COLUMBUS — This tax season, when Ohioans check the Wildlife Diversity or Nature Preserves and Scenic Rivers funds on their state income tax form, they’re supporting the protection of Ohio’s endangered plants, animals, healthy streams, and unique ecosystems. Donations are administered by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The Wildlife Diversity Fund, managed by ODNR’s […]
Division of Wildlife
Posted inOutdoor
Richland County deer hunters finish just outside top 10 in Ohio’s 2025-26 season
COLUMBUS – Ohio hunters checked 232,142 white-tailed deer during the 2025-26 season that concluded on Sunday, Feb. 1, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Richland County hunters tagged 5,151 deer, just outside the top 10 among Ohio’s 88 counties. That’s a significant increase in the number deer checked over the […]
Posted inOutdoor
ODNR stocks Ohio’s waterways with 36 million fish in 2025
COLUMBUS – More than 36 million fish were stocked by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife in Ohio’s public lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams in 2025. Eleven different species of fish were stocked at 233 locations statewide. Annual fish stockings play an important role in providing excellent fishing for Ohio’s 827,000 licensed anglers. The Division of […]
Posted inOutdoor
715 bald eagles reported in Ohio during January count
COLUMBUS – A bald eagle midwinter citizen survey counted 715 bald eagles thanks to 391 separate reports from Jan. 7 to 21 in the Buckeye State, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. With the United States’ 250th anniversary year underway in 2026, the Division of Wildlife requested the public’s help in […]
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Numbers up for Ohio’s muzzleloader deer season
COLUMBUS – Hunters took 13,055 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s four-day muzzleloader hunting season that ended on Tuesday, Jan. 6, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. This total accounts for all deer taken with a muzzleloader or archery equipment during these four days. Hunters may pursue deer with a bow […]
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Repurpose a Christmas tree for Ohio’s wildlife habitat
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is reminding Ohioans that a live-cut Christmas tree may be repurposed after the holidays as habitat for various species of animals. Before you discard your tree, remember that it can find life after the holidays for Ohio’s birds, fish, and mammals. A live-cut […]
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Richland County hunters rank 9th in Ohio’s deer gun weekend results
COLUMBUS – Hunters checked 15,835 white-tailed deer on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20-21, during Ohio’s gun hunting weekend, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Last year, hunters took 17,386 deer during the bonus gun weekend, and the three-year average is 16,010. Locally, Richland County hunters broke into the state’s top […]
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Fisher sighting in Cuyahoga County is first in nearly 200 years
A rare, elusive creature has returned to Northeast Ohio, and there’s picture proof of its presence. A fisher was spotted on a Cleveland Metroparks trail camera earlier this month. This is the first confirmed fisher sighting in Cuyahoga County in nearly 200 years, and the first fisher sighting at Cleveland Metroparks since its establishment in […]
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ODNR collects 3,350 pounds of venison to boost Ohio food pantries
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife helped collect 3,350 pounds of processed venison during the weeklong deer gun season to support local food pantries. Deer donation days were held at select locations across the state and more drop off days are planned to allow hunters to donate deer from the […]
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Black bear caught on trail cam twice in Knox County
BLADENSBURG — For the first time since 2021, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources‘ Knox County office has confirmed the spotting of a black bear in the wild. The Knox County Natural Resources Area Facebook page posted the first recording of the furry traveler on Dec. 13, documenting the bear in the Bladensburg, Walhonding and […]
