Regulations on white-tailed deer to be heard at February 3 meeting

Ohio sportsmen may notice a few changes in next year's hunting and trapping regulations, based on proposals presented January 6 to the Ohio Wildlife Council by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

September 1 is again proposed as the kick-off date for the state's fall hunting seasons--with the opening of squirrel and dove hunting. Other proposed hunting and trapping rules and season dates will be similar to those now in effect, with only slight changes to fall and spring hunting dates.
Young hunters age 17 and under should again be able to hunt statewide for rabbit, pheasant and all other legal game in season during two designated weekends, October 16 -17 and 23 - 24. Spring youth turkey season is proposed for April 16 – 17, 2011.

The remainder of the proposals concerning Ohio's white-tailed deer hunting will be heard during a separate Wildlife Council meeting on February 3.

By Chad D. Baus

The Lima News is reporting that the number of people obtaining licenses to carry a concealed handgun exploded in 2009 to as high as 500 percent in some northwest Ohio counties.

And that has county sheriffs offering words of caution - to criminals:

"I hope criminals think twice before they attempt to steal from someone or harm someone," remarked Auglaize County Sheriff Al Solomon.

Allen County Sheriff Sam Crish added, "With the numbers growing, it's a huge risk if you're committing some type of offense you don't know who may be carrying."