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 […]
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
Posted inOutdoor
Endangered Lake Sturgeon released in 3 Ohio rivers
COLUMBUS – Reintroduction efforts for state-endangered lake sturgeon expanded to the Cuyahoga, Sandusky, and Scioto rivers in 2025, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. As part of a large, regional partnership, the 6- to 8-inch-long juvenile sturgeon were released in the Cuyahoga, Sandusky, and Scioto rivers for the first time, […]
Posted inOutdoor
Numbers jump significantly for Richland County deer hunters in 2025 gun season
MANSFIELD — Richland County deer hunters enjoyed a wildly successful gun season, according to the numbers provided by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Richland County hunters harvested 1,887 deer this season. That’s a significant increase from the previous three-year average of 1,492. Crawford County hunters also saw an improvement, checking 888 this year compared […]
Posted inOutdoor
ODNR reminds Ohioans to stay safe on water as temperatures plunge
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was first published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – As Ohio’s scenery shifts from fall color to winter calm, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Watercraft is reminding outdoor enthusiasts to stay alert and prepared when heading out on the water. “Ohio’s lakes […]
Posted inOutdoor
Give the gift of the great outdoors
COLUMBUS — Finding the perfect gift for the outdoor enthusiast in your life has never been easier, thanks to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). ODNR has a variety of gift ideas this holiday season and they can all be found online at ohiodnr.gov/giftideas. ODNR Ohio State Parks Passport The Ohio State Parks Passport is a […]
Posted inOutdoor
Knox County Sheriff’s Office to collect venison for local food pantry
MOUNT VERNON — North central Ohio hunters won’t have far to travel if they wish to donate venison to a local food pantry. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office, 11540 Upper Gilchrist Rd, Mount Vernon, will be one of four sites statewide to accept venison donations on specific days this month. For the Sheriff’s Office, those […]
Posted inOutdoor
Richland County hunters find success on opening day of Ohio’s deer gun season
MANSFIELD – Richland County hunters enjoyed a strong opening day on the first day of deer gun season. Richland County hunters harvested 513 deer on the first day of the season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. That number is a significant increase from the most recent three-year average of 410. Ohio hunters checked […]
Posted inNews
Ohio’s youth gunners bag nearly 10K deer in 2025 season
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. COLUMBUS – Hunters ages 17 and younger checked 9,759 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s youth gun hunting season on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 22 and 23, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Each fall, youth hunters enjoy […]
Posted inOutdoor
Ohio’s mineral resources valued at $1.7 billion in 2024
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. COLUMBUS – A newly-released report from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) shows the state’s mineral resources produced $1.7 billion worth of geologic commodities, such as sand and gravel, in 2024. For an 11th straight year, the total value of industrial […]
Posted inOutdoor
Nov. 8 was the best day for Ohio’s bowhunters
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – Archery hunters in Ohio checked 4,748 white-tailed deer on Saturday, Nov. 8, the highest single-day total during the 2025-26 season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The 10 most successful deer hunting dates […]