OHIO

OHIO
Whitetail numbertotals 116,855 in state
COLUMBUS -- Ohio hunters took 116,855 whitetails during the state's popular weeklong deer-gun season, which ran Nov. 28 to Dec. 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
In 2004, hunters killed a preliminary total of 125,681 deer during the shotgun hunting season.
Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer brought to Ohio check stations last week included Tuscarawas (5,021); Guernsey (4,300); Coshocton (3,973); Washington (3,740); Licking (3,543); Harrison (3,490); Muskingum (3,290); Holmes (3,226); Knox (3,075); and Jefferson (2,963).
Local county numbers are as follows: Columbiana (2,173); Mahoning (748); Portage (763); and Trumbull (1,742).
Hunters still have eight weeks of white-tailed deer hunting available to them in Ohio, as archery season remains open until Jan. 31. The statewide muzzleloader deer-hunting season will be held Dec. 27-30.
Trout opportunitiesat Castalia hatchery
COLUMBUS -- Controlled trout-fishing opportunities on Cold Creek, one of Ohio's most unique streams, will again await fishing enthusiasts who enter a special lottery conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
A half-mile section of the creek, located at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, will again be open to a limited number of anglers from April 3 through Oct. 27 next year. Those interested in fishing the stream must submit an application form, along with a nonrefundable $3 application fee, before February 1 in order to be eligible for the random drawing. Application information can be obtained at the ODNR Division of Wildlife Web site at ohiodnr.com/wildlife or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. Successful applicants will be notified by mail of their fishing dates.
There will be two seasons: one for adults (April 3 through June 2 and Aug. 21 through Oct. 27), and one for youths under the age of 16 (June 5 through Aug. 18). Individuals selected for either drawing will be allowed to bring two other adults and three youths under the age of 16 (no more than six people total).
Special fishing rules will be in effect for this event to ensure that a quality fishing experience is maintained throughout the season. One of these special rules prohibits catch and release fishing, with wildlife officials requiring that anglers keep all fish they catch. The daily bag limit will be five trout per angler.
Anglers will be required to check in at the hatchery upon arrival and check out at the end of their session. Fishing sessions will be open from 7 a.m. to noon. Anglers 16 years of age and older will need a valid 2006 Ohio fishing license. An Ohio resident annual fishing license costs $19; a one-day fishing license costs $11. Those who buy a one-day fishing license may later return it to a license agent to receive credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license.