OH: Duck hunters found guilty

https://norwalkreflector.com/news/581315/duck-hunters-found-guilty/

01/25/2025

Two hunters have been sentenced for illegal hunting practices during last year’s duck hunting season.

Last fall, State Wildlife Officer Matt D. Smith, assigned to Huron County, received a phone call regarding waterfowl hunters along the Vermilion River.

Officer Smith enlisted the assistance of State Wildlife Officer Brock Williamson, assigned to Seneca County, and State Wildlife Investigator Jason Parr.

The officers heard gunshots in the area and contacted the hunters. After a lengthy investigation, multiple violations were found.

According to a press release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, one hunter was issued summonses for hunting migratory birds without a Harvest Information Program, or HIP, certification, ducks without an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp and waterfowl without a federal duck stamp.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the states use the HIP certification program to develop reliable estimates of waterfowl hunting each year. According to the federal wildlife service, the information gathered by HIP provides waterfowl managers with the information they need to determine future bag limits, season lengths and hunter participation.

Hunters are given a HIP number, which is usually printed on their license and can be traced back to their information in the state database.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp is $15 and is required for anyone 18 years or older hunting waterfowl and migrating birds in the Buckeye State.

The Federal Duck Stamp, formerly known as the Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp, is an adhesive stamp issued by the United States federal government that must be purchased prior to hunting for migratory waterfowl such as ducks and geese, according to the federal wildlife service.

Another hunter was issued a summons for allowing a youth hunter to hunt unaccompanied by an adult. One wood duck was forfeited.

It is unlawful for the responsible adult, 18 years of age or older, to allow a hunter under sixteen to hunt unaccompanied during any hunting season in Ohio, according to the Ohio Administrative Code.

The first hunter was found guilty of all charges and was ordered to pay $465 in fines and court costs, serve 90 days in jail — which was suspended — complete two years of non-reporting probation and forfeit hunting privileges for one year.

The second hunter was found guilty and paid $226 in fines and court costs.