OHIO

OHIO
Primitive weaponsseason opens Dec. 27-30
Many good deer hunting opportunities remain for hunters planning to participate in the statewide primitive weapons deer season, Dec. 27-30, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
A majority of hunters will carry muzzleloading shotguns and rifles, but may also legally use longbows and crossbows. The four-day blackpowder deer season, as it is also known, allows those hunters who did not fill their tags during the archery or gun season the opportunity to do so during the primitive weapons season.
Last year, hunters checked 22,513 deer during the statewide primitive weapons season.
& quot;Ohio's deer season is off to a tremendous start this year," said Mike Reynolds, deer management project leader for ODNR's Division of Wildlife. "With favorable weather conditions during the primitive deer season, hunters should easily top the 1995 deer harvest record of 179,543."
Archery hunters took 36,073 deer during the first six weeks of the statewide archery season, which began Oct. 7 and continues through Jan.31. Hunters checked 133,163 deer during the statewide deer gun season held Dec. 2 through 8. Another 214 deer were taken during the special bucks-only primitive deer season held Oct. 21-26 on the Shawnee, Salt Fork and Wolf Creek wildlife areas.
Before hunting season, Ohio's deer population was estimated at 575,000. The Division of Wildlife expects as many as 160,000 hunters will hunt deer during the four-day primitive season.
Ohio is divided into four primary deer hunting zones. A limit of one deer may be taken in Zone A or Zone R. Hunters may take a second deer in Zone B and three deer in Zone C by purchasing additional deer permits. Hunters may purchase up to four urban deer permits to take antlerless deer within Ohio's five urban deer zones.
Deer hunters must possess the proper permits and may take only one antlered deer.
Legal hunting hours during the statewide primitive deer season are 30 minutes before sunrise to sunset. Deer must be checked by 8 p.m. of the day after harvest, except those killed on Dec. 30, which must be brought to a deer check station by 8 p.m. that day. During Ohio's blackpowder season, Ohio's small game, furbearer and waterfowl seasons also will be open.
Those hunting game other than deer may use firearms legal during the primitive deer season or may use shot shells containing shot no larger than Number 4. Small game hunters, in addition to deer hunters, must visibly wear a coat, jacket, vest or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange during the statewide primitive deer season.
This year, for the first time, Sunday hunting on private land will not be restricted by acreage size requirements.
Deer hunting contributes an estimated $266 million to Ohio's economy and helps to support thousands of jobs. Deer hunters also contribute thousands of pounds of venison to community-based organizations that help feed less fortunate Ohio residents through special programs such as Safari Club International's Sportsmen Against Hunger program.
Risley named to post
Dave Risley, a 23-year veteran with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, has been named executive administrator for the department's wildlife management programs. He replaces Pat Ruble who will retire at the end of the year.
Risley will coordinate all aspects of the ODNR Division of Wildlife's wildlife management's efforts, including management of 170,000 acres of state wildlife areas. In addition, he will supervise research, surveying and monitoring of Ohio's native wildlife species.
Risley started with the Division of Wildlife in 1979 as private lands biologist.
Hunting arrests
The following individuals have been issued citations as a result of regular Ohio Division of Wildlife law enforcement efforts during the deer and turkey hunting seasons:
John A. Evans, 41, of Carrolton, a total of 42 wildlife violations including 21 counts of possession of untagged deer parts, 19 counts of possession of untagged turkey parts, and one count each: hunting without wearing hunter orange and hunting a second deer in a one deer county. Carroll County is in Zone A.
Donald R. Stonemetz, 31, of Carrolton: three counts possession of untagged turkey parts and one count possession of untagged deer parts.
The next stop for those charged above will be a pre-trial hearing.
The following have already had their cases resolved:
Wayne Gordon Kennedy, 51 of St. Catherine's , Ontario, Canada, was ordered to pay $1,000 for providing false information in obtaining a hunting license (he purchased "resident" licenses), two counts hunting without a non-resident license (2001 & amp; 2002) and one count hunting without a special deer permit (from 2001): Four charges at $250 for each.