Field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officer Tyler Eldred, assigned to Morrow County, received a Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) report of three dove hunters who were shooting toward a road and home. Officer Eldred responded and checked the hunters for licenses. He discovered violations for hunting without a license, failing to carry and exhibit the Harvest Information Program survey certification, using an unplugged shotgun, and using a revolver to hunt migratory birds. The suspects pleaded guilty in Delaware Municipal Court and paid more than $500 in fines and court costs. Report wildlife violations anonymously by calling 1-800-POACHER (762-2437).
In early February, State Wildlife Officers Chad Grote and Maurice Irish, assigned to Marion and Delaware counties, respectively, received a report about dogs without an owner on Delaware Wildlife Area. Officers Grote and Irish, with help from two Delaware County Dog Wardens, captured 13 dogs, 10 of which are at the Humane Society of Delaware County. The others have already been rehomed. Abandoning unwanted pets is illegal and unethical. If you have information regarding the dogs, please contact 1-800-POACHER (762-2437) where you can remain anonymous, or the Delaware County Dog Warden’s office at 740-368-1915. If you are interested in adopting the dogs, please watch the Humane Society of Delaware County’s social media and website for more information.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
In the spring of 2023, State Wildlife Officer Ryan Burke, assigned to Hancock County, received a complaint of an individual shooting and killing two turkey vultures. Officer Burke located the suspect, who was found to have killed the vultures with a rifle from inside a vehicle. The individual pleaded guilty in Findlay Municipal Court and was ordered to pay $800 in fines and court costs, serve one year on probation, and complete community service. The rifle was forfeited to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
In the spring of 2023, State Wildlife Officer Nathan Cass, assigned to Crawford County, received a call about a white-tailed deer doe and fawn that were living in the infield of the horse track at the Crawford County Fairgrounds. There was concern the fawn could not get out of the fenced-in area of the track. Officer Cass arrived at the fairgrounds and located the fawn. He safely captured the fawn, carried it out of the fenced-in area, and released the fawn in a wooded area outside the fairgrounds. Officer Cass monitored the fawn and watched the doe rejoin the fawn.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
State Wildlife Officer Randy White, assigned to Lorain County, was the first to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle crash. The driver experienced a medical emergency and crashed off the roadway. Officer White attended to the driver, who was trapped inside the vehicle, while emergency personnel worked to extract the driver. The victim was then transported to the hospital.
State Wildlife Officer Marino Pellegrini, assigned to Portage County, investigated a white-tailed deer harvest issue in Portage County. Officer Pellegrini discovered that a hunter had harvested three deer during one hunt. He learned that the suspect purchased deer permits after harvesting two of the deer. The individual pleaded guilty to the violations and paid $215 in fines and court costs.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
During the 2023-24 white-tailed deer muzzleloader hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Darin Abbott, assigned to Lawrence County, received a call from a landowner regarding two hunters trespassing on private property. Officer Abbott and State Wildlife Officer Bob Nelson, assigned to Ross County, responded and located both suspects. The officers found that the suspects had hunted the landowner’s property without permission. Both individuals were issued summonses through Ironton Municipal Court and each paid $205 in fines and court costs.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Mark Schemmel, assigned to Auglaize County, assisted with a science fair for middle schoolers at Holy Rosary School. Officer Schemmel served as a judge for projects submitted by students.
