Field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
On opening day of the 2024 spring wild turkey hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Tyler Eldred, assigned to Morrow County, and State Wildlife Officer Breyer Ehrnfield, assigned to Belmont County, responded to a hunting without permission complaint. The officers heard shots nearby and located two hunters who had recently harvested a wild turkey. An investigation revealed that the individuals had hunted without permission on private property. The hunters were found guilty of hunting without permission and paid fines and fees. The turkey and their firearms were forfeited.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
State Wildlife Officer Matt D. Smith, assigned to Huron County, received a message from a deer processor regarding a bullet lodged in a white-tailed deer that was dropped off for processing. Officer Smith visited the processor and collected the bullet. Officer Smith learned that the deer was initially shot with a crossbow and the hunter took a follow-up shot later that night with a handgun. Officer Smith issued a summons for taking a deer outside of legal hunting hours, and the hunter was found guilty in Norwalk Municipal Court. The hunter paid $325 in fines and court costs and had hunting privileges suspended for one year. The deer was forfeited to the Ohio Division of Wildlife and will be donated to Huron County food banks.
State Wildlife Officer Levi Farley, assigned to Paulding County, was on patrol when he noticed a distressed woman along the road. Officer Farley realized the woman had fallen and struck her head. He helped the confused woman into a nearby chair and provided water while they waited for paramedics to arrive. She was transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital and treated for her injuries.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
State Wildlife Officer Marty Cisine, assigned to Trumbull County, received a complaint regarding trespassing and the unauthorized use of a trail camera, bait pile, and deer feeder on private property. Officer Cisine found that the neighboring landowners had recently checked a white-tailed deer as an exempt landowner. Officer Cisine discovered that the unauthorized hunting equipment belonged to the neighbors, who had trespassed to take their recent harvest. He issued two individuals summonses for hunting without permission as well as hunting without a deer permit. Trumbull County Court ordered the defendants to pay a total of $734 in fines and fees.
State Wildlife Officer Dan Shroyer, assigned at-large in northeast Ohio, and State Wildlife Officer Cory Burroughs, assigned to Holmes County, participated in a Sportsmen of Tomorrow youth fishing event in Summit County. Seventy children participated and were provided with fishing opportunities, pizza, and snacks. Congratulations to Officer Dan Shroyer, who retired in December 2024 after 26 years as a wildlife officer and 31 total years of public service.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
On opening day of the 2024 white-tailed deer gun hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Chris Dodge, assigned to Hocking County, received a complaint about a person hunting on private property without permission. Officer Dodge located a suspect and contacted the individual. The individual did not have written permission and had a rifle loaded with more than three shells. The individual was issued two summonses for the violations. The defendant pleaded guilty in Hocking County Municipal Court and paid $451 in fines and court costs.
While on patrol in Shawnee State Forest, State Wildlife Officer Tyler Fields, assigned to Scioto County, came across a dog that was potentially abandoned. Officer Fields provided the dog with water. Officer Fields was initially unable to locate a facility that could care for the dog. Eventually, he got in touch with workers from Sierra’s Haven, who took the dog into their care.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Gus Kiebel, assigned to Adams County, recently completed a case involving out-of-state hunters. The individuals were found to have white-tailed deer tagging violations and were issued summonses. The defendants were ordered to pay $650 in fines and $500 in restitution. In addition, they were ordered to forfeit a deer shoulder mount.
State Wildlife Officers Alex Almeter, assigned to Greene County, Trent Weaver, assigned to Montgomery County, Gus Kiebel, assigned to Adams County, Micah Collier, assigned to Brown County, and Jacob Losekamp, assigned to Hamilton County, participated in Light Ohio Blue Operation Santa’s Sleigh events across southwest Ohio. The parade of first responder vehicles gives holiday cheer to people who are spending the holidays in the hospital. The event also brings Christmas cheer to various veteran homes in the area. Officers from multiple law enforcement agencies, including police and firefighters, participated, as did Santa Claus.
