Outdoor Briefs

Wildlife officer awarded Director's Valor Award COLUMBUS— Ohio Wildlife Officer Jesse Janosik was recently awarded the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Director's Valor Award for his life-saving actions in July. Officer Janosik responded to an emergency call for service in Columbiana County regarding a child struck by a riding mower. Officer Janosik was nearby and was the first responder to arrive. Officer Janosik's actions greatly affected the child's survival. He also demonstrated many outstanding qualities during this highly stressful situation, including courage, calmness, clear-headedness, and bravery. Officer Janosik remained calm and professional as he immediately began life-saving measures. While administering these measures, Officer Janosik communicated with Columbiana County dispatch, relaying critical information about the situation, including for the activation of Life Flight. Officer Janosik also delegated duties to others on the scene and cared for the child's wounds until emergency medical technicians arrived. Lastly, he provided additional assistance the Columbiana County Sheriff's Office after the child was transported to definitive care. "Officer Janosik is a hero for his actions while helping to save the life of a child," said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. "We are forever grateful to Officer Janosik for his service to his community and to all Ohioans." Archery hunters off to a good start this 2024 Deer Season COLUMBUS— Ohio archery hunters have checked 48,321 deer through Sunday, Nov. 3, which includes the first six weekends of bowhunting, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The 2024-25 statewide archery season began on Sept. 28 and concludes on Feb. 2, 2025. According to a media release from ODNR, deer harvested this year include 23,311 antlered deer and 25,010 antlerless deer, a category which includes does and button bucks. The average bow harvest through the first weekend of November over the last three years is 50,844 white-tailed deer. Last year, hunters checked 51,352 deer over the same period. During the 2023-24 deer hunting season, 105,158 of the 213,928 deer checked were taken with a bow. Last season was the first time the archery harvest topped 100,000, an indication that the popularity of bowhunting continues to rise. The historic 2023-24 archery total included 75,462 taken with a crossbow and 29,696 with a vertical bow. All bowhunters are required to purchase a hunting license and deer permit, unless exempted. A one-year resident hunting license costs $19 and is valid through Feb. 28, 2025. Deer management permits, available for $15, can be used on private land through Dec. 22 and only for antlerless deer. Either-sex deer permits, $31.20 for resident adults, are available statewide through Feb. 2, 2025, and can be used on both antlered and antlerless deer. Licenses can be purchased through the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, on the HuntFish OH mobile app, or at a license sales agent. Hunters are reminded that the youth gun season, which traditionally occurs on the third weekend of November, does not fall on the weekend before Thanksgiving this year as it often does. A seven-day gun season opens statewide to all hunters on Monday, Dec. 2, and continues through Sunday, Dec. 8. An additional gun weekend occurs Dec. 21-22. The late muzzleloader hunting season will be Jan. 4-7, 2025. For more information, visit ohiodnr.gov