Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officer Austin Levering, assigned to Knox County, encountered several individuals fishing along the bank of Hoover Reservoir. All individuals had a valid fishing license, but Officer Levering discovered 23 crappie that were shorter than the location’s minimum length requirement of 9 inches. Summonses were issued to two subjects and they each paid $183 in fines and court costs in Delaware Municipal Court.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
In August, State Wildlife Officer Brock Williamson, assigned to Seneca County, observed an individual throw a glass bottle into the Sandusky River, and two other individuals discarded plastic bottles along the bank. He contacted the three individuals and charged them with stream litter. Each paid $110 in fines.
In September, State Wildlife Officers Ethan Bingham and Adam Stachler, assigned to Williams and Fulton counties, respectively, conducted migratory bird hunting enforcement at Lake La Su An Wildlife Area. The officers observed an individual shoot and retrieve a nongame bird. The officers issued a summons for the violation, and the suspect paid $135 in fines and court costs.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
In November 2024, State Wildlife Officer Michael Budd, assigned to Tuscarawas County, received a Turn In a Poacher (TIP) complaint about a white-tailed deer buck that was killed with a gun during the archery season. Officer Budd responded to the scene, finding evidence that the deer was shot with a gun. A forensic pathologist evaluated the evidence and confirmed the deer was shot with a firearm. The suspect was charged with five misdemeanors and ordered to pay $3,000 in restitution and $650 in fines. The individual also received a three-year hunting license revocation, 180 days in jail with 170 suspended pending no further violations, two years of probation, and 25 hours of mandated community service. The deer was forfeited to the state. Please call the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437) to report suspicious activity involving wildlife.
In March, State Wildlife Officer Nick Turner, assigned to Harrison County, and District Three Manager Scott Angelo taught an Introduction to Turkey Hunting class at the district office in Akron. Officers Angelo and Turner shared their passion for chasing spring gobblers with 17 participants, who learned basic hunting skills, strategies, calls, and set-ups to improve their experience. The class was composed of individuals of various ages, some who had never turkey hunted and others who had some experience.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
State Wildlife Officer Ryan Donnelly, assigned to Athens County, fields many calls each year from students at Hocking College, often from students who aspire to become an Ohio wildlife officer. This college in southeast Ohio offers a variety of natural resources degrees, including law enforcement. Recently, Officer Donnelly answered questions and met with students to talk about the wildlife officer career and the process of becoming an Ohio wildlife officer. Some of the students that previously met with Officer Donnelly are now among the current ranks of Ohio wildlife officers.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Lucas Wildman, assigned to Clermont County, and District Manager Rick Rogers encountered two untagged white-tailed deer on East Fork Wildlife Area during the 2024-25 gun hunting season. The officers contacted three nearby hunters and discovered that one of them had harvested a deer several days earlier and failed to complete the game check process. The second deer was also improperly game checked, and none of the individuals had valid deer permits. The trio was issued summonses for failing to properly tag a deer and hunting without a deer permit. They were found guilty and paid $550 in fines and court costs for the violations.
State Wildlife Officer Alex Almeter, assigned to Greene County, Wildlife Unit Supervisor Matt Hunt, and Wildlife Communications Specialist Kathy Garza-Behr attended the Xenia Fall Festival. They spoke with the public about upcoming hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities and answered a variety of wildlife questions. The staff also highlighted educational classes at Spring Valley Wildlife Area Shooting Range and Education Center.
