Ohio Valley Outdoor Times 1-2015 by Morning Journal

MY THREE HOUR SEASON - P.12

Hard Jerkbaits

Story inside page 05

PA Buck Enters Record Books HARRISBURG, PA — The hunters who top Pennsylvania’s all-time list for largest bucks harvested will remain there a while longer. The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently took official measurements on an exceptionally large rack from a whitetail buck taken in Allegheny County in October 2014, during the statewide archery season. Many believed the buck held the potential to be a new state record, but the final score fell short of the leaders. The typical 10-point buck taken with a crossbow Oct. 10 by Fayette County hunter Jeff Lenzi netted a score of 166 inches, based on Boone & Crockett Club standards for scoring big-game animals. The score places the buck at No. 13 in the typical archery category in the Pennsylvania Big Game Records book. The top buck in that category, taken in Allegheny County in 2004 by Michael Nicola Sr., of Waterford, scores 178 2/8 inches. The largest typical buck on record in Pennsylvania, taken in Bradford County by Fritz Janowsky, of Wellsburg, N.Y, way back in 1943, scores 189 inches. That buck tops the typical firearms category. Bob D’Angelo, an official Boone & Crockett Club scorer who heads Pennsylvania’s Big Game Records Program,

Ohio Valley

FR EE!

Outdoor Times January 2015

measured the rack of Lenzi’s buck. D’Angelo explained the scoring system rewards symmetrical racks and calls for deductions when a rack’s points are abnormal or points on one side of a rack that don’t exactly match the other side. Racks also will typically shrink over time. A rack classified as typical cannot have many abnormal points. Lenzi’s buck had a gross score of 175 1/8 inches. Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough congratulated Lenzi on his record-book buck, which is large enough to qualify for entry into the Boone & Crockett Club, as well as the state records program. While it doesn’t top the all-time list, the huge buck still is the trophy of a lifetime and a fine example of the caliber of deer Pennsylvania is capable of producing. “Each year, we have hundreds of whitetail hunters enter the state record books, and many of the top bucks on record were taken in the last 10 years,” Hough said. “And any hunter is hardpressed to match Jeff Lenzi’s feat. “Lenzi’s buck is an extraordinary animal, and I’d like to congratulate him on his living out every Pennsylvania deer hunter’s dream,” Hough said. Big-game scoring session scheduled Successful hunters who are looking to have their trophies officially scored can do so at a public, big-game scoring session to be held on February 14, 2015, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s headquarters in

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of PAGC

Jeff Lenzi of Fayette County, PA, holds the 10-point rack of the buck he harvested Oct. 11 in Allegheny County. The buck is the 13th-largest taken with archery equipment in Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg. Deer, bear and elk that have been harvested in Pennsylvania are eligible for entry into the Pennsylvania Big Game Records book. Deer and elk racks cannot be measured until after a 60-day drying period from when the skull plate was removed from

the animal. For bears, the 60-day drying period begins after the skull is thoroughly cleaned by boiling or from the use of beetles. Deer racks to be scored should have at least eight measurable points, and hunters need to register by Feb. 9, 2015. Turn To Record Books Page 4

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

INSIDE THIS MONTH

4 The Old Camp

Ralph Scherder

My Three Hour Deer Season

Hard Jerkbaits for Cold Water River Walleye

Jeff Knapp

Curt Grimm

9 A Cold and Crappie Bump a Buck

Denny Fetty

14 State Championships 15 One Last Stand for Set

Grey D. Berrier II

Squirrels

Scott Albrecht

9 Iconic Boat Brands to Night

Come Under Same Ownership

6 WV Deer Hunters Harvest 37K Bucks WVDNR

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Indoor Pistol Shooting - Jan. 16, 23, 30; Feb. 6, 13, 20, 27 (every Fri. thru Apr. 24) 7-10 p.m. (open to public) at Columbiana County Fish & Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH. Also Indoor .22/Air Rifle Shooting every Tues. 6-9 p.m. New website: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Indoor .22/Air Rifle Shooting - Jan. 13, 20, 27; Feb 3, 10, 17, 24 and every Tues. thru April 28 6-9 p.m. (open to public) at Columbiana County Fish & Game Association. Trap Shooting/Winter Jackpot - Jan. 11, 25, Feb. 8, 22. Weds. 6-9 p.m., Sun. 11-4. Columbiana County Fish & Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH. Open to public. Website: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Old Fashion Style Turkey Shoot - Jan. 11, 18, 25; Feb 1, 8, 15, 22 each Sunday thru March at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, Washingtonville, OH. Field stock guns, .680 choke max., no scopes. For info. contact Tom Brunner 330-692-6577 or email: tbrunner1020@gmail.com.

