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Ohio Statutes, Title 15

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Title 15, Title 15. Conservation of Natural Resources

31 chapters · 1,004 sections in this title.

All chapters in Title 151,004 Ch 1533, Chapter 1533 | Hunting; Fishing127 Ch 1547, Chapter 1547 | Watercraft And Waterways85 Ch 1567, Chapter 1567 | Mine Equipment; Safet…77 Ch 1509, Chapter 1509 | Division Of Oil And G…72 Ch 1513, Chapter 1513 | Coal Surface Mining51 Ch 1563, Chapter 1563 | Mine Construction, Ma…45 Ch 1531, Chapter 1531 | Division Of Wildlife43 Ch 1561, Chapter 1561 | Division Of Mineral R…41 Ch 1521, Chapter 1521 | Division Of Water Res…40 Ch 1545, Chapter 1545 | Park Districts40 Ch 1503, Chapter 1503 | Division Of Forestry37 Ch 1514, Chapter 1514 | Other Surface Mining35 Ch 1506, Chapter 1506 | Coastal Management34 Ch 1546, Chapter 1546 | Division Of Parks And…34

43 sections·Filtered byTitle 15✕Ch 1531✕

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.01 Division of wildlife definitions
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As used in this chapter and Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code: (A) "Person" means a person as defined in section 1.59 of the Revised Code or a company; an employee, agent, or officer of such a person or company; a combination of individuals; the state; a political subdivision of …
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.02 State ownership of and title to wild animals - prohibited activities
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The ownership of and the title to all wild animals in this state, not legally confined or held by private ownership legally acquired, is in the state, which holds such title in trust for the benefit of all the people. Individual possession shall be obtained only in accordance wit…
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.03 Division of wildlife - wildlife council
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There is hereby created within the department of natural resources a division of wildlife and a wildlife council.The council shall have eight members, not more than four of whom shall be of the same political party, who shall be appointed by the governor with the advice and conse…
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.04 Division of wildlife - powers and duties
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The division of wildlife, at the direction of the chief of the division, shall do all of the following: (A) Plan, develop, and institute programs and policies based on the best available information, including biological information derived from professionally accepted practices …

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.05 Compensation

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The members of the wildlife council shall receive no compensation for their services, but shall be paid the actual and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their official duties. The chief of the division of wildlife, in addition to the salary provided by law, shall …

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.06 Chief of division - powers and duties

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(A) The chief of the division of wildlife, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may acquire by gift, lease, purchase, or otherwise lands or surface rights upon lands and waters or surface rights upon waters for wild animals, fish or game management, preservatio…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.07 Jurisdiction

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All lakes, reservoirs, and state lands dedicated to the use of the public for park and pleasure resort purposes shall be under the supervision and control of the chief of the division of wildlife with respect to the enforcement of all laws relating to the protection of birds, fis…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.08 Chief of division - powers and authority regarding wild animals

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In conformity with Section 36 of Article II, Ohio Constitution, providing for the passage of laws for the conservation of the natural resources of the state, including streams, lakes, submerged lands, and swamplands, and in conformity with this chapter and Chapter 1533. of the Re…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.081 Regulation of domestic deer

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The division of wildlife does not have authority to regulate domestic deer, which shall be regulated as agricultural animals by the department of agriculture.

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.09 Chief of division may amend or rescind rules after investigation

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If an investigation shows that any part of a rule of the division of wildlife should be modified for any cause not known, fully understood, or present at the time the rule was adopted, the chief of the division of wildlife may amend any part of the rule to meet the new condition …

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.10 Publication of rules

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In accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, the chief of the division of wildlife shall adopt, and may amend and rescind, rules that are necessary for the administration and enforcement of this chapter and Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code. Each such rule shall be given …

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.101 Rules for taking of migratory game birds

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In addition to any other authority conferred on the chief of the division of wildlife, the chief may adopt rules under section 111.15 of the Revised Code that are necessary to establish acceptable methods of taking migratory game birds together with bag limits and designated seas…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.11 Violation of rules prohibited

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No person shall take, kill, possess, transport, buy, or sell any wild animals contrary to any rule of the division of wildlife adopted in conformity with law.

