Ohio Wildlife Council Considers 2022 Deer Hunting Changes

February 10, 2022 Mike Smith

Presented By Scioto Valley Dumpsters, LTD

(Columbus) – The Ohio Wildlife Council received proposals for the 2022-23 white-tailed deer hunting season on Wednesday, Feb. 9 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. If approved, deer hunting bag limits will increase in 18 counties in September 2022.

The 2022-23 deer hunting dates are similar to last season. As in years past, only one antlered deer may be harvested, regardless of where or how it is taken, and a hunter cannot exceed a county bag limit. The proposed deer hunting season dates for 2022-23 include:

Deer archery: Sept. 24, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023.
Youth deer gun: Nov. 19-20, 2022.
Deer gun: Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2022; Dec. 17-18, 2022.
Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 7-10, 2023.
Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Deer bag limit increases are designed to slow herd growth and provide additional hunting opportunities. Deer bag limits were proposed to be increased in 18 counties. Three counties are proposed to increase to two deer (from one deer): Clinton, Fayette, and Pickaway. Fifteen counties are proposed to increase to three deer (from two deer): Allen, Auglaize, Champaign, Clark, Darke, Mercer, Miami, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Preble, Putnam, Shelby, Van Wert, and Washington. A proposed bag limit map is available at wildohio.gov.

Proposed disease surveillance area deer hunting seasons
Wednesday’s proposals also included separate deer hunting regulations in an expanded Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance area in Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties.

A disease surveillance area was established following the discovery in 2020 of two CWD-positive deer in Wyandot County. Further testing revealed eight more CWD-positive deer in 2021. The Division of Wildlife has proposed additional measures to increase the deer harvest, decrease the possibility of disease transmission, and limit the spread of CWD in Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties. CWD is a fatal neurological disease that affects white-tailed deer and other similar species.

Proposed deer seasons in the disease surveillance area include a longer archery season that opens Sept. 1, and an early gun season during three days in early October.

Deer archery: Sept. 1, 2022-Feb. 5, 2023.
Early deer gun: Oct. 8-10, 2022.
Youth deer gun: Nov. 19-20, 2022.
Deer gun: Nov. 28-Dec. 4, 2022; Dec. 17-18, 2022.
Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 7-10, 2023.
Hunting hours are 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.

Further, public land deer hunting restrictions are proposed to be removed at Big Island, Andreoff, and Wyandot wildlife areas. Public land restrictions were previously removed at Killdeer Plains and Lake La Su An wildlife areas.

Proposed 2022 and 2023 wild turkey hunting seasons
Ohio’s wild turkey hunting seasons for 2023 were also proposed to the Ohio Wildlife Council on Wednesday night. These proposed dates maintain a 30-day spring turkey season in the south zone and northeast zone, with opening days on Saturdays.

The proposed 2023 spring turkey dates:

Youth season: April 15-16, 2023, 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
South zone:
- April 22-April 30, 2023, 30 minutes before sunrise to noon.
- May 1-21, 2023, 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.
Northeast zone:
- April 29-May 7, 2023, 30 minutes before sunrise to noon.
- May 8-28, 2023, 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset.

The fall 2022 wild turkey season was proposed to be reduced by three weeks during the January meeting of the Ohio Wildlife Council. The proposed dates are Oct. 15-Nov. 13, 2022.

Endangered and threatened species listings
Every five years, the Division of Wildlife reviews and updates the species listed as endangered, threatened, extirpated, species of concern, and special interest. This year, 58 different species listings were proposed to be changed, added, or removed from the endangered and threatened species list. A complete list of proposed species is available at wildohio.gov.

Three fish species, the alligator gar, blacknose shiner, and longhead darter were proposed to be downgraded to endangered from extirpated. Many updates to dragonflies, damselflies, and butterflies were proposed following years of thorough citizen science reporting. Two crayfish species, the blue crayfish, and the crawzilla crawdad, were added to the list after previously unknown populations of both species were discovered in Ohio.