Ohio Valley

It’s that time of year. It’s Show Time!! Each winter, after the holidays and hunting seasons have closed, outdoorsmen look forward to attending several outdoor sports shows. There are many By Larry Claypool to choose from. The big Shot Show, in Editor Las Vegas, NV, and Archery Trade Association (ATA) Show (Indianapolis, IN) kick off the show schedule. Although those two (January) shows are not open to the general public, the major manufacturers kick off their new products and lines during these shows. The largest sports show in the eastern United States continues to be the Great American Outdoor Show in Harrisburg, PA (February 7-15). The nine-day event was formerly called the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, which the NRA snatched up after organizers, Reed Exhibitions (of England, by the way), decided to exclude certain firearms from the show after the tragic school shooting in Connecticut in December of 2012. Big mistake. The NRA stepped in, basically ran the show in 2013, and found corporate sponsors the last two years to keep the show moving forward. Not only did Reed Exhibitions lose the contract to host the Eastern Sports and Outdoor Show, they also lost control of the Shot Show. Talk about a twin-killing. This year, again, OV Times writer Bill Waugaman will attend the show and file reports for us. The top celebrities scheduled to appear at the GAOS event include Larry Weishuhn, Hank Parker and Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo. Previously there were many more popular celebs at this event and I’m not sure why that has

January 2015

changed. My guess is, it involves money. If you’re going, admission is $13 for adults. The website is: www.greatamericanoutdoorshow.org. More locally the Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show, in Dalton, OH, is slated for Jan. 16-17. The event will be staged at the Buckeye Event Center, located along state Route 30 near Massillon. Admission is $10 for adults. Visit their website at: www.ohiosportsmanshow.com. The Mid-American Boat Show, in Cleveland, is slated for the same weekend (Jan. 15-19). That event will be held at the I-X Convention Center, near the Cleveland Airport. Admission is $12. Visit their website: www.clevelandboatshow.com. During the same weekend, and at the same location, (Jan. 16-18 at the I-X Center) the Cleveland Outdoor Adventure Show will feature archery trick artist Byron Ferguson, the Dock Dogs and Pat and Nicole Reeve of Driven TV. That show will set you back $10 for adults. See their website at: www.eriepromotions.com. February’s big show in western Pennsylvania is the 30th Annual Allegheny Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show on Feb. 18-22 at the Monroeville (PA) Convention Center. Later in February (27th-March 1), the Erie Sport and Travel Expo returns to the Bayfront Convention Center in Erie, PA. That event will also feature Byron Ferguson, the Dock Dogs and the Reeve’s. Admission is: $8. Also see the above website for more information. In southern Ohio the biggest outdoor show of the season is the Cincinnati Travel, Sports and Boat Show. That longtime show will be Jan. 16-18. It’s held at the Duke Energy Cincinnati Convention Center. The show will feature a NEW AdTurn To Show Time Page 18

To Advertise CALL 330-385-2243 Publisher/Editor, Larry Claypool lclaypool@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com

Outdoor Times January 2015

It’s Show Time!!

OV Outdoor Times

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VOL. 7, NO. 01

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January 2015

OhioNowAllowsGunSuppressors

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of Liberty Suppressors

Ohio Gov. John Kasich recently signed a bill to allow gun suppressors on guns for some hunting purposes. Shown are Mystic X suppressors, made in Trenton, GA by Liberty Supressors (www.libertycan.net).

The Associated Press

COLUMBUS — Ohio has joined more than 30 states that allow hunters to use soup-can-sized noise suppressors on guns for certain wildlife such as deer and game birds. The bill signed into law this month by Gov. John Kasich and taking effect in about three months was backed by hunters who said gunfire can lead to hearing damage. Louis Knebel, a longtime deer and pheasant hunter from Pickerington in suburban Columbus, said he’s suffered a considerable amount of hearing loss over the years. Ear muffs or plugs aren’t the best option because they diminish hunters’ awareness of their surroundings, he said. “Safety-wise, it’s better to have your whole hearing while you’re hunting,” said Knebel, 63, a dental hygienist. With development increasingly encroaching on hunting areas, it also makes sense to lessen the sound of gunfire, he said. Once Ohio’s law takes effect, 34 states will allow suppressors for hunting, including all states around Ohio other than Michigan, according to the American Suppressor Association. A 35th state, Montana, bans suppressors for traditional game - such as elk, antelope and bear - but doesn’t enforce the ban if the animals being hunted are varmint like prairie dogs and coyotes. Opposition to the Ohio bill was limited, though some community activists worried it could lead to hunting accidents or problems if the guns fall into the wrong hands.

