Northeastern Ohio hosts the finest waterfowl hunting in the Buckeye State. And this month is the best time to be out there.

Canada geese and ducks crowd the Lake Erie marshes until winter winds freeze the shallows and move these birds onto inland waters. Their first stop is the Division of Wildlife's District Three -- the heart of Ohio's best migratory bird hunting.

Two things attract wintering waterfowl to this part of the state: open water and harvested cornfields. Many lakes in the region will have open water into late December or early January. And as long as there's water and food, the birds will be here.

Here's the lowdown on where you'll find the best District Three waterfowl opportunities this month:

WEST BRANCH STATE PARK
If the water is open on West Branch Reservoir, there will be geese, as well as a steady scattering of ducks.

Canada geese prefer big water where they can roost with a clear field of view. It's impossible for predators to bother a raft of geese huddled in open water, and the birds know it.

The 5,352-acre state park is bordered by 2,600 acres of Ohio Division of Wildlife lands in Portage County. The lake covers 2,650 acres and is a proven waterfowl producer from year to year.

The lake and wildlife area are open to hunters. The state park's no-hunting zone lies in the northeastern section, bordered by the lake and Rock Spring Road. This section includes heavy day-use facilities including the campground, beach, park office and the eastern boat ramp.

Hunting is also prohibited in the safety zone next to any park building, residence or road.

Two ramps allow access onto the water. The west ramp is at the east end of West Cable Line Road on the south side of the lake. The other launch is at the end of Gilbert Road.

Interstate Route 76 provides access to the area. Take Exit 43 onto state Route 14 and follow it to the lake.

For a map and additional information, contact the park office at (330) 296-3239, or the ODOW's District Three office at (330) 644-2283.

SHREVE LAKE WILDLIFE AREA
Shreve Lake is one of those overlooked areas that passing birds could easily ignore, or it could be the hottest spot in the region. It all depends on the weather. Hunting pressure usually isn't a problem, but when birds begin using the area, the word does get out.

The wildlife area lies south of Wooster and a nice drive east of Mansfield. The Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area usually gets top billing with local hunters who would rather take their chances on the larger, more dependable spot. It doesn't take a lot of shooters to make a crowd at 58-acre Shreve Lake.

Much of the wildlife area's 228 acres are open fields. Opportunities are good for concealment in the pines and undergrowth. Hunting from the shoreline will require good camouflage and expert calling.

Getting onto the lake without being noticed by wary waterfowl means setting up well before daylight.

The boat access ramp is on township Road 316. The wildlife area is bordered by state Route 226 on the north. Shreve Lake is in Wayne County.

For additional information, contact the Killbuck Marsh Wildlife Area at (330) 567-3390.

KILLDEER PLAINS WILDLIFE AREA
Field-hunting shines at Killdeer Plains. The area lies roughly between Upper Sandusky and Forest and includes plenty of grassy low-pasture areas surrounded by hundreds of acres of private cornfields. Flooding in the region last spring put the farmers behind, but the corn they finally planted yielded good harvests.