Ohio Mixed Bag: Ohio Open Season Sportsman’s Expo rolls into state fairgrounds in late March

Columbus — The annual Ohio Open Season Sportsman’s Expo, formerly known as the Deer and Turkey Expo, rolls into the state fairgrounds in March.

This year’s event runs March 20-22 at the Bricker Building on the campus of the Ohio State Fairgrounds.

Hours of the event are Friday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Ohio Outdoor News will have a booth at the event for all of your subscription needs.

For more information, log onto www.openseasonsportsmansexpo.com/ohio.

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Indiana Finds Second CWD Case

Bloomington, Indiana — A second Indiana county is reporting its first case of chronic wasting disease (CWD), less than a year after the state’s first detection.

A 2.5-year-old buck in Posey County tested positive after being harvested by a hunter, the Indiana DNR (DNR) said in a news release in late February.

The county is in the southwestern part of Indiana, on the border with CWD-positive Illinois and CWD-positive Kentucky. Posey County is the far opposite of LaGrange County, where the state’s first case was discovered in April 2024. LaGrange County abuts CWD-positive Michigan. The other state that borders Indiana, Ohio, has also reported cases of the fatal neurodegenerative disease.

During the 2025-26 deer hunting season, the Indiana DNR will enhance its surveillance efforts in Posey County and the surrounding counties to determine the extent of disease in this area.

“During the 2025-26 deer hunting season, DNR will enhance its surveillance efforts in Posey County and the surrounding counties to determine the extent of disease in this area,” the DNR said in a news release. “This will allow biologists to develop a targeted response based on the prevalence of CWD in this part of Indiana. CWD testing will be voluntary for hunters in this area.”

Last Call For Person Of The Year

Delaware, Ohio — The last call is going out to nominate this year’s Ohio Outdoor News Person of the Year.

Nominations for the award, given over the past 16 years by the publication, will be accepted through the end of March.

Nominees should be someone who has made his or her mark in conservation circles, whether through volunteering, mentoring, or leading hunters, anglers, and trappers.

Nominations need not be lengthy, but just a simple note to Ohio Outdoor News explaining in a few words how the nominee is deserving.

Email nominations to Ohio Outdoor News Editor Mike Moore at mmoore@outdoornews.com. The winner will be announced in a feature story in a spring issue of the publication.

ODNR Film Wild At Heart Now Available To Classroom Teachers

Columbus — Ohio: Wild at Heart, the Ohio DNR’s movie and educational experience, is now available for schools to play in classrooms. This past fall, the Ohio DNR (ODNR) and MacGillivray Freeman Films invited audiences to experience the film on giant screen theaters. The film will be provided for free and available online for streaming in classrooms.

“Ohio: Wild at Heart is a powerful film that showcases Ohio’s diverse, natural beauty,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “Fran and I are thrilled that school teachers will be able to show this movie in their classrooms to inspire students to explore all of the wonder and adventure Ohio has to offer.”

Educators are invited to visit ohiodnr.gov/movie and complete a brief form to receive access to the film.

Once a form is submitted, a web link to view the film will be sent to the email address entered in the form. Internet access is required to view the film. The film, narrated by Ohio native Archie Griffin, tells stories of conservation and explores Ohio’s natural playground, with the underlying message “when we take care of nature, nature takes care of us.”

“Making the film available to educators and students will introduce a new audience to the great conservation work that ODNR is doing across Ohio,” said ODNR Director Mary Mertz. “By sharing these stories, we hope to inspire the next generation to become stewards of our great state.”

Students will be able to hear about conservation success stories like the reintroduction of bald eagles and trumpeter swans, see behind the scenes work of ODNR naturalists and program leaders, as well as the changing of the seasons. The film showcases Ohio’s natural wonders with spectacular aerial cinematography of places like the astounding cliffs and waterfalls of Hocking Hills.

Watch the trailer on YouTube and learn more about the movie by visiting the Ohio: Wild at Heart website. The film is also available for viewing at museum centers across the state as well as select movie theaters.

Learn more about participating museums and theaters at ohiodnr.gov.