Public Comment Invited on Ohio Wildlife Issues

Open houses will be on a Saturday

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife invites the public to its annual Open Houses on Saturday, March 6, 2010, from 12:00 noon until 3 p.m.

"At each open house location, fish and wildlife biologists along with law enforcement officers will be on hand to answer questions," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife. Graham adds that this year's open houses will be on a Saturday, a notable change as in the past these events were traditionally held on a Sunday.

Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio's professional wildlife management process is encouraged to attend. This year’s topics include fishery management changes for walleye, saugeye and sauger in some of Ohio's inland waterways. Changes to rules concerning the taking, possession, and propagation of native Ohio amphibians and reptiles will also be considered.

Season dates and bag limits of game species will be available, which will include Ohio's most popular game animal, the white-tailed deer. Open house attendees will also have the opportunity to comment on the draft version of the Division of Wildlife's Strategic Plan.

Open houses are scheduled for the same day and time in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay, and Xenia. Public input gathered at these open houses will be forwarded to the division's central office in Columbus, where it is considered during the formulation of regulations.

For more information or directions to the open house, visit the Division of Wildlife's Website at wildohio.com or call 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543).

A statewide hearing on all of the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 4 at the wildlife division's District One Office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. This hearing is open to the public and input is permitted within specific time limits.

After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during its April 7 meeting.

March 6th Open House Location Information

Central Ohio
Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus
(614) 644-3925

Northwest Ohio
Wildlife District Two Office, 952 Lima Avenue, Findlay
(419) 424-5000

Northeast Ohio
Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron
(330) 644-2293

Southeast Ohio
Wildlife District Four Office, 360 E State Street, Athens
(740) 589-9930

Southwest Ohio
Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia
(937) 372-9261

The Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.