Former Chief Mike Budzik recently resigned from Governor Kasich's staff because of fundamental opposition to Kasich and ODNR's agenda to destroy the Division of Wildlife. I have posted on this site previously and was surprised how apathetic the majority if sportsmen that frequent this message board have been on this issue. The latest thing to develop is the senate leadership has approved a provision that changes the residency requirements for purchasing hunting and fishing licenses and tags so that any non-resident that owns any amount of property....even 1 square foot....can hunt anywhere in the state as a resident. None of the other 49 states in the country allow this. It appears this is what the ODNR Director Zehringer and his minions have been lobbying for.

It's not too late. If every sportsman and woman contacts their state senator and lets them know on no uncertain terms they support an independent Division of Wildlife and the license fee increase that will provide revenue to get them back on even keel. Let them know this residency requirement change is unfair and unprecedented in the entire country.

Here is an article with former Chief Mike Budzik's resignation letter. A little background on Mike....he was an outstanding chief and worked hard to help deliver the votes of the sportsmen and women of the state in Kasich's presidential primary bid. It is clear he has been kicked to the curb since then.

http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show...rrer_id=878183

Here is an article from highly respected outdoor columnist from the Toledo Blade who has done is own investigation on this issue.

http://www.bcsn.tv/news_article/show...rrer_id=878183

People we need to unite on this issue. It it critical you contact your senator now. The budget bill has to be passed before June 30th. I can't emphasize how drastically this will change things negatively for sportsmen and women if a license fee increase is offset by this residency end around trick.