Home › Ohio › Public land › Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Wildlife area in Brown County, Ohio
Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area hunting, rules and county limits
A 168-acre Ohio state wildlife area in Brown County.
Photo: Nyttend (Public domain)
Getting to Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Parking, trailheads and gates near Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 0.3 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.0 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.1 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.5 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
- Parking areaParking · 3.7 mi from the centreDirections
Parking, trailhead and gate locations come from OpenStreetMap contributors. Roads into public land can be gated or seasonal; check with the managing agency before you go.
Getting to know the Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area ground
At 168 acres, Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area is a state wildlife area in Brown County; the ODNR Division of Wildlife looks after it. Look roughly 2 miles south of Blanchester on the map. The Division of Wildlife handles it from its Xenia office (District 5, Southwest Ohio). Cover on the property page: woods, grassland, ponds and brush. Other uses listed: hiking, birding and fishing. The hunting layer shows the parcels as owned outright by the state. The administrative code lists it under 1501:31-15-04(A)(1), written "Bott".
Pick your number: 164 acres at the low end, 168 at the high end, by source.
| Source | Acres |
|---|---|
| ODNR property page | 168 |
| Area map PDF | 168 |
| Property Details layer | 165 |
| Water (Property Details) | 2 |
| Hunting-status layer | 168 |
| GIS parcel area | 164 |
From the ODNR property page, ODNR hunting-status layer, OAC; retrieved 2026-11-05, checked November 6, 2026.
Nearby
Places to hunt and shoot around Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area hunting rules, line by line
ODNR marks every parcel of Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area open to hunting.
- Park in designated spots; off-road driving is illegal.
- Overnight camping is off the table on this ground.
- Night closure (8 p.m. to 6 a.m. in fall and winter) does not apply to hunters and trappers.
- Plinking is not allowed outside the designated ranges.
- Leave the corn at home: no bait on public land.
- Stands: portable, no devices driven into the bark.
- Two antlerless deer at most from all public hunting areas in a license year.
From the agency page, public hunting area rules; checked November 6, 2026.
Hunting calendar matched to Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
The sources name deer, squirrel, rabbit, quail, woodcock, waterfowl and raccoon on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area; the table shows the 2026-27 dates for that game. Waterfowl dates here are the Zone C dates.
| Quarry | Season | Start | End | Limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deer | Archery | Sep 26, 2026 | Feb 7, 2027 | County limit |
| Deer | Youth gun | Nov 21, 2026 | Nov 22, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Gun | Nov 30, 2026 | Dec 6, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Bonus gun | Dec 19, 2026 | Dec 20, 2026 | County limit |
| Deer | Muzzleloader | Jan 2, 2027 | Jan 5, 2027 | County limit |
| Squirrels | Regular | Sep 1, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 daily |
| Cottontail | Regular | Nov 6, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 4 daily |
| Bobwhite quail | Regular | Nov 6, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 2 daily |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 4 daily |
| Cottontail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 4 daily |
| Bobwhite quail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 2 daily |
| Bobwhite quail | Youth small game weekend | Oct 31, 2026 | Nov 1, 2026 | 2 daily |
| Red fox | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Red fox | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Gray fox | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Gray fox | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Raccoon | Hunting | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Raccoon | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | No limit |
| Mink | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| Muskrat | Trapping | Nov 10, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| Beaver | Trapping | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | No limit |
| River otter | Trapping | Dec 26, 2026 | Feb 28, 2027 | 1 of the 3 |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Sep 1, 2026 | Nov 8, 2026 | 15 daily |
| Mourning dove | Dove | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 1, 2027 | 15 daily |
| Woodcock | Woodcock | Oct 16, 2026 | Nov 29, 2026 | 3 daily |
| Canada goose | Early Canada goose | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 5 daily |
| Teal | Early teal | Sep 5, 2026 | Sep 13, 2026 | 6 daily |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 1) | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 6 ducks daily |
| Ducks | Ducks (split 2) | Dec 12, 2026 | Jan 31, 2027 | 6 ducks daily |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 1) | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 | 5 daily |
| Geese and brant | Geese (split 2) | Nov 21, 2026 | Feb 15, 2027 | 5 daily |
| Ducks | Youth waterfowl | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | Regular limits |
| Ducks | Veterans and military | Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 | Regular limits |
Dates and limits from the 2026-27 hunting seasons list and the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; species from the record (ODNR property page hunting text); checked November 6, 2026.
Extras for hunters at Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Dove fields planted on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
ODNR plants 1 field for doves on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area, roughly 24 acres of wheat. None needs a lottery permit; bring your license and HIP.
| Field | Acres | Status | Planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bott | 24 | Non-Controlled | wheat |
From the ODNR dove fields layer; checked November 6, 2026.
County limits that apply on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Deer bag in Brown County: 3, with a single antlered deer allowed across Ohio. 2025-26 harvest, Brown County: 3,023 deer. The 2026-27 count stood at 561 on November 3, 2026.
| County | Limit | DSA | Zone | Spring | Fall turkey | 2025-26 deer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown County | 3 deer | No | C | South | Open | 3,023 |
From the deer bag limit map, DSA, waterfowl zones, turkey zones, 2025-26 deer harvest report, harvest to date (ODNR Division of Wildlife); checked November 6, 2026.
