Following
an investigation by an Ohio Department of Natural Resources
investigator, Douglas Young, both the agency and the City of Delaware
concluded that Ohio Division of Wildlife chief Kendra Wecker legally
killed a wild turkey on April 25, and was not hunting over bait.
The
following is the text of the investigator’s report, with the
property owner’s name, address, and various other personal
information redacted.
“On
April 25, 2020, ODNR received a complaint of illegal turkey hunting
by shotgun on an area restricted to archery hunting only. An
additional complaint alleged that hunters were harvesting turkey over
a baited area (bird feeders).
“The
location identified where the alleged violations took place was
(redacted) Delaware, OH. On April 25, 2020, Division of Wildlife
(DOW) Officers Muldoven and Levering conducted the investigation of
hunting violations on a property located at (redacted) Delaware, OH.
“The
complainants were interviewed. One complainant reported hearing a gun
shot in that location which is designated for archery only (Alum
Creek State Park). Another complainant reported that hunters had
harvested a turkey on a property (adjacent to Alum Creek State Park)
within (50) yards of bird feeders.
“DOW
officers found no hunters on the private property upon their arrival.
A vehicle with the license plate (redacted) was observed at the
scene. The vehicle registration returned to Kendra Wecker, a Division
of Wildlife employee.
“DOW
officers confirmed that on the date in question, shotgun hunting
occurred on private property located at (redacted) Delaware OH.
“This
private property is adjacent to the archery only hunting area at Alum
Creek State Park. DOW officers identified the private property owner
as (redacted). DOW officers using forensic evidence (turkey
feathers/footprints) determined the kill location of the turkey on
the private property.
“The
kill site was estimated to be (55 to 70) yards from hanging songbird
feeders located on the property. Aside from the songbird feeders, DOW
officers found no additional evidence of baiting near the site of the
kill.
“Using
the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System (OWLS), DOW officers identified
that a turkey was recorded as being harvested by Kendra Wecker on
April 25, 2020 at 7:33am.”
“Other
information revealed that the turkey was harvested using a shotgun
and the kill took place on private property. The turkey was
identified as a juvenile, with a spur length of ½ inch or less.
“On
April 27, 2020, Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) Chief Young
interviewed (redacted) the owner of (redacted). (Redacted) confirmed
that he allowed (signed authorization) Andy and Kendra Wecker to
turkey hunt on his property.
“(Redacted)
cautioned Andy Wecker that bird feeders were on the property that
sometimes attract turkey and he should avoid hunting near the
feeders.
“On
April 28, 2020, OLE Chief Young interviewed (redacted). Redacted) is
the caretaker for the property located at (redacted), Delaware OH.
“(Redacted)
did not have any firsthand knowledge of hunting by the Wecker’s on
April 25,2020. However, (redacted) said he had a conversation with
the Wecker’s (on the date in question) and they reported that
earlier that morning they had harvested two jake turkey
“(Redacted)
revealed that he has bird feeders in trees near the barn on the
property. (Redacted) claims to be an avid bird watcher/photographer
and the feeders attract songbirds.
“(Redacted)
added that he has thrown corn on the ground near the feeders to
attract turkey, deer, squirrels and ducks. (Redacted) stated that he
stopped putting corn out approximately three or four weeks ago.
(Redacted)
said that the Wecker’s knew there were bird feeders on the
property, and therefore wouldn’t have hunted in the area of the
feeders.
“On
April 30, 2020, OLE Chief Young interviewed Kendra Wecker. K. Wecker
confirmed she had permission to hunt on private property identified
as (redacted), Delaware OH.
“While
hunting with her husband Andy, K. Wecker stated that she harvested a
jake turkey from the private property on April 25, 2020. K. Wecker
admitted that she was aware that there were songbird feeders on the
private property but at no time did she or her husband put feed on
the ground.
“Wecker
estimated that she was set up approximately (175) yards from the bird
feeders when she shot the turkey.
“On
April 30, 2020, OLE Chief Young interviewed Andy Wecker. Andy Wecker
confirmed he had permission to hunt on private property identified as
(redacted).
“A.
Wecker admitted that he was aware that there were songbird feeders on
the property and that those feeders had previously attracted turkey,
but at no time did he or his wife put feed on the ground.
“A.
Wecker initially stated that he and Kendra were set up approximately
(150) to (200) yards away from the bird feeders on the private
property.
“After
being informed of kill location evidence found on the private
property by DOW officers, A. Wecker said he would not contradict the
findings of the DOW officers and that he and Kendra could have been
closer to the feeders than he originally thought.
“Conclusions
“Applicable
ODNR Rules:
“1)
Archery only turkey hunting is permitted at Alum Creek State Park
Ohio (shotgun prohibited).
“2)
Ohio hunting laws 1501:31-15-10 (D)(7) prohibit the hunting of turkey
over a baited area.
“Regarding
the allegation that on April 25, 2020, Kendra and Andy Wecker hunted
with a shotgun at Alum Creek State Park in an area designated as
archery only, the evidence indicates that the Wecker’s were in fact
hunting on private property located at (redacted), Delaware, OH.
“Turkey
hunting with a shotgun is permissible on private property.
Additionally, the Wecker’s had permission from the property owner
to hunt on that private property.
“Regarding
the allegation that on April 25, 2020, Kendra Wecker hunted over a
baited area, there is no evidence showing that K. Wecker or her
husband placed feed on the ground to bait turkeys.
“DOW
officers determined that Kendra Wecker harvested the turkey
approximately (55-70) yards away from the songbird feeders.
“While
testimony revealed that the Kendra Wecker was aware that there were
songbird bird feeders on the private property, she believed she had
set up sufficiently far enough away (175 yards) from the songbird
feeders when she harvested the turkey.
“Further
testimony indicated that while (redacted) , the caretaker of the
property had previously thrown corn on the ground near the feeders to
attract wildlife, he discontinued this practice approximately 3-4
weeks prior to the date of the incident.”
Additional
documentation provided to “Ohio Outdoor News” came from the City
of Delaware’s chief prosecutor, Natalia Harris, whose report to the
Natural Resources Department’s investigator Young included that the
“..suspects did not throw bait. Evidence shows turkey was killed
55-70 yards away from songbird feeders. Suspects set up 175 yards
from feeders. No evidence of baiting.”
Also,
Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Mary Mertz included
this statement to “Ohio Outdoor News:”
“An additional complaint alleged that hunters were harvesting turkey over a baited area. Using the Ohio Wildlife Licensing System, Division of Wildlife officers identified that a turkey was recorded as being harvested by Division of Wildlife Chief Kendra Wecker.
“ODNR’s Office of Law Enforcement completed an investigation into this matter. The results of that investigation were reviewed by the Delaware City Prosecutor who concluded there was no evidence of hunting on public land or turkey baiting.
“The anonymous allegations were unfounded. We appreciate their thorough review of this case.”
- By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn
440-567-5036
JFrischk@Ameritech.net
JFrischk4@gmail.com
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