Amid amplified rumors of people killing waterfowl, what are Ohio's rules for hunting geese?
It is legal to hunt Canada geese in Ohio.
A photo posted on an online forum in July showing a person carrying a seemingly dead goose on Cleveland Avenue in Columbus went viral recently. Social media accounts and politicians spread the photo last week, falsely claiming it was taken in Springfield, Ohio.
The photo sparked debate about whether people locally are hunting and eating geese, wildlife and even pets — after public figures amplified unfounded rumors that Haitian immigrants in Springfield are doing so.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources got a complaint in March and one in August about Haitians stealing birds from local parks and trails, but investigations didn't find evidence to back up the reports, according to records obtained by USA TODAY Network Ohio.
Goose photo from Columbus: Columbus man regrets taking goose photo he says is being weaponized against immigrants
Springfield resident Anthony Harris also told Springfield city commissioners in August that Haitian migrants were decapitating ducks.
Though it is legal to hunt geese in Ohio, it must be done during specific hunting seasons.
If someone hunts or kills a goose or any other wild animals in the wrong way and is convicted of doing so, they can face up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
It is a fourth-degree misdemeanor to kill a Canada goose outside of season, as they are protected by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and by Ohio law.
When can you hunt Canada geese in Ohio?
ODNR allowed hunting of Canada geese from Sept. 7-15 this year in Ohio, with a daily limit of five, during what it called early Canada goose season.
Its annual hunting and trapping regulations were published Sept. 1 and use a federal framework from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Active-duty military personnel and veterans can also hunt geese Sept. 28-29.
Canada and other geese can be hunted at different times depending on the part of the state. Guidelines can be found at www.ohiodnr.gov.
What do you need to hunt geese in Ohio?
Those interested in hunting Canada geese must have a valid Ohio hunting license and a Harvest Information Program certification on their license.
They will also need an Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp endorsement if older than 18 and a signed federal Migratory Bird Hunting Stamp if older than 16, according to ODNR.
What makes hunting geese illegal?
Illegal hunting methods include killing geese with a crossbow, trap, snare, net, rifle, pistol, swivel gun, shotgun larger than 10-gauge, punt gun, battery gun, machine gun, fish hook, poison, drug, explosive or stupefying substance.
Legal methods include a 10-gauge or smaller shotgun with nontoxic shot, muzzle-loading shotguns and longbow.
It's also illegal to hunt geese outside of the permitted time frame.
@DanaeKing
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio has rules for hunting geese, penalties for doing so illegally
