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 […]
Division of Wildlife
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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Keep Ohio’s wildlife wild by observing from a distance this spring
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. COLUMBUS – As young animals appear in backyards, local parks, and unexpected areas, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is reminding Ohioans to keep wildlife wild this spring. Watching wildlife from afar and reducing interactions gives young animals […]
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2 Mississippi hunters sentenced in Ohio poaching case; Guns, crossbow, skulls, venison seized
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. COLUMBUS – Two Mississippi men pleaded guilty to multiple wildlife violations after poaching white-tailed deer in southeast Ohio and were ordered to pay a combined $15,054.37 in restitution, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Dawson Brown, […]
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Ohio’s youth turkey hunting season begins this weekend
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published at the Ohio Deparmtent of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – Anticipation among hunters is building for Ohio’s challenging and exciting spring wild turkey hunting seasons beginning in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s 2025 youth turkey hunting season is Saturday and […]