Bingham is county's new wildlife officer

Ethan Bingham, Seneca County's new wildlife officer, is getting his feet wet in his first couple weeks on the job. He's working this week with a troop of wildlife officers policing the walleye run on the Maumee River in the Perrysburg/Maumee area. "Once the walleye become active in the spring is when we start with the enforcement," Bingham said. "We're just making sure everybody is complying with the bag limit and the fishing regulations." He said officers watch the area to avoid general problems and make sure anglers have fishing licenses. It's Bingham's first experience policing the walleye run. The 24-year-old graduated March 15 from a 17-week Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Academy and eight weeks of specialized wildlife officer training by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. He was sworn in as an officer assigned to Seneca County. In addition to wildlife law enforcement procedures and agency policies, he and nine other newly-graduated cadets received training in wildlife and fisheries management, communications, outdoor education, all-terrain vehicle operation, hunter safety, advanced firearms and self-defense. His next step is six months of field training with an experienced officer. "It's similar to doing a ride-along with someone, but we actually do the tasks," he said. "We're doing our job, but we have somebody along to make sure we get it right." After the walleye run, Bingham plans to spend his time in Seneca County. A native of Fulton County, he and his wife, Haeli, live in Wauseon, but he said they plan to look for a house to buy in Seneca County. "I'm excited to work in Seneca County," he said. "I've heard a lot of good things about Seneca County." He plans to start meeting people soon. "I plan to meet with the conservation organizations in the county and establish relationships, and then work together toward a common goal," he said. "To pass on the heritage of hunting, fishing, trapping and being outdoors in Seneca County to meet as many people as possible." Bingham said becoming a wildlife officer always has been his goal. "It's been my dream since I was a little kid," he said. "I've always had a passion for the outdoors." He said "positive interactions" in childhood with his local wildlife officers in the Fulton County area made him want to follow in their footsteps. "It all started at a hunters education course when I met the county officer," he said. "I have a passion for the outdoors and making sure it stays around for generations to come." As a state wildlife officer, Bingham has statewide jurisdiction to enforce wildlife regulations, investigate allegations of waterway pollution, protect state property and make arrests, according to an ODNR news release. Part of his job also is to conduct educational programs, perform fish and wildlife management duties and advise landowners on dealing with wildlife. He serves as a point of contact with law enforcement and other agencies on topics of mutual interest, providing assistance and expertise, the release said. He graduated from Hocking College in 2015 with an associate degree in wildlife resources management. Before entering the academy, he worked as a conservation worker for fish management in northwest Ohio.