The Buckeye State is seeing another success story unfold with bobcats. The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a species that is native to Ohio, and one of seven wild cat species found in North America. Domestic cats belong to the same family, Felidae, as the bobcat. Once widespread in Ohio, the wild felines became locally extinct […]
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Posted inOutdoor
New campsite system available at Mohican
PERRYSVILLE — A new system for campsite reservations is now available for Hocking State Forest and for Mohican-Memorial State Forest. There are 23 campsites available for reservation at the Hocking State Forest Horse Campground, and seven Park-and-Pack campsites available at Mohican-Memorial State Forest. The sites were previously first come, first served camping areas. “Ohio’s state […]
Posted inOutdoor
DeWine, Tressel celebrate Walleye Capital of the World at Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day
PORT CLINTON — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Lt. Governor Jim Tressel celebrated the 45th annual Governor’s Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day alongside Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and other leaders from the conservation and tourism communities. This annual event highlights the importance of protecting […]
Posted inOutdoor
Black bear captured in Ashtabula County becomes 1st fitted for GPS collar in Ohio
COLUMBUS – A black bear roaming through north central Ohio dominated the headlines last week, and spurrd the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to offer the following update on the species and its situation within the state. The ODNR Division of Wildlife, in partnership with the University of Dayton’s Gantchoff Lab, recently collared a female black […]
Posted inOutdoor
Do you know someone interested in a career as an Ohio Wildlife Officer?
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is hosting information sessions for interested candidates to learn more about the wildlife officer career path. Central Ohio Ohio wildlife officers enforce wildlife regulations and protect state lands, waterways, and property. Wildlife officers combine law enforcement, conservation, and public service in a career that […]
Posted inOutdoor
Free fishing days coming to Ohio waterways June 14 & 15
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – Ohio’s annual free fishing days on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15 give all residents a chance to fish at any public waterway without a license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of […]
Posted inOutdoor
Ohio turkey hunters enjoy a strong spring season
COLUMBUS – Ohio’s wild turkey hunters enjoyed a strong spring season. Statewide, Ohio hunters checked 16,014 birds during the spring 2025 season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. During the 2024 spring season, the total number of turkeys checked was 15,535. The three-year average for the spring season (2022, 2023, […]
Posted inOutdoor
Record fish await at Lake Erie this summer
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was first published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is touting great numbers of trophy fish caught in Lake Erie in 2024, showcasing the tremendous fishing opportunities in Ohio’s Great Lake. Fish Ohio records from Lake Erie, known […]
Posted inOutdoor
North central Ohio offers inviting sites for summer fishing
North Central Ohio’s public lakes and reservoirs are excellent places to fish for yellow perch, largemouth bass, crappie, and more, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Summer is a great time to grab a fishing pole and head to the nearest body of water. Ohio has plentiful public fishing […]
Posted inOutdoor
ODNR funding grant totals nearly $3K for Worthington Twp. Fire Dept.
BUTLER — The Worthington Township Fire Department will receive a boost thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Forestry. The Butler-area department received a grant for $2,982.10 to help buy chainsaws and accessories.The local department was one of 90 projects statewide funded in the program. In total, funding included more than […]