ODNR's 'benefit of all' oath

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has a long history of promoting the wise and sustained use and recreational enjoyment of our natural resources. Their mission statement includes an important clause which ensures "protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all." To accomplish that task, officers and inspectors from nine divisions monitor a variety of our resources. The most visible divisions are Ohio State Parks and Watercraft, Wildlife, Forestry, and Natural Areas and Preserves. The rest include Engineering, Mineral Resources, Geological Survey, Oil and Gas, and Water Resources, as well as the supporting offices of Coastal Management and Real Estate and Land Management. They're important jobs that help protect and maintain a healthy outdoors. Whether you enjoy hunting, birding, camping, fishing, boating, trapping or hiking, there are men and women working to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable experience. But let's get back to that "benefit of all" part of ODNR's oath to Ohioans. There are those who would steal these resources for their own benefit or for lining their bank account. Whether they're motivated by greed, ego or the almighty dollar, there are ODNR employees ready to step in and protect those things that cannot protect themselves — things in which we each have a shared interest. They stop timber theft from public land, poaching of wildlife, drunken boaters and fight forest fires. Recently, officers of the Division of Wildlife were in Elyria to put a stop to the illegal commercialization of our fisheries resources. The process was caught by Bruce Bishop, the chief photographer for The Chronicle newspaper, while reporters Carissa Woytach and Dave O'Brien did the journalistic investigation. Wildlife officers and investigators were in the process of serving search warrants issued after more than a yearlong investigation. They documented a large amount of fishing tackle being removed from a residence as well as a pickup truck, boat and trailer. When contacted by Chronicle reporters, Division of Wildlife investigations manager Jeff Collingwood said the incident involved the commercialization of illegally taken sport fish. "The subject there is our main suspect involved in that activity. We seized a vehicle and a vessel from that location and also several items associated with fishing including fishing tackle," Collingwood explained. In my experience, investigations such as this are rarely confined to one location. Brian Banbury, the Division of Wildlife's administrator of information and education, told me that this case is no exception. Additional areas and individuals were also under scrutiny. These types of legal inquiries aren't without precedence. They're usually instigated through analyzing officers' reports in conjunction with complaints or suspicions reported by concerned citizens. Investigators are then assigned to do what they do best: dig into that information which will either confirm or debunk suspicions and set the course of the investigation. Commercialization of the resource — in this case, sport-caught fish — are suspected of having been sold for profit. Whether those sales were made to individuals or businesses has not been released, but it's not unusual that both could be in play. Banbury explained that while charges are not yet filed, they're likely. He said interviews and evidence must be scrutinized first. If you suspect that wildlife is being taken illegally, contact your county wildlife officer or call 800-POACHER. Rewards are offered and you can remain anonymous. "The question that haunted every investigation was 'why.'" — Louise Penny Along the Way The Division of Wildlife has launched a new incentive program that provides opportunities for Ohio hunters to access participating landowner properties during the hunting season. Enrollment for the Ohio Landowner and Hunter Access Partnership program is underway. Participating landowners receive annual payments ranging from $2 to $30 per acre, depending on the characteristics of the property and recreational opportunities available. Enrollment contracts are for two to three years, with the possibility of an extension. The Ohio Landowner and Hunter Access Partnership program is funded, in part, by the federal Farm Bill under the Voluntary Public Access and Habitat Incentive Program. It provides funding to state and tribal agencies through a competitive grant process to implement programs encouraging hunting access on private properties. The federal funding of this program excludes fishing, trapping and white-tailed deer gun hunting. Landowners, however, can still give written permission for these activities on their property. Landowners interested in creating, improving and protecting wildlife habitat on their property are encouraged to work with Division of Wildlife private lands biologists. Contact information can be found on the Private Lands Biologists Contact Information page at wildohio.gov, or by calling 800-WILDLIFE. "Ohio is 95% privately owned, and many of these lands are prime outdoor recreational areas," said division Chief Kendra Wecker. "This new program helps connect landowners and hunters through incentives and opens many more acres of land to Ohio's hunting enthusiasts." Those interested in hunting the enrolled properties must first obtain a free daily access permit. Permits are available from Sept. 1, 2021, to June 1, 2022, and are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. More information for both landowners and hunters can be found on the Ohio Landowner/Hunter Access Partnership Program page at wildohio.gov Step Outside • Kill it and Grill it Raffle, Black Swamp Bucks Unlimited: Findlay's home-grown conservation organization, Black Swamp Bucks Unlimited, is hosting a benefit raffle to help sponsor its conservation work. With only 150 tickets for prizes, it includes everything you need to process, package, fry, smoke or grill. Visit blackswampbucks.com to learn more about their efforts and follow their raffle link to get your tickets. While you're there, check out their 2021 ATV Raffle. • Aug. 13: Wyandot County Pheasants Forever Annual Raffle, Auction and Dinner, White Shutter Winery and Brewery, Nevada. Event begins at 5 p.m., and tickets are available at https://pfqf.myeventscenter.com/ • Aug. 14: Free Range Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Division of Wildlife is partnering with the National Shooting Sports Foundation to host Free Range Day, a no-charge event at five public ranges. Staff will offer on-site instruction to beginning shooters and provide equipment, ammunition, ear protection and eye protection free of charge. Participating Division of Wildlife Ranges are: Deer Creek, in Mt. Sterling; Delaware, in Ashley; Grand River, in Bristolville; Spring Valley, in Waynesville; and Woodbury, in Warsaw. • Aug. 15: 75-bird trap shoot. Practice traps open at 11 a.m., program at 12:30 p.m.; UCOA, 6943 Township Road 243; public welcome. Contact Sandy Thomas at 419-722-2441. •August 20-21: Callapalooza Turkey Hunter and Call Maker Rendezvous, 9 a.m. until the bonfire goes out, Eagles Pavilion, 376 Quick Road, New Carlisle. Free to attend and for vendors. Includes a turkey shoot at 1 p.m. Saturday. Contact Bob Fulcher at 937-270-3299 for more details. • Aug. 21: Youth Fun Day, noon to 3 p.m., Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Township Road 186, Forest. All youths welcome, free of charge. Contact dcallison96@msn.com • Aug. 21: Annual Bratwurst Sporting Clays Fun Shoot, Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club, 4146 Klopfenstein Road, Bucyrus. Registration from 8-9:30 a.m., shotgun start at 10 a.m. and includes gourmet bratwurst lunch. Cost is $65 per person. Contact Ruth at 419-562-6131. • Aug. 22: 3D archery match, Field and Stream Bowhunters, 11400 Township Road 109. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Contact Harold Spence at 419-423-9861. • Aug. 27: 50-bird skeet shoot. Practice traps open at 4 p.m., program at 5:30 p.m.; UCOA, 6943 Township Road 243; public welcome. Contact Sandy Thomas at 419-722-2441. • Sept. 7: Fall Trap League, five-person teams. The league will last for six weeks. For information or to sign up, call or text Sandy Thomas at 419-722-2441. Abrams is a retired wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via email at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com