OLHAP Sign Up

"The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife invites landowners to enroll their property in the Ohio Landowner-Hunter Access Partnership. Enrollment in the program, which incentivizes landowners to provide access to hunters, begins June 1 and runs until July 15. Since the program’s launch in 2021, more than 15,000 acres have been enrolled."

Please feel free to call our office with any questions regarding the OLHAP process. We can help you get signed up as well!

 

Guernsey SWCD Seeks Wildlife/ Forestry Specialist

 

Wildlife/Forestry Specialist Job Opening with Guernsey SWCD

Responsibilities: Providing education, technical assistance, and field assistance to landowners,

primarily in wildlife & forestry issues.  Aides in educational programming

in local school systems. Minimum of 2-year degree and/or related experience in wildlife, forestry,

or natural resources management. Prefer experience in Microsoft Office and ArcGIS software. 

Resume & cover letter must be submitted/post-dated by November 29, 2021 by 8 am. You can email them to:

mepperson@guernseycounty.org

bgoodhart@guernseycounty.org

Or mail them to:

Guernsey SWCD

335C Old National Rd.

P.O. Box 310

Old Washington, OH 43768

(740) 489-5276

Hunter Education Course Offered

 Are you or someone you know interested in getting your hunter education certification? Here's your chance! The Guernsey SWCD along with Noble SWCD is hosting a hunter education class at the Guernsey SWCD office on Saturday, August 7th from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday, August 8^th from 12 PM to 5 PM. The instructors leading this course will be Levi Arnold and Dave Schott. Space is limited so, to register for this class please call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit https://oh-web.s3licensing.com/Event/Search . For questions about this event please call the Guernsey SWCD at 740-489-5276. 

Ohio’s 2021 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Concludes

 

