WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Central Ohio – Wildlife District One
While contacting ice anglers on Buckeye Lake, State Wildlife Officer Brady Stevens, assigned at-large in central Ohio, was approached by an angler who had questions about the removal of the minimum length requirement on saugeye. Officer Stevens explained that the change was made after research by Ohio Division of Wildlife fisheries biologists showed that removing the requirement would not harm the fish population. Officer Stevens also directed the angler to a handout which summarized this research. The angler thanked Officer Stevens for his time and willingness to have a conversation.
During the youth white-tailed deer gun hunting weekend, State Wildlife Officer Jade Heizer, assigned to Fairfield County, responded to a complaint of an adult hunter who appeared to be hunting with a firearm and not wearing hunter orange. Officer Heizer responded and contacted the hunter, who had a crossbow. The hunter was wearing camouflage clothing and an orange cap. The hunter did not possess an illegal hunting implement and had permission to hunt on the property but had forgotten an orange vest. The hunter was issued a summons for hunting during a gun season without visibly wearing a vest, coat, jacket, or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange. The hunter paid $100 in court costs and a $50 fine in Circleville Municipal court.
