Hunters in Ohio using electronic game-check system

AUBURN TOWNSHIP, Ohio - State of Ohio wildlife officials said hunters are adopting a new game-check system in large numbers.

The electronic system was put in place for the start of turkey hunting season in October. Deer hunters are currently using the automated system for deer-gun hunting season.

According to Ohio Division of Wildlife spokesperson Jamie Graham, 43 percent of hunters have used the telephone game-check option, 32 percent used the Internet, and the remaining 25 percent physically took their game to a licensed check station. Until this year, all tagged game had to be physically presented to licensed agents.

Graham told NewsChannel5 the electronic game-check extends the state's use of technology in its wildlife management efforts. Various licenses have been available for purchase online for a number of years. Graham said the new system allows immediate updating of a 'customer's account' -- and the information is also available to wildlife officers in the field in real time.

Customers are reminded that eligible game must be electronically checked by 11:30 p.m. on the day of harvest. A computer printer is also required to print a receipt.

As for this year's deer-gun hunt, Graham said early harvest numbers were at least 25 percent lower than 2010. Through mid-week, hunters reported 45,789 deer killed statewide.

It is believed that poor weather on opening day of the season and the fact that as much as 64 percent of corn remains standing accounts for the harvest decline. Graham said deer find food and cover in the cornfields and are hard to spot by hunters.

Deer-gun hunting season ends Sunday, Dec. 5 at sunset. Dec. 17 & 18 comprise the extended gun season this year. Deer-archery season runs through Feb. 5.

Here is a link to the Ohio Division of Natural Resources for more information: www.wildohio.com