“Suppressors, by design, were made for combat and law enforcement use only,” Katriel Israel, a community organizer in Akron, told lawmakers this year. “Putting these suppressors on hunting firearms increases the risk of accidental shootings.” In a rare move, the League of Ohio Sportsmen, a pro-hunting group, also opposed the bill, on the grounds it should have been adopted as an internal rule by the state Natural Resources agency. Doing so would have increased input from hunters, sped up the process and made it easier to tweak the rule if problems arose, said Larry Mitchell, the group’s executive director. “We could have had this done and in place this hunting season had it been done administratively,” Mitchell said. “As it is, we had a 13-month legislative debate.” The state periodically issues permits to park systems to cull deer and to airports to cull deer and other animals, such as coyotes, that might endanger aircraft. Those entities can choose to use a suppressor under the permit as long as it’s allowed by local laws, said Bethany McCorkle, a Natural Resources spokeswoman. Mitchell, who supports the use of hunting suppressors, said the paperwork and expense will limit their use. A suppressor can run about $400, and hunters have to pay a $200 transfer tax and undergo a lengthy background check with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Ohio’s bill was sponsored by Rep. Cheryl Grossman, a Republican from Grove City in suburban Columbus.

The Old Camp

OV Outdoor Times

Christmas week found me running a trapline through the mountains of Pennsylvania with my trapping partner, Rich Faler. It was the third year in a By Ralph Scherder row that we’d Hunting Editor teamed up for a fisher/bobcat combination trapline, and we’ve been successful every year. The first year we caught two fishers, the second we caught two bobcats, and this year I connected on another fisher on Christmas Eve. Although the core of our trapline all three years has consisted of certain locations, each year we’ve weeded out unproductive spots and added new ones in new territories. This year we explored and set up an area in Clarion County, PA, which happened to be where I used to deer hunt as a teenager. It’s always a little bittersweet going back to places you haven’t been to in

January 2015

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

years. The last time I was in that section of Clarion County was 2002, but prior to that I hadn’t been there since 1995. Once in the past 20 years is not very often, so I expected things to look considerably different than I remembered them. The old camp that once stood on the property was a farmhouse built in the early 1900s and was owned by my uncle’s father-in-law. It was a drafty old house with no electric or heat. I remember we had kerosene heaters in the kitchen and bedrooms – and plenty of blankets – to keep us warm through the night. Not that we really slept that much the night before buck season. Most of our time was spent around the fireplace, drinking hot chocolate, stoking the fire, and telling stories long into the night. There was always talk of “tomorrow” too, of course, and the possibilities of first day. My grandpa, uncle, dad, sister, and I each had our usual stands. We killed our share of bucks, occasionally one with a rack, but it was never about the kill or the size of the deer’s antlers. It was al-

ways about deer camp and camaraderie and telling and retelling the old stories that made us laugh and brought us closer to each other. Being in deer camp the night before deer season was one of my greatest experiences as a young hunter. Once the alarm went off at five the next morning to get up and get ready for the day’s hunt, we were all business. Lunches were packed, thermoses filled, and my sister and I debated how many layers of clothes it would take so that we’d finally be warm this year. We were always wrong about that. Back then we didn’t have the same quality of warm clothing we have today. Most of what we wore consisted of old hand-medowns that were never quite warm enough, but we didn’t complain because we were hunters, and that was good enough for us. Besides, there was something nostalgic and satisfying about wearing the clothes that had been worn by hunters before us – an old red plaid Woolrich coat and pants, old boots with frayed laces and creases across the toes, Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of Ralph Scherder a beat up floppy-eared hat. No matter The author (right) is shown in this 1994 how many times those clothes were washed, they still smelled like leaves, photo with this grandfather. They each killed bucks on the first day of gun season that year. pines, and moist earth. My dad, grandpa, and sister hunted on Turn To Camp Page 11 the camp side of the road. My uncle and

Have you written a Letter to the Editor recently? Why not? Express yourself. Tell fellow outdoorsmen and women how you feel about topics that shape our hunting and fishing communities. It just might help. See our contact information on Page 7.

