PERRYSVILLE — A new system for campsite reservations is now available for Hocking State Forest and for Mohican-Memorial State Forest. There are 23 campsites available for reservation at the Hocking State Forest Horse Campground, and seven Park-and-Pack campsites available at Mohican-Memorial State Forest. The sites were previously first come, first served camping areas. “Ohio’s state […]
Ohio Department of Natural Resources
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 inNews
DeWine issues statement on Ohio’s assistance in Texas flood recovery
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine issued the following statement regarding the work of the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in Texas: “I spoke with some members of our state teams in Texas this morning as they prepared to begin their fourth day of recovery work along the Guadalupe River. […]
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 […]
Posted inOutdoor
Free fishing days coming to Ohio waterways June 14 & 15
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources website. COLUMBUS – Ohio’s annual free fishing days on Saturday, June 14, and Sunday, June 15 give all residents a chance to fish at any public waterway without a license, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of […]
Posted inOutdoor
Ohio turkey hunters enjoy a strong spring season
COLUMBUS – Ohio’s wild turkey hunters enjoyed a strong spring season. Statewide, Ohio hunters checked 16,014 birds during the spring 2025 season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. During the 2024 spring season, the total number of turkeys checked was 15,535. The three-year average for the spring season (2022, 2023, […]
Posted inOutdoor
Record fish await at Lake Erie this summer
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 is touting great numbers of trophy fish caught in Lake Erie in 2024, showcasing the tremendous fishing opportunities in Ohio’s Great Lake. Fish Ohio records from Lake Erie, known […]