The Ohio Division of Wildlife has been actively working to enforce wildlife regulations and connect with the community in various districts across the state. Here are some highlights from recent field reports:
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officer Maurice Irish, assigned to Delaware County, investigated a Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) report regarding the killing of a barred owl in a local woodlot. Officer Irish identified the suspect, who was found guilty of shooting the owl with a firearm. The individual was fined $283 in fines and court costs in Delaware Municipal Court. The public is reminded to report wildlife violations to the TIP hotline by calling 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437).
In a positive discovery, during an annual river otter survey, State Wildlife Officer Nick Oliver and Wildlife Research Technician Doug Wensink found river otter tracks along the Mad River in Champaign County, marking a new area where otter signs had not been seen in previous years.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
State Wildlife Officer Charles McMullen, assigned to Sandusky County, observed an individual unlawfully snagging a walleye during the 2024 walleye run in Fremont. The offender was issued a citation for the unlawful take of walleye, resulting in $175 in fines and court costs. The confiscated fish was used as evidence in the case.
Additionally, State Wildlife Officer Matt D. Smith, from Huron County, donated 120 pounds of commercially processed venison to local food banks, including Victory Kitchen in Sandusky and the Willard Food Bank. The venison had been seized from white-tailed deer hunting violations.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
State Wildlife Officer Aaron Brown, assigned to Wayne County, investigated a trespassing hunter during the white-tailed deer muzzleloader hunting season. After a brief chase, Officer Brown located the individual, who was found to have been hunting without a valid hunting license and using an unauthorized firearm. The suspect was fined $250.50 in Wayne County Municipal Court, and their hunting license was revoked.
K-9 Officer Moose, trained alongside State Wildlife Officer Marino Pellegrini in Portage County, recently graduated from his training program. Officer Pellegrini and K-9 Moose are already proving to be a valuable team in the field, providing strong support in wildlife enforcement.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
State Wildlife Officer Ted Witham, stationed in Jackson County, rescued a lost beagle during a patrol at Cooper Hollow Wildlife Area in December 2024. Officer Witham used information from the dog’s collar to contact its owner, who had lost the dog while rabbit hunting two days prior. The dog was safely returned to its owner, reuniting them after the ordeal.
In Perry County, State Wildlife Officer Mark Basinger, alongside Wildlife Officer Supervisor Dan Perko, issued a summons to a white-tailed deer hunter who had harvested a deer before purchasing the necessary either-sex deer permit. This serves as a reminder to hunters to follow all required permits and regulations before hunting.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officers Gus Kiebel, Micah Collier, Isaiah Gifford, and Matt Roberts participated in the annual Sportsman’s Night Out at Hillsboro Bible Baptist Church in Highland County. The event attracts hundreds of attendees, offering scoring, vendors, and seminars. Officers and Ohio Division of Wildlife staff provided valuable information and resources on hunting and fishing to help educate the public and promote wildlife conservation efforts.
These activities reflect the ongoing commitment of the Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers to enforce wildlife laws, protect natural resources, and engage with communities across the state.
