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Wildlife division extends hotline hours during Ohio deer-gun season

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Individuals seeking information about the upcoming youth gun and white-tailed deer hunting seasons, or to report violations of state wildlife laws, can take advantage of extended call center hours from Nov. 21 to Dec. 6, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.

The 1-800-WILDLIFE general hunting information hotline will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 and Sunday, Nov. 22, for the seventh annual youth deer-gun season.

Staff will also be available to answer calls prior to and during the regular deer-gun season, which begins Monday, Nov. 30, and ends Sunday, Dec. 6. Special call center hours prior to and during the state's popular deer-gun season are as follows:

* 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 27;

* 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 28-29;

* 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, Nov. 30-Dec. 4;

* 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5-6;

* The hotline will be closed on Thanksgiving Day.

"Deer gun season is the most popular period for Ohio's hunters and the Division of Wildlife will be ready and available to assist them," said David M. Graham, chief of the ODNR Division of Wildlife. "We encourage hunters to contact us with any question that may arise."

Ohioans also are encouraged to help enforce state wildlife laws by reporting violations to the division's Turn-in-a-Poacher hotline at 1-800-POACHER. The TIP hotline will also be open extended hours during the upcoming hunting seasons. Established in 1982, the TIP program allows individuals to anonymously call toll free from anywhere in the state to report wildlife violations. The 1-800-POACHER hotline will be open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. the week of deer-gun season.

Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash award and are urged to leave a message during closed hours with as much information about the suspected violation as can be provided. Tips can also be submitted online at wildohio.com.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.