OHIO

OHIO
State participating in mourning dove study
COLUMBUS -- Ohio is joining 25 other states in a national study to better understand the impact of hunting on mourning dove populations, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
The study involves banding doves in 26 states over the next few years.
Collected data will help wildlife biologists determine mourning dove harvest rates, estimate annual survival rates, provide information on the geographical distribution of the harvest and develop and refine techniques for a future dove banding program.
Efforts of state wildlife agencies in the participating states is coordinated by the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Fish & amp; Wildlife Service.
"The hunter is a critical link in this mourning dove banding study," said Dave Scott, wildlife research administrator with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "By reporting any banded doves harvested, hunters will help state wildlife agencies manage this important migratory game bird resource. Any hunter who kills a banded mourning dove needs to call (800) 327-BAND (2263) to report the band number and location where the bird was taken."
Banded birds can also be reported online at www.pwrc.usgs.gov by selecting the "Bird Banding Lab" link. Hunters can keep the bands and will be provided with a certificate identifying the age, sex, date and location where the bird was banded.
On average in Ohio, 50,000 dove hunters annually harvest approximately 300,000 mourning doves. Ohio's dove hunting season has been set for Sept. 1 through Oct. 19, and Dec. 13 through 23, with a daily limit of 15 birds and possession limit of 30 birds.
Forecast for squirrelhunting season average
COLUMBUS -- Ohio's squirrel season will open on Sept. 1, providing hunters with an opportunity to take as many as six squirrels each day, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. State wildlife biologists report an average squirrel population across the state this year.
A long-time tradition for many hunters, Ohio's squirrel season will offer an abundance of fox and gray squirrels and ample hunting opportunities across the state. Legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset daily.
The season closes Jan. 31. Squirrel season will be closed during the one-week statewide deer gun season that begins Dec.1-7 and on the following areas during the Special Area Primitive Deer Season, Oct. 20-25: Salt Fork State Wildlife Area, Shawnee State Forest and Wildcat Hollow.
"Hunters should be able to locate concentrations of squirrels around trees with abundant hickory nuts and acorns this fall," said Mike Reynolds, forest wildlife research biologist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "Look for fresh shell cuttings that indicate squirrels have been feeding in the area."
The strength of the fall mast crop provides biologists a good indicator of squirrel abundance the following season. Good mast crops mean an abundance of winter storable food that in turn means good squirrel over-winter survival and reproductive success.
Division appoints two new investigators
AKRON -- The Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife announces the appointment of two new investigators to the District Three Law Enforcement section.
Former Wildlife Officers Jeff Carter, Ashland County and Brett Barnes, Logan County have been promoted to the investigator positions. The appointments fill two vacancies created by retirements.
Barnes is a 7-year veteran who served the division as an At-large officer in District Three before spending the last six years as the Logan County officer in District One. He will be primarily responsible for investigations in Portage, Stark, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.
Carter is a 22-year veteran who has served as the Ashland County officer during his entire career. In his new position he will be responsible for investigating violations of wildlife laws in Ashland, Medina, Wayne and Holmes counties.
District Three covers 19 counties in northeastern Ohio.