ODNR Park Rangers (Central Ohio)

[Colin9690]

I'm intrested in listening to the park rangers at Alum Creek State Park in particular (Delaware County). I've never listened to them before, so I'm a bit confused as to which talkgroups need programmed into my scanner.

For example, in the MARCS database listing under ODNR there are talkgroups like "Parks and Rec Enforcement, Region xx", "Watercraft enforcement", "Wildlife enforcement", etc.

Which of these is the primary channel of operations for park rangers?

 

[jackj]

I don't know about central Ohio but up here in the Toledo area, all of the ODNR MARCS talk groups are encrypted. If it is the same in your area then you won't be able to monitor them. There are a lot of ODNR talk groups listed here in the data base for MARCS.

 

[escortz28]

Encrypted. Occasional maintenance operations in the clear.

 

[wa8pyr]

I'm intrested in listening to the park rangers at Alum Creek State Park in particular (Delaware County). I've never listened to them before, so I'm a bit confused as to which talkgroups need programmed into my scanner.

For example, in the MARCS database listing under ODNR there are talkgroups like "Parks and Rec Enforcement, Region xx", "Watercraft enforcement", "Wildlife enforcement", etc.

Which of these is the primary channel of operations for park rangers?

There really isn't a "primary" talkgroup for them, per se. If they're talking to the ODNR dispatcher in Columbus they're using the Enforcement talkgroups, which are encrypted; if they're talking to the park office and/or staff, they use the Maintenance talkgroups, which are not encrypted. Based on past experience, the Maintenance talkgroups would provide more interesting listening anyway; usually the only thing they call the dispatcher in Columbus about is when they need to run a license plate or drivers license.

 

[Colin9690]

Thank you for the help everybody.

 

[medic611]

Hocking hills region , as well as most of SE Ohio uses the SE All call group to communicate to columbus with. Hocking Hills now covers Tar Hollow State park, which now makes 7 parks for 2 rangers to cover.

 

[hoser147]

Tom pretty well summed up the way it is, maintenance channel for the park and traffic with the local sheriff is about all you get in the clear.

 

[radioscan]

Hocking hills region , as well as most of SE Ohio uses the SE All call group to communicate to columbus with. Hocking Hills now covers Tar Hollow State park, which now makes 7 parks for 2 rangers to cover.

Yes, and while I was in Hocking Hills last October, I was listening to them chat away on (I confirmed this then) 774.28750 226DPL in the clear. This appears to be the MARCS VRE for ODNR. Anyone heading into an Ohio State Park should plug that into their capable scanners to see if it is used elsewhere in the state. In Cowan Lake SP in Clinton County, the Campground Check-in station still talks to the park rangers on 151.2800 when checking camp sites.

 

[Intellifax]

Don't forget they also use local PD freqs and systems.

Right now, they are using the Lucas County TRS on one of the countywide tac talkgroups, spotting the fishermen on the Maumee River near Maumee and Waterville. All in the clear. If its like last year, they will be out and about until the fish run is over.

Any area that attracts a large number of fishermen will probably also attract a gathering of ODNR.