Nine Ohio Wildlife Officer Cadets Begin Training, Including Pleasant Hill Man

Information provided 
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The 33rd Ohio Wildlife Officer Training Academy is underway with nine cadets training to become wildlife officers for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

   By the end of their training, these cadets will be ready to serve the public and play an essential role in the conservation of Ohio’s natural resources. These dedicated individuals will fill vacancies and ensure that each of Ohio’s 88 counties has an assigned wildlife officer.

 
   The nine cadets were hired from a pool of more than 1,000 applicants and will complete 21 weeks of Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training and 10 weeks of specialized training from the Division of Wildlife. Training includes law enforcement procedures as well as skills for wildlife and fisheries management, communications, vehicle operations, advanced firearms, and self-defense.
 
  The newest Ohio wildlife officers, listed here with their hometowns, will graduate in March 2027 and be assigned to individual counties or serve in an at-large capacity in the wildlife districts.

• Alec Bullard, Hamilton, Ohio

• Maison Carter, Millersburg, Ohio

• Skyler Hayes, Little Hocking, Ohio

• Tobias Hindman, Davenport, Iowa

• Matthew Hullum, Findlay, Ohio

• Riley Jordan, Mount Gilead, Ohio

• Tyler Mox, Delphos, Ohio

• Owen Via, Pleasant Hill, Ohio

• Jonathan Wolfe, Long Bottom, Ohio

   Ohio wildlife officers have statewide authority to enforce wildlife regulations and protect state lands, waterways, and property. As state law enforcement officers, they contribute to public safety in their local areas and Ohio’s great outdoors. They also speak to hundreds of clubs and groups about conservation and wildlife programs, perform fish and wildlife conservation duties, and provide technical advice and instruction about wildlife management issues, hunting, fishing, and other outdoor related recreation.

   For information on the Division of Wildlife and its programs visit wildohio.gov. To learn more about Ohio wildlife officers, go to ohiodnr.gov/careers and click the Becoming an Ohio Wildlife Officer icon. 
 
   The mission of the Division of Wildlife is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all. Visit wildohio.gov to find out more. 
 
   ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.