Ohio approves $25M for public hunting land acquisition

In early 2026, the Sportsmen’s Alliance called on Ohio Gov. Mike Dewine to earmark $25 million in the state’s Biannual Capital Improvements bill to acquire lands in southern Ohio formerly owned by the Mead Paper Co. Now known as Scioto Land Company-BTG lands, these tracts have become available as the company sells its holdings.

Addressing the lack of public hunting access

People consistently cite a lack of access as the prime driver for giving up hunting. For this reason, the Sportsmen’s Alliance has consistently supported state efforts to acquire public hunting land, a priority that Gov. DeWine has also adopted.

DeWine previously championed the acquisition of 60,000 acres of American Electric Power (AEP) lands, now known as Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area, which had also been a request from the Sportsmen’s Alliance.

Legislative and controlling board approval

DeWine included the $25 million in the capital bill, and the Ohio General Assembly agreed, just as they had on the AEP property.

The final step was approval by the Office of Budget and Management's controlling board, a panel of legislators and executive branch officials that govern the release of state funds. On Sept. 28, the controlling board approved the expenditure.

Impact: thousands of new acres for hunting and trapping

This decision enables the state to gain access to federal matching funds that will make the purchase of hunting lands even larger. In all, the approval will result in the purchase of 10,407 acres (6,817 acres as new wildlife area land adjacent to Broken Arrow Wildlife Area and 3,590 acres for state forests near Brush Creek State Forest) in southern Ohio.

All of the land will be open for public hunting and trapping.

Economic and heritage value for Ohio sportsmen

“We are so appreciative of Gov. DeWine and Ohio’s legislative leaders, House Speaker Matt Huffman and Senate President Rob McColley,” said Sportsmen’s Alliance Senior Vice President Rob Sexton. “They know what the billions of dollars that sportsmen generate means for our economy and the value of our heritage. This latest acquisition is a final jewel for the governor and one more for the legislature that has supported our priority to obtain more land for hunting, trapping and shooting.”

Republished with permission from Sportsmen's Alliance.