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Wildlife Officers...exactly what is it they do here in Ohio?

Wingman

Junior Member
37
0
I'm just curious as to what the context of a wildlife officers job is here in Ohio. I live in Knox County and there are two wildlife areas, Kokosing Reservoir and Knox Lake. The few times I have talked to the wildlife officer that covers the county, Michael Budd, about the concerns I have had over the insane amount of abuse and neglect that happens at Kokosing, he tells me "well I cover the whole county by myself, so it's hard to get around to everything." Okay...well you have two wildlife areas, and Knox Lake is pretty much just fishing for the most part...yet I have NEVER ONCE seen him at Kokosing or noticed any change in trend to the abuse there. What do I have to do to get some attention here? Why isn't he knocking on doors and talking to locals, or holding meetings with these people? I suppose they also react to issues outside of the park also on private land, but their first and foremost attention and concern should be on the actual wildlife areas in my opinion. I have a feeling Mr. Budd probably lives somewhere that is nowhere close to Kokosing, and thus hardly ever goes there...but that is just an assumption. Does anyone know who I should call or email that is above him in order to get some help over here? I'm tired of rolling up on junkies shooting up heroin and coming across literally hundreds of beer cans left by the Amish (obvious by the horse shit left next to them) who seem to use Kokosing as their Rumspringa playground...not to mention at least once or twice a month pulling up to a parking lot to find a whole, unharvested doe lying dead in the parking lots. I'm not going to settle for "well it's Knox county so...blah blah blah." If it actually comes down to some kind of fact that wildlife officers have to spend half their time filling out paperwork, then that is pretty sad. Paperwork is for secretaries, not wildlife officers. Where is the tax on farmers to support DNR in Ohio? They are the ones who destroy the ecosystems for all kinds of species here...so logic would determine that they should pay a tax. I know....asking conservative farmers to pay more taxes is like shooting their kids, in their minds...but come on. I'd go out and try to take photos or videos myself of these people breaking the law, but a lot of these are whacko trash with guns...so that is pretty much out of the question.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
It is everyone's responsibility to help that one GW out. If you see something happening that you think is wrong. Document everything you can along with plate numbers, then report it. I've done this and thought nothing was happening... Then last year at the Summit I brought it up. Two of the GW's knew the entire story and also filled me in on what all happened beyond what I reported. I thought I wasted my time, then found out that it led them to a great bust. I guess what I'm saying is, just because they don't call you back doesn't mean it didn't matter.

My other question would be... Do you pick up the trash when you see it? I do and so do my kids, anything else is beyond my control.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
I'm still trying to answer that question myself. My cousin text me the other day about an old guy that comes in to his work on a weekly basis to tell them about the latest buck he's killed. So far this year, he's killed 5 bucks. He's just one of many who do this and I can guarantee if I called our GW, he wouldn't bother to call back. We're the largest land mass county in Ohio, so I know it's a tall task, but you shouldn't sign up for the job if you can't do the work.
 

Wingman

Junior Member
37
0
Thanks for the info and comments...I have sent Mr. Zehringer, the director of DNR I guess, a long email detailing my concerns.

I actually filled up two large trash bags with beer cans and bottles the other day that the Amish kids left in the woods...which I promptly dropped off at the closest Amish driveway with a note attached telling them this is not okay, is illegal, and I that I knew it was them because of the horse crap around the trash...maybe a brash decision I won't do again...but I was very angry at the time and they are supposed to be a community so maybe that sent a little spark around since it was probably one of the Amish housewives that found the bags in their driveway...and those women don't look like someone their kids would want to cross. Would have been even better if I knew where their Bishop lived.

