Ohio Division of Wildlife

NEWS: 20k Muskie Stocked Across Ohio ?? ?? Our agency raises muskellunge at the Kincaid and London state fish hatcheries. The hatcheries stock 10- to 12-inch muskies in nine lakes each fall. Muskies are a predatory sport fish that grow quickly and create trophy fishing opportunities in Alum Creek Lake, C. J. Brown Reservoir, Caesar Creek Lake, Clearfork Reservoir, Lake Milton, Leesville Lake, Piedmont Lake, Salt Fork Lake, and West Branch Reservoir. In addition to reservoirs where they are stocked, muskellunge are caught in many of Ohio’s river systems. ?? https://ow.ly/CzKi50TraCx

?? Reminder: Ohio's early teal hunting season closes on 9/22.

NEWS: Groundbreaking at Appalachian Hills Wildlife Area ?? The visitor center will serve as the gateway to the great outdoors, providing an education experience that celebrates southeast Ohio’s incredible wild spaces.

?? Reasons Behind the Monarch Decline ?? ?? Scientists who study monarchs cite several causes for population declines. 1?? Timbering, and possibly increased infestations of bark beetles and perhaps an escalation of air pollution, have been detrimental to the Mexican oyamel fir forests where Monarchs overwinter. 2?? An apparent increase in untimely weather events characterized by hail, freezing temperatures, and high winds have buffeted monarchs on the wintering grounds and during their northbound migration. The mortality caused by storm events in 2010 was thought to be 50%. 3?? A precipitous decline in milkweeds in much of eastern North America is likely a major factor in monarch declines. The organization Monarch Watch calculates that about 2.2 million acres of potential milkweed habitat is lost in the United States each year. Much of the loss in milkweeds stems from conversion of land to agricultural uses and other development, and the increasing efficiency of herbicides used in control of non-crop plants. ?? Megan Murray

??? Squirrels are plentiful statewide. Fox squirrels are more abundant in western Ohio and gray squirrels are most bountiful in eastern counties. ?? Early in the hunting season, squirrels are found in forests and woodlands that have beech, oak, and hickory trees. Squirrel season continues through Jan. 31, 2025.

?? PSA: If you have nuisance bats in your home or other building, we advise you call an expert before 10/15 when the fall bat exclusion restriction period begins. This period protects hibernating bats, and it runs through April 1, 2025 ?? Learn more: https://ow.ly/S83S50TfGWE

?? Getting locked in for hunting season? Make sure to download our app for easy access to hunting hours, regulations, maps and more. ?? HuntFish OH: https://ow.ly/5Vyb50TmUXL ?? Debbie Shuman

?? Leaves may change, but the fish will still bite! ?? ?? Remember that because of cooling water, there is an overall movement of fish to shallower water during this time of year. ?? Joan Pearse, Alum Creek State Park

?? Monarchs on the Move ?? Depending on the length of the season, which can be dictated by weather, monarchs might have from two to four different broods in Ohio. The adults produced from the last hatch will make an incredible journey to high elevation oyamel fir forests in central Mexico. This journey might entail traveling nearly 2,000 miles, one way. ?? Andrea Moore

?? Good luck to hunters on this misty fall morning! ?? Hunters in the disease surveillance area (all of Hardin, Marion, and Wyandot counties as well as Auglaize and Jackson townships in Allen County) can begin archery hunting today. ?? HuntFish OH mobile: https://ow.ly/2Vgw50TmUZs ?? Shari Dobbins Fugate