During the 2024-25 whitetailed deer hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Matt Smith, assigned to Huron County, received a Turn In a Poacher (TIP) report regarding an unlawfully harvested buck. Officer Smith determined that the buck was unlawfully game checked by someone other than the hunter. Two suspects were issued summonses for taking more than one antlered deer in a license year, failing to game check a deer, using a deer permit for a deer taken by another, providing false game check information and possessing a deer unlawfully. A rifle, antlered deer skull cap, antlered deer shoulder mount and venison were seized as evidence and forfeited to the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The main suspect was ordered to pay $11,180.64 in fines and restitution, serve 60 days in jail with 57 days suspended, complete two years of probation and forfeit hunting privileges for two years. The second individual was ordered to pay $300 in fines and court costs through Crawford Municipal Court. Anyone observing illegal wildlife activity can call the TIP hotline at 1-800POACHER (762-2437) and make an anonymous report.
State Wildlife Officer Mike Ohlrich, assigned to Lucas County, responded to a call about a person unlawfully possessing a snapping turtle during the closed season. Ohio’s turtle season runs from July 1 to December 31 each year. Officer Ohlrich contacted the suspect and located the turtle, which was being kept in a plastic tote. The suspect found the turtle as it was crossing a road and kept it. A summons was issued for taking a snapping turtle during the closed season and the turtle was released back into the wild. It is unlawful to keep wild animals as pets without a permit.
