ODNR
Statewide, Ohio
How we verified this
As of August 2026 RadioReference lists seven of roughly eighty Ohio Department of Natural Resources talkgroups on Ohio MARCS-IP as encrypted — the regional enforcement calling channels and two southeast parks enforcement channels — with the remaining wildlife, parks and forestry talkgroups in the clear.
Encryption Details
What This Means
This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ODNR radio encrypted?
Yes. ODNR uses P25 AES-256 encryption. This agency encrypts some of its communications while leaving others open. Which channels are affected depends on the operation.
Can I listen to ODNR on a police scanner?
Partially. ODNR encrypts some of its talkgroups while leaving others open, so some channels may still be accessible. Check RadioReference for specific talkgroup status.
Why did ODNR encrypt their radio?
The reasons offered are almost always the same two: officer safety and operational security. Whether either was tested against a real Statewide County incident is rarely part of the public record, whereas the consequences are easy to observe — no real-time accountability, and neighbouring agencies still in the clear left working around the gap.
Can Statewide County reverse the encryption decision?
It can. The radios support open and encrypted operation equally well, so this is a configuration and a policy, not a constraint — and policies set by Statewide County officials are policies those officials can revisit when constituents press for it.
What can I do about ODNR encryption?
File a FOIA request for ODNR's radio recordings and encryption-decision paperwork, then show up to speak at a council or commission meeting. Find other residents or journalists in Statewide County who want the same access — state legislation requiring public radio access is the longer-term fix, but organized local pressure is what usually moves the needle first.