Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
A 2018 wildlife violation case recently concluded when State Wildlife Officer Antoinette Freet, assigned to Licking County, State Wildlife Officer Brady Stevens, assigned at-large in central Ohio, and Wildlife Officer Supervisor Tony Zerkle served a bench warrant to an individual charged with aiding a wildlife offender, illegal possession of deer parts, and game tagging violations. The individual pleaded guilty and was sentenced to pay $455 in fines and court costs, forfeit a firearm, and serve a one-year hunting license revocation.
State Wildlife Officer Antoinette Freet, assigned to Licking County, attended the second annual Veterans Service Picnic, where veterans and their families participated in activities like fishing. More than 360 participants enjoyed the free event and received a meal and ice cream gifted by local agencies and businesses. Officer Freet enjoyed hearing tales from past hunting seasons and answered hunting- and fishing-related questions.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
During the 2024 Maumee River walleye run, State Wildlife Officer Austin Dickinson, assigned to Defiance County, observed an individual discard beverage cans onto the rocks while fishing. Officer Dickinson contacted the individual and issued a summons for stream litter. After several missed court dates and warrants issued for failure to appear, the individual was found guilty and received a $500 fine, $250 in court costs, one year of probation, and 60 days in jail suspended. The defendant was also ordered to have no contact with the park where the offense was committed for one year.
State Wildlife Officers Nathan Robinson and Adam Stachler, assigned to Van Wert and Fulton counties, respectively, attended a hunter safety education class in Van Wert County sponsored by the Convoy Fox Hunter’s Conservation Club. Students from across the state attended, and the officers provided legal updates, explained the regulations booklet, and answered questions. Hunter education certification is a requirement for purchasing a hunting license in Ohio. In-person classes are a great way to get hands-on experience from professional and experienced instructors. For more information about becoming an instructor or to sign up for a hunter education course, visit wildohio.gov.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
During the 2023-24 river otter trapping season, State Wildlife Officer Mike Greer, assigned to Cuyahoga County, met a person who wanted to learn to how trap an otter after unsuccessful attempts in past seasons. Officer Greer provided otter trapping tactics and gave insight into often-successful sets. On the individual’s first day setting traps as Officer Greer suggested, the trapper harvested an otter and called Officer Greer for a game check appointment. Later in the season, the individual successfully harvested a second otter.
State Wildlife Officer Matt Madgar and State Wildlife Officer Mike Greer, assigned to Geauga and Cuyahoga counties, respectively, responded to a hunting without permission complaint in Ashtabula County. The officers located evidence and tracked two suspects and a large white-tailed deer buck to a residence. The buck and firearm were seized and an individual was charged for hunting without permission. The suspect was convicted of the violation and received a one-year hunting license revocation, one year of probation, and a $500 fine. The defendant was also ordered to pay $4,687.11 in trophy restitution for the unlawfully harvested deer. The venison was donated to a local food pantry.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
During the 2023-24 white-tailed deer hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Chris Gilkey, assigned to Meigs County, and Natural Resources Officer Sarah McConnell contacted two individuals dragging a deer out of the woods on private property they did not have permission to hunt. The officers found that one of the individuals had harvested the deer from a vehicle with a rifle. Both suspects had prior deer violations. One individual was arrested on an outstanding warrant. The defendant who unlawfully harvested the deer pleaded guilty in Meigs County Court; paid $2,130 in fines, court costs, and restitution; had hunting privileges revoked for three years; and was sentenced to 30 days in jail suspended pending no further wildlife violations for three years. The other individual pleaded guilty and paid $500 in fines and court costs. The firearm and the deer were seized as evidence.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officers Alex Almeter, assigned to Greene County, and Isaiah Gifford, assigned to Clinton County, along with Wildlife Officer Supervisor David Warner, attended the annual Rooster Run youth ring-necked pheasant hunt held by the Greene County Fish and Game Association. The officers assisted first-time hunters in the field and with trap shooting skills. Officer Gifford showed successful hunters how to field dress their pheasants.
State Wildlife Officer Gus Kiebel, assigned to Adams County, contacted an individual fishing on Scioto Brush Creek. Officer Kiebel found that the angler had harvested nine smallmouth bass, and eight of the bass were shorter than the 12-inch minimum length requirement. The angler was found guilty in Adams County Court for taking more than the daily bag limit of five bass and possessing undersized sport fish. The defendant paid $400 in restitution and $100 in court costs.