EXPRESS YOURSELF!

Record Books From Page 1

To register, call Patty Monk at 717-7874250, ext. 3312. For more information on the session, contact Bob D’Angelo at 717-787-4250, ext. 3311. All are welcome to attend. The Game Commission’s headquarters is located at 2001 Elmerton Ave. in Harrisburg, just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81. Big Game Records Book Each year, the Pennsylvania Big Game Records book grows by about 200 entries across all categories. The book includes big-game records for typical and nontypical white-tailed deer, black bears and elk taken with either firearms or archery equipment. All entries into the book must be

scored by an official Boone & Crockett Club scorer. For information on having a trophy animal scored, call Pennsylvania Big Game Records Program coordinator Bob D’Angelo at 717-787-4250, ext. 3311. The Pennsylvania Big Game Records book is published each year in September. The 2014 edition can be purchased at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters, or online through The Outdoor Shop at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us. Orders also can be placed to 1-888-888-3459. The full-color 86-page book includes dozens of photos of new entries and sells for $6. Shipping and handling charges apply to online and telephone orders, and Pennsylvania residents must pay sales tax on purchases.

January 2015

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Hard Jerkbaits for Cold Water River Walleye

but they are. They are especially effective on larger walleyes — we’ve taken them up to 12 pounds on these neutrally buoyant minnow imitators. Here are some thoughts and tips regarding the use of suspending jerkbaits for river walleyes in near-freezing water. • Target relatively shallow areas — shoreline pockets, rocky flats, edges of tailouts — when using suspending jerkbaits. Fish holding in these areas are likely there to feed, typically active enough to move up a couple feet to intercept a jerkbait. • The key to the presentation is slow. As in ultra slow. Just reel in with enough speed to give the bait motion. Don’t impart rod twitches. But you can pause the lure occasionally; simply stop reeling momentarily. • Tailor your choice in jerkbaits to the areas being fished. If the maximum depth in the targeted area is only three or four feet, go with a standard lure. If it’s a couple feet deeper, a deep diving

HARRISBURG, PA — You’ve seen the GoHuntPA ads on TV. Now is your chance to be in one. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is inviting hunters to submit photos of their favorite hunting moments for a chance to star in the next GoHuntPA TV commercial. Photos can be submitted through the GoHuntPA website – www.gohuntpa.org. The initiative, called #MyGoHuntPAMoment, launched in December and will be live through January 2015. Photos can be trophy shots from this season, or depict other scenes afield, including enjoying time with friends and family. To enter, participants simply submit their photos by visiting GoHuntPA.org and following the easy instructions. To help spread the word, the Game Commission has launched an integrated #MyGoHuntPAMoment social media campaign that incorporates Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter in addition to a radio campaign and eBlasts. In conjunction with its advertising agency, Top Flight Media, the Pennsyl-

vania Game Commission will review submissions and choose photos to incorporate into its fall 2015 statewide television commercial. Winners will be selected in early 2015. Additionally, at the upcoming Great American Outdoor Show, the Game Commission will be unveiling its new, free GoHuntPA ToolKit application that features detailed maps that show available hunting land, weather alerts, an Augmented Reality browser, a social media share button, a tracker tool, and much more. About GoHuntPA GoHuntPA is a customer-centric, research-anchored initiative that includes a microsite, TV, augmented reality, radio, print & billboard ads, and trade show banners that drive hunters to a streamlined, online resource – GoHuntPA.org. GoHuntPA.org is a website for hunters, by hunters. There, hunters will learn more about hunting opportunities near them, what’s in season, how to become a better hunter, where to conveniently buy a hunting license, and more. To learn more, visit GoHuntPA.org.

