Field reports from Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers

Central Ohio – Wildlife

District One

State Wildlife Officer Adam Smith, assigned to Logan County, investigated a report of a turkey vulture caught in a foothold trap. Officer Smith discovered the trap had been set next to a deer carcass and was not in alignment with Ohio’s trapping regulations. Foothold traps set on land must be covered. Officer Smith had documented several incidents with this suspect over the previous year. The individual was charged with trapping over uncovered flesh bait and found guilty in Bellefontaine Municipal Court. The defendant was ordered to pay $390 in fines and court costs and sentenced to 30 days in jail with 20 days suspended pending no other violations for two years. The defendant’s hunting and trapping privileges were revoked for two years. The caller who reported the incident was issued a $100 Turn-in-a-poacher (TIP) reward. If you are aware of a wildlife violation, you can anonymously report it by calling the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800762-2437).

State Wildlife Officer Matt Teders, assigned to Madison County, received a call concerning two hunters who were hunting without permission. Officer Teders worked with the landowner to identify one of the suspects, who had a criminal history. While interviewing the suspect, Officer Teders discovered the individual was in possession of a shotgun despite being prohibited from possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The suspect was indicted for felony possession of a firearm under disability and found guilty. The defendant was sentenced to $756 in fines and court costs with two years of community control. Additionally, three years prison time was suspended with successful completion of community

control.

Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two

State Wildlife Officer Reid Van Cleve, assigned to Ottawa County, and intern Riley Yunker checked anglers on the shores of Lake Erie. They issued two summonses for fishing without a license and five for taking walleye shorter than the minimum length. Officer Van Cleve observed one individual attempt to hide three undersized walleye and issued the individual a citation. The two individuals without a fishing license paid a total of $226 and the individuals who possessed undersized walleye paid a combined $852.

In September, State Wildlife Officer Mike Ohlrich, assigned to Fulton County, attended the Monarchs and More event at Sauder Village. Officer Ohlrich provided a display with free pollinator publications and information explaining pollinators, habitat, and wildlife management.

Approximately 450 people attended the event. Visit wildohio.gov to find free online pollinator publications like Milkweed and Monarchs and Backyards for Butterflies.

Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three

While on patrol, State Wildlife Officer Supervisor Brennan Earick and State Wildlife Officer Zach Hillman, assigned to Cuyahoga County, received a request for assistance from the Loudonville Police Department regarding an active domestic incident at a campground. The wildlife officers responded to the scene and assisted the police officers by investigating and making arrests.

State Wildlife Officer Scott Traver, assigned to Stark County, received an anonymous Turn-in-apoacher (TIP) report of two individuals who had harvested more than the legal limit of one white-tailed deer buck. Officer Traver contacted the hunters and determined that four bucks and one doe had been harvested illegally within the past two days. Three deer were tagged using another person’s tag. The individuals were found guilty of multiple deer harvest violations in Canton Municipal Court. They were sentenced to 90 days of jail time suspended on the condition of good behavior, placed on probation, and ordered to pay restitution for the deer. All five deer were confiscated and donated to a food bank.

Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four

State Wildlife Officers Darin Abbott, assigned to Lawrence County, Ted Witham, assigned to Jackson County, Matt Van Cleve, assigned to Pike County, and Tyler Fields, assigned to Scioto County, staffed the archery trailer at the annual Forestry Fair hosted by Wayne National Forest at Lake Vesuvius. The officers instructed fourth grade students on archery safety and assisted each student who had the opportunity to practice shooting. For many students, it was their first time trying archery and several shot very well.

Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five

State Wildlife Officer Andrew Dowdell, assigned to Butler County, recently spoke to the business agriculture class at Ross High School. Office Dowdell presented information on becoming a wildlife officer and the job’s duties. The Ohio Division of Wildlife attends career fairs at high schools across the state to highlight the unique job opportunities available.

State Wildlife Officer Trent Weaver, assigned to Montgomery County, observed two anglers fishing on the Great Miami River. Officer Weaver contacted the anglers and discovered one did not have a fishing license. The suspect was issued a summons for the license violation, pleaded guilty in court, and was fined $225.