Tag: outdoors
November outdoors: Savoring the quiet pleasures of late autumn
While November strips away early autumn’s vibrant colors, columnist Jim Abrams finds plenty to celebrate—from bird dogs flushing woodcock and sparring whitetail bucks to fly tying, backyard winter birds and warm campfires as the season shifts toward winter.
Meet the writers behind Ohio’s outdoors
Founded in 1939, Outdoor Writers of Ohio has spent more than eight decades chronicling the state’s natural heritage. Learn about its deep ties to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, its role in creating ODNR, and its stewardship of Ohio’s official state-record fish list.
Swans didn’t just show up in Ohio
Trumpeter swans gliding across Ohio marshes didn’t arrive by accident. Discover the behind-the-scenes story of the biologists who hatched eggs, netted swans from helicopters, and braved messy releases to successfully restore the species to Ohio’s wetlands from columnist Jim Abrams.
Game commission confirms EHD found in western Pennsylvania deer
The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently confirmed several cases of epizootic hemorrhagic disease in white-tailed deer in southwestern Pennsylvania, including in North Strabane and Amwell townships in Washington County and South Park township in Allegheny County.
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.
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.
Ohio releases 2026 sandhill crane count results
Volunteer observers reported 344 sandhill cranes in Ohio during the 2026 Midwest Crane Count, below last year's count and the three-year average.
Stinkhorn: The phallus of the forest
The elegant stinkhorn turns heads with its suggestive appearance and unforgettable smell. Tami Gingrich takes readers into the woods to discover why this peculiar fungus looks the way it does and how its stench helps ensure the next generation.
From sonar to apps: Fishing tech at the fingertips
Technology has revolutionized fishing. From advanced sonar fish finders to Ohio's interactive digital tools like the DataOhio Portal and HuntFish OH app, anglers can now use data-driven insights to map out their next successful trip and locate the state's best fishing spots.
