I had just gotten an update on the status of the coyote in Hardin County by my son-in-law, Dave Holtzberger.  As we talked, I reflected on the wealth of wildlife that was once found in Ohio that included the black bear, bison, elk, panther, and moose.  These along with many others were hunted and trapped for commercial purposes.

In a report by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, a group of 600 men and boys formed a hunt near Hinckley, Ohio.  The purpose of this hunt, which took place in 1818, was to eliminate the predators that were endangering the settlers' livestock.  The plan was simple.  They were to form a massive circle and slowly walk toward the center and drive the predators into the open.  As the hunt proceeded, the circle became smaller and the animals became more concentrated.  An enormous amount of animals were taken during this historic hunt.  The final count resulted in 17 Wolves, 21 Bears, 300 Deer, and numerous smaller animals.  This hunt later became known as the Great Hunt.  I refer to it as the Great Hinckley Hunt.

Hinckley is also known for the return of Turkey Vultures each spring.  For 23 years a park ranger made note that the Vultures returned each year on March 15.  A Cleveland newspaper published this phenomenon in February of 1957.  Since then, thousands of photographers, naturalists, ornithologists, and "backyard buzzard watchers" gather each year for what is called the largest organized bird walk in the United States.  The community of Hinckley has designated the first Sunday after March 15th as "Buzzard Sunday."  The timely return of the Turkey Vulture to Hinckley has even been attributed to the numerous carcasses that were a result of the Great Hinckley Hunt.  Another assumption is that they return each year after initially being attracted to the body of a slain woman of the Wyandot tribe of Native Americans.

The Turkey Vulture is a common summer resident of our area and a common migrant in the spring.  Some individuals will remain in our area throughout the winter months.  I have records of the Vulture for our area each month throughout the year. 
It is larger than the Canada Goose and has a six-foot wingspan.  This large bird is rarely seen during the early morning hours; however, by midmorning it utilizes the thermals created by the warmer temperatures to soar in search of food.  During the evening of October 6, 1998, I observed 125 of them soaring effortlessly in northern Hardin County.  I viewed them for 45 minutes as they soared in a counter clockwise direction just above the treetops.  Recent records include March 8 when Mary Margaret Richards saw nine in her back yard.  I saw two on March 11 near I 75 five miles north of North Baltimore.  On March 12, I observed one south of SR 81 two miles west of Dola. The Turkey Vulture has a keen sense of smell, which is utilized in its search of carrion.  If frightened, the Vulture may regurgitate the contents of its stomach on an intruder.

Duane Smith may be contacted at the following email address:  gideon@wcoil.com