REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio — A commercial wildlife operator learned the hard way that a local car wash is no place to dispose of animal carcasses after state wildlife officers tracked him down using security camera footage.
According to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, State Wildlife Officer Mark Williams Jr., assigned to Franklin County, launched an investigation after receiving a report that a white-tailed deer carcass had been dumped on the property of a car wash in Reynoldsburg.
Officer Williams reviewed surveillance camera footage from the business, which helped identify the suspect and his vehicle. The investigation revealed that the man, a licensed commercial nuisance wild animal control operator, had removed the deer carcass from a nearby private property before illegally dumping it at the car wash facility.
The individual was charged with illegal littering. He subsequently pleaded guilty to the offense and was ordered to pay $200 in fines and court costs.
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
During the 2026 Ohio State Fair, State Wildlife Officer John Coffman, assigned to Fayette County, worked in the Trappers Cabin with members of the Ohio State Trappers Association. The Trappers Cabin provides an opportunity for Ohioans to learn about all of Ohio’s furbearing species. Officer Coffman taught visitors about Ohio’s native species, how to mitigate wildlife damage, and the benefits of trapping.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
State Wildlife Officer Ethan Bingham, assigned to Williams County, recently concluded an investigation into theft at Lake La Su An Wildlife Area. A suspect stole gravel from a gravel pile at the wildlife area. Officer Bingham identified and contacted the suspect. The case was presented to the Bryan Municipal Prosecutor, and theft charges were approved. The suspect was arrested on a warrant and was ordered to pay $462 in fines and court costs as well as serve 30 days in jail, with 25 days suspended.
During the 2025-26 white-tailed deer hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Matt D. Smith, assigned to Huron County, received a Turn In a Poacher (TIP) report that a hunter had taken two antlered deer. Officer Smith found that the second buck had been game checked by another individual, and this had occurred in each of the past three deer seasons. The hunter received summonses for failing to game check a deer, taking more than one antlered deer in a license year, and possessing parts of a deer that were taken illegally. Officer Smith also seized five sets of antlers that were later forfeited. The second individual received a summons for using a landowner tag on a deer taken by another and providing false game check information. Together, the suspects paid $1,000 in fines and $680 in court costs. They also received 150 days of jail, suspended, and two years of probation. If you notice any illegal wildlife activity, call 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437).
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
During the 2025-26 white-tailed deer gun hunting season, Wildlife Officer Supervisor Brennan Earick and State Wildlife Officer Aaron Brown, assigned to Wayne County, discovered fresh blood on the tailgate of a pickup truck that belonged to an individual with prior wildlife violations. After contacting two suspects, the officers learned that one individual had failed to game check two harvested deer and did not have a deer permit for the second deer. The vehicle’s owner was hunting without a valid deer permit. Both individuals were cited. In Wayne County Municipal Court, the vehicle owner was found guilty of failing to display a deer permit to a wildlife officer and ordered to pay $174.50. The second individual was found guilty of hunting without a valid deer permit and two counts of possessing an untagged deer. The second suspect was ordered to pay $1,099 in fines and costs, complete 50 hours of community service and six months of probation, and serve 120 days in jail, suspended.
In August, State Wildlife Officer Jesse Janosik, assigned to Columbiana County, assisted in rescuing an osprey that was tangled in string in its nest, which was located atop a transmission tower. A lineman from Ohio Edison arrived with a 125-foot bucket truck, which was used to free the osprey and safely bring it down to Officer Janosik, who transported it to a rehabilitation center for evaluation.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
State Wildlife Officers Chris Gilkey, assigned to Meigs County, Scot Gardner, assigned to Washington County, and Taylor Sabo, assigned to Hocking County, recently presented to students in the Hocking College Natural Resources Law program. The officers discussed the duties of a wildlife officer and what to expect when pursuing the career path. They provided the students with guidance on how to make the dream of becoming a wildlife officer a reality. All three officers are graduates of Hocking College and enjoy helping future generations of officers.
In early April, State Wildlife Officer Levi Boggs, assigned to Gallia County, and Wildlife Officer Supervisor Lee VanAllen located fresh corn spread in front of a hunting blind. In Ohio, it is unlawful to hunt or take wild turkeys with the aid or use of bait. The officers later contacted an individual in the blind who was attempting to call wild turkeys. They also located a compound bow and a shotgun loaded with shells commonly used to hunt turkeys. The suspect pleaded guilty in Gallipolis Municipal Court to hunting turkeys over bait, hunting with multiple implements, and hunting during a closed season. The individual was ordered to pay $385 in fines and court costs and had hunting and trapping rights revoked for one year. All evidence was forfeited to the state.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Lucas Wildman, assigned to Clermont County, and former District Five Manager Rick Rogers patrolled East Fork Wildlife Area during the 2025-26 white-tailed deer gun hunting season. They encountered an out-of-state vehicle in a parking lot and noticed two does in the truck’s bed with no visible tag. The officers contacted two hunters who approached their vehicle shortly after and later contacted a third individual in the same hunting party. Officer Wildman discovered one deer was shot days before and never checked in, one individual did not have a deer permit, and another hunter only had one permit for two harvested deer. The trio was issued three summonses for hunting without permits and failing to game check deer. They were found guilty and ordered to pay a combined $550 in fines.
State Wildlife Officer Matt Roberts, assigned to Highland County, recently stopped by a youth fishing derby sponsored by the Blanchester Police Department. He assisted with fishing and provided information on fishing and the upcoming hunting seasons. He also stopped at the Clinton County Park District controlled hunt drawing and spoke with prospective hunters.