The ideology has to be changed here...that's all there is to it. I know that is a lot to ask in some places where education has been lacking for generations and is just a tacit part of their culture...but that doesn't mean you don't at least make an attempt at it. It has to go beyond just "busting" people and hoping the word spreads to others. Nature is Culture...Culture is Nature...Humans are NOT separate or above nature in any way, shape, or form. Christianity has taught us that it is okay for humans to look down upon nature and do as they wish with it...which is wrong...but even Christianity adds the caveat that even though humans, in their minds, should control nature, they should also be STEWARDS of nature at the same time, which isn't really happening in a lot of places anymore. Humans DO manage nature...I am okay with that...but until we see ourselves as also equals to it, then things won't change much. One of the main purposes for hunting these days is supposed to be to manage nature in a way that promotes biodiversity. No Hillary, we don't HAVE to all hunt just for the food...and I guarantee most of us spend more supporting the hunting and gun industries than we ever get back in food...but at least many of them contribute back to conservation efforts. Heck, my friend in Oregon spends thousands of dollars a year to keep his salmon boat and gear in order...and never gets that back in the few salmon or steelhead he gets every year. WE do it because we love being connected to nature in special ways and knowing we are part of the biodiversity effort. The meat we get is just an extra bonus.
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
I guess my county got a good WO. I guarantee he will be busy this weekend. He does classes for trapper/hunter education. I have seen him at swap meets checking antlers for tags. I know he will be at the Hunting for Heroes this weekend and works to prepare the hunting areas for the veterans hunting it. He has followed up with me when I have called with concerns. Even met me for lunch one day when I had a question about a tag issue. (He refused to let me buy him lunch as well.) All I am saying is, they aren't all bad.
 

Qback5

Junior Member
318
44
Somewhat related, I live near Killbuck. In the offseason a I often hike the area with my young kids, teaching them to pickup trash we find. One of my kiddos developed an idea to arrange a big trash cleanup...how could I say no??? We called the area manager and was encouraged not to do it out of safety concerns of chemicals, namely dumped meth labs...and particularly if kids are involved.

I was just so shocked that this is even an issue...but it makes sense. Officer said that he cannot tell us not to pick up trash, but that we should really be very careful if we do.

Crazy world...
 

Wingman

Junior Member
37
0
That's pretty crazy Q...though having lived in both Missouri and Oregon, which are two very large meth-producing/consuming states...I know that is an issue. From what I can tell, heroin has become the new popular drug in Knox county...so needles are probably more of a concern here than anything. I've rolled up to parking lots at Kokosing where people are obviously shooting up since they are fully reclined and could care less what is going on around them. I've not seen a needle myself, but I worry about that. I actually just emailed the local mayor yesterday to organize a trash cleanup at Kokosing...and didn't really think about this, so thanks for the insight. I know many other states have made things like Sudafed a prescription only drug now, so hopefully that has helped stop the meth labs in the woods...but even the older ones could be dangerous. Anhydrous ammonia is something farmers keep in large tanks, and can be used to produce meth also...and many farmers have had issues with this substance being stolen from un-secured tanks on their farms. Here is a link from the U.S. forest service on how to identify a possible meth lab in the woods...everyone should be aware of these things. http://www.fs.fed.us/lei/dangers-meth-labs.php
 

Dustinb80

#FACKCANCER
Supporting Member
18,172
187
S.W. Ohio
I guess my county got a good WO. I guarantee he will be busy this weekend. He does classes for trapper/hunter education. I have seen him at swap meets checking antlers for tags. I know he will be at the Hunting for Heroes this weekend and works to prepare the hunting areas for the veterans hunting it. He has followed up with me when I have called with concerns. Even met me for lunch one day when I had a question about a tag issue. (He refused to let me buy him lunch as well.) All I am saying is, they aren't all bad.

I have met Craig several times over the past few years at the Hunt with Heros functions. This year he brought his supervisor along with him. Both of them are stand up nice guys. Ive met and spoke with my local Game Warden as well. He has been to our club meetings (Izaak Walton League). I called him a few days ago about an issue and he called back within a few hours. They aren't all bad, but I agree, there is a lot of work to be done.
 

Bigcountry40

Member
4,555
127
I have came to accept that GW's typically harm more than they help, the true poaches/criminals sneak around killing 5 bucks a year, while the GW's are busy writing teachers (a buddy of mine) tickets because he left his deer tag in his 4 wheeler. GW's typically only catch us church going country folk slipping up on minor violations, while the poacher do what they do.
 

"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
56,743
274
North Carolina
I have came to accept that GW's typically harm more than they help, the true poaches/criminals sneak around killing 5 bucks a year, while the GW's are busy writing teachers (a buddy of mine) tickets because he left his deer tag in his 4 wheeler. GW's typically only catch us church going country folk slipping up on minor violations, while the poacher do what they do.