Public hunting land within reach of Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Drive 5 miles west and the next public tract is Stonelick State Park. Around it on the map: 4 wildlife areas and 2 state parks. Within 15 miles but not open to hunters: Culberson Woods State Nature Preserve (nature preserve), Little Miami Morrow Scenic River Land (scenic river land) and Little Miami Morgan's Riverside Scenic River Access (scenic river land).
| Name | Kind | Size (ac) | County | Away | Bearing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stonelick State Park | State park | 1,058 | Clermont | 5 miles | west |
| Indian Creek Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 1,695 | Brown | 7 miles | southeast |
| Cowan Lake State Park | State park | 1,075 | Clinton | 11 miles | northeast |
| Oldaker Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 140 | Highland | 14 miles | east |
| East Fork Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 2,705 | Clermont | 16 miles | south |
| Grant Lake Wildlife Area | Wildlife area | 412 | Brown | 16 miles | south |
Point: ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 2 parcels (polygon centroid). Straight-line distances. Closed places from the lands.json closed list. Checked November 6, 2026. Statewide public land map.
Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area maps, address and officers
For permits and questions try the Wildlife District Five office, 937-372-9261. The Brown County wildlife officer is Micah Collier, (513) 646-4014. Anonymous tip line: 1-800-POACHER.
- Area map PDF (published 1/30/2023) · legend: parking area, parking, trail
- Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area Map [pdf]
- Map pin
Address and phone from the agency page and the ODNR Property Details layer; district offices from the ODNR Districts layer; officers from the officer list; point from ODNR DNR_Lands_Hunting_Status layer, 2 parcels (polygon centroid); checked November 6, 2026.
Stores, deer processors and towns serving Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
From the point, Fayetteville sits 5 miles away. Wilmington tops the list at 12,639 people. For face-to-face help, the Fayetteville ODNR office lies 6 miles away as the crow flies.
| Place | County | Population | Distance | Direction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville | Brown | 317 | 5 miles | southeast |
| Williamsburg | Clermont | 2,645 | 13 miles | south |
| Batavia | Clermont | 2,026 | 15 miles | southwest |
| Wilmington | Clinton | 12,639 | 16 miles | northeast |
| New Vienna | Clinton | 1,097 | 17 miles | east |
Towns from places.json (Census 2024 estimates); ODNR offices and businesses from services.json listings; straight-line miles. Checked November 6, 2026.
Gun-week light and other opener times on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
ODNR prints no sunrise table and points hunters to its app, the NOAA calculator and the Naval Observatory; the times for Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area below are worked out with the NOAA solar formula for its own location.
| Date | Opener | Sunrise | Sunset | Big game | Duck window | Pheasant window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 26, 2026 | Archery deer opens | 7:26 a.m. | 7:29 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 7:59 p.m. | 6:56 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. | 7:26 a.m. to 7:29 p.m. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | Fall turkey | 7:31 a.m. | 7:20 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 7:50 p.m. | 7:01 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. | 7:31 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. |
| Nov 6, 2026 | Rabbit and pheasant | 7:08 a.m. | 5:31 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 6:01 p.m. | 6:38 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. | 7:08 a.m. to 5:31 p.m. |
| Nov 30, 2026 | Deer gun week | 7:35 a.m. | 5:15 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. | 7:05 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. | 7:35 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. |
| Dec 12, 2026 | Second duck split | 7:46 a.m. | 5:13 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:43 p.m. | 7:16 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. | 7:46 a.m. to 5:13 p.m. |
| Dec 21, 2026 | Shortest day | 7:52 a.m. | 5:16 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:46 p.m. | 7:22 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. | 7:52 a.m. to 5:16 p.m. |
| Jan 2, 2027 | Muzzleloader | 7:55 a.m. | 5:23 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 5:53 p.m. | 7:25 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. | 7:55 a.m. to 5:23 p.m. |
Hours rules from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations; sunrise and sunset worked out for this location with the NOAA solar formula (Eastern Time); checked November 6, 2026. Legal hours for every county.
Field and woods views near Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Range stops on the way to Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area
Brown County holds the ODNR-listed range nearest Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area: Indian Creek Wildlife Area Shooting Range (7 miles). Next to it: the nearest club ranges, all inside 30 miles.
From ODNR’s public range list and range pages, ranges’ own pages and directory listings, checked November 6, 2026.
Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area: what Buckeye hunters keep asking
Is any hunting at Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area by permit only?
No; the 2026 lottery list does not include it.
Which zone sets the waterfowl calendar at Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
Zone C. Splits: Oct 17 to Oct 25, 2026; Dec 12, 2026 to Jan 31, 2027.
Overnight stays at Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
No. Camping is banned on wildlife areas except at Appalachian Hills, Simco and Woodbury.
Can I leave a tree stand or use bait on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
No bait, and stands must be portable.
Must I wear orange while hunting Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area in winter?
During the youth gun, gun, bonus gun, DSA early gun and muzzleloader seasons, every hunter except waterfowl hunters wears a hunter orange vest, coat, jacket or coveralls.
When does legal deer light start on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
7:05 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. on November 30, 2026.
Which phone line answers questions on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
Try 1-800-WILDLIFE.
Nearest town for supplies near Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
Fayetteville sits 5 miles from the point.
Dove field hunting at Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area: how many fields?
The dove layer shows 1 field(s).
Is every part of Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area open to hunting?
The whole area is open.
Do I have to report game shot on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
Report deer and turkeys by noon the day after the kill, online, by phone or in the HuntFish OH app.
Can Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area be hunted all seven days?
No statewide Sunday limit applies.
Is any special pass needed to hunt Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area?
An Ohio hunting license ($19 resident, $180.96 nonresident) plus the permit for your game: deer or turkey permit, fur taker permit, or HIP and stamps for waterfowl.
Final word on Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area for this season
Gravel lanes and parking lots can flood or close in wet weather; check access to Della Gates & Edward Charles Bott Wildlife Area before the drive.
Sources: source 1 · source 2 · source 3 · source 4 · source 5; seasons from the 2026-27 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations. Checked November 6, 2026.
Other photos on this page: Fyn Kynd (CC BY 2.0); Ligocsicnarf89 (CC BY 4.0); Paul Danese (CC BY-SA 4.0).