Field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officer Adam Smith, assigned to Logan County, patrolled Indian Lake during the 2024-25 waterfowl hunting season. He observed two individuals shoot ducks from their vessel while it was still under power and shoot in the direction of other hunters who were in a blind. The two suspects were charged with shooting from a vessel under power and paid a total of $400 in fines and court costs. The individuals who were hunting from their duck blind were grateful for the swift response.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
State Wildlife Officer Ryan Kennedy, assigned to Hardin County, received a complaint concerning hunting without permission. A landowner had a trail camera photo of a suspect hunting on their property. Officer Kennedy contacted the suspect and found they had hunted white-tailed deer on the landowner’s property without a valid hunting license. The suspect was cited for hunting without permission and hunting without a license and paid $350 in fines.
State Wildlife Officer Payton Phenicie, assigned to Wyandot County, attended the Wyandot County Pheasants Forever youth hunt. Officer Phenicie spoke to the group about firearm safety and answered questions regarding hunting regulations. This event was an opportunity for experienced and first-time hunters to experience ring-necked pheasant hunting. Attendees were provided lunch, guides with dogs, the opportunity to harvest two pheasants, and, if needed, a firearm.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
In September 2024, State Wildlife Officers Michael Budd, assigned to Tuscarawas County, and Kiri Williams, assigned at-large in northeast Ohio, attended a Women on Target event in Tuscarawas County. The officers taught more than 50 women about archery shooting, safety, and how to achieve accuracy. Most of the women had never shot a bow before and were pleasantly surprised with the experience. Many attendees expressed an interest in buying their own bow and hunting with archery equipment.
During the bonus white-tailed deer gun hunting weekend, State Wildlife Officers Zach Hillman, Evan Huegel and Cory Burroughs, assigned to Summit, Ashland, and Holmes counties, respectively, discovered an out-of-state vehicle parked on Killbuck Wildlife Area. The officers contacted two nearby hunters and found that both individuals had nonresident deer permits but did not have valid nonresident hunting licenses. The officers issued each individual a summons for hunting deer without a valid nonresident hunting license. The individuals were found guilty and paid $311.08 in court costs and fines.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
In November 2024, State Wildlife Officer Breyer Ehrnfield, assigned to Belmont County, and the Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District conducted the first youth ring-necked pheasant hunt at Egypt Valley Wildlife Area. Eleven youth hunters who did not have prior experience hunting pheasants participated. The event started with a class about hunting safely in the field with other people and dogs. Once in the field, all 11 participants harvested their first pheasant. Officer Ehrnfield and the Belmont Soil and Water Conservation District valued the opportunity to teach youth hunters about pheasant hunting and plan to continue this event.
In early March 2025, State Wildlife Officer Ben Smith, assigned to Morgan County, responded to a call regarding an owl that was struck by a vehicle. Officer Smith arrived on scene and identified the owl as an eastern screech-owl. Officer Smith transported the owl to a licensed wildlife rehabilitator, where it is being treated for injuries and being prepared for release near where it was found.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
In December 2024, State Wildlife Officer Alex Almeter, assigned to Greene County, received a report of an individual who had harvested two antlered white-tailed deer in the same hunting season, which is a violation of the law. Officer Almeter and State Wildlife Officer Mathew Bourne, assigned to Clark County, responded to the location and identified several pieces of evidence. The officers located a suspect, who they found had harvested two antlered deer in a season, hunted deer without a valid hunting license, and hunted deer without a valid deer permit. The suspect was charged in Fairborn Municipal Court and paid $500 in fines, $130 in court costs, and $1,851.99 in restitution.
State Wildlife Officers Mark Schemmel, assigned to Auglaize County, and Isaiah Gifford, assigned to Clinton County, as well as Law Operations Manager Eric Lamb, attended the St. Marys State Fish Hatchery open house. The officers greeted more than 1,000 attendees. Hatchery open houses are free of charge and provide a great opportunity for visitors to see fish up close before they are stocked into one of Ohio’s many public lakes and rivers. Ohio Division of Wildlife staff gave tours and answered questions about fish production and fisheries management. Most of Ohio’s fish populations are sustained through natural reproduction; however, stocking expands and diversifies fishing opportunities in waters where existing habitats do not support some fish populations. Upcoming hatchery open houses on April 5 (Hebron and Senecaville), April 12 (Castalia and Kincaid), and May 3 (London) provide additional opportunities for the public to visit a fish hatchery.
