MAY 27 MEDIA RELEASE___Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two

During the 2024-25 white-tailed deer gun hunting season, State Wildlife Officer Jason Porinchok, assigned to Putnam County, observed a hunter wearing only a hunter-orange hat. Hunters are required to wear an orange vest, coat, jacket, or coveralls during deer gun hunting seasons. Officer Porinchok contacted the hunter and issued a citation for not wearing the required hunter orange. The hunter paid a $125 fine in addition to court costs in Putnam County Court.

State Wildlife Investigator Kelsey Brockman received information regarding an individual who was operating as a fishing guide on Lake Erie without a fishing guide license or the required Coast Guard Merchant Mariner credentials. With the assistance of other officers, Investigator Brockman performed a vessel safety check when the individual returned from a charter trip and did not find the required safety gear. The individual was found guilty of operating as a fishing guide without a proper license and paid $6,000 in fines and restitution. The suspect received a three-year fishing license revocation and was sentenced to 180 days in jail, with 135 days suspended pending three years of no similar violations.