Ohio

Statewide results tell partial story about overall Ohio turkey numbers, hunter enthusiasm

Published

1 year ago

June 2, 2024

Statewide results tell partial story about overall Ohio turkey numbers, hunter enthusiasm

Dave Golowenski
| Special to The Columbus Dispatch

Turkey hunters need wild turkeys, and the Ohio Division of Wildlife needs both to help maintain a functional livelihood derived from the sale of licenses and permits.

As far as it goes, then, the end of the 2024 spring turkey season last Sunday suggests results could’ve been worse. They have been. Results could also be better. They have been.

While only the present actually matters, the turkey timeline stretches into a tangled past of cause, effect and numbers.

Hunters might not be as concerned with the statewide take as much as is each with his or her personal success, that being measured in the effort required to carry home one bearded bird in the spring. If one gets carried home.

Statewide results at season’s end additionally tell a partial story about overall turkey numbers and hunter enthusiasm.

Figuring totals from the April youth hunt, the South Zone season and the North Zone hunt, 15,535 turkeys officially were removed from the Ohio landscape during the season just passed.

That’s down a few from the 15,673 checked in 2023, but up considerably more than a few from the 2022 total of 11,872 birds and the 2021 count of 14,546.

All the counting invites comment from the field biologist who tracks these things for the wildlife division.

“The 2024 harvest fell in line with expectations,” turkey specialist Mark Wiley wrote in an email last week. “The poult indices from 2021 and 2022 were similar, which suggested 2-year-old gobbler numbers would be comparable in 2023 and 2024. The spring permit and harvest totals were similar across those years.”

Poults are spring-hatched turkeys whose numbers and survival form the basis of the future population. While chills and rain during the hatch is thought to cause high poult mortality, this year’s hatchlings enjoyed mostly favorable spring weather, Wylie said.

The take this year and last pushed past the 2021 spring total of 14,546, a 21-year low during a period of two-turkey spring limits and higher harvest averages. The limit was reduced to one in 2022.

One variable is the number of turkeys. Another is the number of turkey hunters.

Permit sales plunged from 61,135 in 2021 to 48,815 in 2022 when the one-bird spring limit was inaugurated. The number of sold permits rebounded to 50,174 in 2023 and to a slightly higher 51,530 this spring.

“The exact cause of the increase has not yet been determined, but it is possible we are seeing the return of spring hunters who may have taken a hiatus when turkey numbers dipped a few years ago,” Wiley noted.

What’s likely coming in 2025 rhymes with results in 2023 and this year rather than with either recent lows or past highs.

“The summer poult index was down slightly in 2023, so I expect spring harvest rates and totals to follow suit in 2025,” Wiley wrote. “I expect this will be a minor shift, with spring harvest rates falling only a percentage point or two.”

Probably unknowable is whether the annual spring turkey take has hit some new and more moderate normal at around 15,000 birds instead of the 20,000 or so averaged in the not-distant past.

A project involving Ohio State University that started last year is ongoing, although preliminary data from 2023 suggests hen survival is not an issue except for increased vulnerability during the period when they are incubating eggs.

When the dust settles,” Wylie said, “we may find that a focus on improved nesting habitat could improve rates of hen and nest survival.”

Ashtabula led Ohio counties with 470 turkeys checked.

outdoors@dispatch.com

Source link

Click to comment

Ohio

Veterans Day 2025 parades, events in Northeast Ohio

Published

1 day ago

November 9, 2025

Press Room

Veterans Day 2025 parades, events in Northeast Ohio

*Attached video: Local Vietnam War veteran receives special honor

CLEVELAND (WJW) – Veterans Day 2025 falls on Tuesday, Nov. 11, and is a day to honor and celebrate veterans and active military members nationwide.

Cities across Northeast Ohio are celebrating with parades, ceremonies and other events to honor our veterans. Fox 8 News has compiled a list of local events to attend:

Akron

Veterans are invited to Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens from 10 a.m. to dusk for a complimentary self-guided tour of the Manor House and gardens.

Brunswick

The Military Ministry at Saint Ambrose Parish will host a Military Family Mass in the Church at 5 pm on Sunday, Nov. 9, at Saint Ambrose Parish, followed by a reception in the parish’s Mother Teresa Room.
All current military members, veterans, and their families are invited to attend this special Mass and join the parish in honoring their service at the reception that follows.

