Showing posts with label Division of Wildlife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Division of Wildlife. Show all posts

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Ohio: Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Licenses will be available March 1

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio’s 2012-13 fishing, hunting and trapping licenses and permits will be on sale starting March 1, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

“Ohio’s new license sales system performed very well in its inaugural year,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Customer identification (ID) numbers should be used whenever possible to help streamline the license purchasing process. People can find the number at the top of last year’s license.”

License sales for the 2012-13 license year will be from March 1, 2012 through February 28, 2013. The start date for licenses will no longer be February 15 as it past years.

Licenses purchased online or at retail outlets will be printed on paper that can be folded down to credit card size, but will not be waterproof and must be protected. Licenses and permits will be printed along with additional information relevant to the license or permit purchased.

Each license buyer must have a Social Security Number (SSN) recorded in the system. People who purchased licenses last year can now use their customer ID number and will not have to supply their SSN again.

SSNs are required to purchase a recreational license, regardless of age, for the purpose of child support collection enforcement under Federal Statute 42. As a recreational license provider, the Division of Wildlife is obligated to comply with this law and cannot issue a license or permit without the SSN of the purchaser. The division will see that a proper security system is in place to protect SSNs and any databases that contain them.

The license will be valid March 1 through Feb. 28, 2013. The 2011-12 licenses will expire on Feb. 29. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at wildohio.com and at hundreds of agent outlets throughout the state. A complete list of participating license sales agents can be found at wildohio.com.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com

Monday, February 20, 2012

Ohio: Public Comment Welcome on Wildlife Issues


Open houses will be held on the first Saturday in March
COLUMBUS, OH – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is holding open house meetings in all five districts to discuss season dates and bag limits of game species, which will include Ohio’s most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer. The meetings will be Saturday, March 3, from 12 – 3 p.m. and are open to the public.
“Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is welcome to attend,” said Scott Zody, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Each open house location will have a fish and wildlife biologist as well as law enforcement officers available to answer questions.”
Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office and considered during the formulation of regulations.
For more information or directions to the open houses, visit the Division of Wildlife’s website at wildohio.com or call 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).
Open House Location Information for March 3:
•Central Ohio - Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, 614- 644-3925
•Northwest Ohio - Wildlife District Two Office, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay, 419-424-5000
•Northeast Ohio - Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, 330-644-2293
•Southeast Ohio - Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E. State Street, Athens, 740-589-9930
•Southwest Ohio - Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia, 937-372-9261
A statewide hearing on all proposed rules will be held on Thursday, March 8, at 9 a.m. at the Division of Wildlife’s District One office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. This hearing is open to the public and input is permitted.
After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during the April 4 meeting.
ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at www.ohiodnr.com

Friday, January 27, 2012

Ohio: Investigation Leads to Guilty Plea for Miami County Deer Processor

Map of Ohio highlighting Miami County
Image via Wikipedia

NEW CARLISLE, OH –An investigation into the selling of venison by Happy Jack’s deer processing recently resulted in a guilty plea in the Miami County Municipal Court, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Division of Wildlife law enforcement received information that Happy Jack’s was selling deer meat contrary to Ohio Administrative Code. The Division of Wildlife initiated a plain clothes investigation.  On multiple occasions during the investigation Happy Jack’s sold deer summer sausage and trail sticks to a Division of Wildlife Investigator.  A search warrant was obtained for Happy Jack’s facility and a large amount of deer meat in various stages of processing as well as records and a computer were seized and held as evidence.

On December 19, 2011 Jack W. Orth 68, New Carlisle, owner and operator of Happy Jack’s, pled guilty to wildlife charges stemming from a 2011 investigation into the selling of deer meat. Mr. Orth along with his attorney appeared in the Miami County Municipal Court before Judge Elizabeth Gutmann and pled guilty to one charge of the sale of deer meat and guilty to one charge of failing to keep accurate records.  As part of the sentence, Judge Gutmann ordered a $50 fine on each charge plus court costs, restitution in the amount of $350 and she also ordered that the deer meat seized during the search warrant be forfeited to the Bethany Center in Piqua, Ohio.

Also charged in the investigation was Benjamin J Campbell 25, of Huber Heights, Ohio with sale of deer meat.  Benjamin Campbell appeared in the Miami County Municipal Court before Judge Mel Kemmer and pled guilty to the sale of deer meat.  Judge Kemmer ordered a $25 fine plus court costs.

On January 13, 2012 approximately 521 packages of deer trail sticks and summer sausage as well as 698 pounds of ground venison were donated to the Bethany Center located at 339 South Street, Piqua, Ohio 45356 (937)615-9762. The Bethany Center is an ecumenical non-profit organization whose purpose is to serve those in need. Their services include a soup kitchen, food pantry, and clothing bank.