OV Outdoor Times

The weather gurus had forecast afternoon temperatures in the upper 30s. Our ice-filled guides suggested their prediction was off by about 10 degrees. On a frosty day when many folks were By Jeff Knapp making last-minute Fishing Editor holiday preparations we were on a quest for river walleyes. My partner and I were both casting suspending jerkbaits to near-shore eddies along the lower end of the Clarion River (PA), not far from where it joins the Allegheny. I felt a bump, saw the swirl of a fish, felt its pleasant weight...then it was gone. Before I could grieve the loss of the fish Dave Lehman announced “I’ve got one.” Moments later I dipped the net to a nice 22-inch walleye. Suspending jerkbaits aren’t typically thought of as cold water walleye lures,

Turn To Jerkbaits Page 6

Picture it: Your Hunting Photo on TV

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Jeff Knapp

Dave Lehman used a Rapala X-Rap to catch this Clarion River walleye last month.

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

January 2015

WV Deer Hunters Harvest 37K Bucks

SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — Preliminary data collected from game checking stations across the state indicate deer hunters in West Virginia harvested 37,277 bucks during the two-week buck firearms season, which ran from November 24 through December 6, 2014, according to Frank Jezioro, director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR). The 2014 buck harvest is down 34 percent from the 2013 harvest of 56,523. The top 10 counties for buck harvest were as follows: Preston (1,531), Greenbrier (1,384), Randolph (1,254), Lewis (1,159), Ritchie (1,157), Hampshire (1,069), Wood (1,019), Upshur (1,015), Monroe (1,001), and Mason (998). This year’s overall buck harvest is lower than last year’s with decreases occurring in all DNR districts. The largest percentage decreases occurred in the western counties of the state, while the buck harvest in the mountain and southeastern counties had smaller decreases. Warm and very windy weather across the state on opening day; heavy snowfall Wednesday, the third day of the season, in the eastern panhandle of the state; and a rainy second week impacted hunter participation and contributed to the decreased harvest across the state. The excellent acorn crop this fall also contributed to lower hunter success, just as a similar abundant acorn crop in 2010 led to a 31 percent decline in buck harvest followed by a 38 percent rebound in 2011. This year’s preliminary buck harvest remains 33 percent below the previous five-year average of 55,902. Wildlife biologists and wildlife managers collected age-specific biological Jerkbaits From Page 5

version is often more effective. During my recent trip Lehman and I used fourinch Rapala X-Raps, both the original (shallow running version) and the deep diver. • In the right conditions you can often hover the lure from a fixed boat position (anchored or held with troll motor); for instance, the back lip of a major hole where the riverbed rises up to transition into a shallow flat. Feeding walleyes often congregate along such an edge. So long as the flow is enough to work the lure you can make downriver casts “flutter” the lure in the prime zone. It there’s not quite enough flow to keep the lure

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of WVDNR

Hunters in West Virginia harvested 37,277 bucks during the two-week buck firearms season.

information at checking stations in 19 counties this year. They will analyze data from the combined 2014 deer seasons (buck, antlerless, archery and muzzleloader) before making appropriate recommendations for next year’s deer seasons. These recommendations will be available for public review at 12 regulations meetings scheduled for March 16 and 17, 2015 (see current 2014 - 2015 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary page 6 or visit the DNR Web site at www.wvdnr.gov for meeting locations and dates). moving impart the slowest of retrieves. • Taking this a step further, you can even slow troll a suspending jerkbait slowly upstream, using just enough thrust to inch the boat upriver. It’s a tactic that works well when you think walleyes could be scattered over shallow flats with little current. Allow out just enough line to where the lure is within a foot or two of the bottom. Low light conditions — cloudy rainy days, or the evening twilight period — usually produce the best fishing for this approach. • Suspending jerkbaits are just part of a wintertime approach that should also include jigs, spoons and blade baits. Save the jerkbaits for working those prime shallow zones.

January 2015

Bump a Buck

OV Outdoor Times

A game plan I employ for gun hunting season is what I refer to “Bump a Buck”. When I was younger and entered the woods after selecting my spot to hunt I would arrive By Curt Grimm at my destination The Marathon Hunter and waited at the edge of dense cover. What I didn’t realize was that often times I would bump the buck away from me and all my scouting efforts were in vain because a fellow hunter would harvest a deer that I actually drove to them. It took me a few years, but I came up with an alternative plan. The evening before I went to hunt the edge of dense cover, I would move the deer away from my hunting area by walking quietly with the wind at my back. I would take note of the wind direction and that would determine my position to intercept the deer on their way

