Gifts that keep on giving

Field Notes Gifts that Keep on Giving Dec. 6, 2025 Looking for something a little different for a gift exchange or stocking stuffer this holiday season? ODNR and its divisions have some suggestions that might just make that search a little easier. My personal favorite is the Division of Wildlife's Wild Ohio Magazine. It provides readers a glimpse into Ohio's wildlife and conservation activities. The magazine is delivered six times each year, including a calendar edition. The cost is only $5 per year for individuals who purchase at a license vendor, with the HuntFish OH mobile app, or online through the Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System. The handy mobile app is available on your phone's play/app store and is free to download. If you have a hunter or angler that you're shopping for, you can really surprise them with something that will last for years – maybe even for the rest of their life – and there's a size to fit anyone. Ohio residents looking to purchase a hunting or fishing license can choose from three-year, five-year, 10-year, and lifetime options, and gift certificates are available to help your giftee get just what they always wanted! Gift certificates are redeemable for the online purchase of licenses and permits. Gift Certificates are available at all authorized agents, the HuntFish OH mobile app, or wildohio.gov – the same place they can be redeemed for hunting and fishing licenses as well as other permits. As a bonus, all funds generated from the sale of licenses are deposited into the Wildlife Fund, where they'll be used to protect and enhance Ohio's wildlife populations. The Lake Erie Birding Trail Guidebook is your ultimate guide for exploring Ohio's top 90 birding hotspots along the Lake Erie shoreline. The 120-page compilation of 90 popular and less well-known birding spots all along Ohio's Lake Erie coast, from Ashtabula to Toledo, is $15 and includes a map and current birding checklist. The collectable Wildlife Legacy Stamp is another popular choice for a lot of great reasons. Your purchase supports the Endangered Species and Wildlife Diversity Fund and habitat restoration, conservation easements, endangered and threatened native species, educational products for students and wildlife enthusiasts, and wildlife and habitat research projects. Costing just $15, it comes with a window cling and commemorative card. They can be purchased with the HuntFish OH mobile app, through Ohio's Wildlife Licensing System, or the online store. If you love visiting our beautiful state parks lodges, remember that showing your Ohio Wildlife Legacy Stamp at nine of the lodges can earn the stamp holder a 25% discount on rooms for weekday stays. Speaking of Ohio's state parks, they also have some gifts available that you may enjoy giving. The Ohio State Parks Passport is a great way to commemorate and track your visits to all of Ohio's award-winning 76 scenic state parks. The full-color booklet includes regional maps, photographs, and individual pages for each Ohio State Park. Learn about what each park offers, interesting facts, and local information. Users can "stamp" their passport, write notes, and commemorate each visit. Passports are available at state park camp stores and lodge gift shops for $10 each. There's also a commemorative Ohio State Park's Christmas Ornament available, highlighting paddling and our Natural Resources Park at the state fairgrounds. Each ornament is $11.99. There's also the option of getting a dedicated Ohio State Park Gift Certificate/Card. Gift cards and gift certificates may be redeemed for camping, getaway rentals, cabin rentals, and at most Ohio State Park lodges. Gift certificates and gift cards may also be used at state-operated retail stores or for boat rentals at many state park marinas. Available in any denomination and with no expiration date, gift cards, and gift certificates may be purchased online at reserveohio.com or by calling 866-644-6727. Gift cards and certificates will be processed within three business days; expected delivery times vary depending on your location, so don't procrastinate! We can't forget the Division of Geological Survey! I know, I know – what could they possibly have that would make a trendy gift? What kid (or curious adult) couldn't learn from getting their hands on some cool Posters of what Ohio would have looked like at various points during its natural history? The posters showcase time periods spanning more than 450 million years of Earth history and help tell the story of Ohio's natural progression from an undersea environment, teeming with aquatic life, to a terrestrial world, thriving with plants and animals. Each poster measures 24 by 36 inches and is printed on high-quality paper with a satin finish. Do you know any needy science teachers? While you're considering the posters, make sure you check out Dunk's T-Shirt! While that's his nickname, his full title is really Dunkleosteus terrelli, Ohio's state fossil fish. Now there's a conversation starter. The Division of Geological Survey also offers several Guidebooks and other Award-Winning Publications. These make great gifts for those curious loved ones who might enjoy