By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
Most local residents would be hard pressed to point out Otter Island and Hedges Island in Wood County. That is, except for the sportsmen who would like to hunt waterfowl in the Maumee River near Otsego Park.
On Tuesday, Wood County Park District Director Neil Munger suggested that the park board consider allowing hunting on the islands. The park district already allows hunting in Baldwin Woods and Cricket Frog Cove.
Hunters must register to hunt in those parks, Munger said. There is no lottery system, but a limited number are allowed, so hunters must register for a certain time.
Over the years, the park district has been asked about allowing waterfowl hunting on its island in the Maumee River. The district has two larger wooded islands, named Otter and Hedges islands, and a couple small unnamed neighboring islands.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources allows hunting on its islands in the Maumee River. And the Wood County Park District allows hunters to put their boats in the river at Otsego Park. They can hunt from their boats – but not on the park district’s islands.
“We’re some of the few islands out there who don’t allow hunting,” Munger said. “This would be allowing another recreational opportunity for citizens of Wood County.”
Hunters can currently anchor their boats a couple feet from the shore, set up decoys around the island – but not be on the island when hunting.
“We have cited people for hunting on the islands,” park police chief Todd Nofzinger said.
“That part of the river is really popular for waterfowl hunting,” Munger said.
The proposal to allow hunting on the islands has the approval of the park police.
“What’s the difference between being five feet away, or on the island,” Nofzinger said.
Park board members asked if a change in the policy would create a “mad rush” by hunters to the islands.
“There probably won’t be any more than there already has been,” hunting from their boats, Nofzinger said.
Munger said some rules will have to be devised prior to any change in policy. Decisions will have to be made on duck blinds, permitted hours and other issues. Waterfowl season isn’t until fall, so the park district has some time to iron out rules.
“We’ll keep you posted as we move forward,” Munger said.
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, the park board learned that the $3,700 bill for decontamination of a park facility was due to a family of racoons moving into the attic crawl space. Professional help had to be called in to clean up the racoon feces, which can be very toxic, Munger said.
The board also was reminded that once the weather warms up, the monthly meetings will be held at park sites around the county. Those locations are:
- Bradner Preserve on March 10
- Sawyer Quarry Nature Preserve on April 14
- Reuthinger Preserve on May 12
- Bradner Preserve on June 9
- Carter Historic Farm on July 14
- Otsego Park on Aug. 11
- William Henry Harrison Park on Sept. 8
- Cedar Creeks Preserve on Oct. 13
- And possibly Adam Phillips Park at the historic center on Nov. 10.
