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Ohio’s New Proposed Waterfowl Hunting Zones for 2026-2030
The Ohio Wildlife Council discussed a proposal for new waterfowl hunting zones for the 2026 to 2030 seasons during a meeting on April 30. The current zones will remain for the 2025-26 season, while the new zones, categorized as Zone A (northwest Ohio), Zone B (northeast Ohio and the northwest counties of Wood, Hancock, Seneca, Huron, Crawford, Morrow, and Richland), and Zone C (the rest of Ohio, which includes parts of Columbiana, Stark, Wayne, and Ashland counties), will take effect in 2026-27 if passed. Additionally, the waters of Lake Erie are part of Zone B, and the Zone A boundary extends 100 yards offshore into Lake Erie. Comments on the proposal can be submitted online between June 9 and July 9 at wildohio.gov, with a statewide hearing scheduled for July 16. The zones were developed based on hunter surveys and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations. For Ohio hunters, it is essential to complete both optional and required surveys to help the council and the state better understand the needs of its sportsmen. This example shows the direct impact.
For those unfamiliar, the Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board that reviews and votes on all proposed rules and regulations from the ODNR Division of Wildlife. The Governor appoints these board positions, with no more than four members allowed from the same political party. Two members of the council must represent agriculture. The council holds monthly meetings that are open to the public. To find out about upcoming meetings, visit ohiodnr.gov.
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