NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 4, 2010

Longest Serving Ohio Wildlife Council Member Retires
Akron native, Howard L. Calhoun, served 46 years on Council

COLUMBUS, OH – Howard L. Calhoun of Akron was recognized as the longest-serving member of the Ohio Wildlife Council at the March 3 meeting, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

“I feel both proud and privileged to have been a member of the Ohio Wildlife Council,” said Howard L. Calhoun, upon his retirement from council. “It has been very rewarding to be a part of the development of programs that have benefited Ohio’s wildlife.”  

His honorable tenure of 46 years on the Ohio Wildlife Council includes 19 years as chairman.  Calhoun was appointed by Governor James A. Rhodes in 1963 and has served under all six governors since. He has worked with nine ODNR directors and 13 Division of Wildlife chiefs to date, beginning with Dale Whitesell and ending with David M. Graham.

“Howard’s insights into wildlife policy and direction have contributed much to the Buckeye State’s conservation success story with numerous species restored to the landscape including whitetail deer, wild turkeys, bald eagles, paddlefish, wood ducks, peregrine falcons and more,” said Graham, chief of the Ohio Division of Wildlife.

Opportunities for sportsmen and women, such as crossbow and handgun deer hunting, dove hunting and Sunday hunting, are just a few of the accomplishments which inspired Calhoun to remain on the council for such a long tenure. Additionally, he drew much needed attention to special, high-quality youth hunting opportunities, reduced price licenses and apprentice licenses. As an avid sportsmen and conservationist, Calhoun has demonstrated his passion with many volunteer efforts to raise the funds needed for habitat restoration projects and legislative initiatives. 

One of the founding members of the Akron Chapter of Ducks Unlimited, started 37 years ago, Calhoun also formed the Ohioans for Wildlife Conservation (OWC) committee for Summit County. He was a member of the U.S Sportsmen’s Alliance – OWC Board of Trustees and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

As chairman of the Ohio Wildlife Council for 19 years, Calhoun became a member of the ODNR Recreation and Resource Commission, which he chaired and served as secretary several times.  In this capacity he met nearly once a month to review the practices and issues of the various ODNR divisions with other commission members and the ODNR director. The commission provided direction relating to Ohio’s outdoor recreation opportunities and natural resources for the benefit of all citizens.