Central Ohio – In response to public complaints, State Wildlife Officers Jade Heizer and John Coffman conducted a litter enforcement initiative at Buckeye Lake, resulting in misdemeanor summonses for two individuals for littering on state property. An additional individual was cited for using a cast net to catch sport fish. Fines totaled $320 for the litter offenses and $85 for the cast net violation, with three crappie seized and forfeited to the state.
In another incident, State Wildlife Officer Josh Elster, assigned to Pickaway County, investigated a goose hunting case at a West Jefferson business retention pond. He found that one hunter lacked the required Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp and that both hunters were using lead shot and hunting without permission. They were charged in Madison County Municipal Court with multiple violations, including hunting waterfowl without proper stamps and with an unplugged firearm. Additionally, they faced charges from the West Jefferson Police Department for discharging firearms within village limits. Each suspect received fines totaling $800.
Northwest Ohio – Officers Nathan Kaufmann and Payton Phenicie responded to a call about a fawn trapped in a hole alongside a mother raccoon and her young. The officers successfully rescued both the fawn and the raccoons, releasing them in a nearby woodlot where the fawn quickly reunited with its mother.
Northeast Ohio – State Wildlife Officers participated in Camp Canopy, a wildlife and forestry camp, where they supervised shooting sports activities, providing a safe and educational experience for campers. In a separate incident during the white-tailed deer gun hunting season, Officers Michael Budd and Scott Cartwright investigated a hunting without permission complaint, leading to summonses for four individuals, who were later fined a total of $760.
Southeast Ohio – On opening day of dove hunting season, Officer Taylor Combs and Supervisor Brad St. Clair patrolled the Salt Fork Wildlife Area, contacting approximately 80 hunters. They issued summonses for various violations, including hunting with an unplugged shotgun and driving in non-designated areas.
Officer Ryan Donnelly responded to a late-night call about a truck stuck while attempting to retrieve a jet ski from Penrod Lake, where no motorized boats are permitted. The individual was cited for driving in a non-designated area, resulting in a $190 fine.
Southwest Ohio – In May, Officer Micah Collier discovered individuals illegally harvesting yellow root in Shawnee State Forest. They received summonses for removing vegetation from state property and were fined a total of $125. Seized yellow root was forfeited to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
Additionally, Officer Jason Keller and K-9 Officer Scout assisted at a veteran’s kayak fishing event aimed at providing therapeutic outdoor experiences for veterans. This initiative, in partnership with local organizations, promotes outdoor skills and litter collection along waterways.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife continues to enforce regulations while actively engaging with the community to promote conservation and safe outdoor experiences.