A portion of the 698 pounds seized in the case had not been processed. Through the generosity of Ted Davis, Davis Meats in Sidney, and the Shelby County Chapter of Whitetails Unlimited the processing costs and labor were covered and the processing of the venison completed.

Anonymous tips to the county wildlife officer from concerned hunters sparked the undercover investigation into illegal activities at Happy Jack’s. Hunters can also report wildlife violations to through the Turn-In-A-Poacher (TIP) Program. Established in 1982 TIP allows Ohioans to call a toll-free number from anywhere in the state to report wildlife violations.  Calls regarding wildlife violations can be placed anonymously at 1-800-POACHER (800-762-2437). 

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Ohio Wildlife Council Hears 2012-2013 Hunting Regulations Proposals

English: A white-tailed deer
Image via Wikipedia

COLUMBUS, OH – The 2012-13 hunting and trapping regulation proposals were presented on January 4 to the Ohio Wildlife Council by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.
September 1 is the proposed kick-off date for the state's fall hunting season beginning with squirrel and dove hunting. Other proposed hunting and trapping rules will be similar to those now in effect, with only slight changes to fall and spring hunting dates.
Hunters age 17 and under are proposed access to hunt statewide for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated weekends, October 20-21 and 27-28. Spring youth turkey season is proposed for April 20-21, 2013.
The remainder of the proposals concerning Ohio's white-tailed deer hunting will be heard during a separate Wildlife Council meeting on February 8.
Open houses will be held on Saturday, March 3 in each of the state's five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be found at wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.
A statewide hearing on all of the proposed rules will be held at the Division of Wildlife’s District One office on Thursday, March 8 at 9 a.m.. The office is located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus.
After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during its April 4 meeting.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

Deer Hunters Helping Ohioans in Need

Venison Steaks 29,80 p/kg @ Baars Poelier, Mar...
Image via Wikipedia

Venison donations will be accepted through February 5, 2012

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio deer hunters have donated more than 79,750 pounds of venison to local food banks since opening day of deer season on September 24, according to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

The 1,595 donated deer equal approximately 319,000 meals for needy Ohioans. Last year at this time, 2,082 deer had been donated representing 104,100 pounds of venison. The Division of Wildlife reminds hunter that there are plenty of opportunities to pursue deer in the 2011-12 season.

“I’m proud of Ohio’s deer hunters who continue to show their generosity despite overall lower harvest numbers this year as compared to last,” said Scott Zody, chief ODNR Division of Wildlife. “I encourage hunters to get out in the field, enjoy the rest of the season and to consider donating any extra deer they are fortunate enough to harvest.”

FHFH collected 125,150 pounds of venison from 2,503 deer during all of last year’s season, which ran from September 25, 2010 to February 6, 2011.

The Division of Wildlife collaborated with FHFH to assist with the processing costs associated with donating venison to a food bank. The program allows for subsidy grants to be provided in allotments that are matched with funds generated or collected by local Ohio FHFH chapters. The division subsidized this year's FHFH operation as an additional deer management tool, helping wildlife managers encourage hunters to harvest more does.

Venison that is donated to participating food banks must be processed by a federal, state or locally inspected and insured meat processor. Hunters wishing to donate their deer are not required to pay for the processing of the venison as long as the program has funds available to cover the cost.

Currently, there are 78 participating meat processors across the state and 34 FHFH local chapters. Anyone interested in becoming a local program coordinator or a participating meat processor should visit the "Local FHFH" page at www.fhfh.org. The Web page includes a list of coordinators, program names and the counties they serve.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Ohio Deer Hunters are Reminded to Use the Correct Deer Permit

Map of USA with Ohio highlighted
Image via Wikipedia

Antlerless deer permits are no longer valid 
FINDLAY, OH – Hunters who wish to continue to hunt deer in northwest Ohio are reminded the only the valid Deer permit has “Either Sex” printed on it.  The Deer permit is valid for the remainder of the archery season (through February 5, 2012), the deer gun weekend (December 17 and 18, 2011), and the statewide muzzleloader deer season (January 7 through January 10, 2012), according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.  Antlerless deer permits ceased to be valid in Zones A and B on November 27, 2011, and Zone C on December 4, 2011.  Hunters who still possess an Antlerless Deer permit may only use it in an Urban Deer Unit or at an Ohio Division of Wildlife controlled deer hunt. 
Hunters may use 1 “Either Sex” Deer permit each year in Zone A.  In northwest Ohio counties in Zone A include: Erie, Ottawa, Sandusky, and Wood.
Hunters may use 2 “Either Sex” Deer permits each year in Zone B.  In northwest Ohio, counties in Zone B include: Allen, Crawford, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Paulding, Putnam, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, and Wyandot. 
Hunters may use 3 “Either Sex” Deer permits each year in Zone C.  In northwest Ohio, only Richland County is in Zone C. 
According to the ODNR- Division of Wildlife, wildlife officers continue to report checking hunters in the field with antlerless deer permits.  “In the end, hunters are ultimately responsible for purchasing and using the proper permit.   Hunters who are unsure on the correct use of the permits should contact the Division of Wildlife.” according to Paul Kurfis, District 2 Law Enforcement Supervisor. 
For more information, hunters can refer to the 2011-2012 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations, pages 6 through 8.  In addition hunters who wish to contact the ODNR-Division of Wildlife may call the District 2 office at 419-424-5000 Monday through Friday 8 am – 5 pm, or toll free at 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