Ohio’s 2021 Spring Wild Turkey Hunting Season Concludes   COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio’s 2021 spring wild turkey hunting season ended Sunday, May 30 with 14,541 birds taken, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s spring wild turkey hunting season concluded on Sunday, May 30 in the northeast zone, and Sunday, May 23 in the south zone. In 2020, hunters harvested 17,894 wild turkeys during the spring hunting season.   The top 10 counties for wild turkey harvest during the 2021 spring hunting season include: Columbiana (454), Belmont (444), Meigs (437), Tuscarawas (417), Jefferson (408), Monroe (408), Ashtabula (401), Washington (398), Guernsey (378), and Muskingum (373).   “Wild turkey populations appear to have declined in much of the eastern U.S., including Ohio,” said Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker. “The Division of Wildlife, in consultation with the Ohio Wildlife Council, other state wildlife agencies, and our non-government wildlife partners will be examining if further conservation measures are needed to stabilize and improve Ohio’s wild turkey population.”   Youth hunters harvested 1,473 wild turkeys during Ohio’s youth season on April 17-18. The youth season results are included in the final tally.   Ohio has two zones for spring wild turkey hunting: the south zone and the northeast zone. The northeast zone includes Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties, while the south zone covers the rest of the state. In the south zone, 13,510 turkeys were harvested, with 941 turkeys checked in the northeast zone.   Adult male turkeys (gobblers) made up 82% of the total 2021 harvest with 11,976 turkeys taken. Hunters checked 2,397 juvenile male turkeys (jakes) represented 16% of the harvest, and 173 bearded female turkeys (hens) were checked. The Division of Wildlife sold and distributed 61,135 wild turkey permits during the spring hunting season.   The 2021 spring turkey season limit was two bearded wild turkeys. Hunters could harvest one bearded turkey per day using a shotgun or archery equipment. All hunters were required to check in their harvest using the game-check system.   The Division of Wildlife began an extensive program in the 1950s to reintroduce wild turkeys to the Buckeye State. Ohio’s first modern day wild turkey season opened in 1966 in nine counties, and hunters checked 12 birds. The total number of harvested turkeys topped 1,000 for the first time in 1984. Turkey hunting was opened statewide in 2000. The record Ohio wild turkey harvest was in 2001, when hunters checked 26,156 birds.   Connect with the Division of Wildlife by downloading the HuntFish OH app and on Twitter and Facebook for instant news stories, outdoor recreation ideas, local wildlife information, and so much more. The Your Wild Ohio Hunter Facebook page provides hunting tips and useful information as you get outside this season.   The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more.   ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.   -30-   Editor’s Note: A county list of all wild turkeys checked by hunters during the 2021 spring and youth hunting seasons are shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2021, and the 2020 numbers are in parentheses. Harvest numbers below are raw data and subject to change.   Adams: 358 (421); Allen: 65 (79); Ashland: 149 (170); Ashtabula 401 (449); Athens: 324 (380); Auglaize: 29 (54); Belmont: 444 (533); Brown: 345 (433); Butler: 173 (237); Carroll: 286 (368); Champaign: 56 (106); Clark: 12 (17); Clermont: 249 (367); Clinton: 51 (92); Columbiana: 454 (395); Coshocton: 331 (450); Crawford: 47 (59); Cuyahoga 10 (7); Darke: 48 (68); Defiance: 160 (244); Delaware: 85 (127); Erie: 47 (41); Fairfield: 82 (115); Fayette: 7 (17); Franklin: 17 (21); Fulton: 104 (118); Gallia: 359 (398); Geauga 163 (214); Greene: 17 (22); Guernsey: 378 (508); Hamilton: 83 (147); Hancock: 28 (48); Hardin: 84 (103); Harrison: 351 (458); Henry: 48 (56); Highland: 317 (412); Hocking: 217 (271); Holmes: 167 (241); Huron: 88 (112); Jackson: 293 (351); Jefferson: 408 (413); Knox: 271 (317); Lake 60 (70); Lawrence: 182 (228); Licking: 277 (319); Logan: 88 (116); Lorain: 107 (141); Lucas: 50 (54); Madison: 5 (11); Mahoning: 181 (198); Marion: 30 (46); Medina: 97 (118); Meigs: 437 (503); Mercer: 10 (30); Miami: 18 (29); Monroe: 408 (532); Montgomery: 23 (28); Morgan: 267 (322); Morrow: 107 (146); Muskingum: 373 (499); Noble: 347 (399); Ottawa: 1 (1); Paulding: 70 (75); Perry: 249 (283); Pickaway: 13 (33); Pike: 185 (197); Portage: 185 (248); Preble: 82 (125); Putnam: 40 (61); Richland: 209 (221); Ross: 262 (334); Sandusky: 23 (23); Scioto: 228 (272); Seneca: 123 (108); Shelby: 42 (39); Stark: 240 (270); Summit: 64 (79); Trumbull 307 (378); Tuscarawas: 417 (528); Union: 34 (48); Van Wert: 10 (22); Vinton: 233 (294); Warren: 67 (110); Washington: 398 (484); Wayne: 102 (123); Williams: 183 (192); Wood: 24 (31); Wyandot: 77 (87).   2021 total: 14,541 2020 total: (17,894)   For more information, contact: Brian Plasters, Division of Wildlife (614) 601-3836

Ohio’s Wild Turkey Harvest Results Through Sunday, May 9

 Ohio’s Wild Turkey Harvest Results Through Sunday, May 9

 

Ohio’s wild turkey hunters have harvested 11,783 birds through Sunday, May 9, 2021. Ohio has two zones for 2021 spring wild turkey hunting: the south zone and the northeast zone. The total harvest represents 16 days of hunting in the south zone and nine days in the northeast zone, and includes the 1,473 wild turkeys taken during the 2021 youth season.

 

Hunters harvested 14,215 wild turkeys over the same time period during the 2020 spring hunting season.

