State Representative Jim Buchy
Celebrating Thanksgiving without Turkeys…Sort of

Many families will carve turkeys on their dinner tables, but when it comes to hunting wild turkey, certain parts of the state have to go without this time of year. In Ohio we have two wild turkey seasons. One in the spring and one in the fall. But for years, throughout most of western Ohio, there hasn’t been a fall turkey season. Just like any wild game the hunting season is based on the population of the game in that area. As conservationists continue to increase the population of wild turkeys in western Ohio, the likelihood of future fall turkey seasons in western Ohio will increase. Over the course of years many Ohioans have engaged in conservation efforts, and for their work they now enjoy better hunting seasons for game such as the white tailed deer, pheasants and wild turkey.

The bobcat, bear and wild boar are all game growing in numbers in Ohio thanks to the effort of conservation. In fact as the populations increase from their once dwindling numbers—new laws are needed in Ohio to deal with the Ohio residents living in the wild habitats. One such bill is House Bill 199, which will allow driver’s to harvest wild boars that are killed on the road. Currently, there is no process for tagging wild boars killed in car-wild boar accidents. It is hard to believe but there was a time not so long ago that a car-deer accident was not commonplace. For many residents in Ohio that is probably a fond memory—but Ohio’s sportsmen and conservationists certainly appreciate that risk that we have as country people.

In western Ohio, conservationists are making the right moves to increase the wild turkey population. While the statewide population has remained flat over the course of the last ten years in western Ohio, the numbers have grown. In Auglaize, Darke, Mercer and Shelby counties the population has grown from approximately 600 birds to just over 1,500 since 2003. Today in Auglaize County there are around 300 wild turkeys; while Darke County is home to about 450; Mercer County hosts a little over 150; and Shelby County leads the way with almost 650 wild turkeys based on an estimated population size. As the conservationists continue to reestablish a wild turkey population, we should work with them to ensure future Thanksgivings are accompanied by wild turkeys. Your efforts could make a difference in western Ohio having an open wild turkey season in the spring and fall.

It is never acceptable to engage in poaching. If you know of someone who is poaching wild animals please call 1-800 POACHER (762-2437) to alert the proper authorities.

This Thanksgiving I am thankful for the input I receive from constituents like you. Your feedback on this issue is important to guide the legislative process. Please answer a question about this issue and others in the news this month by completing an online survey at tinyurl.com/buchynov