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.12 Limitations on authority of chief

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Nothing in sections 1531.08 to 1531.11 of the Revised Code shall be construed to authorize the chief of the division of wildlife to provide or change any penalty prescribed by law for a violation of its provisions, or to change the amount of any license fee or to provide license,…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.13 Wildlife officers

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The law enforcement officers of the division of wildlife shall be known as "wildlife officers." The chief of the division of wildlife, wildlife officers, and such other employees of the division as the chief of the division of wildlife designates, and other officers who are given…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.131 Enforcing dumping prohibitions and nature preserve and trail rules

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A wildlife officer shall enforce section 3767.32 of the Revised Code and any other laws prohibiting the dumping of refuse into or along waters, the rules of the department of natural resources adopted under section 1517.02 of the Revised Code, and the rules of the director of nat…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.132 Felony conviction precludes or terminates employment

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(A) As used in this section, "felony" has the same meaning as in section 109.511 of the Revised Code.(B)(1) The chief of the division of wildlife shall not designate a person as a game protector on a permanent basis, on a temporary basis, for a probationary term, or on other than…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.133 Wildlife violators compact for joint enforcement operations

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(A)(1) The chief of the division of wildlife, with the approval of the director of natural resources, may enter into a memorandum of understanding, agreement, or mutual aid compact with the head of any entity of another state, federal entity, or foreign entity that employs or app…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.14 Right of entry on land for research or investigation

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Any person regularly employed by the division of wildlife for the purpose of conducting research and investigation of game or fish or their habitat conditions or engaged in restocking game or fish or in any type of work involved in or incident to game or fish restoration projects…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.15 Division of wildlife may take fish

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The division of wildlife may take fish at any time or place, in any manner, for the maintenance or cultivation of fish in hatcheries, or for the purpose of stocking ponds, lakes, rivers, or creeks, or for the purpose of exterminating rough fish in any waters. The division may set…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.16 Enforcement and prosecution of wildlife laws and rules

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Sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, and other police officers shall enforce the laws and division rules for the taking, possession, protection, preservation, and propagation of wild animals and for this purpose shall have the power conferred upon wildlife officers. Prosecution…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.17 Wildlife fund

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All fines, penalties, and forfeitures arising from prosecutions, convictions, confiscations, or otherwise under this chapter and Chapters 1517. and 1533. of the Revised Code, unless otherwise directed by the director of natural resources, shall be paid by the officer by whom coll…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.18 Jurisdiction

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Any judge of a county court or municipal court judge has final jurisdiction within the territory for which he is elected or appointed in a prosecution for any violation of this chapter or Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code, or division rules, and in a proceeding for forfeiture und…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.19 Service of summons on corporations

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When an affidavit is filed against a corporation for a violation of this chapter or Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code, a summons, returnable on or before the tenth day after its date, shall be issued directed to the sheriff, constable, or wildlife officer commanding him to notify…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.20 Seizure of property or device used in unlawful taking or transporting of wild animals

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Any motor vehicle, all-terrain vehicle, or boat used in the unlawful taking or transporting of wild animals, and any net, seine, trap, ferret, gun, or other device used in the unlawful taking of wild animals, is a public nuisance. Each wildlife officer, or other officer with like…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.201 Civil action to recover possession or value of wild animal

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(A) As used in this section: (1) "Gross score" means the number derived by calculating the measurements of the antlers of a white-tailed deer in accordance with division (C)(2) of this section.(2) "Point" means a projection on the antler of a white-tailed deer that is at least on…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.202 Liability for costs incurred in investigation of death of wild animal

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Any person who is responsible for causing or allowing an unauthorized spill, release, or discharge of material into or on any land or any ground or surface water or into the air that results in the death of a wild animal and that necessitates an investigation by the division of w…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.21 Trial procedure for forfeiture or condemnation

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The defendant in a proceeding for forfeiture or condemnation under a division rule or this chapter or Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code shall be tried under the Rules of Criminal Procedure and according to law.

