FUNK BOTTOMS WA
Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area is also a small area and often overlooked as a goose-hunting destination. At times, the smaller units provide as good, if not better, hunting than their larger counterparts.

Funk Bottoms covers 1,422 acres in Wayne and Ashland counties. It's comprised mainly of marshy, moist soil with permanent creeks that wander through the area. The adjacent grasslands and large wetlands hold Canadas looking for a combination of cover and food.

During December, the presence of nearby crop fields and open water on the area plays a role in the interest geese will put into Funk Bottoms.

Access is from state Route 95 as well as county and local roads.

The area is about 60 miles from Columbus and Cleveland.

Contact the Killbuck Marsh WA at (330) 567-3390 for information on hunting Funk Bottoms WA.

KILLBUCK MARSH WILDLIFE AREA
Migrating Canadas faithfully use Killbuck Marsh if the water is open. But if the marsh freezes early, field-hunting can pick up or die off, depending on whether the birds decide to stick around.

The flowing spring in the refuge where hunting is prohibited keeps three or four acres of water open all winter, and this keeps geese in the area.

Killbuck Marsh's resident goose population stays close to the area year 'round. Migrating Canadas descend upon the area to join their cousins, and that's when a good decoy spread can maximize your opportunities. Field decoy sets near crops are a real draw, but spreads on the water can be productive as well.

The Killbuck Creek flows through the area and holds geese. The birds will congregate on open water if the shallow water nearby is ice-covered.

Waterfowlers hunting the Killbuck Creek Wildlife Area can spread out along several miles of riverbank with public access on both sides of the river. The refuge is closed to hunting and bordered on the north by Force Road and on the south by the Wayne-Holmes County line.

The area features food plots, open fields and grasslands. The geese love it!

Killbuck Wildlife Area is the state's largest inland wetlands. The entire area covers 5,492 acres in Wayne and Holmes counties in northeastern Ohio.

TAPPAN LAKE
When harsh winter conditions have driven the geese out of the Lake Erie marshes, the Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District lakes are worth taking a look at.

Open water and field-hunting opportunities exist as geese roost on the open lakes and then move out to feed during the daylight hours. Tappan Lake covers 2,350 acres and is an excellent place for targeting late Canadas. The surrounding MWCD property and private farms provide great field hunting.

Hunting success usually depends on whether or not the lake is frozen. A good number of birds will utilize the open water, but heavy ice cover may leave shooters high and dry.

Pockets of open water means the geese will concentrate there for the night. Early-morning and late-evening shooting can be fantastic.

There are hunting restrictions on areas on Tappan and other MWCD lakes. Hunters must stay clear of occupied dwellings by 100 yards. Other restricted areas are marked on the map. Access is from state Route 250 in Harrison County.

Hunting pressure is usually low, and the lake is an underutilized resource.

Public launches allow boaters access to the water when it's open, and setting up on the public hunting lands near the water can afford good shooting at passing geese.

Additional information may be gleaned by calling the MWCD at 1-877-363-8500.