Topics
1501:31-1-02 Definitions
It is proposed that definitions be added for "wholly enclosed preserve," "commercial bird shooting preserve," "wild animal hunting preserve," and "captive white-tailed deer" to match recent changes in Ohio Revised Code as part of HB 389.
1501:31-1-04 Severability (New rule)
It is proposed to add a rule stating that if a portion of a rule is deemed unconstitutional or otherwise court ordered to not be enforced, the court order only applies to the portion of the rule designated by the court, not the entire rule.
1501:31-3-11 Fishing guides
Ohio has over 700 fishing guides licensed by the Division of Wildlife to operate on Lake Erie waters. These fishing guides must show proof of having a current Coast Guard captain license when making application to the Division of Wildlife for their annual Ohio license. It is proposed that this rule be amended to state that when a person who has an Ohio fishing guide license has their Coast Guard captain license suspended, or if the Coast Guard license expires, the Ohio fishing guide license is also suspended during that period of time.
This change is supported by the Lake Erie Charter Boat Association.
It is proposed to change the wording of "game protector" to "wildlife officer" to match the title of Division of Wildlife officers as defined in Ohio Revised Code.
1501:31-9-03 Regulations on the use of firearms on division owned or controlled areas
It is proposed that paragraph D of this rule be changed to reflect that the fee for reissuing a range permit is $4. As currently written, it incorrectly states that the fee for reissuing a range permit is $3.
1501:31-9-07 Wild animal hunting preserves
It is proposed to make changes to the rule as a result of the recently enacted HB 389 in consultation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and representatives of the respective industries. These changes include:
• Restructuring the paragraph defining legal hunting methods.
• Replacing the term "wild animal" with "game, captive white-tailed deer or non-native wildlife" to reflect language used in the Revised Code.
• Record keeping requirements, including the name, address and number of type of animals taken by a hunter.
• Record requirements regarding escaped captive white-tailed deer.
• Requirements for records of deaths of captive white-tailed deer that die from means other than hunting.
• Requirements for records for animals that enter or leave the facility, including the reason for leaving the facility, name and address of the previous owner and laboratory test results for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD).
• Requirements for signs to be posted at 400 foot or less intervals around the perimeter of the preserve.
1501:31-13-08 Fish daily bag limits: protected species (Effective March 1, 2013)
It is proposed to define the geographical limits on reservoirs so the rule is easier to understand and easier to enforce. In many stream or river impoundments; the upstream end of the reservoir is not clearly defined.
It is proposed that this rule be amended in the following ways:
• Adjust the daily bag limits on bass in specified waters to improve fishing.
• Impose a daily bag limit on bluegill and other sunfish at AEP lakes and ponds to improve fishing.
• Modify the "fillet" portion of the rule to better serve our constituents. The following changes are proposed:
o Fillets must be kept whole until an angler reaches their permanent residence or until the fish are prepared for immediate consumption.
o There will be no requirement to keep any skin on them.
o This will not apply to anglers with a receipt from a fish cleaning house or charter captain which states the date, number, and type of fish.
1501:31-13-09 Length limits on certain game fish (Effective March 1, 2012)
It is proposed to define the geographical limits on reservoirs so the rule is easier to understand and easier to enforce. In many stream or river impoundments, the upstream end of the reservoir is not clearly defined.
It is proposed to adjust the length limits on bass in specified waters to improve fishing.
1501: 31-15-02 General hunting and trapping provisions
It is proposed to adjust the rule to allow for the sale of squirrel skins as well as the tail. Squirrel tails have been sold for many years, hunters often leave them attached to the entire hide, so this will allow a common practice to continue and be a simplification.
1501:31-15-10 Wild turkey regulations
It is proposed to make changes to the tagging process to reflect new templates in the License and Game Check system. One change is that hunters will no longer be required to use a Division issued temporary tag; they will provide their own just as landowners do now.
1501:31-15-11 Deer regulations
It is proposed to make changes to the tagging process to reflect new templates in the License and Game Check system. One change is that hunters will no longer be required to use a Division issued temporary tag; they will provide their own just as landowners do now.
It is proposed to clarify language on the carrying of concealed weapons.
1501:31-19-02 Cervidae carcass regulations
This rule restricts the importation of deer parts from areas where Chronic Wasting Disease has been found. It is proposed that these areas be referenced as listed on WildOhio.com instead of listed in the rule, with a reference to the website in the rule. This will allow for more timely updates to assist in protecting Ohio's deer herd.
1501:31-19-04 Cervidae regulations
It is proposed to make changes to the rule as a result of the recently enacted HB389 in consultation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and representatives of the respective industries. These changes include:
• Defining the height of the fence as eight feet, with a maximum deviation of four percent and defining the required fence material as woven wire mesh.
• Requirements to report escaped captive white-tailed deer within 24 hours.
• Requirements to repair the fence immediately to prevent further escape.
1501:31-25-01 Wild animal permit regulations
It is proposed to add language to make it unlawful to tamper with properly labeled, legitimate, research equipment i.e., nets, tin for reptiles, traps, etc.
1501:31-31-02 Commercial bird shooting preserves; tagging; permit application
It is proposed to make changes to the rule as a result of the recently enacted HB389 in consultation with the Ohio Department of Agriculture and representatives of the respective industries. These changes include:
• Removing the requirement for a commercial propagation permit for these facilities.
• Requirements for signs to be erected on the perimeter of these facilities at intervals of 200 feet or less.
