Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
While patrolling Buckeye Lake State Park, State Wildlife Officer Brady Stevens, assigned at-large in central Ohio, observed an angler leave a bag of trash on a tree branch. Officer Stevens contacted the individual and issued a summons for state property litter. The suspect paid $285 in court costs and fees.
Canal Winchester organized a Safety City event intended for children 5 and 6 years old. Public workers, including law enforcement and firefighters, taught kids in the community about safety during the weeklong event. State Wildlife Officer Jade Heizer, assigned to Fairfield County, taught approximately 40 kids about animal safety and the history of wildlife in Ohio. The children had the chance to touch several animal pelts. They were encouraged to appreciate wild animals from afar and notify an adult if they see a sick or injured animal.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
While on patrol at Clearfork Reservoir, State Wildlife Officer Nathan Kaufmann, assigned to Richland County, noticed two individuals fishing in a restricted area below the reservoir dam. This area is restricted because of safety concerns and is enforced by the Clearfork Police Department. Officers with the Clearfork Police Department arrived soon after Officer Kaufmann to assist. Officer Kaufmann found that one of the suspects did not have a valid fishing license and issued a summons. The individual was found guilty in Mansfield Municipal Court and paid $154 in fines and court costs. The police officers handled the violations for fishing in a restricted area.
State Wildlife Officer Jason Porinchok, assigned to Putnam County, received a call about groundhogs that fell into a dry cistern and became trapped. Officer Porinchok advised the caller to place an object in the cistern long enough to reach to the top and leave it overnight. Groundhogs can climb trees and Officer Porinchok expected they could climb out of the cistern on another object. The strategy was successful and the groundhogs escaped unharmed.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
Every spring, agencies from Jefferson County and the surrounding area host Fernwood Outdoor Days. Led by the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, the event brings nearly every fifth grader in the county to Fernwood for outdoor and conservation activities. State Wildlife Officer Craig Porter, assigned to Jefferson County, along with other wildlife officers from District Three, set up an archery trailer at the event. Students are taught basic safety and given the opportunity to hit a bullseye.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
State Wildlife Officer Bob Nelson, assigned to Ross County, assisted Ohio Division of Wildlife staff with a 200-plus-acre controlled burn at Crown City Wildlife Area. The burn was conducted in partnership with Pheasants Forever and Quail Unlimited for habitat improvement. This burn ensured local bobwhite quail have the habitat to continue to thrive.
During the 2025 white-tailed deer muzzleloader hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Chris Gilkey, assigned to Meigs County, contacted a successful hunter. Officer Gilkey noticed the hunter’s gun didn’t have a breach plug and the barrel seemed small for a muzzleloader. Closer inspection revealed that the gun was a rifle and not a muzzleloader. The hunter was charged for hunting with an unlawful firearm and the deer was seized as evidence.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Logan Ambrister, assigned to Shelby County, received a call from a concerned angler regarding trout snagged from a lake stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Officer Ambrister contacted two suspects and found two trout that appeared to have been snagged based on wounds on the fish. Further investigation revealed that each angler had snagged a trout. The trout were seized as evidence and the anglers were issued summonses for snagging fish. Each angler paid $157 in fines and court costs.
State Wildlife Officer Matt Roberts, assigned to Highland County, and District Five Manager Eric Lamb, along with education and wildlife management staff, attended the Highland County Fair’s natural resources day. Ohio Division of Wildlife staff brought the portable archery range and taught archery basics. A table with pelts and skulls was set up for attendees to learn about Ohio’s native mammals. Fairgoers also had the opportunity to sample venison tacos at the Wild Ohio Harvest table.
