State Representative Jim Buchy...
Preserving the Rights of Hunters from West Central Ohio  
February 1, 2012 

The 77th House District is known for its agriculture, but along with our rural life comes the important role of sportsmen. Sportsmen are responsible for hunting animals that can be a nuisance to our crops. These outdoorsmen are critical to maintaining wildlife population levels. Without their efforts, crops would be destroyed, disease would run rampant and the limited habitat would be overtaken. 

This year, sportsmen in our area noticed two changes. Non-resident landowners were no longer able to hunt on their own land in Indiana without purchasing an out-of-state license, and deer check was done electronically, closing the longtime deer check stations in our communities. 

Many constituents wrote and called my office regarding the issue of non-resident landowners. If you are an Ohio resident who owns property in Indiana and you hunt that land, you may have noticed the requirement to purchase an out-of-state license prior to hunting. 

In the past, both Hoosiers and Ohioans who own land in the other state have been able to hunt that land as a landowner without a license. This was changed with an amendment that was tucked in the 2011-2012 Fiscal Budget, HB 153. One of the basic tenets of freedom is the ability to own private property. Asking a landowner to purchase an out-of-state license to hunt on land that he or she owns is an overextension of government. As a result, I have been working with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to establish an agreement with Indiana that would provide the benefits to local hunters that these hunters rightfully possess. 

Recently, my office received 255 survey responses from licensed hunters in our community who shared their viewpoints on this topic. Licensed hunters in our communities overwhelmingly rejected the notion that they would have to purchase an out-of-state hunting license to hunt on land that they owned in Indiana. The results revealed that 245 out of 255, or 96 percent, of licensed hunters were against this law change, while 10 out of 255, or 4 percent, of licensed hunters believe that such a license should be legally required. 

This change has become law and will be difficult to change.  State representatives and senators from districts along Ohio’s Indiana border are in talks with ODNR to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Our goal is to enter into a reciprocal agreement with Indiana to allow Ohioans and Hoosiers to hunt on their own land in either state with an in-state hunting license. 

The results of the returned surveys also illustrated that hunters found the electronic deer check to be an effective way to check in killed deer. Specifically, the data revealed that 159 out of 263 that responded to the question, or 60 percent, of licensed hunters believed that the electronic deer check functioned well, while 80 out of 263, or 30 percent, of hunters believe that checking deer electronically is not serving hunters well. 

Many hunters commented that they felt the new technology allowed more poaching.  Time will tell, and I am encouraging the Division of Wildlife to strictly monitor enforcement of poaching for this reason. 

Hunters in Ohio have experienced two important changes to Ohio hunting laws within the past 12 months. Your opinion on these matters is important to me.  As a result of the opinions from West Central Ohio, I will actively seek resolution of the non-resident landowner issue pursue advancements to the electronic deer check system.  I am proud to represent the fine people of this region and I hope you will continue to provide feedback on these issues and many more that are important to our everyday lives.