Tag: hunting
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.
By the numbers: Ohio’s 2025-26 deer hunting season
Ohio hunters checked 232,142 white-tailed deer this season, marking the fourth consecutive year the total has topped the 200,000 mark and the seventh-highest harvest on record. Find out the top 10 counties, the impact of the unprecedented EHD outbreak in southern Ohio and which hunting implement is the most popular with Ohio hunters.
The Hunter’s Honor System: Why some states are banning trail cameras
Are trail cameras and live feeds giving hunters an unfair edge? Retired Ohio Game Warden and Outdoors Columnist Jim Abrams explores the "Fair Chase" doctrine and why self-restraint is the heart of hunting.
Successes, failures and lessons learned in Ohio wildlife management
From steelhead "home runs" to the Sichuan pheasant strikeout, outdoors columnist Jim Abrams explores the hits and misses of species introduction and the law of unintended consequences.


















