Survey will help ODNR gauge deer hunters’ preferences

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife encourages all Ohio white-tailed deer hunters and those with an interest in deer hunting to take a survey at wildohio.com. The survey will be available through mid-April.

The Division of Wildlife is considering some changes to the current deer firearms seasons. Anyone who would like to comment on this topic is encouraged to take a few minutes to provide some information and answer a few questions regarding preferences of possible new opportunities. Responses to the survey are confidential.

Information provided by hunters through surveys is vital to the successful management of Ohio's wildlife and the division encourages all hunters to participate. Wildlife biologists use survey data in combination with biological data from wildlife populations to identify ways of improving hunting in Ohio.

By Jim Irvine

I needed to buy a new car. I knew what I wanted; it was just a matter of what dealership to buy from. The one most convenient to me was posted "no guns." So I had planned to buy elsewhere and send them one of our "No Guns = No Money" cards. But I decided it would be much better if I could just talk them into un-posting their business.

I have talked many businesses into removing the "no guns" signs. It's generally easy. I ask for the owner or manager and politely ask them why they posted. Sometimes I ask what effect the signs will have on criminals, on law enforcement, or on other customers.

I don't "tell" them to remove their signs. I ask them questions to get them to think about the effect of posting the signs. No one wants a shootout in their store. No one wants their employees endangered. No one wants to be targeted by a criminal. No one wants to turn away customers.