Across the country, wild turkey, white‑tailed deer and other wildlife depend on strong laws and responsible people to keep them safe. At the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we need your help spreading the word about how poaching wildlife threatens America’s heritage. It takes from everyone – from wildlife, public lands and from the local […]
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Posted inOutdoor
ODNR asks Ohioans to report wild turkey, ruffed grouse sightings this summer
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife encourages the public to report sightings of wild turkeys and ruffed grouse this summer as part of its annual population surveys. Anyone can submit observations on the Wildlife Reporting System webpage at wildohio.gov or on the HuntFish OH mobile app. Wildlife biologists use public reports of wild turkeys […]
Posted inOutdoor
Columbus YouTube celebrities ‘Creek Kings Outdoors’ plead guilty to poaching charges
COLUMBUS – An Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife poaching investigation, conducted in collaboration with Columbus and Franklin County Metro Parks, resulted in a combined 40 guilty pleas from William I. Bethel, 28, of Columbus and Justin A. Booth, 23, of Columbus. The two central Ohio men were known on YouTube as […]
Posted inOutdoor
Woman’s quest to visit every Ohio state park began at Mohican
PERRYSVILLE — When Cyndi Griffith picked up a simple paper passport at Mohican State Park on Groundhog Day 2025, she had no idea it would spark a yearlong quest across Ohio. At the time, it was just a fun souvenir — something to tuck into a backpack and fill with stamps whenever she visited a […]
Posted inOutdoor
ODNR seeks applicants for next Natural Resources Officer recruit class
COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is inviting passionate outdoor enthusiasts to apply for its next Natural Resources Officer recruit class. Whether you’re an experienced law enforcement professional or someone eager to begin a meaningful career in public service, this is your opportunity to help protect Ohio’s natural spaces. Applications must be submitted […]
Posted inOutdoor
Richland County contributes to Ohio’s sandhill crane count despite inclement weather
MANSFIELD – Volunteer observers reported 344 sandhill cranes in Ohio during the 2026 Midwest Crane Count, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Locally, Richland County volunteers counted five sandhill cranes. That figure is down from 12 counted in 2025. The count was coordinated by the Division of Wildlife, Ohio Bird […]
Posted inNews
Unexpected visitor: Bellville residents report multiple black bear sightings
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources received a record-breaking 537 sightings across 69 counties in 2025.
Posted inOutdoor
Check out north central Ohio’s best sites for National Camping Month
June is National Camping Month, and there are no shortage of options in north central Ohio for those looking to enjoy the Great Outdoors. That means this is the perfect time to pack up the s’mores, grab the sleeping bags, and spend a night under the Ohio skies. From lakeside campsites to wooded retreats, your […]
Posted inOutdoor
Ohio governor and wife enjoy Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day
PORT CLINTON — Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and First Lady Fran DeWine celebrated the 46th annual Governor’s Lake Erie Fish Ohio Day with Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz, Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker, and other leaders from the conservation and tourism industries. “Walleye fishing on Lake Erie is one of the […]
Posted inOutdoor
Largemouth bass at Clear Fork Reservoir are calling to Richland County anglers
MANSFIELD — Ohio’s public lakes and reservoirs are excellent places to fish for hybrid-striped bass, crappie, black bass, and catfish, 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 […]