Tag: hunting
The one you choose: How a feisty runt puppy won a...
Retired wildlife officer Jim Abrams reflects on the quiet heartache and hope of choosing a new hunting dog. Discover how an unexpectedly feisty runt puppy named Bramble stole the show and made the final decision for him in the whelping box.
Ohio wildlife history: The birth of ODNR and return of deer...
Explore Part 4 of Ohio's wildlife history. Learn how sportsmen helped establish dedicated funding, how game protectors formed the nation's first training academy, the return of deer hunting in 1943 and the creation of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in 1949.
Division of Wildlife history part 3: Fish, game and conservation
In part three of this series on Ohio Division of Wildlife history, explore how late 19th-century conservation took shape. From horse-and-buggy wardens and pheasant stocking to early fish hatcheries and the landmark federal Lacey Act, see how Ohio built its wildlife management system.
History of the Ohio Division of Wildlife: The birth of conservation
As deforestation, dam construction, and industrial pollution threatened Ohio's natural resources in the 19th century, public outcry forced state leaders to take action. Jim Abrams traces early game laws, fish passage mandates, and the 1873 founding of the Ohio Fish Commission.
History of the Division of Wildlife: The Ohio Country
In part one of a series on the history of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Jim Abrams explores how 19th-century settlement, bounties, and the Great Hinckley Hunt depleted native species—leading to Ohio's very first wildlife protection laws in 1829.
Oddball, eccentric or a bit of both? The case for the...
Jim Abrams embraces his status as an "oddball" while breaking down why unconventional gear choices often beat mainstream favorites. Explore the benefits of 16-gauge and 28-gauge twin-barrel shotguns, lightweight framing, and the ballistics behind effective square loads.
Pa. hunters donate record amount of venison to feed hungry families
Pennsylvania hunters donated a record 294,844 pounds of venison during the 2025-26 season through Hunters Sharing the Harvest, the group recently shared. The effort equates to 1.2 million servings distributed to food-insecure families across the state.
The Rings of Saturn: A game warden’s view of the universe
Retired Paulding County wildlife officer Duane Bailey has released his new book, "The Rings of Saturn: A Game Warden's View of the Universe." From lion encounters to poacher busts, the book shares 30 years of humor, heartbreak, and wild field experiences from rural Ohio.
Talking turkey: The history and future of Ohio’s wild turkey recovery
Wild turkeys were once thought to be gone from Ohio forever. It took birds from 7 different states (shipped by air and rail!) to restart the population we see today. Now, biologists are using GPS transmitters to solve a new mystery: Why are populations declining in some areas? Read Outdoors columnist Jim Abrams’ latest field notes on the past, present and future of wild turkeys in Ohio.
Flashback: 1987’s high-tech warden
Retrace the career of Montgomery County Game Protector Kevin O’Dell, who used community partnerships to pioneer high-tech wildlife enforcement in the 1980s.


