Canton

The MAPS Air Museum’s 13 Annual Veterans Day Program will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War from 4-10 p.m. with dinner provided at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Chagrin Falls

The Chagrin Falls Veterans Day ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at the Triangle or Chagrin Falls Fire Department, depending on the weather.

Cleveland

Air Force Gulf War Veteran Tim Hauser will be the grand marshal for the Cleveland Veterans Day Parade on Nov. 11 at 12:30 p.m.

The parade will start at Cleveland City Hall and will conclude at Skylight Park in Tower City, where the city will host its first-ever Veterans Day Celebration.

Green

The City of Green’s Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 10:45 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial Park. The event honors local veterans and celebrates those in our community who have worn a U.S. military uniform.

Kent

The annual Veterans Day observance will pay tribute to those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The event will take place at 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 10, at the Student Green on the Kent Campus, located in front of the Kent Student Center and Risman Plaza.

This year’s keynote speaker is Patricia “Trish” McDaniel, Ph.D., a 1983 Kent State alumna and senior executive research scientist of chemistry in the U.S.

Lakewood

The annual Veterans Day Ceremony will take place on Nov.11 at 11 a.m. at the Veterans Memorial in Lakewood Park.

Mansfield

The Veterans Day parade will be held on Nov. 11 in downtown Mansfield, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The parade will step off from the five-way light at Marion Avenue and Park Avenue West and make its way to Central Park, where a short ceremony will follow at the gazebo.

In case of bad weather, the parade and outdoor ceremony will be canceled and the program will move indoors to AMVETS Post 26 (1100 W. Fourth St.) at 11 a.m.

Mentor

A Veterans Day ceremony will be held at 11:11 a.m. on Nov. 11 at the Mentor Municipal Cemetery memorial promenade. This year’s keynote speaker is Brigadier General Peter Collins, USMC (Ret.).

North Canton

The City of North Canton 2025 Veterans Day Ceremony will be held on Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. at City Hall.

Oberlin

Oberlin City School District, in collaboration with The City of Oberlin and Oberlin College, will hold its annual Veterans Day Appreciation Ceremony starting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 11 in the Oberlin Elementary School gym. The event will feature Midview High School’s Air Force JROTC, the Oberlin High School Band, Firelands Honors Choir, keynote speakers and other special honors, as well as light refreshments.

Wadsworth

A Veterans Day Observance will be held at 11 a.m. in front of the downtown VFW.

Source link

Ohio

Ryan Day’s son spotted on the sidelines of OSU’s game against Purdue on Saturday

Published

2 days ago

November 8, 2025

Press Room

Ryan Day’s son spotted on the sidelines of OSU’s game against Purdue on Saturday

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — RJ Day, a college quarterback prospect and son of OSU coach Ryan Day, was recently spotted at OSU’s game against Purdue during his official visit to Purdue University.

Day, who is ranked No. 32 in Ohio and 61st among signal callers in the 2027 class, recently delivered a standout performance in a playoff game against the Ashland Arrows.

According to a post by the school on Friday night, Day unofficially threw for what would be a school-record 482 yards and three touchdowns.

Earlier this season, Day had an impressive game against Columbus Africentric High School, completing 16 of 19 passes for 275 yards and five touchdowns on Sept. 5.

BE THE FIRST TO COMMENT

RJ Day currently holds offers from Akron, Boston College, Bowling Green, Miami (Ohio), and Syracuse.

Source link

Ohio

Ohio State vs Purdue predictions, picks, odds. Who wins Week 11 college football game?

Published

3 days ago

November 8, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State vs Purdue predictions, picks, odds. Who wins Week 11 college football game?

Ohio State football is set to take on Purdue at Ross-Ade Stadium on Nov. 7.

The Buckeyes received the No. 1 ranking in the College Football Playoff committee’s rankings on Nov. 4. Ohio State is 8-0 and ranks a spot higher than Indiana, also undefeated and projected to play the Buckeyes in the Big Ten championship game.

Purdue kept it close against Michigan, but the Boilermakers lost 21-16, falling to 2-7 overall and 0-6 in the Big Ten.

Here’s what Dispatch writers think will happen in the Ohio State-Purdue football game:

Stream Ohio State vs. Purdue

Ohio State vs. Purdue odds, money line, over/under

Odds courtesy of BetMGM (As of Nov. 7)

Spread: Ohio State by 29.5
Over/under: 48.5

If you’re new to sports betting, don’t worry. We have tips for beginners on how to place a bet online. And regardless of your level of experience, our guide to college football betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered.

