QDMA Names the ODNR, Division of Wildlife the “Agency of the Year”

BOGART, Ga. – During QDMA’s National Convention held in Louisville, Kentucky, last month, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife was named the Agency of the Year.

“The ODNR does a fantastic job establishing hunting seasons to maintain the health and quality of their deer herd,” said Kip Adams, QDMA’s Director of Education & Outreach in the Northern Region. “As the department’s Deer Project Leader, Mike Tonkovich routinely interacts with the state’s sportsmen and women to keep them informed of issues, as well as to become aware of the issues they encounter. Mike’s work demonstrates that by being on top of the state’s concerns, an agency can become a perfect partner of both the public and the wildlife entrusted to them,” said Adams.

Each year, QDMA recognizes a state Department of Natural Resources for their dedication to the QDM philosophy and the positive results it has yielded. The Ohio Division of Wildlife has realized extraordinary results from new programs they have established, as well as through continued efforts to maintain excellence in seasoned programs.

Examples of improvements enacted last fall by the Division of Wildlife include making a reduced-cost permit available during archery season that resulted in the harvest of more antlerless deer earlier in the season, as well as the harvest of fewer bucks than in previous years.  Additionally, the Ohio Division of Wildlife offered numerous controlled deer hunts, including hunts designated for the mobility impaired, youth, and women. The availability of these hunts presented those who do not have access to hunting land the opportunity to harvest game.

The efforts of the Ohio Division of Wildlife have seen results across the board. Their impact is far-reaching and one to be applauded.

“It’s an honor to accept this award on behalf of the Ohio Division of Wildlife, especially when you consider the caliber of programs that Ohio is competing with for this distinction,” said Mike Tonkovich, Wildlife Research Biologist and Deer Project Leader for the ODNR.  

About QDMA
Founded in 1988, QDMA is a national nonprofit wildlife conservation organization with more than 50,000 members in all 50 states and Canada, and several foreign countries. Membership in QDMA is open to anyone interested in better deer and better deer hunting, and committed to ethical hunting, sound deer management and the preservation of the deer-hunting heritage. To learn more about QDMA and why it is the future of deer hunting, call (800) 209-3337 or visit www.QDMA.com.

QDMA … The Future of Deer Hunting