Division of Wildlife Denies Hunters Rights

By Larry S. Moore

If, like me, you hunt in Ohio then the Division of Wildlife is denying our rights. More specifically if you are a deer hunter in Ohio your right of self-defense through concealed carry is being denied. Arguably many Ohio deer hunters only want concealed carry so they can protect their handgun from the elements while deer hunting. Either way, the Ohio Division of Wildlife continues to say no.

Why only deer hunters? There is no prohibition for the concealed handgun license (CHL) holder to carry while upland game hunting unless you are hunting on a public wildlife area that also bans the use of cartridges after upland game season starts. These bans are aimed at safety with more hunters in the field during the upland season and have nothing to do with concealed carry.

The Division concerns may be related to perceived officer safety since many people Wildlife Officers encounter are carrying firearms. However, the fact remains that the CHL holder is no threat to any law enforcement officer and that includes our Wildlife Officers. Why is the threat only seen for deer hunters?

Click on the "Read More..." link below for more.

The only other prohibition against hunters is that people training dogs for the fur-bearer season. Read that as training coonhounds. That regulation was put into place in the 1980s and resulted from the then Clark County wildlife officer being seriously wounded by a group of coon hunters prior to the opening of the fur-bearer season. In fact, that incident had nothing to do with training coon dogs, although that was the supposed activity. These people were poaching early season coons. They nearly turned into murderers. No one was ever caught. Fortunately the officer, now retired from the Division, survived. He is a friend with whom I've taught hunter education and attended many outdoors camps him. Ironically, he is currently teaching concealed carry classes.

What about the hikers, bird watchers, fishermen, wildlife photographers, and a host of other people who enjoy the great Ohio out-of-doors? There is no prohibition against concealed carry if they have a CHL. Why are only deer hunters prohibited? Is the Division of Wildlife implying that a deer archery hunter with a CHL and a handgun will suddenly turn into a poacher by taking a deer with the handgun during the archery season? Since national statistics reflect that CHL holders are among the most law-abiding citizens, I highly doubt this scenario.

In February 2005, I received a letter from Mr. Randy Miller, Assistant Chief, Division of Wildlife. His letter was in reply to my letter to the Division pointing out the inconsistencies in the regulations. Mr. Miller acknowledged the Division strategic plan that states, "The Division of Wildlife supports the right of people to own and use firearms in continuing the heritage of hunting and the shooting sports". Mr. Miller also said, "Wildlife hunting regulations are designed to promote hunter safety and ensure fair chase in addition to other purposes (provide recreational opportunities, manage wildlife populations, etc.)." The letter went on to cite the continuing safety record and reduction in hunter incidents within the state. Mr. Miller concluded, "Our hunting regulations, which prohibit hunters from carrying an extra firearm, are intended to continue the public's support for our rich hunting traditions."

Apparently Mr. Miller believes providing the CHL license holder the ability to carry concealed while hunting will damage the safety record of hunters. Or perhaps that the public will no longer support hunting if we allow hunters who possess a CHL to carry a concealed handgun. I know and respect Mr. Miller as a wildlife professional. We are on first name friendly basis. However, his comments sound eerily similar to some of Toby Hoover's off-base statements. Is he saying that concealed carry is a threat to the image of hunting? I really can't decide what Mr. Miller means in his response.

At the 2005 Division of Wildlife public open houses, there were only 35 requests statewide to allow CCW for hunters who possess a CHL. If we have that same pitiful turnout in 2006, nothing will change. Even if we bypass the public input area and go to friendly legislators, the Division can honestly report they've had only a very few requests to allow ccw for hunters.

The Division of Wildlife open houses are this coming Sunday March 4 from noon to three at all the Division offices. There is one exception the District 5 Xenia office open house is held at the Greene County Fish and Game Club, 1538 Union Road, Xenia.

The District offices are state buildings so concealed carry is prohibited. The Greene County Fish and Game Club is not posted and does not sell alcohol. So while I can't carry concealed deer hunting, I can carry concealed to the District 5 open house. The concealed carry policies and regulations of the Division of Wildlife are so inconsistent as to make not sense.

Attend a District Open House or use the contact information at the link below to restore our rights while hunting.

Open House information is available here:
http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/wildlife/Publicmeetings/councilmeetings.htm

If you are unable to attend a District Open House, comments can be made by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) or by e-mail at [email protected].

If you've done the above, then as a last bit of effort to send a message to the Ohio Division of Wildlife, please
VOTE HERE in our webpoll.