USA TODAY Network readers can also claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with these online sportsbooks and sports betting sites.

Ohio State vs. Purdue predictions

Joey Kaufman, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 45, Purdue 3. While the Boilermakers are rebuilding under first-year coach Barry Odom and remain winless in the Big Ten, they have been more competitive this year. The average margin of their six conference losses is just 11 points, and three of the last four have been by one score or less. But a season-ending ankle injury to star running back Devin Mockobee only adds to the plate of Ryan Browne, who has thrown the second-most interceptions among Big Ten quarterbacks. It won’t be much different than last year’s game in Columbus, though Purdue can avoid being shut out.

Rob Oller, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 48, Purdue 7. The Boilermakers have not won a Big Ten game since beating Indiana in the finale of the 2023 regular season, going 1-15 over that stretch. Over the same span, the Buckeyes have gone 12-3. So you’re saying there’s a chance? Never say never, but, er, never. Purdue is better than a year ago, and actually has been competitive in three of its last four games, including a 21-16 loss at Michigan, but Ohio State has too many weapons on both sides of the ball for this to be anything other than an OSU “name your score.”

Dan Aulbach, Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State 42, Purdue 3. Though the final score predictions are starting to sound like a broken record, Ohio State should have no problem this weekend at Ross-Ade Stadium with a passing offense on a roll and two Heisman campaigns underway for Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.

Ohio State vs. Purdue scouting report: What we’re watching

Joey Kaufman: The week that Ohio State began formally pushing quarterback Julian Sayin and wide receiver Jeremiah Smith as candidates for the Heisman Trophy is well-timed with an afternoon that could allow them to pad their stats. Purdue allows 8.7 yards per pass attempt, ranking 128th out of 136 teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision, and only Marshall has surrendered more completions of 40 or more yards. As long as the weather in West Lafayette cooperates, Sayin and Smith could put up some video game-type numbers.

Rob Oller: A better than 50% chance of rain is forecast for Saturday’s game in West Lafayette. If the heavens open on the Buckeyes, it’s possible Ohio State will lean into trying to improve its running game, which is about the only facet of the team that has come under question. Then again, I’m not sure even a slippery, wet football would be enough to squelch a passing attack that licks its chops knowing Purdue’s pass defense ranks 16th in the Big Ten in passing yards allowed.

Dan Aulbach: Ohio State has scored a touchdown on its opening drive the past two games. Not only have the Buckeyes started quickly on offense, but Julian Sayin continues to air the ball downfield with precision to get the offense to the red zone quickly. I’m interested to see how aggressively Ohio State wants to get a big lead on the road against Purdue, and if they grab an early lead, will the leading Heisman candidate continue to take deep shots for the entire contest?

Julian Sayin has a 400-yard game

Joey Kaufman: After he was just 7 yards shy of throwing for 400 yards at Wisconsin three weeks ago, Sayin will have the opportunity to reach that mark against another Big Ten cellar dweller as Purdue remains prone to giving up big plays through the air. Even if the Boilermakers are in prevent mode after Penn State was beaten over the top, Sayin has too many weapons not to carve them up. He’ll be the first Buckeyes quarterback since C.J. Stroud to have a 400-yard passing game.

Buckeyes’ rushing yards surpass passing yards

Rob Oller: Conventional wisdom says Ohio State will go pass-happy against the Boilermakers to pad the stats of Heisman candidates Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith, but from a team preparation standpoint the Buckeyes need to get their ground game up and running, so the final stats will show more run yards than passing yards, which has not happened since Nov. 12, 2022 against Indiana (340 run, 322 pass), which also was the last time OSU topped 300 yards rushing.

Jeremiah Smith scores 3 touchdowns

Dan Aulbach: It’s Heisman candidacy season, and while Sayin leads the betting odds for the trophy, expect Jeremiah Smith to start running up the stat sheet. Look for the Buckeyes to get creative on offense to get No. 4 to the end zone multiple times. A three-touchdown game would certainly turn some heads in the Heisman race.ual improvement in his maturity as Ohio State’s quarterback. Though on the road against a weaker opponent, the redshirt freshman showed once more his accuracy is irreplicable and I fully expect his completion percentage to remain atop the FBS.

Source link