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

back to the cover when it is pushed back into my hunting area. In the morning I would reevaluate the wind direction to note any change. This will increase my odds to have an encounter with a trophy buck that I was scouting. I became the guy that was protecting the fort rather than the hunter that was pushing the deer in the opposite direction. To add to this game plan I spent early dawn scouting the locations for vehicles and other hunters from a distance. I drive the local roads that surround this area and look for florescent orange from higher locations. I estimate their movement as they become restless and started to leave their stands. The hour before lunch time and an hour after lunch time was the most productive to have the opportunity to bag the deer I’ve been tracking. Confirming the location to hunt was always based on wind and the direction I move the deer the evening before, and the anticipation of the movement of other hunters. To determine the wind direction I release cotton fibers into the

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Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Gary Grimm

The author is shown blowing pieces of cotton in the air to check for wind direction. This is done the night before hunting, as he pushes deer away from his hunting area.

open air and they float with the wind. The little cotton fibers are pulled from a cotton ball that is pinned inside my hunting coat that I could reach conveniently. The cotton fibers make no noise; are a natural product; easy to see in low light; and react to the slightest breeze with no

noise. They are also environmentally friendly because they are natural and biodegradable. Looking at the big picture can produce great results. The game plan is similar to any other sport. Anticipation, prepaTurn To Buck Page 8

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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Lots of Fun Outdoor Activities at Ohio State Parks

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio offers a wide variety of winter activities and events for families. Despite cooler temperatures, it’s time to see what’s in store in the great outdoors. Ohio State Parks offer special events during the winter, such as guided hikes, cross-country skiing, sled dog races and late-winter maple syrup festivals. There are several great outdoor events happening throughout the next few months. The public is encouraged to participate in all of these free activities. For a list of other winter activities including places to stay the night, go to ohiodnr.gov/winter. Here’s a sampling of some events: • 50th Anniversary Winter Hike at Hocking Hills State Park - This selfguided hike will be held on January 17, 2015, with continuous starts from 9-11 a.m. This rugged hike offers a 3-mile or 6-mile trek, allowing hikers to see noteworthy sights such as Old Man’s Cave, Cedar Falls and Ash Cave. This remains the most popular winter hike in the Ohio State Parks system, and millions of hikers visit this nationally recognized park throughout the year. Hikers are encour-

aged to layer clothing and wear good footwear. • Annual Buckeye Trail Winter Hike at Findley State Park - This hike will be held on February 7, 2015, from 10 a.m.1 p.m. Meet in the campground to enjoy a great hiking event with delicious bean soup. The event includes a 10K, 5K as well as interpretive led hikes. Contact the park office for more information at 440-647-5749, ext. 100 or 102. • Sweethearts Hike at Hocking Hills State Park - Meet at the Ash Cave parking lot on Feb. 14, 2015, and go on the Sweethearts Hike from 5-7 p.m. Enjoy a stroll to Ash Cave in the soft light of dusk and then enjoy a cozy fire and refreshments for free. • Hike to Health at Malabar Farm State Park - Enjoy a day viewing the winter sights at Malabar Farm on Feb. 21, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Meet at the visitor center to receive maps. After hiking, refreshments will be available. This free event is sponsored by the Richland County Health Department. Call 419-774-4761 with questions. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

January 2015

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Gary Grimm

The author’s mancave includes several trophy deer he’s harvested over the years.

Buck From Page 7

ration, and practice are the determining factors when you realize the total large game plan. Everyone seems to be concentrating on the newest equipment and the most sophisticated approach, but sometimes the basic approach and ideas work the best. People in general are quick to take a short cut to try to arrive at their goal. In this case bigger is better, taking all factors into consideration will sometimes produce the greatest reward like a trophy buck.

January 2015

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

A Cold and Crappie Night

Ice fisherman in Ohio, much like hunters, wait a long while for a short period of time when they can enjoy their sport. When the average hard water season in Ohio last only eight weekends, anglers get creative to expand their “time on ice” in a given season. In this article you will find ways to extend the season through weeknight fishing. Night crappie fishing during the summer is enjoyable, however many anglers don’t engage in winter night fishing. Instead they usually end up frustrated, chasing dormant and roaming crappie during the day. Crappie are a night feeding species by nature and respond better to the bite after dusk. It is still important to go to the lake or pond during the day to verify the condition of the ice you plan to fish during the night. You can mark your path to and from the fishing spot with a GPS unit and retrace your daytime steps at nighttime with less fear. Check the ice ahead

