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Hunting in Ohio: Invasive Species to Ohio and Its Rules for Hunting Them

By    |   Monday, 01 June 2015 10:57 AM EDT

Although coyotes and feral swine are cause for concern among Ohio farmers, only the feral swine, introduced more recently, is officially considered an invasive species. Nonetheless, state hunting rules are pretty much the same for both:

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1. Feral Swine
Feral swine, also known as feral pigs or wild boars, are a combination of Eurasian wild boar, introduced into the United States hundreds of years ago by European settlers, and escaped or neglected domestic pigs, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Rooters and diggers, they cause considerable damage to crops, farm property, and lawns.

They are also known to carry up to 30 diseases and 37 parasites harmful to livestock. The Ohio State University Extension says feral swine cost the economy and environment about $1.5 billion a year nationwide. That includes erosion of stream banks and damage to native plants, allowing for the spread of invasive plant species such as honeysuckle.

Feral swine were first seen in Ohio in the early 1980s in the southeast part of the state, thought to be a combination of pigs escaping from farms and wild pigs released illegally for hunting purposes, according to the OSU Extension.

Other than deer season restrictions, Ohio hunters are encouraged to shoot feral swine when they encounter the animals while out hunting. There is no closed season and no bag limit, according to the ODNR Division of Wildlife.

2. Coyotes
Coyotes have been in Ohio for a century and are reported all around the state, although a Cleveland outdoor writer notes Chicago probably has more per square kilometer. "The predator has been vilified for killing and eating livestock, pets and the wild game Buckeye sportsmen love to hunt," according to Cleveland.com outdoors writer D'Arcy Egan, writing about the popularity of coyote hunting contests.

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The ODNR has a downloadable and printable card that tells you what to do if you see a coyote on your property and includes information on finding a trapper.

3. Aquatic Species
There are nine aquatic species on Ohio's invasive list, but the two that get the most press are the zebra mussel, infamous in the 1980s for clogging water intakes and eating the microscopic life at the bottom of the Great Lakes food chain, and the Asian carp. Although the carp has yet to be confirmed in Ohio's waterways, biological signs have been found. At least one gourmet chef, Chef Philippe, is trying to make them fashionable for people to eat.

This article is for information only. Please check current regulations before hunting.

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FastFeatures
Although coyotes and feral swine are cause for concern among Ohio farmers, only the feral swine, introduced more recently, is officially considered an invasive species.
hunting in ohio, ohio, invasive species
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2015-57-01
Monday, 01 June 2015 10:57 AM
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