Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officer Chad Grote, assigned to Marion County, and Outdoor Skills Specialist Billy Finissi recently attended the 10th annual Tom Fetter Youth Day at Waldo Sportsman Club. The Division of Wildlife set up two stations at the event: at the first station, participants could shoot crossbows at a 3D target from an elevated platform, and at the other children tried tree saddles and learned about their use and safety. One hundred children participated in the event, and 50 of them went pheasant hunting. This year’s event reached capacity within two weeks and there was a waiting list to participate. Every child left with a prize!
State Wildlife Officer Matt Teders, assigned to Madison County, was dispatched to a report of an individual shooting squirrels along a sidewalk. Officer Teders requested assistance from the Columbus Police Department to locate the suspect. The police located the individual, who was carrying a BB gun and trying to protect a garden from squirrels. While squirrels can be a nuisance, individuals are required to follow wildlife nuisance laws, and this incident occurred outside of the squirrel hunting season. The suspect was issued a summons for hunting squirrels during the closed season, was found guilty, and paid $135 in fines.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
During the 2025 white-tailed deer archery hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Matt D. Smith, assigned to Huron County, received information regarding a suspicious game check. Officer Smith contacted the individual and discovered that the person who game checked the deer was not a hunter but had checked a buck for a hunter who had already harvested an antlered deer this season. The hunter was issued a summons for taking more than one antlered deer in a license year. The individual was found guilty in Norwalk Municipal Court and ordered to pay $225 in fines and court costs. In addition, the subject was placed on probation for two years and sentenced to 10 days of jail time, suspended. The antlers and venison were forfeited.
State Wildlife Officer Payton Phenicie, assigned to Wyandot County, helped coordinate a fishing outing at a local conservation club for Carey High School students. Outdoor Skills Specialist Jaron Beck and club volunteers assisted to provide information on how to fish, local fishing spots, and the fishing regulations. Approximately 35 students attended and caught bluegills and largemouth bass. The fishing was so good that at times the instructors had a hard time keeping up with baiting and taking fish off the hooks! Multiple students had never fished before, so this was an excellent opportunity for many students to try something new. This event was also a great way to promote local conservation clubs and the positive impacts they have on the community.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
This spring, State Wildlife Officer Jason Warren, assigned to Lake Erie, and State Wildlife Investigator Travis Abele patrolled the waters of Lake Erie by boat. The officers contacted two anglers who did not possess a valid fishing license. Summonses were issued and each paid $160 in fines and court costs in Ashtabula Municipal Court.
In mid-2025, State Wildlife Officer Evan Huegel, assigned to Ashland County, participated in an Amish Health and Safety Event serving Amish communities throughout Medina, Wayne, and Ashland counties. During this event, Officer Huegel learned that the community had not hosted a hunter education course in more than six years. Recognizing the importance of accessible, in-person hunter education, Officer Huegel organized and coordinated a comprehensive course. The program emphasized hunter safety, ethical hunting practices, and responsible use of firearms and archery equipment in the field. Officer Huegel’s efforts culminated in the successful registration and completion of the course by 148 students, with a 100% passing rate. Through this initiative, Officer Huegel helped ensure that new hunters entered the field better prepared to uphold Ohio’s strong tradition of safe and responsible hunting.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
In November, State Wildlife Officers Darin Abbott, assigned to Lawrence County, and Kiri Williams, assigned to Vinton County, responded to a hunting without permission call in the South Point area of Lawrence County. A landowner had trail camera photos of a hunter dragging a recently harvested white-tailed deer. The officers contacted a suspect and, upon further investigation, issued a summons for hunting without permission. The defendant pleaded guilty in Lawrence County Municipal Court and was ordered to pay $265 in fines and court costs. The deer was forfeited to the state, and the venison will be donated to a local food pantry.
State Wildlife Officer Chris Gilkey, assigned to Meigs County, recently presented to wildlife students at Rio Grande University. The presentation covered the positive and negative impacts of social media platforms on a wildlife officer’s job. Students learned how powerful those platforms can be and how to navigate them in a professional manner.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Matt Roberts, assigned to Highland County, contacted two individuals who were target shooting at Oldaker Wildlife Area. Officer Roberts issued both individuals summonses for shooting outside a designated target shooting area. Each paid $175 in fines and court costs.
State Wildlife Officer Brad Buening, assigned to Mercer County, recently assisted with a hunter education course in Mercer County. Certified volunteers and Division of Wildlife staff teach instructor-led courses, which last about eight hours and take place in a classroom environment. Instructors cover a range of topics, from conservation, safety, and ethics to the proper handling of shotguns, handguns, archery equipment, and more. Completion of a formal hunter education course is required to purchase a standard hunting license in Ohio.
