COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is releasing more than 14,000 ring-necked pheasants at public hunting areas in late October and November. Releases begin Saturday, Oct. 25 during Ohio’s youth small game hunting season. Locally, the Kokosing Wildlife Area in Fredericktown and the Funk Bottoms Wildlife Area in Ashland County […]
Division of Wildlife
Posted inOutdoor
Ohio’s sandhill crane count shows increasing population
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – Volunteer observers reported 428 sandhill cranes in Ohio during the 2025 Midwest Crane Count, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The count was coordinated by the Division of Wildlife, International Crane Foundation, and […]
Posted inOutdoor
September marks the start of Ohio’s fall hunting seasons
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was first published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – Ohio’s hunting seasons for squirrel, dove, Canada geese, teal, and more open in early September, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Bowhunters can look forward to the start of white-tailed deer archery season […]
Posted inOutdoor
Enjoy a Free Day at Ohio’s public shooting ranges on Aug. 16
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 invites the public to enjoy Free Range Day at public shooting ranges on Saturday, Aug. 16. Free Range Day is held in coordination with the National Shooting Sports Foundation and will […]
Posted inOutdoor
Bobcats make a comeback in Ohio’s forests
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 […]
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
Black bear crash proves an unforgettable call for Mansfield Post trooper
PERRY TOWNSHIP — The call came in near the beginning of the shift for Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Aric Durbin. The Mansfield Post Dispatcher told the 32-year old Trooper it was his “lucky day.” “Usually, when they say that, it’s not your lucky day,” the 2011 East Knox High School graduate said. Durbin was […]
Posted inOutdoor
Black bear struck by pickup truck was 1st confirmed sighting of species here since 1999
PERRY TOWNSHIP — An adult male black bear was euthanized by authorities after being struck by a pickup truck in Richland County on Saturday morning just south of Lexington, according to a spokesperson with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Rumors circulated locally on Facebook and various other social media outlets all weekend before finally […]
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 […]