General hunting proposals
It was proposed to remove the requirement that a crossbow have traverse limbs and a stock that is at least 25 inches long. A shoulder-mount stock will still be required under this proposal. This will update the definition of a crossbow to allow newer designs that are shorter and have differing limb configurations.

It was also proposed to remove the restrictions for carrying a concealed firearm while hunting. Under this proposal, a person may carry and hunt with a legally concealed firearm.

Ohio Wildlife Council
The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eight-member board that approves all Ohio Division of Wildlife proposed rules and regulations. Council meetings are held virtually and open to the public. Individuals interested in providing comments are asked to call 614-265-6304 at least two days prior to the meeting to register. All comments are required to be three minutes or less.

A complete list of proposed rule changes and proposed hunting and trapping season dates for 2022-23 are available at wildohio.gov. Everyone who would like to comment on Division of Wildlife proposals can do so online at wildohio.gov from Feb. 14-March 16. A statewide hearing on all proposed rules will be held on Thursday, March 24, 2022 at 9 a.m.

News

Cat Roundup Rescue Looking for Volunteers, Donations & Adopting Families

February 10, 2022 Mike Smith

Presented By McDonald’s

A Ross County based group that volunteers in rescuing cats and trying to find people to adopt them, is seeking help to keep that mission going. Cat Roundup Rescue was established in 2020, are still going with the help of individuals, organizations and businesses.

But, they need more help according to organizer Lauri Swaney-Cook, who got the group started a couple of years ago.

Our interview with Lauri can be watched by clicking the picture below:

(Lauri Swaney-Cook of Cat Roundup Rescue interviewed by Mike Smith on Litter Media LIVE- Special Edition)

They currently have several foster homes to house the cats, until they can find someone to adopt that cats. They have taken in 371 cats last year, and those numbers are bound to climb this year.

Find their social media site at www.catrounduprescue.com or call (740) 720-0427

News

National Salute To Veteran Patients Week

February 10, 2022 Mike Smith

Presented By Rathkamp Financial

(Chillicothe) – The Chillicothe VA Medical Center will recognize and honor Veterans from February 13 – 19 during National Salute to Veteran Patients week.

Since 1978, VA has used the week of Valentine’s Day to provide a weeklong commemoration for Veterans. Local commemoration efforts include a Super Bowl Party, catered meals by Elegant Eats and 7 Mile Smokehouse, a pizza party, treat baskets, National Salute hats, pins, challenge coins and more during the week. The Chillicothe VA would like to thank the following sponsors for making these events possible:

American Legion Auxiliary Department of Ohio
AMVETS 2256
AMVETS Auxiliary Department of Ohio
DAR Nathanial Massie Chapter
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 18
Elks Department of Ohio
Knights of Columbus
Moose Department of Ohio
VFW District 12
VFW Auxiliary Department of Ohio
Veterans in Transition, Inc.
Vietnam Veterans of America Buckeye State Council

“At the Chillicothe VA, our patients have a special place in our hearts. We pledge to continue doing all that we can to care for their health and promote their well-being,” said Dr. Kathy Berger, Medical Center Director. “These heroes are no mere ‘patients’ – they are ‘our’ Veterans, and we are honored to care for them, as we are honored to provide our volunteers the opportunity to do so too.”

In 2021, schools, community groups, and youth organizations nationwide sent more than 1,000 valentines to the Chillicothe VA, which were distributed to both inpatients and outpatients served by the medical center. Additionally, more than 250 volunteers and community organizations contributed to events and activities recognizing hospitalized Veterans.

In addition to donations and as a compliment to in-person volunteer assignments, VA also provides volunteers with virtual and remote assignments which allows them to safely support Veteran inpatients during the pandemic.

News

Fluor-BWXT Extends Summer Internship Deadline

February 10, 2022 Mike Smith

Presented By Classic Brands

(Piketon) – Fluor-BWXT (FBP) has extended the application deadline for the 2022 summer internship program to February 21, 2022.