 

Hunting in the south zone is open until Sunday, May 23, and the northeast zone (Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Trumbull counties) is open until Sunday, May 30. Find complete details in the 2020-2021 Hunting and Trapping Regulation Booklet.

 

The top 10 counties for wild turkey harvest during 2021 season: Columbiana (385), Meigs (372), Belmont (370), Monroe (359), Tuscarawas (348), Jefferson (339), Guernsey (333), Muskingum (327), Washington (325), and Adams (303).

Editor’s Note: A county list of all wild turkeys checked by hunters through Sunday, May 9, 2021 is shown below. Results from the south zone include 16 days of hunting, nine days in the northeast zone, and includes the youth hunting season. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2021, and the 2020 numbers through the corresponding season length are in parentheses. Harvest numbers below are raw data and subject to change.

 

Adams: 303 (346); Allen: 50 (67); Ashland: 120 (139); Ashtabula 241 (257); Athens: 263 (316); Auglaize: 20 (42); Belmont: 370 (433); Brown: 287 (351); Butler: 143 (188); Carroll: 244 (296); Champaign: 45 (85); Clark: 11 (13); Clermont: 202 (291); Clinton: 40 (75); Columbiana: 385 (320); Coshocton: 283 (354); Crawford: 25 (42); Cuyahoga 3 (3); Darke: 38 (53); Defiance: 129 (200); Delaware: 71 (108); Erie: 34 (32); Fairfield: 68 (93); Fayette: 7 (15); Franklin: 15 (16); Fulton: 81 (99); Gallia: 292 (326); Geauga 102 (123); Greene: 12 (16); Guernsey: 333 (420); Hamilton: 62 (116); Hancock: 22 (37); Hardin: 59 (79); Harrison: 292 (363); Henry: 40 (50); Highland: 251 (338); Hocking: 191 (223); Holmes: 138 (194); Huron: 73 (95); Jackson: 241 (287); Jefferson: 339 (331); Knox: 214 (254); Lake 40 (43); Lawrence: 154 (199); Licking: 226 (249); Logan: 70 (100); Lorain: 84 (111); Lucas: 41 (41); Madison: 4 (7); Mahoning: 139 (152); Marion: 23 (42); Medina: 73 (96); Meigs: 372 (420); Mercer: 9 (25); Miami: 15 (23); Monroe: 359 (432); Montgomery: 18 (23); Morgan: 218 (258); Morrow: 83 (125); Muskingum: 327 (380); Noble: 280 (332); Ottawa: 1 (1); Paulding: 56 (62); Perry: 202 (226); Pickaway: 12 (28); Pike: 151 (149); Portage: 140 (202); Preble: 62 (99); Putnam: 32 (51); Richland: 167 (166); Ross: 215 (267); Sandusky: 23 (21); Scioto: 208 (239); Seneca: 94 (91); Shelby: 34 (36); Stark: 198 (222); Summit: 53 (54); Trumbull 190 (222); Tuscarawas: 348 (426); Union: 25 (34); Van Wert: 7 (16); Vinton: 198 (238); Warren: 55 (90); Washington: 325 (375); Wayne: 86 (99); Williams: 149 (157); Wood: 17 (25); Wyandot: 61 (75).

 

2021 total: 11,783

2020 total: (14,215)

 

For more information, contact:

Brian Plasters, Division of Wildlife

(614) 601-3836

 

2021 Spring Newsletter

 

Livestock Depredation Seminar

Having issues with losing livestock due to predators? Do you want to know some proactive steps to take to reduce your losses and improve your operation? This is a great seminar to get those questions answered. Eric Householder from USDA Wildlife Services will present with his years of experience dealing with this issue and how people can improve their operations. Experts from FSA will also be there to answer any questions regarding their indemnity program regarding animals lost due to Black Vultures. For more information and to register for this, please call the office at 740-489-5276.

