Ohio Mixed Bag: Trapper Education Instructors Association hosts annual banquet

Waldo, Ohio — The Ohio Hunter Trapper Education Instructors Association (OHTEIA) recently held its annual banquet at All Occasions banquet facility in Waldo.

Attendance this year was excellent as more than 120 instructors and ODNR employees attended, according to Ed Crosby, president of OHTEIA. Several dignitaries spoke, including Brian Banbury (ODNR) and Matt Ortman (ODNR). The featured guest speaker was Greg Hitzusen masters of divinity, PhD from Ohio State University. He spoke on becoming a hunter, shooter, and archer as an adult and how his young son fell in love with archery at the age of 8 by a chance encounter at the ODNR’s Ohio State Fair archery booth.

Several members of OHTEIA were specially recognized. Tim Reuber was named the 2025 International Hunter Education Association Instructor of the year for Ohio. His passion for teaching safe, responsible hunting shines in every class that he leads, according to Crosby. Reuber’s experience and genuine care for students help shape confident hunters who will carry Ohio’s strong traditions forward with integrity and respect.

“He is an excellent bowman and a traditional archer and has been very generous to OHTEIA,” Crosby said.

Instructor Benny Fix was presented the OHTEIA’s Lifetime Achievement award by his good friend, Ken Fry IV (ODNR). Fix has been a long time hunter safety instructor, has been part of the instruction team for new instructors for quite a while has gone above and beyond for OHTEIA, according to Crosby.

“He has donated many unbelievably beautiful turkey and duck calls that has resulted in a bidding war at our silent auction,” Crosby said. “He is a genuinely great guy who gives tirelessly of his time and talent and is greatly admired by his fellow instructors.”

MORE COVERAGE FROM OHIO OUTDOOR NEWS:

Ohio’s walleye river runs still hanging on up north

Ohio Insider: New research revealing interesting information about Ohio’s turkeys

Walleye, perch limits remain unchanged on Ohio waters of Lake Erie

Bowhunter Terry Awarded By ATA

Indianapolis — The National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) lauds board member Barb Terry on being recognized with the Archery Trade Association’s (ATA) Industry Impact Award at the Industry Celebration at the 2026 ATA Trade Show in Indianapolis.

An Ohioan, Terry has served on the NBEF board of directors and instructs bowhunter and crossbow hunter education classes. Over the past decade, she has worked as a mentor and guide for youth, physically challenged youth, and combat wounded veterans on numerous hunts in Ohio. Terry hunts with crossbow, longbow, shotgun, rifle, muzzleloader and handgun. She also bowfishes with a recurve bow.

The ATA Industry Impact Award is designed to honor leaders in the archery industry who inspire others and grow participation in archery and bowhunting. A group of archery industry peers nominate individuals whose contributions to the industry are made through creativity, service, technology, philanthropy, engagement, longevity, sustainability, overcoming adversity or raising awareness.

Losekamp Assigned To Warren County

Xenia, Ohio — Ohio wildlife officer Jacob Losekamp, of Oregonia, has been assigned to Warren County, according to the Ohio DNRE (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. He replaces Ohio sildlife officer Jason Keller, who was recently promoted to law operations manager in southwest Ohio.

Losekamp, 26, graduated from Middletown Christian School and then Wittenberg University in 2020 with a degree in sociology (criminology focus). A 2024 graduate of the Wildlife Officer Academy, Losekamp previously served in Hamilton County.

To reach Losekamp directly, call 513-520-9896.

To report suspicious activity involving wildlife, call 1-800-POACHER (762-2437). Reports can remain anonymous.

ODNR Donates To Rural Fire Departments

Columbus — The Ohio DNR (ODNR) Division of Forestry recently approved grant funding for 95 projects totaling more than $593,000 for fire departments in rural areas of Ohio through the Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) grant program.

“In addition to wildland fire training, this funding helps departments serving Ohio’s wildfire protection area enhance their equipment and operational readiness,” said Dan Balser, chief of the ODNR Division of Forestry. “Investing in local departments strengthens emergency response at the community level.”

VFA grant projects focus on supporting rural fire departments and helping them continue delivering safety services to their communities. VFA grants are open to fire departments composed of at least 80% volunteer firefighters that serve communities with populations of less than 10,000 people within the ODNR Forestry wildfire protection area.

The grant funds may be used by fire departments to purchase all-terrain vehicles, wildfire water tanks and pump units, wildfire and structure fire safety equipment, radios, tools, and other items to support fire department operations and development. VFA grants may fund up to 50% of the total project cost, not to exceed $10,000 per grant.

Many rural fire departments in Ohio have tight budgets, and most of their limited resources must be focused on keeping essential emergency services running. ODNR Forestry’s VFA grant program helps supplement fire department budgets and facilitates important purchases, such as firefighter personal protective equipment and basic fire suppression equipment.