Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
Several years ago, State Wildlife Officer Adam Smith, assigned to Logan County, issued a nonresident hunter citations for providing false information while game checking a white-tailed deer and failing to properly tag the deer. The hunter failed to appear at the plea hearing and a bench warrant was issued. Finally, in May 2024 the hunter contacted Bellefontaine Municipal Court to resolve the matter and the case was adjudicated. The hunter was ordered to pay a total of $1,362.69 in fines and court costs. The antlered deer that was seized during the investigation was forfeited to the state.
This fall, State Wildlife Officer Antoinette Freet, assigned to Licking County, was contacted by an individual whose vehicle struck a red-tailed hawk. Under Officer Freet’s guidance, the individual safely captured the injured bird and kept it in a safe, dark location until Officer Freet arrived. The bird was transported to The Ohio Bird Sanctuary in Mansfield and rehabilitated for several days before it was given a clean bill of health and released near where it was found.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
In September, State Wildlife Officer Eric VonAlmen, assigned to Wood County, spoke to around 60 farmers and landowners during an annual pioneer seed field day. Officer VonAlmen spoke about human-wildlife problems, including white-tailed deer damage control permits, nuisance geese, and nuisance raccoons. Officer VonAlmen also provided information on landowner license exemptions. It was a great audience and opportunity to meet with local landowners.
State Wildlife Investigator Kelsey Brockman received a call about a bald eagle near a highway in Sandusky that was unable to fly. Investigator Brockman safely captured the bald eagle. The male eagle was transported to Back to the Wild and was found to have a wound in its chest, likely from a territorial battle. The eagle was properly rehabilitated and released after the wound healed.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
In November, State Wildlife Officer Marty Cisine, assigned to Trumbull County, received a call from a landowner regarding a hunting without permission incident. An individual shot a large white-tailed deer buck on their property but retrieved it on the neighbor’s property without permission. After evidence was collected, the individual was issued a summons. The defendant pleaded guilty to a reduced charge as part of a plea deal, receiving a small fine and forfeiting the buck to the state.
During STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) week at Timmons Elementary School, State Wildlife Officer Michael Greer, assigned to Cuyahoga County, spoke to first grade students about the Division of Wildlife and different approaches to protect and conserve natural resources. Through scientific practice, the Division of Wildlife has successfully bolstered populations of many wildlife species throughout Ohio. Students enjoyed asking questions and handling animal skulls, pelts, and claws.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
In late August, State Wildlife Officer Ted Witham, assigned to Jackson County, was on patrol at Jackson Lake State Park when he was approached by two individuals who were concerned about an injured Canada goose. Officer Witham located the goose, which was entangled in spent fishing line and unable to walk. Officer Witham caught the goose and removed the fishing line, and the goose walked back to the lake unharmed and swam away. Remember to properly dispose of used fishing line and all other trash so that it does not negatively effect wildlife.
State Wildlife Officer Mark Basinger, assigned to Perry County, contacted an individual at Clouse Lake Wildlife Area and learned that the individual illegally dug ginseng roots on the wildlife area. Officer Basinger shared information on Ohio’s ginseng digging rules with the individual and issued a summons to Perry County Municipal Court. The suspect was ordered to pay $150 in fines and court costs and received a one-year digging suspension for all medicinal plants in the state. The roots and digging tools were forfeited to the Division of Wildlife.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Brad Buening, assigned to Mercer County, noticed an unusual amount of litter along the west side of Grand Lake St. Marys. Officer Buening drove around the area and collected all the litter, which consisted of mostly the same beverage bottle. Officer Buening contacted State Wildlife Officer Mark Schemmel, assigned to Auglaize County, to assist with the case. Within a few weeks, the officers caught the suspect tossing a matching beverage bottle from a vehicle. The suspect was issued a summons for littering and ordered to appear in Celina Municipal Court. The suspect was found guilty, ordered to pay $100 in fines as well as court costs, and sentenced to one year of community control and 10 days in jail, suspended.
State Wildlife Officer Logan Ambrister, assigned to Shelby County, recently attended Forestry Field Day, sponsored by Shelby County Soil and Water Conservation District. The event is a free, family-friendly event celebrating all things trees. It includes woodland walks with a state forester, portable sawmill demonstrations, kids activities, tractor rides, apple cider, and more. Officer Ambrister supplied an archery trailer and taught participants the basics of safe archery shooting.