HuntOhioFarms.com Website to be Discontinued

English: A white-tailed deer
Image via Wikipedia
COLUMBUS, OH – The HuntOhioFarms.com website will be discontinued due to lower than anticipated participation from Ohio’s farming community, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

The HuntOhioFarms.com website was launched in August 2009 in order to educate Ohioans on crop damage by deer, while at the same time increasing awareness of hunting opportunities. This was a joint effort between the Ohio Farm Bureau (OFB) and the ODNR Division of Wildlife. 

After the first year, more than 9,000 hunters had enrolled with 83 landowners signing on in the four-county test area. The OFB and the Division of Wildlife agreed to expand the program to 38 counties across southeast Ohio in 2010. Despite direct mailings by the Division of Wildlife and marketing efforts by the OFB, an insufficient number of landowners signed up for the program. At the end of year two, an additional 5,000 hunters had enrolled with only 40 additional farms.

Access to private lands for hunting is integral to managing local deer populations and minimizing agricultural damage. The Division of Wildlife will continue to work with the OFB, as in the past, to find practical solutions to deer crop damage using deer hunting and other means as needed.

Sunday, December 4, 2011

Ohio White-tailed Deer Hunters Challenged by Weather

English: A white-tailed deer
Image via Wikipedia

COLUMBUS, OH – Hunters took 23,600 white-tailed deer on a rain-soaked Monday, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The deer-gun season remains open through Sunday, December 4 then reopens for two days on Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18.
The preliminary figures show a decrease of 39 percent from last year's opening day total of 39,071. “Last year’s opening day harvest was exceptionally high. Even with ideal weather conditions, I’m sure this year’s harvest would have fallen short of the 2010 season simply because last year was an atypical season,” said Mike Tonkovich, ODNR, Division of Wildlife deer project leader.” He noted that the weather conditions on opening day in 2007 were so poor that the harvest was down an unprecedented 51%.
Tonkovich said that bow hunting continues to grow in popularity and has had an impact on the gun season harvest. Ohio has one of the most liberal bow-hunting seasons in the country, which allows hunters to take advantage of the good weather earlier in the fall.
Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer checked on Monday included: Coshocton-1,197, Muskingun-964, Tuscarawas-896, Harrison-882, Guernsey-816, Knox-719, Belmont-629, Carroll-620, Holmes-617, and Licking-616.
Approximately 420,000 hunters are expected to participate in the statewide deer-gun season.  Ohio's deer population was estimated to be 750,000 prior to the start of the fall hunting seasons.
The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Ohio ranks 8th nationally in annual hunting-related sales and 10th in the number of jobs associated with the hunting-related industry. Each year, hunting has an $859 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more.
The Division of Wildlife challenges all deer hunters to make this year special for Ohio’s hungry by donating a deer to Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH). Last year, hunters showed they cared by donating nearly 500,600 meals to Ohioans in need.
Hunters who give their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as the deer are taken to a participating processor and funding for the effort lasts. Counties being served by this program can be found at www.fhfh.org.
The 2011-2012 licenses will not be printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.
The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Hunter Education Course Being Offered at Wildlife Areas

A white-tailed deerImage via Wikipedia
Time is running out to get certified for the 2011-2012 hunting seasons

