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Ohio Wildlife Council Votes on Proposals

COLUMBUS, Ohio- The Ohio Wildlife Council has approved changes to the Ohio Administrative Code at its October 15 meeting, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The council approved establishing a minimum fence height of eight feet for captive white-tailed deer. Ohio has 617 captive deer facilities in the state. Keeping captive deer herds separate from wild deer is of concern for numerous biological reasons, especially genetic dilution and disease transmission.

Rules were also passed to allow for access roads on state wildlife areas to be open for hunting for hunters with mobility impairments using electric powered all-purpose vehicles (EPAPV). The areas have been identified in accordance with legislation passed earlier this year allowing mobility impaired hunters that meet certain medical criteria to apply for a permit to hunt from an EPAPV.

Council also gave the Division of Wildlife authority to enforce the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact agreement. States participating in the agreement share information about fish and game violators and honor each other's decision to deny licenses and permits.

A number of fishing regulations were approved. A one fish limit for blue catfish greater than 35 inches was implemented. A one fish, 15-inch limit for smallmouth bass was lifted on fiveOhio streams: Big Darby Creek, Sandusky River, Hocking River, Stillwater River, and Little Beaver Creek. A one fish, 26-inch limit was implemented for striped bass in KiserLake (Champaign County). Another regulation added brown, rainbow, and steelhead trout to the list of fish that cannot be taken by hand.

Changes were also approved for spring anglers on the Maumee, Portage, Mahoning, andSandusky Rivers. The ending date for spring fishing restrictions will now coincide with current Lake Erie fishing seasons for walleye, sauger, saugeye, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, and spotted bass, which is the last day of April.

Input was sought at five public open houses at various locations across the state and a central statewide hearing. Information recorded at these open houses along with comments from the state hearing was forwarded to the division's central office in Columbus, where proposed rule changes were considered.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.gov.

Media Contact:
Vicki Ervin, Division of Wildlife (614) 265-6325
Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations (614) 265-6860