State releases wildlife report

Central Ohio – Wildlife District One

In February 2022, State Wildlife Officer Maurice Irish, assigned to Delaware County, presented a two-hour course to Otterbein University students enrolled in the wildlife, fish, and wildlands science major. Topics covered included an overview of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, a wildlife officer’s authority and duties, as well as specific case studies. Officer Irish has presented this information to Otterbein University students since 2016.

During the 2021-22 white-tailed deer hunting season, State Wildlife Officer John Coffman, assigned to Fayette County, received information that a hunter had unlawfully checked a buck deer using a landowner permit. After further investigation, it was revealed that the hunter failed to purchase a valid Ohio hunting license and deer permit. After harvesting the buck, the individual game checked the deer using a landowner permit for which he did not meet the requirements. The hunter was found guilty and paid more than $300 in fines and court costs. The venison and antlers were forfeited.

Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two

In November 2021, State Wildlife Officer Michele Butler, assigned to Erie County, received a call on the Turn in a Poacher (TIP) hotline regarding a fisherman who had kept additional walleye past his limit of walleye that morning. Officer Butler reached out to State Wildlife Officer Reid VanCleve, assigned to Ottawa County, and the two officers contacted the fisherman later that afternoon. The angler admitted to taking 10 walleye over his limit while fishing from shore in Sandusky. The daily limit for walleye in Lake Erie is six. The 10 extra walleye were seized as evidence and the fisherman received a citation for taking too many walleye. He was found guilty in the Sandusky Municipal Court and was ordered to pay $610 in restitution and court costs. The seized walleye were donated to a local food pantry. Anyone observing a wildlife violation can report it anonymously through the TIP hotline at 1-800-POACHER (1-800-762-2437).

A few days before Christmas in 2021, law enforcement personnel attended the Operation Santa’s Sleigh event in Sandusky. Those in attendance included State Wildlife Officer Brian Baker, assigned to the Lake Erie Unit, State Wildlife Officer Michele Butler, assigned to Erie County, State Wildlife Investigator Travis Abele, assigned to the Lake Erie Unit, and Lake Erie Law Enforcement Supervisor Matt Leibengood. The event pulled together law enforcement and first responders in their patrol vehicles. Just after dark, the caravan drove by local children’s hospitals and veteran’s centers while flashing their emergency lights and sirens to boost the residents’ spirits. In addition to patrol vehicles, Officer Baker was towing the Lake Erie patrol boat and flashing its lights. Operation Santa’s Sleigh is a statewide effort.

Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three

During the 2021 white-tailed deer gun hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Scott Cartwright, assigned to Carroll County, was patrolling Valley Run Wildlife Area. He contacted an individual who was hunting deer with a shotgun. The hunter had not obtained a valid 2021 deer hunting permit. He was charged with hunting deer without a valid deer permit. The individual was found guilty in the Carroll County Municipal Court and ordered to pay $195 in fines and court costs.

In February 2022, Officer Evan Huegel, assigned to Ashland County, was patrolling Mohican State Forest when he was flagged down by a woman standing on the side of the road. She explained to Officer Huegel that she went hiking on her property with her elderly father and they got separated. She was worried something happened to him. Officer Huegel advised the woman to stay with her vehicle in case he came back. Meanwhile, the officer conducted a perimeter search on the 64-acre lot. After about an hour of searching, the man was located and safely reunited with his daughter.

Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four

State Wildlife Officer Ryan Donnelly, assigned Athens County, and State Wildlife Officer Chris Dodge, assigned Hocking County, were patrolling the Wallace O’Dowd Wildlife Area during the whitetailed deer gun hunting season. The officers came across four people who had finished up a deer drive. While the officers were checking the hunting licenses and deer permits, the rest of the group emerged from the woods, which totaled 20 people ranging in age from 8 years old to 78 years old. This was a large group of family and friends from across the state who met on the area to hunt for the day.