Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
In January, State Wildlife Officer Jade Heizer, assigned to Fairfield County, received an anonymous report regarding an individual who harvested two white-tailed deer bucks during the 2025-26 season. Allegedly, the suspect’s parent game-checked the second buck. Wildlife Officer Supervisor Tony Zerkle and Officer Heizer contacted the suspect, while State Wildlife Officers Josh Elster, assigned to Pickaway County, and Mark Williams, assigned to Franklin County, contacted the parent. The officers discovered the primary suspect harvested two bucks and falsely game-checked one. The individual was convicted of taking more than one antlered deer in a license year and paid $4,048.56 in restitution as well as $385 in fines and court costs. The suspect was also ordered to serve 60 days of jail time, suspended, and complete one year of probation. A 10-point buck was forfeited to the state.
State Wildlife Officer Maurice Irish, assigned to Delaware County, brought his patrol truck to “Ohio’s Biggest and Best” Touch-A-Truck event at Olentangy Berlin High School. The well-attended event was hosted by Delaware County EMS, Berlin Township Fire Department, and a local radio station. Attendees had the opportunity to sit inside patrol vehicles; speak with local, county, and state first responders; and watch a helicopter take flight. Officer Irish answered questions from the community and provided information and resources on human-wildlife conflicts, hunting and fishing regulations, and public land access.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
On the opening day of the 2025-26 white-tailed deer muzzleloader hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Ryan Burke, assigned to Hancock County, received a call regarding a possible wildlife violation for a deer killed the previous night on the caller’s property. Officer Burke met with the caller, who showed him where a deer had been field-dressed. They followed tire tracks to the caller’s neighbor. After contacting the suspect, Officer Burke discovered the neighbor had taken two does with a rifle. The deer and rifle were seized as evidence. The suspect was charged with taking white-tailed deer via unlawful means, failing to complete the game check process, and hunting without a valid permit. The hunter was found guilty in Findlay Municipal Court and paid $768 in fines and court costs, including $250 in restitution. The deer were donated to local food pantries.
State Wildlife Officer Ryan Kennedy, assigned to Hardin County, visited the Kenton High School Conservation Science Program during their annual hunter education course. The class is an incredibly popular hands-on elective focusing on wildlife conservation, habitat enhancement, and outdoor recreation, and the curriculum aligns with the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. Students gain real-world experience in topics such as hunting, fishing, trapping, shooting sports, and taxidermy. Officer Kennedy discussed hunting ethics with the class and answered questions. Many of the students did not grow up hunting, but since taking the course they have developed into hunters and taken up other outdoor interests.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
In May, State Wildlife Officer Marty Cisine, assigned to Trumbull County, found an unoccupied vehicle crashed in a ditch on Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area. Due to circular tire track patterns in the gravel parking lot, Officer Cisine believed the vehicle was doing donuts before losing control and entering the ditch. He also observed alcoholic beverages in the front and back seat of the vehicle. Officer Cisine learned the vehicle belonged to an underage adult. A short time later, Officer Cisine contacted the owner of the vehicle and found the individual was in possession of alcohol and had done donuts in the vehicle before losing control. The alcohol was seized and disposed of. Officer Cisine issued the driver summonses for damaging the wildlife area and possessing or consuming alcohol underage. The individual pleaded guilty in court and was ordered to pay $1,750 in fines and costs, complete 10 hours of community service work and one year of probation, and serve 180 days in jail, suspended.
State Wildlife Officer Matt Madgar, assigned to Geauga County, hosted a meeting in April for white-tailed deer processors and taxidermists in the local Amish communities to receive the training and certification for handling deer carcasses or parts from disease surveillance areas. More than 25 processors or taxidermists attended and obtained the certification by the end of the evening. In addition, other wildlife officers were present to answer questions and provide information. The meeting included a demonstration from State Wildlife Officer Marino Pellegrini, assigned to Portage County, and his partner, K-9 Officer Moose, along with a drone demonstration from State Wildlife Officer Zach Hillman, assigned to Summit County.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
State Wildlife Officer Ryan Donnelly, assigned to Athens County, received a report of a black walnut tree being stolen from Wallace O’Dowd Wildlife Area. Officer Donnelly reviewed footage of a truck and trailer leaving with the stolen timber. Officer Donnelly later located the truck and contacted the driver, who he discovered had stolen the timber. The individual was found guilty in Athens County Municipal Court and was ordered to pay $900 in fines and court costs and $980 in restitution for the tree.
State Wildlife Officer Darin Abbott, assigned to Lawrence County, served as a 4H judge for the Lawrence County Fair. Officer Abbott assisted in judging projects, including a poster competition, from a dozen shooting sports students from the ages of 9 to 15. The 4H members demonstrated their knowledge in firearm safety and hunting safety.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Logan Ambrister, assigned to Shelby County, recently participated in a fishing event with the Girl Scouts of the USA at Lake Loramie State Park. Troops often attend hands-on workshops where girls learn how to bait hooks, cast rods, tie knots, and handle fish. Officer Ambrister assisted approximately 75 scouts with basic fishing skills.
State Wildlife Officers Lucas Wildman, assigned to Clermont County, and Jacob Losekamp, assigned to Warren County, recently completed a case involving an individual who harvested a white-tailed deer before purchasing a deer permit. The suspect was issued a summons and pleaded no contest at trial. The individual was convicted of hunting without a deer permit and paid $250 in fines and $136 in court costs.