COUNTY LEADERS ATTEND STATEWIDE CONSERVATION MEETING

The Guernsey County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) supervisors and staff recently participated in the annual “Conservation Partnership Meeting” held in downtown Columbus.  Over 500 conservation leaders representing Ohio’s 88 SWCDs, partners from the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Ohio Department Natural Resources (ODNR), Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, The Ohio State University, agriculture commodity groups and environmental organizations and more were on hand during the two-day event centered around the theme, “Conservation Crusade:  Inspiring Stewards for the Future.”   

                                                                                                                                

The meeting challenged attendees to identify and strengthen their commitment to conservation as each work to positively impact Ohio’s economy, environment, and future. Meeting participants networked, participated in thought-provoking workshops and breakout sessions, heard from Special Guest Speaker Jon Petz, key partners including USDA NRCS State Conservationist Terry Cosby, ODA Director Dorothy Pelanda, State Legislators and more. 

Employees and board members also attended a legislative meet and greet at the Ohio Statehouse on the 26^th where they got the chance to talk with elected officials who represent us in Columbus. The district would like to thank Senator Brian Hill for his time and always going to bat for conservation here in Guernsey County. Pictured below is Terry Cosby NRCS State Conservationist, Levi Arnold of the Guernsey SWCD, Tom Price chairman of the Ohio Soil and Water Conservation Commission, and Dorothy Pelanda the Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture.

To learn more about the event and the great things Ohio’s 88 SWCDs are doing locally, contact the Guernsey SWCD at 740-489-5276 and/or contact the Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts at (614) 784-1900 or at www.ofswcd.org.

Pictured L to R: Terry Cosby, Levi Arnold, Tom Price, Dorothy Pelanda

Photo Credit to Marta Farrell 2/26/2019 retrieved from https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOciyXU3RTtyphA8WtjkhGXaOJqUDivHFyorTf4ewX0Hm6kvxM6nrKiDel1oVLl4w?key=SG45cUdWMGVIMTBWSm1KendFZXpBZTV2SEt4OWRn on 3/1/2019

Camp Canopy Registration is Open for 2019

COLUMBUS, OH – Registration is now open for the popular Camp Canopy, which runs from June 9-14, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

Coordinators for Camp Canopy are developing brand-new classes and new adventure-themed recreational activities, in addition to the traditional learning topics and fun activities from previous years, according to Jeremy Scherf, camp co-director and service forester with the ODNR Division of Forestry. Topics for Camp Canopy this year include tree identification, wildlife management, silviculture and invasive species.

“This year’s camp is going to be better than ever,” said Scherf. “We are excited to share new knowledge and outdoor skills with the students, focusing on the wonders of forests and wildlife in Ohio.”

Students who have completed the eighth grade through high school seniors graduating the year of camp are invited to attend Camp Canopy, which was previously known as the Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp. The camp will be held at FFA Camp Muskingum on Leesville Lake in Carroll County.

For more information about Camp Canopy, visit their website at campcanopy.com.

The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov. Follow us on Instagram at @odnrforestry (instagram.com/odnrforestry).

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

– 30 –

For more information, contact:
Stephanie Leis, ODNR Office of Communications
614-265-6860
Jeremy Scherf, ODNR Division of Forestry
614-212-3309

Cutline: Founded in 1950 and formerly known as Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp, Camp Canopy is an outdoors summer camp for high schoolers to discover forestry, wildlife and adventure.

Cover Crop Meeting

Hunter Education Course Offered!

Interested in getting your hunter education certification? Here's your chance! The Guernsey SWCD along with Noble SWCD are hosting a hunter education class at the Guernsey SWCD office on Saturday March 30th from 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday March 31st from 12 PM to 5 PM. To register for this class, please call 1-800-WILDLIFE or click on the attached link at https://oh-web.s3licensing.com/Event/Index.

