Ohio Mixed Bag: Miami County Pheasants Forever chapter hosting fun shoot on June 22 – Outdoor News
Houston, Ohio — The Miami County chapter of Pheasants Forever will host a fun shoot on June 22 at the Newport Sportsmen’s Club in Houston, Ohio.
The address of the event is 5801 Rangeline Road, Houston.
Registration for the day on the range includes two boxes of 12- or 20-gauge ammunition, lunch, water, and one entry into the event raffle. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m. on the day of the event.
The fun shoot is open to all age groups. However, youths under 17 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For more information, send an email request to [email protected].
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Wyandot County Gets New Officer
Findlay, Ohio — Ohio wildlife officer Payton Phenicie, of New Washington, has been assigned to Wyandot County, according to the Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Phenicie replaces state wildlife officer Nathan West, who was promoted to the Wildlife District Four (southeast Ohio) manager in 2023.
Phenicie, 24, graduated from Buckeye Central High School and then Hocking College in 2020 with a degree in natural resources law enforcement. Prior to becoming a wildlife officer, he spent two years serving as a natural resources officer for ODNR. During his downtime, Officer Phenicie enjoys hunting, golfing, and sports.
PIB Visitor Center Closed For Renovations
Put-In-Bay, Ohio — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Wildlife has started renovations to the Put-In-Bay Aquatic Visitor Center to provide an educational experience that highlights fishing and the rich Lake Erie ecosystem.
The Put-In-Bay Aquatic Visitor Center lies on South Bass Island in Lake Erie’s Western Basin. The facility and dock will be closed in 2024 to public access while work is ongoing and is expected to reopen in 2025.
The renovation project is funded with $6.2 million of capital funds.
“The facility will be updated with interactive displays and exhibits that showcase Lake Erie’s great and historically significant fishing for species such as walleyes, smallmouth bass, and yellow perch,” ODNR Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker said. “Construction will include addressing longstanding structural problems, enhancing waterproofing, and building an ADA-accessible ramp and entrance.”
The Division of Wildlife used the building as a fish hatchery from 1907 to 1988, raising walleye, sauger, whitefish, cisco, yellow perch, coho salmon, chinook salmon, and steelhead. In 1992, the Division of Wildlife converted the hatchery building to the Aquatic Visitors Center, an educational facility to bring history, fishing information, and hands-on activities to the public.
Special Turkey Hunts Held For Disabled
Columbus — Pike State Forest and Blue Rock State Forest were the settings for two recent special hunts organized for hunters with disabilities to enjoy the outdoors while hunting for wild turkeys. The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Forestry hosts these hunts annually in Pike and Muskingum counties.
“Year after year, we are honored to host these hunts and gather with a wonderful group of hunters and volunteers amidst the beauty of our sustainably managed forests, which stand as a testament to our commitment to conservation and habitat diversity,” ODNR Division of Forestry Chief Dan Balser said. “The hunters who join us in this endeavor are an inspiration for us all.”
The Thunder in the Hills wild turkey hunt was held for the seventh year at Pike State Forest. Fifteen hunters participated, and four turkeys were taken during the event. The Division of Forestry hosted the event with cooperation from the Clinton County chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) and the ODNR Divisions of Wildlife, and Parks and Watercraft. Approximately 50 organizations assisted with donations and volunteers.
The 17th annual Wheelin’ Sportsmen hunt for wild turkeys at Blue Rock State Forest was sponsored by the NWTF Wheelin’ Sportsmen program. The ODNR Divisions of Forestry and Wildlife worked with the Y-Bridge Longbeards and other chapters of the NWTF to coordinate the event with donations and volunteer efforts from many local individuals and businesses. Twenty-three hunters participated, and two turkeys were taken during the event. More than 60 guides helped with the hunt.
AG Yost Files Fracking Complaint
Columbus — Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is asking a Belmont County judge to find Austin Master Services and Brad D. Domitrovitsch, who is in control of the company, in contempt for failing to meet the court’s deadline to clean up the illegal levels of fracking waste stored at its recycling facility in Martins Ferry.
In a lawsuit filed in late March in Belmont County Common Pleas Court, Yost sought a temporary restraining order to force the Pennsylvania-based company to stop storing brine and drilling waste in volumes exceeding its permit with the Ohio DNR (ODNR).
The court granted the restraining order and ordered Austin Master to clean up the excess waste, but the company did not comply, according to Yost. The danger posed by the materials prompted ODNR to take steps to prevent releases from the facility.
— Compiled from staff, DNR, and wire reports
