Enforcing the law of the wild is simply part of their job

If you think all Ohio's wildlife officers do is harass and pick on hunters, then you have another think coming.
There probably are not enough to go around, but the ones we do have are mostly a selfless lot, more interested in upholding the law and ensuring that hunters, anglers, trappers and others who use the outdoors stay safe and have a good time.
I observed a group of these officers on the opening day of deer season this week and I don't envy them their jobs one little bit.
A lot of violations
Nearly every conceivable violation of game law that one could imagine rolled past them on opening day, the heaviest hunting day of the year in the state.
Not only did these men and women have to keep their eyes open for the safety of the state's hunters, they also had to make sure that the letter of the law was followed.
I rode with Reno A. Reda, outdoor skills specialist with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, for a good part of the day Monday. Reda -- they call him "Jay" -- is a gregarious, friendly and no-nonsense officer. He's as likely to make you chuckle as he is to come down hard on a hunter.
But even Reda had to shake his head on numerous occasions Monday at the sheer ignorance of some hunters.
Ohio wildlife law is fairly simple and it is set in stone. The laws are set forth in the handbook that is made available to each and every hunter. Additionally, hunters are required to take -- and pass -- a hunter education course before getting their licenses.
We saw a number of violations, and Reda issued citations for them, during Monday's opening. Chief among the violations was having a shotgun that was not plugged.
Page 12 of the 2004-05 Ohio Hunting Regulations is pretty straightforward: "... shotgun cannot be capable of holding more than three shells (this means the shotgun must be mechanically altered (plugged) to only hold a total of three shotgun shells) ... ."
Up to the officer
Since the citing of violations is expressly up to the officer, there were times when Reda would give out warnings, especially if it was clear the hunter was simply mistaken about the law.
Other times, when it was clear the hunter was obviously in violation, the ticket book came out.
THIS IS NOT HARASSMENT, NO MATTER WHAT THE HUNTER FEELS. IT IS NOT FAIR, SAFE OR SMART FOR HUNTERS TO THINK THEY CAN DO WHAT THEY WANT. THE LAW IS THE LAW, AND IT IS MADE BASICALLY TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE AND TO PREVENT CHEATING.
So, the next time you are out in the woods and a wildlife officer approaches you to check a license or look at your gun, don't give him or her a hard time. They are there for you, to protect you, and to make sure everyone plays by the same rules. You know you would not and could not have it any other way.
braun@vindy.com