Much easier and less investigating
 

hickslawns

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
39,721
248
Ohio
I have came to accept that GW's typically harm more than they help, the true poaches/criminals sneak around killing 5 bucks a year, while the GW's are busy writing teachers (a buddy of mine) tickets because he left his deer tag in his 4 wheeler. GW's typically only catch us church going country folk slipping up on minor violations, while the poacher do what they do.

I have talked with ours quite a bit. He called me over the weekend asking permission to give out my number to a guy wanting a dog to track a deer. I feel I know him quite well. His take: He needs to play devil's advocate. He has to put himself in the shoes of a judge and jury to see if he can gather enough substantial evidence to convict a guy on poaching. For poaching cases, I think there is a pattern of years of collecting evidence before they can go in and make a case for it. Not too often the poacher is caught in the act. In the meantime, there are minor violations and phone calls/paperwork to follow up on.
 

MK111

"Happy Hunting Grounds in the Sky"
Supporting Member
6,551
66
SW Ohio
The GW's are so-so and good ones. Some put their hearts into it and others just fill the job because of the good benefits.
As far as the 5 buck killer mentioned I would suspect he's totally stupid to brag about it or just a want-to-be buck killer. Leaning towards just a blow heart.
 

Bigslam51

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
25,778
127
Stark County
I don't see why anyone would want a wildlife officers job just for the benefits, Frank. Every person that takes on that job has to have some type of love for the outdoors and protecting the wildlife. I could think of some easier jobs with the state to take on just for the benefits.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
I think a lot of the 5 buck killers are rumors. If you know someone thats doing such things, you need to do your part and help the law out. You owe that to yourself and fellow hunters. I find it to always be a guy that knows a guy type of story though. Then you find out down the road that the guy travels around to bordering states to kill these bucks legally. But it all stemmed from one guy blabbing his mouth, and that dude isn't even a hunter.

I had two mature bucks given to me last year, plus my own. Do you think rumors don't go around about me? I've had the GW here before because of these kinds of things. Everything is done legally, these guys hunt for the racks and give me the meat. But when so and so brings a kid over to play with my kid and sees a buck hanging a couple times, them cowards start shit instead of asking. Bad enough that I now almost feel like I have to hide the deer from visitors, thats a shame. I hope these guys continue to give me the meat and don't think the hassles aren't worth it to them.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
48,879
274
Appalachia
If you think they're rumors, you need to get out more. My county loaded with people who kill more than their share. Farmers that shot 100 deer in a year using any means necessary. Guys who shoot 5-6 bucks. Guys who shoot 10-11 deer. Kids who make games out of poaching deer. I've tried to help but when the law won't meet you halfway, what are you supposed to do?

And then we implement Telecheck which makes cheating even easier. Especially with the new county specific bag limits. All the state cares about is revenue, not justice.
 

Bigcountry40

Member
4,555
127
I think a lot of the 5 buck killers are rumors. If you know someone thats doing such things, you need to do your part and help the law out. You owe that to yourself and fellow hunters. I find it to always be a guy that knows a guy type of story though. Then you find out down the road that the guy travels around to bordering states to kill these bucks legally. But it all stemmed from one guy blabbing his mouth, and that dude isn't even a hunter.

I had two mature bucks given to me last year, plus my own. Do you think rumors don't go around about me? I've had the GW here before because of these kinds of things. Everything is done legally, these guys hunt for the racks and give me the meat. But when so and so brings a kid over to play with my kid and sees a buck hanging a couple times, them cowards start shit instead of asking. Bad enough that I now almost feel like I have to hide the deer from visitors, thats a shame. I hope these guys continue to give me the meat and don't think the hassles aren't worth it to them.

Rumors are what lead to GW's investigating us honest hunters and searching/violating our personal space, I have been subjected to this. You would of thought I was a major cocaine dealer. Gw's are just doing their job and have a love for wildlife, but they have more power than cops and will be asinine about the stupidest things. If I leave my written permission in the truck by accident and show it to you, is it worth making a new enemy and searching my truck for no particular reason?