Ohio
Deer hunting limits may increase; trumpeter swans may be taken off threatened species list
Several regulations for Ohio wildlife are proposed starting next year, including good news for trumpeter swan populations as well as deer hunters.
Members of the Ohio Wildlife Council will host a hearing on potential changes to the 2024-25 Ohio hunting and trapping seasons on March 20, according to a news release from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
The council will vote on the changes April 10.
“Everyone who would like to comment on Division of Wildlife proposals can do so online at wildohio.gov from Feb. 10 – March 13,” the news release reads.
Biologists from ODNR submitted their requests to the wildlife council on Feb. 7.
The state monitors harvests so that animal populations remain consistent and healthy.
Ohio deer hunting season 2024-25
The proposal includes bag limit increases on white-tailed deer from two kills to three for hunters in six counties: Butler, Clinton, Fayette, Greene, Madison and Pickaway.
“Deer bag limit increases are designed to slow herd growth and increase hunting opportunities,” the news release reads.
Hunters next season will be allowed to harvest only one antlered deer, regardless of where or how it is taken.
The proposed statewide deer hunting dates for 2024-25 include:
- Deer archery: Sept. 28, 2024 – Feb. 2, 2025
- Youth deer gun: Nov. 16 – 17, 2024
- Deer gun: Dec. 2 – Dec. 8, 2024; Dec. 21 – 22, 2024
- Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 4 – 7, 2025
“The wildlife council also heard a proposal to allow deer management permits to be valid until Dec. 22, 2024, the last day of the bonus deer gun hunting weekend,” the news release reads. “Currently, deer management permits are only valid until the day before the statewide seven-day gun season.”
Hunting hours will remain 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset.
Other requested hunting changes would affect waterfowl and other migratory game birds, furbearers, small game and other species.
A complete list of proposal is online at ohiodnr.gov/rules-and-regulations/rule-changes/proposed-rule-changes/wildlife-proposed-rules.
‘Trumpeter swan populations have exceeded the division’s goals’
State biologists want the wildlife council to remove trumpeter swans from the Buckeye State’s threatened species list.
“The population has significantly increased, and the threatened designation is no longer needed,” the proposal reads. “After years of management and monitoring, trumpeter swan populations have exceeded the division’s goals for the species’ recovery.”
Trumpeter swans once faced extinction, according to an ODNR news release from 2021.”In 2020, wildlife biologists found 98 breeding pairs of trumpeter swans in Ohio, an encouraging increase in population,” the news release reads. “These birds nested in 20 counties, including public wildlife areas such as Killdeer Plains (Wyandot County) and Big Island (Marion County).”
Those Ohio swans had 235 young, called cygnets, in 2020.
Trumpeter swans depend on high-quality wetland habitats throughout the year, and face continued threats, including habitat loss and lead poisoning.
ztuggle@gannett.com
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Snow hits downtown Columbus
Snow falls outside the Ohio Theatre as downtown Columbus turns into a winter wonderland.
Columbus City Schools is closing Monday, Dec. 15, after a weekend winter storm dumped more than 5.4 inches of snow on the region and cold temperatures descended.
Following the weekend snowfall, a cold weather advisory was issued for the area, to remain in affect across central Ohio through 11 a.m. Dec. 15.
It was 4 degrees at John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with a wind chill of 16 degrees below zero.
Late on Dec. 14, CCS posted it would close Dec. 15 “due to inclement weather.” See more school closings at NBC 4 or check back with the Dispatch throughout the morning.
This list will be updated as additional information becomes available. School districts are encouraged to send an email with any delays or closures to newsroom@dispatch.com.
Snow hits downtown Columbus
Snow falls outside the Ohio Theatre as downtown Columbus turns into a winter wonderland.
Now comes the cold.
After nearly 5½ inches of snow fell Dec. 13 in some parts of central Ohio, the National Weather Service says bitterly cold temperatures moving into the region will mean highs in just the single digits.
A cold weather advisory is in affect across central Ohio through 11 a.m. Dec. 15. It was 4 degrees at John Glenn Columbus International Airport at 8:30 a.m. Dec. 14, with a wind chill of 16 degrees below zero.
Temperatures to the west and south are even colder: 1 degree in Springfield, minus-1 in Dayton and minus-3 in Indianapolis. Those temperatures are not expected in the Columbus area, though. The forecast calls for slightly warmer temperatures by evening and highs in the low 20s Dec. 15.
The record cold expected for Dec. 14 — until now, the coldest high temperature in Columbus for this date was 16 degrees in 1917 — follows a day of record snow. The weather service recorded 5.4 inches of snowfall on Dec. 13 at John Glenn Columbus International Airport, topping the prior Dec. 13 record, which was 3.6 inches in 1945.
Level 2 snow emergencies, which means roads are hazardous and people should drive only if they think it’s necessary, remained in effect in Fairfield and Licking counties.
Level 1 snow emergencies are in effect in Delaware, Franklin, Madison, Union and Pickaway counties.
Bob Vitale can be reached at rvitale@dispatch.com.
CLEVELAND, Ohio — Ohio State’s game-winning play over West Virginia in the second overtime period Saturday night was simple: give the ball to Bruce Thornton and get out of his way.
The result was an 89-88 double overtime win in the Cleveland Hoops Showdown at Rocket Arena.
It took so much to get to this moment.
The Buckeyes did all they could in regulation to overcome a 14-point deficit, while awaiting their top player in Thornton to come through.
His teammates did the dirty work to keep them in the game. From their defense creating transition points, matching the Mountaineers’ physical brand of ball.
Once extra time came after the first 40 minutes expired, Thornton took care of the rest in the two overtime periods.
He delivered bucket after another.
None more important than the final one.
A tightly covered Thornton took it down to the top of the key before finding a mismatch and looking to take it to the hole. A defender cut off his path, however, forcing Thornton to operate elsewhere in the paint.
Thornton used his pivot foot wisely before finding an opening for a fadeaway jumper and knocking it down.
Twelve of his 21 points came in the overtime periods.
Ohio State fought to the end and earned a win over a hard-nosed Big 12 opponent.
Center Christoph Tilly did his best to limit the Mountaineers’ big men, while adding 14 points and 11 boards of his own.
Freshman big man Amare Bynum was a pivotal spark off the bench with 17 points, eight rebounds and three blocks.
Point guard John Mobley Jr. finished with 17 points and delivered the 3-point shot in the final seconds of the second half to give them their first lead since the 9:00 mark of the first half.
This story will be updated.
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