of you as you walk with a spud bar as ice conditions can change from day to night. It’s also important to have someone with you with ice fishing at night. Be sure to remain visible with reflective strips and lighting for safety. Once safely to your spot, use glow jigs and a submersible fishing light to expedite your success for the night bite. The light attracts zoo plankton which attract bait fish which attract crappie. Fish a grid pattern around the submersed light drilling holes in a circular pattern of five, 10, and 15 feet from the light. Start fishing the holes on the outside of the pattern and work your way back to the light. The glow jig can be charged by LED lights. For easy charging and an extra light, clip LED lights to your hat! Which I clip to my hat to see my path and fishing space in front of me. The glow jigs can make a big difference at night as it triggers a heightened response to sight, smell, and vibration. Crappie, unlike daytime feeders, will feed into the night making a midnight

SPRINGFIELD, MO — Bass Pro Group recently announced an agreement to acquire Fishing Holdings, LLC, a manufacturer of fishing boats that include Ranger Boats and the Stratos and Triton boat brands from Platinum Equity. The agreement combines popular fishing boat brands that are recognized internationally. It also creates another connection between two industry leaders, Bass Pro Shops founder/CEO Johnny Morris and Ranger Boats founder Forrest Wood, who are dedicated fishermen, conservationists and entrepreneurs. Years ago the iconic outdoorsmen both began fishing on the White River and White River Chain of Lakes in the Ozarks and even fished together in the first National BASS Tournaments. “This partnership brings added long-term stability for both companies and for the dealer networks that provide customers with quality boats at exceptional values,” said Morris, who also is founder/CEO of Tracker Marine Group. “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Forrest Wood many years, and I deeply respect him and his family that founded and built a solid performing business with excellent products.” Morris added that: “It’s also important that our companies share comparable cultures

and values and are dedicated to manufacturing quality products in the USA.” Following the closing of the transaction, Fishing Holdings will continue operating independently under its existing management at its headquarters in Flippin, Ark., located a two-hour drive from Bass Pro Shops headquarters in Springfield. “We are impressed with the company’s leadership team and performance and look forward to welcoming them to the Bass Pro Shops family,” said Morris. “We are fortunate to partner with Bass Pro Group, which understands the industry and our brands,” said Fishing Holdings President Randy Hopper. “This new alliance will provide synergies that will strengthen our independent dealer base and ensure our continued focus on fishing.”

By Scott Albrecht

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Scott Albrecht

Crappie are a night feeding species by nature and respond better to the bite after dusk.

trip a worthwhile adventure! I typically keep my ice gear in the car and go ice fishing after work or after my family goes to sleep. I hope you put these tips to use and if so, I will see you on the hard water after the sun sets!

Iconic Boat Brands to Come Under Same Ownership Having grown the business since its origins, Wood also praised the transaction. “I’m excited for Ranger and the team at Fishing Holdings,” he said. “Johnny’s organization is deeply rooted in fishing and dedicated to conservation. He’s made a huge contribution to our sport, and I believe this is a real opportunity to better serve so many dealers and loyal customers around the country.” Both Morris and Wood have for many years generously donated their time and financial resources to support conservation efforts that help ensure a future for fishing by future generations. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. Financial terms of the transaction were not publicly disclosed. About Bass Pro Shops Bass Pro Shops, which specializes in outdoor fun, operates 90 retail stores and

Tracker Marine Centers across America and Canada that are visited by more than 120 million people every year. Bass Pro Shops stores, many of which feature restaurants, offer hunting, fishing, camping and other outdoor gear while their catalogs and website serve shoppers throughout the world. The company’s Tracker Marine Group® (http://www.trackermarine.com/), a leading brand of fishing boats for more than 36 years, manufactures and sells a variety of boats for fishing and cruising. Family fun is on tap at Bass Pro Shops resort Big Cedar Lodge® (http://www.bigcedar.com/) voted number six by Travel + Leisure Magazine as World’s Best Hotels for Families. For more information, visit http://www.basspro.com/. To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO. About Fishing Holdings, LLC Fishing Holdings LLC, headquartered in Flippin, Ark., is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass and aluminum fishing boats, including the legendary Ranger Boats brand, as well as the Stratos and Triton boat brands. More details, product information and specific offerings can be found by visiting w w w. r a n g e r b o a t s . c o m , www.stratosboats.com and www.tritonboats.com.

