Wildlife Specialist's Program
The Meigs SWCD's wildlife specialist's program was started in 2000 as a cooperative partnership between the District and the Ohio Division of Wildlife to work together to assist landowners with wildlife-related problems.
The District's wildlife specialist, Jim Freeman, investigates wildlife-related crop damage complaints and completes Crop Damage Investigation Reports, provides technical assistance to landowners, issues deer kill permits in accordance with state regulations, addresses nuisance wildlife complaints and participates in hunter education courses throughout the county. There are currently 21 wildlife specialists located throughout the state of Ohio.
Recent Ohio Division of Wildlife policy changes have eliminated the use of "in-season" deer damage control permits and limit the use of traditional deer damage control permits to the time that damage is actually occurring. For instance, you cannot use damage permits as a pre-emptive measure before damage actually occurs.
In addition, deer damage control permits may not be used on property this is currently being managed to produce trophy buck deer or on property where food plots are being planted to attract deer.