Deer-gun season opens today in Ohio and this year an extra weekend has been added, Dec. 16-17, to increase the number of weekend days available for hunting.

Cleveland's NewsNet5.com is reporting that state wildlife officials are urging deer hunters to take aim at any wild boars they might find while hunting this season.

From the story:

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources said the boars are destructive eating machines that destroy crops and damage wildlife by consuming bird eggs, reptiles and amphibians.

They can also spread disease to livestock and people.

Officials said the animals have been reported in 14 Ohio counties and are spreading.

It's legal to hunt wild boar year-round, so the ODNR is urging hunters to keep an eye out for them when the gun deer-hunting season opens [today].

Click on 'Read More' for commentary on the challenges of hunting wild boar in Ohio from Buckeye Firearms Association volunteer and outdoor writer Larry S. Moore.

The Toledo Blade is reporting on hunters who are once again reminding hunters that each pound of venison can feed up to four hungry people if donated to area food banks.

From the story:

Begun in 1997, Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry has helped to bring nearly 13 million servings of venison to soup kitchens and food pantries across the country.

With about 100 chapters in 30 states, including both Ohio and Michigan, the organization partners with hunters and meat processors to turn a hunter’s prize into a nutritious meal for the needy.

“I got involved in this originally because it’s a cause,” said Allen Dunlap, 39, of Sylvania, a 27-year hunter who has since passed his passion to his two sons. “I love to hunt, so why not help somebody?”

Click on 'Read More' for continued coverage.