Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officers Chad Grote, assigned to Marion County, and Tyler Eldred, assigned to Morrow County, followed up on a complaint of an individual hunting after hours from a motor vehicle in Delaware County. Neighbors reported hearing gunshots the night before and found a dead deer in the morning. The officers located a suspect and discovered the individual hadn’t hunted after hours, but had taken a deer without a hunting license or deer permit. Then venison was seized, and summonses were issued for the violations. The suspect was found guilty in Delaware Municipal Court and paid $287 in fines and court costs.
State Wildlife Officer Matt Teders, assigned to Madison County, was dispatched to a report of an abandoned boat at Mackey Ford Wildlife Area. Officers Teders located the sunken boat in the Scioto River. He put on waders and inspected the boat for a registration number but found none. Officer Teders pushed the boat close enough to the boat ramp to attach a tow strap and towed the boat out of the water and into the parking lot. The Division of Parks and Watercraft was notified and will dispose of the boat according to procedure.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
State Wildlife Officer Nathan Cass, assigned to Crawford County, assisted the Galion Police Department upon request in a search for burglary suspects. The suspects crashed their car while fleeing the scene of the burglary and took off on foot into a rural area. Officer Cass arrived on scene and began searching for the suspects, but after several hours the search was called off. Officer Cass remained in the area to search and observed two individuals who matched the suspects’ description walking through a brushy field. He notified Galion police officers and Morrow County deputies, and the suspects attempted to hide when additional officers arrived. Officer Cass assisted with apprehending the two suspects, who were transported to Crawford County Jail.
State Wildlife Officer Nathan Cass, assigned to Crawford County, found a debit card in the parking lot of Bucyrus Reservoir while conducting fishing license checks. Officer Cass located a possible address for the individual and went to the residence to return the card. The individual was unaware the debit card was missing and was grateful Officer Cass found it before someone misused the card.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
The Ohio Division of Wildlife’s Search, Rescue, and Tracking Team (SRTT) was asked to help locate an individual with dementia who had wandered off near Leesville Lake about 48 hours prior. SRTT officers responded and formulated a search plan. They coordinated a joint effort with Muskingum Watershed Conservancy District rangers, Carroll County Sheriff’s Office deputies, and volunteers from ETHOS Rescue Operations. The individual was located, treated by EMTs, and returned safely home.
In July, State Wildlife Investigator Jason P. Hadsell, assigned to Lake Erie, contacted a fishing boat with five individuals on board. The individuals had current fishing licenses but had taken two more than the daily limit of six walleye per person. The boat owner paid a $175 fine and $100 in restitution for the offense, and two walleye were seized as evidence.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
State Wildlife Officers Jacob Parker, assigned to Monroe County, and Scot Gardner, assigned to Washington County, followed up on a Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) report of a white-tailed buck deer that had been killed unlawfully. The officers met with the suspects at their home in Monroe County and discovered that their harvest was not game checked. One individual was charged for hunting without a license, and the second was charged for hunting without a license or valid deer permit. Both were found guilty in Monroe County Court, and the second individual was ordered to pay the full restitution value for the buck of $2,283.26. Anyone observing illegal wildlife activity can call the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437) and make an anonymous report.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Isaiah Gifford, assigned to Clinton County, was on boat patrol at Cowan Lake when he observed two individuals in an inflatable boat throwing a cast net. Officer Gifford contacted the two individuals and discovered that the individual throwing the net had unlawfully taken sport fish with the cast net. A cast net may only be used to take forage fish and minnows. Officer Gifford issued a summons for the offense to the angler who was throwing the net. The suspect paid $200 in fines and court costs.
State Wildlife Officers Jason Keller, assigned to Warren County, and Lucas Wildman, assigned to Clermont County, along with K-9 Officer Scout attended the West Chester Bass Pro Shop’s Christmas promotional night. The event highlighted Santa’s arrival. The officers set up the inflatable archery range and answered questions. Officer Keller and K-9 Officer Scout visited with attendees.
