The Courier Electronic Edition

O'Dowd's legacy will live on through his donation


Wallace "Wally" O'Dowd was an avid hunter and fisherman who traveled the world following his passion. A veteran of the Korean War, Wally was an entrepreneur with his own manufacturing business. In 2007, Wally left a bequest to the state Division of Wildlife to acquire land for wildlife conservation and habitat management.

He also asked that the property be a contiguous block in southeastern Ohio and that it be open to public hunting, fishing and trapping.

This September, his dream came true when state officials closed on property along the Athens-Hocking County line.

The 3,600 acres purchased from Sunday Creek Coal Co. adjoins the Trimble Wildlife Area. They will be combined to create the 6,694-acre Wallace H. O'Dowd Wildlife Area, the sixth largest area in the state.

"I am sure Wally would be pleased that not only were we able to identify and purchase a sizeable portion of land, but that it is adjacent to an existing land holding that will result in more habitat and therefore greater opportunities for enjoyment by the state's sportsmen and women," said David Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

"We believe this is a fantastic legacy and an outstanding example of generosity to and for all Ohioans."

Dedication ceremony of the Wallace H. O'Dowd Wildlife Area will be held in the spring.

Along the Way:

On Friday, Oct. 30, Ohio Division of Wildlife Officers Jeff Tipton and Adam Smith were on patrol in Champaign County to catch illegal deer poachers. At about midnight, things started to happen.

"A vehicle came into the field, head-lighted our vehicle, all of a sudden a shot fired out and went through our windshield," Officer Tipton reported.

The bullet pierced the middle of the windshield between the officers, but neither was injured.

The vehicle fled with the officers in pursuit. They chased the suspects' truck as it lost, then regained, control. The men abandoned the vehicle and continued to flee on foot.

With help from the Champaign County Sheriff's Department and Highway Patrol troopers, three St. Paris men were apprehended. The suspects were transported to jail where they wait for prosecutors to determine what charges to file against them.

To report poaching or other wildlife crimes, call the Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) hotline at 1-800-POACHER. Callers may remain anonymous and rewards are available.

Step Outside:

• Tomorrow: Sporting Clays Shoot. 5 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Township Road 243, Findlay.

• Tomorrow: Birds of the Feeders Program, 8 a.m.—2 p.m. Oakwoods Nature Preserve, "Doc" Phillips Discovery Center, 1400 Oakwoods Lane. Contact: 419-425-PARK.

• Tuesday: Ohio Hunting, Trapping Seasons for Furbearers Open.

• Nov. 12-13: Trap and Skeet Shooting. 5:30 p.m. UCOA, 6943 Township Road Rd. 243, Findlay.

• Nov. 14: Ladies Only Hunt, sponsored by Pheasants Forever and Broken Bird Gun Club. Guided pheasant hunt with trained dogs. Registration is required. Contact Amy at T-N-T Firearms: 419-425-9912.

• Nov. 14: Astronomy Program "Winter Constellations", 6 p.m. Shelter No. 5, Riverbend Recreation Area. Contact the Hancock Park District: 419-425-PARK.

• Nov. 14-15: Hunter Education Class, Arcadia. Pre-registration required: 1-800-WILDLIFE.

• Nov. 18: Aquatic Instructor Class, Findlay. For Information/Registration call 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Abrams is wildlife officer supervisor for the state Division of Wildlife in Findlay. He can be reached at P.O. Box 413, Mount Blanchard, OH 45867-0413 or via e-mail at jimsfieldnotes@aol.com.