PICKAWAY COUNTY, OHIO – A recent patrol by the Ohio Division of Wildlife in Pickaway County resulted in a citation for a waterfowl hunter found without the necessary permits.
State Wildlife Officer Brady Stevens, assigned at-large in central Ohio, encountered three hunters at Elmon Richards Wildlife Area while conducting a routine check. Officer Stevens ensured the group had valid hunting licenses, Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamps, and federal Duck Stamps. During the inspection, one hunter was found to be missing a valid Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp, a requirement for waterfowl hunting.
The hunter was issued a summons for the violation and later paid $130 in fines and court costs to Circleville Municipal Court.
In other Field reports
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officer Maurice Irish, assigned to Delaware County, assisted Ohio Division of Wildlife staff with a venison cooking course at Delaware Wildlife Area Shooting Range and Education Center. The free hands-on class covered topics including safety, necessary equipment, and techniques. Attendees made venison snack sticks and enjoyed plenty of samples. Those interested in attending future courses held by the Ohio Division of Wildlife can refer to the calendar of events at wildohio.gov.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
During the 2024 early teal and goose hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Ethan Bingham, assigned to Williams County, responded to a call about an individual hunting waterfowl species that were not yet in season. In addition to that violation, Officer Bingham found that another individual in the same group was in possession of lead shot. Only approved nontoxic shot may be used when hunting waterfowl. Both hunters were issued the appropriate summonses and paid a total of $400 in fines and court costs. One duck was forfeited.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
State Wildlife Officers Jesse Janosik, assigned to Columbiana County, Tom Frank, assigned to Mahoning County, and Kiri Williams, assigned at-large in northeast Ohio, made bluebird house kits with staff from Highlandtown Wildlife Area. Approximately 600 bird house kits were prepared for the 2024 Leetonia Sportsman Club Kid’s Day. The event is held each September to promote participation in outdoor activities for youth between the ages of 6 and 15. Events included bluebird box building, target shooting, archery, fishing, shotgun shooting, and more.
In September 2024, State Wildlife Officer Evan Huegel, assigned Ashland County, received a report during the early teal and goose hunting season of a person shooting a trumpeter swan. Officer Huegel responded and located the suspect and a dead swan in the marsh. Officer Huegel found the individual had unlawfully harvested the swan and issued a citation for unlawful take of a nongame bird. The individual was found guilty in Ashland County Municipal Court and paid $437 in fines and court costs.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
In December, State Wildlife Officer Levi Boggs, assigned to Gallia County, attended a career fair at South Gallia High School. During the event he spoke with eight groups of students about careers as a wildlife officer and the various opportunities available within the Ohio Division of Wildlife. Officer Boggs had previously met some of the students in the field during the 2024 white-tailed deer gun hunting season and enjoyed the opportunity to reconnect with them and hear about their hunting experiences.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officers Lucas Wildman, assigned to Clermont County, and Jasmine Grossnickle, assigned to Miami County, along with Indian Creek Wildlife Area Manager Randy Morgan, presented appreciation plaques to several white-tailed deer processors. Wacker’s Deer Processing and Sunset Meats were recognized for their service to the sportsmen and women in and around Clermont and Miami counties.
State Wildlife Officer Gus Kiebel, assigned to Adams County, received a Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) complaint regarding a white-tailed deer buck that had allegedly been taken unlawfully in November 2024. State Wildlife Investigator Joel Buddelmeyer, State Wildlife Officer Micah Collier, assigned to Brown County, and State Wildlife Officer Matt Roberts, assigned to Highland County, assisted with the investigation. They determined that the suspect had unlawfully harvested a trophy buck with a rifle. In February, the defendant pleaded guilty in Adams County Court to hunting deer without a valid hunting license, hunting deer without a permit, providing false information while game checking a deer, and taking a deer with a firearm during the archery season. The individual was sentenced to pay $7,022.89 in restitution and $518 in court costs, complete one year of probation, forfeit hunting privileges for one year, and forfeit the trophy deer’s antlers.