 XENIA, OH – The Division of Wildlife will host hunter education courses in November at two wildlife areas in southwest Ohio. These courses will be held at the Rush Run and Fallsville wildlife areas. 
Rush Run and Fallsville will host home study courses on Friday evening, November 18th 2011.  Students wishing to attend the hunter education courses must register on line athttps://www1.oh.wildlifelicense.com/training_index.php or call 1-800-WILDLIFE to register.  Pre-registration is required and course space is limited.  Registered participants will be given study information, times and location directions for courses.
“The home-study course can be completed in four hours and allows us the opportunity to offer students a full class in one short session.” said Brett Beatty, Assistant Wildlife Management Supervisor for southwest Ohio.
Completion of a hunter education course is required for all first-time hunting license buyers in Ohio, except those purchasing an apprentice hunting license.  The hunter education course covers topics such as firearms, ammunition, gun handling, archery, hunter responsibilities, outdoor safety, wildlife management and conservation, and other related information.
Ohio's hunter education course is accepted all across North America. Ohio offers three types of hunter education courses, which include instructor-led and home-study courses and proficiency testing for those 18 years of age and older. Hunter education courses are offered year round.
Hunter education information can also be found at www.wildohio.com.  Courses are limited and filling up quickly.  Register today!  

Sunday, November 6, 2011

85% of Ohio's Deer Hunters Choose the Phone or Internet for Checking Game

A white-tailed deerImage via Wikipedia
Deer must be checked in by 11:30 p.m. the day of harvest 
COLUMBUS, OH – More than 24,000 white-tailed deer have been checked through Ohio’s new automated game check system, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.
Hunters must still report their deer harvest, but they are no longer required to take their deer to a check station for physical inspection. Instead, hunters have three options to complete the new automated game check:
On the Internet at wildohio.com.
By telephone at 1-877-TAG-ITOH (1-877-824-4864). This option is only available to those who are required to have a deer permit to hunt deer.
At all license agents. A list of these agents can be found at wildohio.com or by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.
All three check-in methods are being used, with 50 percent of hunters using the phone method. Hunters checking in via the Internet are second at 35 percent followed by those traveling to a license agent’s location (15 percent) to check in their game.
“The response to these new game check options has been really positive in both numbers and feedback we hear from the field,” said Dave Lane, chief of the Division of Wildlife. “Our goal is to offer hunters both traditional and convenient methods of checking deer and turkey, so they could choose the option that is best for them.”
Those hunters checking their deer on the Internet need to make sure they have access to a working printer so the game check receipt can be printed. Game check requires the hunter to print a receipt. If printing fails, the game check receipt is available at wildohio.com under the “Manage Your Customer Account” link. Hunters can use their customer identification numbers found at the top of hunting licenses and permits to access their account.
Hunters need to be aware that checking game on the Internet with a smart phone is available, but those hunters will eventually need to print out a game check receipt with a permanent tag number printed on it. The game check receipt is available at wildohio.com under the “Manage Your Customer Account” link.
Since the new automated game check system was built on a web-based platform making needed modifications to the system can be accomplished. Modifications were made prior to this fall’s hunting seasons. The Division of Wildlife will continue to monitor the game check system and make changes as needed for customer convenience.
Game-check transactions are available online and by telephone seven days a week and during holidays. License agents’ locations are available for turkey check-in during normal business hours. Please call the license agent for specific hours of operation. All deer must be checked in by 11:30 p.m. the day of harvest.
The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Changes to Public Hunting Access in Southeast Ohio

Male Kansas White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virg...Image via Wikipedia
ATHENS, OH – Access to some popular public hunting lands in southeast Ohio has changed, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.
April 14, 2011 marked the end of a five-year agreement between the Southern Ohio Scioto Land Company and the ODNR Division of Wildlife to provide hunters almost 40,000 acres of public access in southeast Ohio.
“During the last several years, the Department of Natural Resources actively acquired a large segment of those lands, most of which are now open to public hunting,” said Mark Hemming, district manager for Wildlife District 4 in southeast Ohio.
In 2007, the Division of Wildlife purchased 4,879 acres in Jackson and Ross counties. Broken ARO Wildlife Area in eastern Jackson County provides 3,007 acres of excellent habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and other forest wildlife species. Coalton Wildlife Area in northern Jackson County provides 1,729 acres of good habitat for white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and squirrels. Because of select timbering, the area should provide good ruffed grouse habitat in upcoming years. The 143-acre Kinnikinnik Wildlife Area on the northern edge of Ross County provides excellent fishing in the Scioto River as well as good hunting opportunities. Several species of spring wildflowers can be found on the area, and the corridor has excellent potential for observing bald eagles and other migratory bird species.
Additionally, ODNR finalized in 2010 the purchase of 15,494 acres in Vinton County, now known as the Vinton Furnace State Experimental Forest and the Vinton Furnace Wildlife Area. This land, formerly known as the Raccoon Ecological Management Area, remains permanently open for public hunting, fishing, hiking, and wildlife observation, and is managed in partnership by the divisions of Wildlife and Forestry.
Information on these and other wildlife areas can be found at www.wildohio.com or by calling the Wildlife District 4 Office in southeastern Ohio at 740-589-9930.