March 30, 2016
From MorrowCountySentinel.com
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
State Wildlife Officer Jeff Tipton, assigned to Champaign County, received multiple complaints about spotlighting during the fall and early winter of 2015. One night in December, Champaign County Deputy Sheriff Joshua Welty observed the passenger of a car shining a light into a field. Shining a light from a motor vehicle into a field, woods, or forest for the purpose of locating a wild animal or while in possession of a hunting device is unlawful in Ohio. The man was found guilty of jacklighting in Champaign County Municipal Court and was sentenced to pay $250 in fines and court costs, received 10 days in jail with 10 days suspended provided he have no further violations, was placed on community control, and lost his hunting privileges for one year.
State Wildlife Officer Brad Kiger noticed a car parked on a dead-end road in an industrial area of Franklin County. Officer Kiger found a subject in the car. The subject stated that he was waiting for some people who were duck hunting in a marsh behind the building. While checking hunting licenses and stamps, it was discovered that one subject did not have an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp. Two hunters were issued a ticket. One ticket was for an unplugged shotgun, for which the hunter had to pay $188 in fines and court costs. The hunter who did not have an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp paid $122 in fines and court costs.
Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two
State Wildlife Officer Nathan Kaufmann and another officer located a vehicle which was suspected of being used by poachers. Officer Kaufmann located one of the man’s children while the other officer located the father and other children. The man did not have a hunting license. He received two summonses, one for hunting without a license and one for failure to wear hunter orange.
One of the children had taken a hunter education course; however, two others had not.
In August, State Wildlife Officers Mike Ohlrich and Josh Zientek patrolled several fishing spots along the Maumee River. The officers observed three men at one location fishing along the water’s edge. None of the men had a fishing license. The officers issued them each a summons.
Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three
State Wildlife Officer Eric Moore observed a hunter in an open field and asked if he could inspect his hunting license and deer permit. The man stated that he had not purchased a license or a deer permit because he was hunting on his grandparents’ property. The man was issued a summons for hunting deer without first obtaining a valid deer permit, and the deer was seized as evidence. The hunter was convicted and paid $163 in fines and court costs.
State Wildlife Officers Aaron Brown and Brennan Earick observed some hunters shooting at multiple wood ducks. One individual also shot a red-winged blackbird. The officers contacted the men. Two of the men were issued summonses for hunting with unplugged shotguns, and a third individual was charged with hunting waterfowl without an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp. All three individuals were also issued summonses for attempting to take wood ducks in the closed season. The men were convicted and ordered to pay fines totaling more than $640.
Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four
State Wildlife Officer Jeff Berry seized two deer and issued 10 citations to three individuals, all who pleaded guilty and were ordered to pay more than
$1,200 in fines and restitution and will serve 100 hours of community service. One individual was also ordered to serve 20 days in jail.
State Wildlife Officer Matt VanCleve was contacted by a hunter who had photographs of people hunting his property without permission. One of the hunters was recognized from an ongoing investigation. Further investigation revealed the hunter was on the property without written permission. Officer VanCleve issued the hunter a summons in the Pike County Court for hunting without permission. The suspect is awaiting his court date.
Southwest Ohio – Wildlife District Five
State Wildlife Officer Aaron Ireland stopped at a gas station and found a tank containing bait fish. Further investigation revealed the owner of the business had not purchased and did not possess a bait dealer permit. Officer Ireland issued him a summons for selling bait without a valid bait dealer permit. The man was found guilty and paid $131 in fines.t