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.22 Payment of costs

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A person authorized by law to prosecute a case under a division rule or this chapter or Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code shall not be required to advance or secure costs therein. If the defendant is acquitted or discharged from custody, the costs shall be certified under oath by…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.23 Judgment for costs and fine or forfeiture - lien - failure to pay

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If the defendant in a prosecution or condemnation proceeding under a division rule or this chapter or Chapter 1533. of the Revised Code is convicted, judgment shall be rendered against him for costs in addition to the fine imposed or forfeiture declared. The judgment shall be the…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.24 United States commissioner of fisheries authorized to establish, operate, and maintain fish hatcheries in Ohio

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The United States commissioner of fisheries and his authorized agents may establish fish hatcheries in Ohio, and operate and maintain them. Such persons may acquire by lease, gift, or purchase lands and other equipment necessary for such purpose and conduct in any manner and at a…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.25 Protection of species threatened with statewide extinction

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The chief of the division of wildlife, with the approval of the wildlife council, shall adopt and may modify and repeal rules, in accordance with Chapter 119. of the Revised Code, restricting the taking or possession of native wildlife, or any eggs or offspring thereof, that he f…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.26 Nongame and endangered wildlife fund

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There is hereby created in the state treasury the nongame and endangered wildlife fund, which shall consist of moneys paid into it by the tax commissioner under section 5747.113 of the Revised Code, moneys deposited in the fund from the issuance of wildlife conservation license p…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.27 Payments to counties for land use by state

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The chief of the division of wildlife shall pay to the treasurers of the several counties wherein lands owned by the state and administered by the division are located an annual amount determined in the following manner: in each such county one per cent of the total value of such…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.28 Contract with private persons for creation or improvement of wildlife habitat

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The division of wildlife, in the management of lands owned, leased, or administered by it or under agreement with it, may contract with private persons for the creation or improvement of wildlife habitat thereon. Such a contract may be paid for in money, materials, services rende…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.29 Prohibiting polluting state land or water

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No person shall place or dispose of in any manner, any garbage, waste, peelings of vegetables or fruits, rubbish, ashes, cans, bottles, wire, paper, cartons, boxes, parts of automobiles, wagons, furniture, glass, oil, or anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature on any s…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.30 Cooperative management fund

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There is hereby created in the state treasury the cooperative management fund. All revenue generated on land owned by the United States army corps of engineers and managed by the division of the wildlife of the department of natural resources pursuant to an agreement with the cor…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.31 Ohio River management fund

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There is hereby created in the state treasury the Ohio river management fund, which shall consist of moneys received by the division of wildlife pursuant to negotiated mitigation settlements from persons who have adversely affected the fish and wildlife of the Ohio river or their…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.32 Wildlife habitat trust fund

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There is hereby created the wildlife habitat trust fund, which shall be in the custody of the treasurer of state and shall not be a part of the state treasury. The purpose of the fund is to facilitate the acquisition and development of lands for the preservation, propagation, and…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.33 Wildlife habitat fund

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(A) The wildlife habitat fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of the investment earnings of the wildlife habitat trust fund created in section 1531.32 of the Revised Code; gifts, donations, bequests, and other moneys contributed to the division of …

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.35 Wildlife boater angler fund

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The wildlife boater angler fund is hereby created in the state treasury. The fund shall consist of money credited to the fund pursuant to section 5735.051 of the Revised Code and other money contributed to the division of wildlife for the purposes of the fund. The fund shall be u…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.40 Nuisance wild animal removal or control services; license

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(A) As used in this section: (1) "Nuisance wild animal" means a wild animal that interferes with the use or enjoyment of property, is causing a threat to public safety, or may cause damage or harm to a structure, property, or person. (2) "Commercial nuisance wild animal control o…

Ohio Rev. Code Ann. § 1531.99 Penalty

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(A) Whoever violates section 1531.02 of the Revised Code, or any division rule, other than a rule adopted under section 1531.25 of the Revised Code, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. (B) Whoever violates section 1531.02 of the Revised Code concerning the taking or …