Ohio’s hunters braved less than ideal weather conditions over the weekend and checked 9,228 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s 2016 two-day deer-gun hunting season, Dec. 17-18, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. During last year’s two-day December deer-gun season, 9,447 deer were harvested.

Hunters checked 66,759 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s 2016 deer-gun hunting season, Nov. 28-Dec. 4, according to the ODNR.. Last year, hunters checked 73,392 deer over the weeklong deer-gun season.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations. The goal of Ohio’s Deer Management Program is to provide a deer population that maximizes recreational opportunities, while minimizing conflicts with landowners and motorists. Hunters still have opportunities to pursue deer this winter. Muzzleloader season is Jan. 7-10, 2017, and archery season remains open through Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations. The goal of Ohio’s Deer Management Program is to provide a deer population that maximizes recreational opportunities, while minimizing conflicts with landowners and motorists.

Ohio ranks fifth nationally in resident hunters and 11th in the number of jobs associated with hunting-related industries. Hunting has a more than $853 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation publication.

• Sportsmen and women interested in pursuing coyotes are encouraged to attend a free, informational workshop provided by ODNR Division of Wildlife on Tuesday, Jan. 24, in Akron.

ODNR Division of Wildlife biologists will cover very basic topics such as life history, calling techniques (call types and setups), appropriate firearms and ammunition, field sets, and scouting.

The workshop will be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Wildlife District Three Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron. This office serves 19 northeast Ohio counties. Pre-registration is required as seating is limited. Please call Wildlife District Three at (330) 644-2293.

• In the spring and early summer, when wildlife reproduction is at its peak, you may have the good fortune of observing baby animals in the wild. Often, the babies you see will be unattended by a parent. Unless something seems amiss, keep your distance and leave them alone. Good intentions can hurt. Leave wildlife in the wild. Human intervention is always a wild animal’s LAST hope for survival, NEVER its best hope, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

A free public program focusing on this important subject will take place on Saturday, Jan. 7 at 8:30 a.m. in Akron. The program will take place at The Bath Church Fellowship Hall Building, 3980 West Bath Road. The Church will provide a free, community breakfast beginning at 8:30 a.m. The program will begin shortly thereafter.

Learn more from ODNR Division of Wildlife staff about the lives of commonly encountered young wild animals including cottontail rabbits, fox and gray squirrels, raccoons, song birds, and white-tailed deer. The program will focus on knowing when and how to intervene to help wildlife if such actions are necessary. Wildlife conflict prevention and resolution will also be addressed.

Pre-registration is free but required as spaces are limited. Call ODNR Division of Wildlife District Three at (330) 644-2293.

• Locally, the recent cold snap has frozen up all of the waterways putting an end to open water waterfowl hunting for the season. Hunters still have several weeks to pursue these migratory birds but focus will have to turn to fields, rivers, and streams that have enough currrent to keep the water from freezing. There are still plenty of mallards and Canada Geese around but hunters will have to work a little harder to be successful. Locating the corn fields they are feeding in or the water that they are roosting on will be important to be successful.

Until next time, Good Hunting and Good Fishing!

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Water and Wings by Ken Parrott

Ken Parrott is an Agricultural Science teacher with Northmor High School.