroll to the bottom of page to see frequently asked questions about controlled access lotteries.

  • Applicants: Turkey hunts are open to all applicants. Youth hunts will be available at all five locations. Mentor hunts will be available at Eagle Creek, Killdeer, and La Su An Wildlife Areas (see ‘Who can apply’ below for explanation of youth and mentor requirements).
  • Number of hunters with the permittee: Permittee and one hunting partner will be allowed except for youth hunts. For youth turkey hunts only the permitted youth may hunt and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult.
  • Units: Each permit will have an assigned unit that can be referenced on the map provided with the rules sheets.
  • Permit duration: Valid permit dates will be shown on your permit. Youth permits will be issued for one day during the youth weekend, and three days later in the season for Killbuck and Mosquito (Thursday-Friday-Saturday, and Sunday-Monday-Tuesday). Throughout the season, permits will be issued for three day periods: Thursday-Friday-Saturday for mentor hunts and Sunday-Monday-Tuesday for regular hunts.
  • Shooting hours: 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
  • Applicable permits: A current hunting license and turkey permit are required to apply for any controlled turkey hunt.

The following turkey hunts will be offered:

 


Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for controlled access lotteries?

  • You must be fully licensed and permitted to hunt the species for which you are applying. 

  • Hunters may apply for each hunt once annually.

  • Apply online in March for turkey hunts and Castalia trout fishing, October for trapping, and July for all other species. Each application is $3 and is non-refundable. Applications can also be taken over the phone at 1-866-703-1928 for a service fee of $5.50. 

Who can apply?

  • Youth: Hunters must be under 18 at the time of application to apply for youth hunts. Hunters must be under 18 at the time of the hunt to participate in youth hunts. 

  • Mentor hunts: Mentor hunts are designed to introduce new hunters of any age, the mentee, to hunting or to hunting a species they have not pursued before. As an incentive to be a mentor and introduce new hunters, both the mentee and the mentor can participate in the hunt if they win a permit. Applications for mentor hunts can be purchased by either the mentor, the mentee, or both. To qualify as a mentee, the applicant must either be under 18 at the time of application or not have harvested the species for which they are applying in the previous five years. A mentor can be anyone willing to introduce a mentee to hunting or hunting a particular species.  

  • Adults: Anyone 18 or older at the time of application. 

  • Mobility Impaired: A mobility-impaired person is any person, regardless of age, who is subject to a physiological defect or deficiency regardless of its cause, nature, or extent that renders the person unable to move about without the aid of crutches, a wheelchair, or any other form of support, or that limits the person’s functional ability to ambulate, climb, descend, sit, rise, or perform any related function.

  • Open: Open to all applicants.

  • Veteran: Permittee will need to show valid drivers license with a veterans ID or a DD214.

What is a mentor hunt?

Mentor hunts are designed to introduce new hunters of any age, the mentee, to hunting or to hunting a species they have not pursued before. As an incentive to be a mentor and introduce new hunters, both the mentee and the mentor can participate in the hunt if they win a permit. Applications for mentor hunts can be purchased by either the mentor, the mentee, or both. To qualify as a mentee, the applicant must either be under 18 at the time of application or not have harvested the species for which they are applying in the previous five years. A mentor can be anyone willing to introduce a mentee to hunting or hunting a particular species.  

How will I know if I'm drawn?

  • Lotteries will be drawn the week after the application period ends.  

  • Applicants will receive an email with their results once the lotteries are drawn. 

  • Visit the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System or the HuntFish OH mobile app. Hunters are required to have a printed or digital copy of their permit on the day of the hunt. 

    • Click the “Manage" link in the "Your Account" tab 

    • Choose a search method to identify your account (Your Customer ID  can be found on your hunting/fishing license – this is the easiest way to find your customer account) 

    • The "Manage Your Account" information will display. 

    • Click on "View Your Lottery applications and Results" (Second from the bottom) 

    • View the name of each event for which you applied. (Be sure you are looking at the correct year) 

    • In the Award Status column, products indicated as ‘Successful’ mean you have been selected for a permit. Click the ‘Permit’ and ‘Rules’ links to download your hunt information. 

What do I do after I know I've been successfully drawn for a permit?

  • Follow the steps listed in the ‘How will I know if I’m drawn?’ tab to view your lottery results and retrieve your permit. 

  • Hunters are required to have a printed or digital copy of their permit on the day of the hunt, so either print your permit or navigate to it on the HuntFish OH mobile app . 

  • Each permit includes the name of the hunt, the date, and the unit for which you are permitted. 

  • Hunt rules and maps are provided along with the permit. It is your responsibility to know and follow the rules of the hunt and to study the map and know to which unit you are assigned. Failure to follow controlled hunt rules and conditions could result in dismissal from the hunt, in addition to criminal charges pursuant to OAC 1501:31-9-01(T). 

  • Should you have any questions about your permit, contact information for the hunt for which you are permitted is provided in the rules sheet. Additionally, you can call 1-800-WILDLIFE. 

Can I transfer, buy, sell, trade, or barter controlled hunt permits?

Permits may be exchanged for the same product on a different date if both permittees agree to the exchange. Permits may be transferred if the permittee does not receive anything in return. It is unlawful to buy, sell, trade, or barter any controlled access permit. Violation of this rule can result in revocation of your permit. The Division of Wildlife is working to address permit transfers in the next licensing system.

Can dogs be used on controlled hunts?

Dogs may be used during controlled hunts unless unlawful for the species being hunted. Refer to the  Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations.

 
Applicants and Odds

Past Controlled Hunt Applicants and Odds

2022 Controlled Hunt Applicants and Odds [pdf]

2021 Controlled Hunt Applicants and Odds and Result Maps [pdf]

2020 Controlled Hunt Applicants and Odds [pdf]

2019 Controlled Hunt Applicants and Odds [pdf]

2018 Controlled Hunt Applicants and Odds [pdf] 

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