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 […]
Division of Wildlife
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 […]
Posted inOutdoor
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 […]
Posted inOutdoor
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, […]
Posted inOutdoor
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 […]
Posted inOutdoor
Volunteers needed for north central Ohio sandhill crane count
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is seeking volunteers for the fifth annual Midwest Crane Count on the morning of Saturday, April 12. The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with the International Crane Foundation and Ohio Bird Conservation […]
Posted inOutdoor
Help Wanted: Report Bald Eagle nests to monitor Ohio’s population
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife is conducting a statewide bald eagle nest census in 2025 and is requesting the public’s help to locate active eagle nests. Observers may report bald eagle nest locations at wildohio.gov until Sunday, March 16. By reporting bald eagle nest locations, wildlife watchers help Division of Wildlife biologists […]
Posted inOutdoor
Ohio deer hunters bag 14-year high total
COLUMBUS – Hunters across Ohio checked 238,137 white-tailed deer during the 2024-25 hunting season that concluded on Sunday, Feb. 2, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The final total, the fourth highest number of deer taken on record, represents all deer bagged during archery, gun, muzzleloader, and youth seasons since […]