Cheaters never prosper

We're taught from a young age that "cheaters never prosper." Unfortunately, as we grow older, we often come to the conclusion that the old proverb just isn't true. That's not quite right, we know that it's morally correct, but that some people really don't have the ethical fortitude to care about such things. No law or rule really stops those cheaters, they just merely plan more carefully. They're believers of "the ends justify the means." That's why when someone gets caught red-handed, we toast the universe and utter "finally!" Of course, hunting and fishing aren't immune to such people. It most often takes place in the form of trespassing, spotlighting, shooting from the road, over-limits and other such violations. Unfortunately, if money, fame, or inflating one's ego are thrown into the mix, the temptation grows disproportionately. Every wildlife officer in the country knows about the possible results. Anything from fines and jail to people being physically injured. I'm not alone when I recall such things as arguments, fights, property damage, and even two situations in which an innocent person was unintentionally killed during illegal spotlighting. The waters of the famous Lake Erie Walleye Trail Tournament have now been muddied by lead-loaded walleye to help guarantee a win. Those wanna-be winners almost captured the nearly $30,000 prize when Tournament Director Jason Fischer wanted to put his hands on the dead walleye. It's very likely that Fischer, a law enforcement officer in the Cleveland area, had seen his share of cheaters in his career. D'Arcy Egan, writing for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, reported that Fischer explained, "When I felt something hard in the belly of their first fish, and their limit of five walleye seemed excessively heavy, at more than 33 pounds, for their length, I called for a fillet knife." When the cuts were made to the five fish bellies, ten lead weights dropped into a basket. Each of them added an extra 12-ounces to the fish's "weight." Knowing D'Arcy, I'm sure the avid angler and the Plain Dealer's retired outdoor columnist was nearly as upset as the crowd. One of the suspected cheats watched red-faced and silent as the weights dropped, while his accomplice locked himself in his truck. It's lucky that the other competitors kept their cool, although most of the videos of the incident are laced with rather harsh language. It's also fortunate for those two that it's 2022 and that they were in the Cleveland Metroparks — and not visiting Deadwood in 1876. Who are these guys suspected of such an egregious act of trust to the other competitors, the sporting community and to the resource? They are Jacob Runyan of Cleveland and his tournament fishing partner Chase Cominsky of Hermitage, Pennsylvania. The pair had developed a reputation as always being close to the winning circle. Some in the crowd voiced suspicions that this wasn't the first-time fish may have suffered lead poisoning, though no proof was offered. The duo had reportedly taken home prizes like expensive fishing boats and thousands of dollars in other walleye contests. Fischer told Runyan, who had stood by sheepishly as the walleye were opened, to leave immediately. He likely knew from experience that things could escalate with the vocal and irate crowd. Of course, everybody deserves their day in court and should be considered innocent until the gavel falls. With plenty of witnesses to the incident and the evidence lying in a bucket, the crowd was likely unanimously in favor of giving Runyan and Cominsky that day. Ohio Department of Natural Resources officers and Metroparks Police were called and are preparing statements for the court. While charges have not yet been filed, I'm guessing that prosecutors will soon have a couple of whoppers on their own stringer waiting to be judged. "It takes less time to do a thing right, than it does to explain why you did it wrong." — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow Along the way The Ohio Department of Natural Resources unveiled plans to expand and improve tourism along the Interstate 70 corridor, by helping to transform abandoned mine lands (AML) into a brand-new campground for The Wilds. Once complete, this area will be the first of its kind for campers at The Wilds. The Wilds was recognized by the USA Today as the #2 Safari Park in North America in 2022. Guests have the option to stay the night at the lodge, cabins, or the outpost, but this campground will be the first of its kind for the attraction. The new campground, built using funding from the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) Program, will have space for recreational vehicle and primitive camping. ODNR is responsible for the first phase which includes groundwork for the 59-acre project. Once finished, the campground will include 46 concrete pads for RV or large trailers, 27 stone parking areas for primitive campers and 50 parking spaces and 1.75 miles of roads from a public road through the campground site. The campground is the first step in creating an "ecotourism corridor," connecting places like The Wilds with Salt Fork State Park, the Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area, Burr Oak State Park and parts of the Buckeye Trail. "We are working on a plan that will create an unparalleled outdoor experience within reach of all Ohioans," ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. "By connecting such amazing outdoor areas, we hope to open up a way for people to find their own adventure in any one of the parks or wildlife areas." ODNR's Division of Mineral Resources Management has been investing and working diligently to transform AML sites into safe and enjoyable land for Ohioans to enjoy. In Jefferson County, the Friendship Park Highwall Reclamation created more park acres, more hiking trails, and wetland area where wildlife can thrive. In Harrison County, The Sally Buffalo Park projects eliminated more than 2,200 feet of dangerous highwall, clearing the way for expanded campground facilities. Step outside •An Ohio man was convicted of wire fraud and sentenced to prison for his role in an illegal scheme to solicit payments and sell hunting leases on properties where he had no authority. The U.S. District Court in Southern Ohio found Nathan L. Knox, of Mechanicsburg, guilty on September 8 and sentenced him to one year and one day in prison, three years of supervised release, and restitution of $18,037. According to court documents, the defendant operated a scheme in 2019 where he placed advertisements on social media pages for supposed hunting leases in Ohio, but he had no right to sell the leases in question. The defendant charged prospective clients between $400 and $5,000 and offered pictures of mature buck deer as false evidence of the parcels. In total, he solicited payments from at least 68 different individuals, all residing outside Ohio, and received payments totaling $34,000 from at least 59 of those individuals. Ohio Wildlife Investigator Kandy Klosterman collaborated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and federal court to investigate the case. •Today marks the grand opening of the Hocking Hills Lodge and Conference Center, opening for reservations tomorrow. The nearly 74,000 square-foot lodge has 81 guest rooms where visitors can spend the night. Guests, and day visitors, can enjoy full-service dining at the Rock House Restaurant and Pub, a grab-and-go café, event space that can host hundreds of people, gift shop, and indoor and outdoor pool areas with hot tubs that can be enjoyed in any season. Inside, people can warm up by one of the four fireplaces after enjoying the scenic outdoor areas, including a large patio overlooking the tree-filled gorge. The lodge has been under construction since 2020. •Tomorrow's 5-Stand Clays Shoot at the UCOA has been cancelled. •Thursday-Friday: Trap and Skeet, open to the public. 4 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. •2022 Deer Seasons: Archery: Sept. 24-Feb. 5; Youth Gun: Nov. 19-Nov. 20; Gun: Nov. 28-Dec. 4; Dec. 17-Dec. 18; Muzzleloader: Jan. 7-Jan. 10. •Oct. 16: 75-Bird Trap Shoot, practice opens 11:30 a.m., program begins 12:30 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Marion Township 243, Findlay. Public welcome. Contact: Sandy Thomas, sandthm@aol.com. •Oct. 22-23: Wyandot County Gun Show, 9 a.m. Wyandot County Fairgrounds, Upper Sandusky. •Hunter and Trapper Education Class information and registration is found online at www.wildohio.gov or call 1-800-WILDLIFE. Locally, contact 419-424-5000. 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