The Fluor-BWXT internship program provides college students from a wide array of education disciplines to gain an opportunity to apply traditional academic classroom learning to actual hands-on work experience.

“FBP strongly believes internships are an important resource for students, providing them with invaluable work experience as they prepare for their professional careers,” said Todd Cron, FBP Human Resource Manager. “This program allows FBP the ability to strategically develop and identify future new hires to strengthen the workforce within our surrounding communities.”

To be eligible, candidates must be a U.S. citizen, age 18 or older, and must pass a drug and/or alcohol screening test. In addition, students must also meet all of the following criteria:

Full time student pursuing an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree and have completed a minimum three semesters or four quarters of academic course work toward a specified degree relevant to Fluor-BWXT’s scope of work at the time of application;
Enrolled in a participating four-year accredited college or university* OR be apermanent resident of either Pike, Scioto, Ross or Jackson counties while enrolled and pursuing a degree;
Student applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 with the exception of students enrolled in an engineering degree; engineering students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.70.

The 12-week paid internship program is for students interested in a wide variety of careers that make up the FBP workforce. These areas are consolidated to three common focal points of Engineering, Health & Science, and Business Support. The internships are designed to enable the student to gain hands-on experience while contributing to a number of exciting projects. Examples of some of the typical types of assignments include: supporting the development and integration of programs/projects, assisting in the development of sub-contract terms and conditions, participating in process improvement initiatives, analyzing proposals, assisting with public events, preparing and or reviewing estimates and reports, updating procedures and plans, and assisting with field observations.

Students who wish to apply should submit an application online via the Fluor-BWXT external website (https://fluorbwcareers.silkroad.com/). Completed applications are due no later than Feb. 21, 2022.

* Participating universities in the region include: Ohio University; Morehead State University; Eastern Kentucky University; University of Cincinnati; Case Western University; Ohio State University; University of Dayton; Wright State University; Shawnee State University; Rio Grande University; Central State University; Wilberforce University; Miami University of Oxford; Marshall University; University of Toledo; Northern Kentucky University; Cincinnati State; Columbus State Community College; Southern State Community College; and Xavier University.

Sports

Lockwood Commits To Shawnee State University Softball Program

February 10, 2022 Mike Smith

Presented By Hometown-Motors, Inc.

Southeastern High School senior Lexie Lockwood has made her commitment to attend Shawnee State University to play college softball.

Lexie Lockwood Signs With Shawnee State University Softball

Lexie, who made her mark for the Southeastern Panthers as a volleyball player earning SVC Defensive Player of the Year, also has been pretty impressive on the softball diamond each spring as an All SVC player.

Going into her senior season at Southeastern, Lockwood has compiled the following career softball stats:

.683 batting average
48 runs scored
18 RBI’s
53 stolen bases
6 doubles
3 triples
1 home run

In the classroom at SSU, Lexie told Litter Media’s Mike Smith that she will be majoring in Radiology.

News

Buckeye Trail Being Designated As State Trail

February 10, 2022 Mike Smith

Presented By Atomic Speedway

(Glouster) – On Saturday, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director Mary Mertz will officially designate the 1,450-mile Buckeye Trail as a State Trail. The ceremony will be held during the annual Brrrrr Oak Winter Hike in Glouster.

The Buckeye Trail loops around Ohio, reaching into every corner of the state. The designation as a “State Trail” recognizes the prominence of the Buckeye Trail in the network of Ohio’s recreational trails and solidifies the partnership between ODNR and the Buckeye Trail Association.

Burr Oak State Park is located at 10660 Burr Oak Lodge Road near
Glouster, Ohio. The event is Saturday, February 12th, beginning at 10am.

The event takes place at the shelter house adjacent to the lodge parking lot. Look for an ODNR event sign next to the road. Parking is available at the lodge near the tennis courts. You will see signs directing you to the shelter house which is located near the putt-putt course.