The Ohio Wildlife Council determines the rules and regulations that control deer and turkey hunting in the state. They face a delicate task of balancing hunter desires with the management of wildlife. Annual changes to hunting regulations are based on state wildlife management assessments and the interest of the public. The public is afforded an opportunity each year to make their desired rule changes known before the new year's hunting regulations are published.

  In early January, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife presents its proposed regulations for the next year to the Ohio Wildlife Council. Around the first week of March, an open house meeting is held in each of the state's five wildlife districts to allow the public a chance to review and comment on the proposed hunting regulations. A few days later, a state wide hearing is held at the wildlife district One Office in Columbus. At that time, the Ohio Wildlife Council considers the public's input and votes on the proposed rules.

  For the 2009-2010 hunting year, the proposed regulations were presented to the Council on 7 January and revised slightly after the end of the 2008-2009 deer season. The ODNR Division of Wildlife has released to the public the change proposals for Ohio hunting regulations and listed them on their website at http://www.ohiodnr.com. The statewide meeting giving the public an opportunity to comment on these proposals is scheduled for 9 A.M. on 5 March 2009 at the Columbus District One Office.

  A couple of the change proposals are of interest to Ohio hunters since they deal with deer hunting seasons and bag limits. The statewide muzzleloader season would no longer be in late December but be moved back to early January as it was in years past. The new date would be 9-12 January 2010. The early muzzleloader hunt and other Division of Wildlife's authorized controlled hunts would have a bag limit of six which does not count against the hunter's zone bag limit. Assuming the zone C bag limit stays at six as proposed, it appears that a person would be allowed to kill six deer during the early muzzleloader season in zone C and six more deer during the other seasons for a total of 12, should the proposal be accepted. The one antlered deer per year limit and a requirement for a permit for each deer killed is proposed to still apply.

  There is a proposal to expand turkey hunting to include two additional northwest counties. In addition, hunters would be allowed to hunt all day during 3-16 May 2010 which is the last two weeks of the spring turkey season. The hunting hours would be one half hour before sunrise to sunset. Currently hunting is limited to the mornings during the entire season.

  These changes, if approved, will undoubtedly increase our opportunities to harvest deer and turkeys during the coming year. They will impact positively or negatively the long term sustainability of the deer and turkey population in Ohio, especially in the southeastern part of the state. If you want to show support for or against these changes, you may want to mark your calendar and attend the 5 March 2009 meeting which is open to the public. If you want to learn more about hunting deer and turkey in southeastern Ohio visit http://hunt-ohio-deer-and-turkey-on-public-land.com.

  Carroll Herring is a resident of Ohio and an avid deer and turkey hunter. He has been hunting in southeastern Ohio since the early 80's and has harvested deer and turkey during gun, muzzleloader and archery seasons. He has hunted on various public lands and private properties but extensively in Wayne National Forest.

  It’s that time of year to once again clean out the e-mail inbox and pass along a sampling of the ramblings we’ve received. Since we only do this a couple of times of the year, some of the notes are dated. So for good or bad here they are in no particle order for your reading pleasure bad grammar and all.

  "You despicable scumbags, you barbarians! How dare you kill the most adorable animal on earth -- the squirrel?! You are lower than a hyena. Additionally, your eating squirrels proves you are just one step away from cannibalism. I would release tigers on all you squirrel-murderers, for them to enjoy the scumbag-stew." - Flanker

  "Ur f---g sik eat vegetables and fruits or beans" - Matthew

  "Hi. I just visited your site and I want to tell you thank you for the information about rattlers and, especially, that they may in fact go after a target. In just a few months, I will be moving to Southern Oregon where Western rattlers are likely to be present. I have done a bit of research into this specific snake and although I have read reports that this rattler is a bit tamer than the Diamond Back, I will still take great caution as this is still a rattler. Again, thank you and I really do appreciate all of the information you have made available." - Kim

  "Cute article about camel crickets. Very entertaining. We have them too and they freak us out. Today I will clean around the perimeter of the foundation and hope that works. Thanks." - Michele

  "I was looking on the internet for a recipe for BBQ deer. I came to your website and found BBQ Venison by April Barkulis. Oh my goodness! Delicious! Thanks for having these recipes for people like me that do not have a clue how to cook deer!" – Vickie Roush

  "I was searching for a recipe and found your website. Pleasant surprise. I will send in one of my deer recipes if there is not one similar on your site. Thanks." - Paul Johnston

  "I love your page. My school has a big performance and I have to walk around and say some animal facts. Thank you." - Ebony

  "You nasty people how can you eat a cute squirrel it id wrong you should be in jail that is how bad it is sick sick peopl3e" – Katie

  "You sick f----rs! If you were so dirt poor that you had no choice but to eat a squirrel, why would you actually take the time to make it using a recipe?" - Anonymous

  "Don't eat raccoon. They are poor little animals and have all the right to be free as we do." - Hailey Davidson

  "I just wanted to thank you for such a quick delivery on the Kansas plaque that I ordered. My brother in law will be thrilled when he sees it Christmas morning. Thank you again and a very Merry Christmas to all of your staff." - Angela Leroy

  "Thank you all for such a great site! My husband started hunting again 2 years ago and your recipes look awesome! Gonna try the baked deer ham tomorrow night. Can't wait ‘til he brings home some fresh fish now, either! Take care and Happy New Year! God bless y'all!" - Erica

  "If you are camping and it is 0 degrees outside, and tomorrow it will be twice as cold, how cold will it be?" – Scottydawg

  Thanks to everyone for taking the time to send us their comments. Keep the notes coming and we’ll share a new batch of mail in the fall.