Officers with the Ohio Division of Wildlife reported a wide range of enforcement actions, rescue efforts, and educational programs across the state in recent field reports.
In central Ohio, State Wildlife Officer Adam Smith, assigned to Logan County, investigated hunting violations connected to the 2025-26 white-tailed deer gun season in Champaign County. During the investigation, officers discovered a second suspect had harvested a deer before purchasing a valid deer permit. The individual was charged with taking a deer without a permit and paid $200 in fines and court costs through Champaign County Municipal Court.
Meanwhile, State Wildlife Officer Antoinette Freet, assigned to Licking County, participated in a youth trout fishing event hosted by Pataskala Parks and Recreation. Children attending the event received beginner fishing equipment and practiced casting while catching stocked rainbow trout at Foundation Park pond. Officer Freet also educated children about frog life cycles after several participants caught bullfrog tadpoles.
In northwest Ohio, State Wildlife Officer Ryan Kennedy, assigned to Hardin County, investigated a report involving a hunter who harvested an antlerless deer without purchasing a hunting license or deer permit. The hunter later pleaded guilty and was ordered to pay a $175 fine.
State Wildlife Officer Ethan Bingham, assigned to Williams County, took part in the annual Williams County Maple Syrup Festival, where approximately 2,000 attendees participated in activities. With assistance from the Williams County Sharpshooters 4-H Club, Officer Bingham operated BB gun and inflatable archery ranges to introduce visitors to shooting sports education.
In southeast Ohio, State Wildlife Officer Kiri Williams, assigned to Vinton County, responded to a report of a duckling trapped inside a storm drain. With assistance from community members, Officer Williams searched multiple drains before locating and rescuing the duckling. The bird was later reunited with a nearby hen and hatchlings at a pond and accepted back into the group.
Another southeast Ohio case involved State Wildlife Officer Levi Boggs, assigned to Gallia County, who encountered hunters during deer gun season with an antlerless deer that had not been properly tagged or game checked. The hunter pleaded guilty in Gallipolis Municipal Court and was ordered to pay $235 in fines and court costs.
In southwest Ohio, multiple wildlife officers investigated a large illegal trash dump on the Caesar Creek Wildlife Area in Greene County. Officers connected the dumped debris to a rented box truck and discovered evidence of fire damage both at the dumping site and the suspect’s residence. The individual was convicted on two littering charges and ordered to pay more than $900 in fines and court costs, complete 40 hours of community service, and serve two years of probation.
Also in southwest Ohio, State Wildlife Officer Brad Buening, assigned to Mercer County, partnered with staff from the Spring Valley Wildlife Area Education Center to host a morel mushroom class at Woodland Trails Wildlife Area. Participants learned about Ohio mushroom species, ideal growing habitats, and enjoyed wild game samples including venison tacos and smoked fish dip.
