Thank you writing us with your questions on waterfowl hunting on the Ohio River. As you know, the Ohio River is a common border with several other states, like Kentucky (KY) and West Virginia (WV). This has often created some complex scenarios for regulations governing hunting and fishing, including waterfowl hunting. I will attempt to summarize our understanding of these activities.
The following information is contained in Division of Wildlife Publication #404, Waterfowl Hunting Fishing on the Ohio River, West Virginia and Ohio. You may request a copy by emailing back or calling 1-800-WILDLIFE. West Virginia is in the Atlantic Flyway and Ohio is in the Mississippi Flyway. Therefore waterfowl management regulations on seasons and bag limits may differ. It is the hunter's responsibility to know existing laws and rules found in each state's hunting regulations. Waterfowl hunting on or over the Ohio River and WV embayment/tributaries may take place only during WV's open seasons and your Ohio hunting license/stamps would be valid for hunting here. WV does not allow hunting on Sunday. You may hunt from the Ohio bank of the river only when the Ohio season is open as well as the WV season, but not on Sunday. When the Ohio season is open and the WV season is closed, hunting (including Sunday) can only take place on Ohio River embayments and tributaries that are within the boundaries of Ohio (up into Ohio and not on the main stem or main shoreline). Waterfowl that fall into the Ohio River during a closed WV season can be retrieved from the Ohio River main stem.
While hunting the main stem of the Ohio River bordered by Ohio and KY, as well as embayments and tributaries on the Ohio side, you may hunt using your Ohio hunting license/stamps and follow Ohio waterfowl hunting regulations. If you are hunting in any embayments or tributaries of the Ohio River on the KY side, you must be properly licensed by KY and follow their regulations.
If you have further questions you may wish to contact the law enforcement section at the Wildlife District Four Headquarters in Athens at 740-589-9930. They administer those counties bordering WV and KY in Southeast Ohio, and patrol and enforce regulations along the Ohio River. Thank you again for writing us and I hope this information was helpful.
