Ohio sportsmen and women will soon have more public lands to hunt thanks to new legislation clearing the governor’s desk this month.
capital reform bill Governor Mike DeWine signed into law June 15 an allocation of $25 million to acquire more state wildlife and forestry lands for hunters and trappers. When leveraged with matching federal funds, such as Wildlife Revival FundThe acquisition amount will be doubled to $50 million, according to conservation groups that applauded the move.
In a press release On June 17, the Sportsmen’s Alliance called the bill’s final passage a “huge victory” for public access to the outdoors. The group said it had worked closely with DeWine, Senate President Rob McCauley and House Speaker Matt Huffman to prioritize funding for public hunting lands in the state budget bill. Gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy also reportedly supported the measure. All told, the bill directs about $4 billion for state infrastructure, including the construction of new schools and health care facilities. Office of Representative Huffman.
“The most urgent need for sportsmen in Ohio is to gain additional land for hunting, trapping, fishing and recreational shooting,” SA President and CEO Ivan Heusinkveld said in a statement. “In early 2018, we asked incoming Governor DeWine to work with us to prioritize land acquisition. These funds in the 2026 capital bill cap eight years of tremendous gains for sportsmen.”
Read further: Here’s where the Trump administration plans to open hunting, fishing opportunities on refuge and Park Service lands
SA said the acquisitions are likely to be centered around private timberlands in southern and southeastern Ohio. Although no deal has been negotiated, it is estimated that 25,000 acres of land could be purchased for $50 million. Columbus Dispatch. This will be a welcome addition to the approximately 650,000 acres of land that is currently open to public hunting in Ohio.
