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In Ottawa County it's geese. In Athens County it's deer. In Coshocton County it's black vultures. For others, it's wild boar, coyotes or any of the above.

Just about anywhere you go in Ohio, farmers report problems with wildlife interfering with their operations, according to Larry Gearhardt, OFBF director of local affairs.

Following numerous discussions around the state on how to manage wildlife issues, OFBF's board of trustees decided it was time to bring everyone together. On Aug. 31, the organization will hold a statewide wildlife conference on Ohio University's campus in Athens.

The conference will bring together farmers, OFBF staff and representatives from the Ohio Division of Wildlife. The meeting will replace OFBF's annual Sportsmen Leader Forum at which wildlife division officials shared wildlife information with a handful of farm leaders and hunters.

"This is an extension of that," Gearhardt said. "It replaces that forum on a much bigger scale."

OFBF is expecting to draw at least 200 farmers to the conference, which is limited to OFBF members. During the meeting, farmers will be shown how the wildlife division and its officers operate. Farmers who have experienced wildlife damage will also share their stories. Other presentations will focus on how to control wildlife damage, wildlife as an opportunity and the potential for an indemnity program.

Gearhardt said the purpose of the meeting is not just to complain about wildlife damage but to discuss solutions.

"Wildlife and hunting has been an opportunity for some landowners to enhance their income," he said, giving hunting fees and land leases as examples.

However, in many cases wildlife has had an opposite effect on farmers' pocketbooks. Gearhardt said animals, such as grazing deer, can cause severe damage to a crop.

"It's not uncommon for these people to see 30 or 40 deer eating their hay," he said.

Gearhardt said OFBF has not been able to pursue specific wildlife control programs due to a lack of agreement among members. He hopes the conference will allow members from different counties to focus on common solutions to wildlife problems.

"One of the benefits of this conference is to help guide counties in the policy development process," he said.

Registration for the conference, which includes lunch, is $20 and must be submitted to county Farm Bureaus by Aug. 21. For more information, contact your county Farm Bureau.

Caption: OFBF's wildlife conference will be held Aug. 31 at Nelson Commons on the Ohio University Campus in Athens.