USDA to Reopen FSA Offices for Additional Services During Government Shutdown

USDA to Reopen FSA Offices for Additional Services During Government Shutdown

(Washington, D.C., January 22, 2019) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced that all Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices nationwide will soon reopen to provide additional administrative services to farmers and ranchers during the lapse in federal funding.  Certain FSA offices have been providing limited services for existing loans and tax documents since January 17, and will continue to do so through January 23.  Beginning January 24, however, all FSA offices will open and offer a longer list of transactions they will accommodate.    

Additionally, Secretary Perdue announced that the deadline to apply for the Market Facilitation Program, which aids farmers harmed by unjustified retaliatory tariffs, has been extended to February 14.  The original deadline had been January 15.  Other program deadlines may be modified and will be announced as they are addressed.

“At President Trump’s direction, we have been working to alleviate the effects of the lapse in federal funding as best we can, and we are happy to announce the reopening of FSA offices for certain services,” Perdue said.  “The FSA provides vital support for farmers and ranchers and they count on those services being available.  We want to offer as much assistance as possible until the partial government shutdown is resolved.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has temporarily recalled all of the more than 9,700 FSA employees to keep offices open from 8 am to 4:30 pm weekdays beginning January 24.  President Trump has already signed legislation that guarantees employees will receive all backpay missed during the lapse in funding.

For the first two full weeks under this operating plan (January 28 through February 1 and February 4 through February 8), FSA offices will be open Mondays through Fridays.  In subsequent weeks, offices will be open three days a week, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, if needed to provide the additional administrative services. 

Agricultural producers who have business with the agency can contact their FSA service center to make an appointment. 

FSA can provide these administrative services, which are critical for farmers and ranchers, because failure to perform these services would harm funded programs.  FSA staff will work on the following transactions:

• Market Facilitation Program.
• Marketing Assistance Loans.
• Release of collateral warehouse receipts.
• Direct and Guaranteed Farm Operating Loans, and Emergency Loans.
• Service existing Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
• Sugar Price Support Loans.
• Dairy Margin Protection Program.
• Agricultural Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage.
• Livestock Forage Disaster.
• Emergency Assistance Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm-raised Fish Program.
• Livestock Indemnity Program.
• Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program.
• Tree Assistance Program.
• Remaining Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program payments for applications already processed.

Transactions that will not be available include, but are not limited to:

• New Conservation Reserve Program contracts.
• New Direct and Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loans.
• Farm Storage Facility Loan Program.
• New or in-process Wildfires and Hurricanes Indemnity Program applications.
• Emergency Conservation Program.
• Emergency Forest Rehabilitation Program.
• Biomass Crop Assistance Program.
• Grassroots Source Water Protection Program.

With the Office of Management and Budget, USDA reviewed all of its funding accounts that are not impacted by the lapse in appropriation. We further refined this list to include programs where the suspension of the activity associated with these accounts would significantly damage or prevent the execution of the terms of the underling statutory provision. As a result of this review, USDA was able to except more employees. Those accounts that are not impacted by the lapse in appropriation include mandatory, multiyear and no year discretionary funding including FY 2018 Farm Bill activities.

Updates to available services and offices will be made during the lapse in federal funding on the FSA shutdown webpage (https://www.fsa.usda.gov/help/shutdowninfo).  Programs managed by FSA that were re-authorized by the 2018 farm bill will be available at a later date yet to be determined.

2019 Wildlife Symposium

Check out this great event happening in Muskingum County. Here is a wonderful opportunity to shake off some of those winter blues and learn from a vast array of topics and speakers!

Field to Table Venison Workshop

Guernsey and Noble County SWCD along with Noble OSU Extension are partnering together to bring you another field to table demonstration. Learn about processing your own venison and how to preserve and cook the meat from your harvest. We hope to see you there!

