Ohio Code 957.16 – Blackbird population control programs
(A) As used in this section “blackbird” means the red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus), the common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula), the brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater), and the starling (Sturnus vulgaris).
Terms Used In Ohio Code 957.16
- agriculture: includes farming; ranching; aquaculture; algaculture meaning the farming of algae; apiculture and related apicultural activities, production of honey, beeswax, honeycomb, and other related products; horticulture; viticulture, winemaking, and related activities; animal husbandry, including, but not limited to, the care and raising of livestock, equine, and fur-bearing animals; poultry husbandry and the production of poultry and poultry products; dairy production; the production of field crops, tobacco, fruits, vegetables, nursery stock, ornamental shrubs, ornamental trees, flowers, sod, or mushrooms; timber; pasturage; any combination of the foregoing; the processing, drying, storage, and marketing of agricultural products when those activities are conducted in conjunction with, but are secondary to, such husbandry or production; and any additions or modifications to the foregoing made by the director of agriculture by rule adopted in accordance with Chapter 119 of the Revised Code. See Ohio Code 1.61
- Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
- Population: means that shown by the most recent regular federal census. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Property: means real and personal property. See Ohio Code 1.59
- state: means the state of Ohio. See Ohio Code 1.59
- United States: includes all the states. See Ohio Code 1.59
(B) The director of agriculture may develop and conduct programs to control blackbirds which cause economic losses on Ohio farms, are detrimental to the public health and welfare, deface or defile public and private property, or create a public nuisance.
(C) Any such program shall be presented to the chief of the division of wildlife and the wildlife council created by sections 121.04 and 1531.03 of the Revised Code for approval.
(D) The director shall conduct such approved programs in areas in which the population of such blackbirds makes control practicable and feasible.
(E) The director may cooperate with and may accept contributions from any individual, corporation, or agency of the United States, this state, or any of its subdivisions whenever such cooperation or contributions will strengthen a program developed under the authority of division (B) of this section.
(F) The director or his representative, for the sole purpose of conducting an approved control program thereon, shall have the right of ingress and egress to any area in which a control program authorized by this section would, in his judgment , be effective and beneficial to the general public.