learning about some of Ohio's fascinating fossils, geologic sites, and scenic features, including state parks and Lake Erie. There are also maps, activity books, and other publications for rockhounds of all ages. To make it easy, ODNR has placed all of these gift ideas at one easily found website, https://ohiodnr.gov/giftideas. "Clark, that's the gift that keeps on giving the whole year." – Uncle Eddie, Christmas Vacation Along the Way The Ohio Division of Wildlife annually reports deer harvest totals at notable points during the hunting season, one of those being the season opener. This year, hunters checked 23,149 white-tailed deer on Monday, Dec. 1 during the first day of the weeklong gun hunting season. Ohio's seven-day gun season is open until Sunday, Dec. 7, with an additional gun hunting weekend on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 20-21. The three-year average of deer killed on the first day is 21,075. The top 10 counties for deer checked on opening day were: Ashtabula (1,122); Coshocton (1,010); Muskingum (801); Tuscarawas (795); Knox (784); Carroll (692); Trumbull (678); Ashland (647); Harrison (560) and Licking (558). The counties listed below show deer that were checked by hunters during opening day of the 2025 deer gun hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county's name shows the 2025 harvest. The three-year average of deer taken on opening day in 2022, 2023, and 2024 is in parentheses. Local county harvest were: Allen: 134 (105); Defiance: 248 (271); Hancock: 218 (181); Hardin: 184 (139); Putnam: 142 (144); Sandusky: 109 (90); Seneca: 409 (331); Wood: 131 (111) and Wyandot: 260 (200). Of interest is how EHD (Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease) has impacted this year's first-day harvest in those counties most heavily impacted. Reduced to 1-deer limit: Athens: 89 (346); Meigs: 81 (335); Washington: 62 (448)Reduced to 2- deer limit: Hocking: 301 (323); Jackson: 286 (291); Morgan: 190 (386); Vinton: 180 (180)Reduced to 3-deer limit: Fairfield: 220 (216); Gallia: 303 (313); Monroe: 250 (328); Muskingum: 801 (688); Noble: 290 (355) and Perry: 317 (327) Step Outside •If you're interested in getting your deer examined for Chronic Wasting Disease any time during the deer seasons, you can use the self-serve kiosks to drop off the head for testing. Participation is voluntary outside of the mandatory days. Kiosk locations, instructions, and dates of operation are available at wildohio.gov. •Today – Tomorrow: In October 2025, the Division of Wildlife implemented a deer donation program as a dual benefit strategy for managing Ohio's white tailed deer populations. Donated deer will be processed through the division's partnership with the Ohio Penal Industries (OPI) at the Pickaway Correctional Institution. To participate, drop off your harvest at one of the locations below from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Division of Wildlife staff will be present to assist you. Hebron Fish Hatchery, 10517 Canal Road SE, Hebron, OH 43025 Knox County Sherriff Office, 11540 Upper Gilchrist Rd, Mt Vernon, OH 43050 Delaware Shooting Range, 1110 OH-229, Ashley, OH 43003 Killdeer Plains Wildlife Area, 19100 Co Hwy 115, Harpster, OH 43323 All deer must be legally tagged by a licensed hunter or by hunting landowner. Have your tagging confirmation number with you when dropping off a deer. Donated deer still count as part of the hunter's season limit. Due to food safety reasons, venison that has already been processed cannot be accepted. • Through Tomorrow: Ohio Statewide Deer Gun Season. It opened on Dec. 1. • Tomorrow: Trap Shoot, 1 p.m. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. • Tomorrow: Primitive Blackpowder Muzzle Loader Shoot, round ball only, 1 p.m. Black Swamp Muzzle Loaders Club, 8831 Township Rd. 19, McComb. Public welcome. Contact: roadkill4u@hotmail.com • Dec. 9: Making European Deer Mounts. Come join the Ohio Division of Wildlife for a demonstration and discussion on the processes of making European mounts at the Wildlife District Two Office in Findlay from 6 -9 p.m. This class will cover the basics of how to prepare your skull, equipment options, processes, and finishing tactics. For questions about the class, contact Jaron Beck at jaron.beck@dnr.ohio.gov or 419-348-0851. Division of Wildlife, 952 Lima Ave. Findlay, OH. • Dec. 14: Ham Shoot. Includes 10-bird shoots, still shoots, protections, and Annie Oakley's. Shooting begins at noon. Mount Blanchard Gun Club, 21655 Delaware Township 186. Public welcome. Questions: Bob Yoder, 419-273-5057. • Dec. 16: Exploring Rabbit Hunting. Anyone interested in learning about rabbit hunting are encouraged to attend this free class on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 from 6-8 p.m. Instructors will cover rabbit habitat, behavior, equipment needed, hunting with dogs vs. without dogs, and preparing for the shot. If you have questions about the class, contact Jaron at Jaron.Beck@dnr.ohio.gov. Division of Wildlife, 952 Lima Ave. Findlay, OH. • Dec. 20-21: Last Chance - Ohio Statewide Deer Gun Season. 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 e-mail at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com.