For state park information, contact the Shawnee State Park office, 4404 State Route 125, Portsmouth, OH 45663-9003. You can call (740) 858-6652, or access the park's Web site at www.ohiodnr.com/parks/parks/shawnee.htm.

Call (866) 644-6727 for camping reservations or 1-800-282-7275 for lodge and cottage reservations.

Information about the forest is available through the Shawnee State Forest office, 13291 U.S. Route 52, West Portsmouth, OH 45663-8906. You can call (740) 858-6685, or go to the state forest's Web site at www.dnr.ohio.gov/forestry/Forests/shawnee.htm.

For local information, contact the Portsmouth Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 1487, 324 Chillicothe Street, Portsmouth, OH 45662. Call 1-800-648-2574, or go to www.portsmouthcvb.org.

Southeastern Ohio hunting information, including maps of most state lands, is available through the ODOW's Wildlife District Four office, 360 East State Street, Athens, OH 45701; or call (740) 594-2211.

DISTRICT FIVE
Tranquility Wildlife Area
Western Ohio has fewer public deer-hunting opportunities than the eastern counties. But every district has some excellent deer hunting, especially for early-season bowhunters.

"We increased our bag limits where there are the most deer. For example, Highland County and Adams County are in the three-deer zone," said Dave Kohler, District Five wildlife management supervisor.

"Hunting pressure in these areas is not high. I would think bowhunters would find plenty of room to find a spot."

One area he suggested is Tranquility Wildlife Area, a little more than an hour's drive from Cincinnati. This 4,254-acre area is in northwestern Adams County. To get there from the Cincinnati area, take state Route 32 east to Seaman and then state Route 770 north.

"Tranquility WA is predominantly forested," Kohler said. "There is some co-op farming on the property. It has a good deer population, and there is some potential for trophy bucks there."

A little less than half of the area is forested, with oaks and hickories on drier slopes and hilltops. There is some grassland and plenty of brush for deer to hide in.

Roughly 375 acres of the area is set aside for co-op farming. The ODOW allows farming on its public lands under agreements that include farming practices beneficial to wildlife, including deer. Agricultural crops grown here include corn, soybeans and wheat.

For local information, contact the Adams County Travel and Visitors Bureau, 110 North Manchester Avenue, West Union, OH 45693. Call the agency at (937) 544-5454, or visit them at www.adamscountytravel.org.

Paint Creek Wildlife Area
On the border of Highland County and Ross County, Paint Creek Wildlife Area comes highly recommended for early-season bowhunting. It lies about an hour south of Columbus by way of U.S. Route 23 south to Chillicothe, and then U.S. Route 50 west.

This tract of public land also has a great mix of deer habitat.

"Paint Creek has a mixture of grassland and some unique wildlife corridors," Kohler said. "Paint Creek on one side and Rattlesnake Creek create a large V that tends to channel whitetail movements. There's also quite a bit of co-op farming on the property."

While Paint Creek WA covers a fairly large area of 11,024 acres, but it's narrow. Access is good via several minor roads crossing or touching the area. There is boat access as well.

Paint Creek State Park borders the south end of the wildlife area where Paint Creek and Rattlesnake Creek join. Camping and hunting is allowed in the park.

For more information, contact the Paint Creek State Park office, 14265 U.S. Route 50, Bainbridge, OH 45612. Call (937) 365-1401 for the park office, or (866) 644-6727 for camping reservations.

For information about local services, contact the Highland County Convention Visitors Bureau, 1575 North High Street, Suite 400, P.O. Box 638, Hillsboro, OH 45133. Call them at (937) 393-4883, or go to www.highlandcounty.com.