Ohio Couple Named National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year
Hepatica Falls Tree Farm represents long-term care of the land
COLUMBUS, OH – Randy and Koral Clum have been named the 2018 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). “Randy and Koral Clum’s Harrison County woodland property is a stellar example of forest stewardship practices,” said Robert Boyles, Ohio’s state forester. “Not only is their land a joy to experience, but their investment has produced a thriving woodland and showcase for fellow landowners to learn about sustainable forestry. I can’t think of more deserving people than the Clums to represent Ohio for this national recognition.” Randy and Koral are both professional consulting foresters that work with 50 to 75 other landowners annually. Clum Forestry Consultants promote and provide science-based forest management, approaching their work as an educational opportunity for clients. The couple purchased their own 153-acre Hepatica Falls Tree Farm in east-central Ohio in 1993, learning many lessons as they applied practices they advise for other landowners. The Clums have hosted numerous tours and workshops, including the 2017 Ohio Tree Farm of the Year Tour. Both Randy and Koral began their forestry careers with the ODNR Division of Forestry, spending many of those years providing private land stewardship advice as service foresters. They are active in several woodland owner and professional forestry organizations, and they have served as tree farm inspectors. Among both Randy’s and Koral’s numerous awards and recognitions, the couple was named in 2012 by ODNR as Forest of Honor inductees for their excellent work and enthusiasm for sharing good forestry and for the many landowners they have influenced. The Ohio Tree Farm Program was organized in 1946, bringing foresters and landowners together to apply the American Tree Farm System standards of sustainable forest management. The system includes 1,700 woodland owners across the state committed to caring for their land under a comprehensive plan developed by a professional forester. Landowners interested in the American Tree Farm System may visit ohiotreefarm.org. The ODNR Division of Forestry works to promote the wise use and sustainable management of Ohio’s public and private woodlands. To learn more about Ohio’s woodlands and the fire management program, visit forestry.ohiodnr.gov. Follow us on Instagram at @odnrforestry (instagram.com/odnrforestry). ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. – 30 – For more information, contact: Matt Eiselstein, ODNR Office of Communications 614-265-6860 Cotton Randall, ODNR Division of Forestry 614-265-6667 Cutline: Pictured are Randy and Koral Clum, who were recently named the 2018 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Tree Farm System. Photo courtesy of Kian McKellar.

Guernsey SWCD Annual Meeting

On Tuesday, October 23, 2018, the Guernsey Soil & Water Conservation District celebrated its 76th Annual Meeting and Election at Deerassic Park Education Center. Two board members were elected to three year terms; Jo Lucas who was re-elected for her second term and newly elected board member Josh Stiers, who will begin his first term in January of 2019. Patrick Hodges and Sam Gatrell did an excellent job speaking about their experience at Camp Canopy which the district sponsored them to attend this year. Sam has been attending the past few years and this year he tested 5th overall at the camp out of nearly 100 participants which earned him a $1,000 scholarship to Zane State College.

 Mr. Louis Thornton was then honored as the 2018 Cooperator of the Year. Lou has diligently worked with the district and its partners this year as well as in years past. Lou has gone above and beyond making his beef operation work to its full potential. He has been gracious enough to hold workshops at his farm for the public to attend and show how certain conservation practices can improve an operation.

 We were delighted to have Tommy Butler from the USDA speak about Black Vultures and their increasing presence in Ohio and Guernsey County. 

The district would like to thank all who came out to celebrate the evening with them. Guernsey Soil & Water would like to extend a sincere thank you to Bill Bertram, who after 12 dedicated years of service to the district decided not to seek re-election. Mr. Bertram has assisted the district diligently during his time on the board and has helped guide the district through the years. We would like to wish him, his wife Shirley, and the rest of their family the very best. 

We would also like to give a special thank you to Orr’s Drive-In, Mosser Glass, The Engine House and M&M Feed who were generous enough to donate door prizes for our meeting. Its local businesses like yours that make our county so great!

Fall Forest Walk

Guernsey SWCD is hosting a fall forest walk with Guernsey OSU Extension. Come learn about all the cool things in your woods on October 10th from Levi Arnold of Guernsey SWCD and Clif Little of OSU Extension.

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