Looking For Hunting Opportunities

[Guy]

Good Morning,
I just moved to NW Ohio and love to hunt waterfowl. I have a little fella that is 8 who loves to go along. We are looking for some vetrans of the area to give us some advice. Back in Nebraska, in the heart of the Central Fly zone we had many hunting friends and places to go. It is a new challenge to develop that same network of hunters here. I would like to get to know some folks out here. My friend from Ohio claims that the best hunters in the Nation live here!
Happy Hunting
Guy

[Ohio Bill]

Welcome Guy! I know that there are some nice places to hunt ducks up near lake erie......But im not sure where they are..

[CritterGitter]

Welcome to the site Guy! Northwest Ohio has some awesome waterfowl hunting! Unfortunately I don't know many people up that way. On this site I know Darron does a lot of waterfowl hunting but I think he hunts a lot in Southwest Ohio. Ask around and I'm sure you'll find some good opportunities. I hope you and your son get to go out. Hunt safe and good luck to ya.

CG

[Darron]

I hunt mostly in SW Ohio, I do make some trips every year up north but all are guided hunts because I don't know much about northern ohio nor do I have the big water boats to handle earie. Go to ohiowaterfowler.com I would bet 75% of the guys on there are from N. Ohio and most are willing to help you out. Hope this helps.

[lacure]

Guy,
I am originally from Toledo and grew up waterfowling in the area. I now live in Central Ohio, but have some insight for you. Unfortunately, most of my family/friends who hunted up there no longer get out due to families, etc. I will see if I cannot think of a name for you, but here is a little not-so-secret info...

The marshes off of Lake Erie are great, usually. Look at McGhee and Metzger's...they are generally pretty good. The only problem is they usually have a boatload of hunters, so take that into consideration with the little guy.

Also, the Maumee River is hot and cold...sometimes you can really get into them and sometimes there is not a thing flying. You will have to get a better feel for the good spots...start at the little sporting goods shop right on "Main St." in town.

Finally, you should consider doing a little leg work...there are hundreds of farms and ponds in the immediate area. I am sure there has to be a farmer or two who would not mind letting you and your boy shoot. Unfortunately, I was too young to do the asking when I was in Toledo, but after moving, we headed to Toledo for the holidays (grandma's house, you know), without exception, the fields, skies and ponds were LOADED!

Hope this helps a little. I will post a reply if I think of anyone for you.

Good Luck and Be Safe.

[Andy Gehle]

Magee is a draw-blind spot. You must obtain a spot from a drawing held back in August. But DEFINATELY put this on your calendar for next year. Your boy will LOVE it. Everyone gets their own area. I've had a few of those "old glory days" up at Magee when everything lined up properly. It is a place that everyone in Ohio should hunt at least once.
Pickerel Creek is another draw spot. BUT, they hold daily drawings for the morning and afternoon hunts. You'd have just as good as shot as drawing a blind as anyone else there. Maybe a little more work getting your son in than at Magee, but the shooting can be great and it usually holds an abnormally large number of teal well into the later season. It also used to be regarded as holding the largest concentration of black ducks on the continent, during the migration.
Of course Lake Erie still holds some of the greatest shooting you'll find. I don't know how familiar you are with big water hunting, but if you are or can get set up, it can be awesome diver shooting. Hunting out of layout boats can be a dangerous proposition, but can offer some unbeleivable hunting.

Check out the Ohio DNR website for some more public spots.

Here's a linky to the section on Pickerel:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Hunting/pc_waterfowl.htm

[Guy]

Thank you for the information. I went out last weekend and set up in the river. Did not see anything but some high flyers and the game warden. He was very friendly and gave me some assistance. He also infomed me that the spot I was on was a fishing access only, not for hunting. It was interesting because on Saturday, there were 3 groups in that same spot! I will keep looking. The little guy loved it! Got his feet wet, and pulled the trigger a couple of times!

[Andy Gehle]

Guy,
Where do you live in NW Ohio? I have a buddy who still lives in NW Ohio and he might be open to helping you and your son out.

[Guy]

I live in Perrysburg Andy. I would love to hear from him!
Thanks!

[Andy Gehle]

Guy,
My buddy lives in Lima, which is NOT the waterfowling capitol of Ohio so I'm pretty sure they head your way when they go.
I'll get in touch with him and let you know what's up.
In the meantime, make a stop into your local District office and see what they say about the Maumee. I know that there's some outstanding shooting there when the weather brings in ducks.
Also you might want to consider joining waterfowler.com or checking into your local DU chapter and see if you can't make some local buddies to get you started.
I'll get back with you after I talk to my friend.

[Guy]

I will await your reply! Thanks for contacting him!