January 2015

Camp From Page 4

I hopped in the truck and drove up the road a couple hundred yards and hunted up that way on a huge mountain flat across the road. As Rich and I drove past that old spot where my uncle and I used to hunt, the changes were immediately noticeable. All of it was posted with no trespassing signs. As we continued down toward camp, we found another surprise. On either side of the old camp lane hung State Game Lands signs. I slowed down and pulled off in front of the old lane. Sometimes things change in positive ways, too. Although I felt remorse over the fact that the property was no longer ours, I was happy that I could still hunt and trap there. When my uncle’s fatherin-law passed away about 10 years ago, the property was willed to his son who eventually sold the property to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. I hadn’t known about the sale until that day. Somewhere along the line, I’m sure someone mentioned it to me, but perhaps I was in denial. After all, in my mind, I wanted everything to be the same, and until I saw it for myself it would always be what it was back then. Rich and I both agreed on one thing,

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

though – this was prime fisher habitat. The old camp lane dipped down through a shallow gully, crossed a creek, and then opened up on a large brushy field. The gully was choked with small growth trees and pines with lots of ground cover. Across the road was thick mountain laurel and brush. The gully itself served as a natural pinch point for traveling wildlife. Our suspicions were confirmed by the amount of deer tracks and trails snaking down through the gully and the set of fisher tracks I found in the mud in the old camp lane. Although I ended up catching my fisher at a different location, I couldn’t help but get excited every time we checked the traps by the old camp. How neat would it have been to catch a fisher in the same place where I first hunted deer? I did catch a raccoon just down the road, though, which was almost as good. On the last day of fisher season, I pulled my traps from the camp lane and walked back in to where the old farmhouse once stood. By the looks of it, the Game Commission had dismantled and burned it piece by piece. Only the old fireplace and chimney remained. In the fireplace were ashes and remnants of an old fire, perhaps the same one – the last

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Ralph Scherder

This is all that’s left of the Scherder deer camp in central Pennsylvania. “It’s what the old camp looks like today,” said Scherder.

one – we sat around and told stories around years ago. In my mind I could still see my uncle placing another couple logs on the flames and I could hear the echo of our laughter as the night

wore on and our hopes for the next day grew bigger and bigger. The old camp will always hold a special place in my heart.

January 2015

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

My Three Hour Deer Season OV Outdoor Times

This whitetail season was different from the past. During the summer, a classmate of mine, Kevin Kosko, approached me about hunting property owned by his father. Opportunities like that don’t By Denny Fetty come by very often, OVO Pro Staff so of course I jumped at the chance. He needed to move some deer stands to newer locations so I assisted him and got to learn the basics of the property and get my bearings. Kevin already had many stands in various locations throughout his father’s farm, and we put one up on his farm. Corn and soybeans are abundant at his father’s and he decided to put in food plots (turnips) for later in the year. Various scouting trips and camera pics proved there were quality deer at the farm and I got excited. September came around and we started an outage at work. Nothing messes up your bow practice

time like a string of 12-hour midnight shifts. My wife and I also left the country for a week-long vacation, so there was no practice time at all before the start of the Ohio archery season. I usually get my hunting gear ready months ahead of time and then concentrate on shooting every day. None of that happened and I really wasn’t prepared as I like to be. The day after we got back from vacation, I got a call from Kevin. He wanted me to come out and get in my stand. I wasn’t really back a full 12 hours and wanted to just relax in front of the TV and watch the Steelers play Tampa Bay. Well we all know how that game turned out, so I am glad Kevin was persistent in getting me out of my chair and into the woods. I hadn’t even bought my deer tag yet, so during halftime I went to Walmart and bought one! At 3:00 p.m. I was at Kevin’s house, all dressed in camo and geared up for a night in the stand. I was not confident in my ability with my bow, so I took my crossbow. I know for sure if I get a

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of Denny Fetty

The author with his main frame eight pointer taken this past fall in Columbiana County, OH with a crossbow. It was the author's "three hour deer", which is discussed in this article.

shooting opportunity, I am confident in taking a 50 yard shot with it. We discussed our plans and Kevin placed me in a stand in a white oak, 40 feet up that had a corn field behind it and

his plot of turnips in front of me. He backed his quad up and hesitated for just a moment, then left. He later told me he Turn To Season Page 13

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Pam Williams 1st deer, muzzleloader Jefferson County, OH

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April George, age 11 jake, 17lb, shotgun Columbiana County, OH

email to: ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com mail to: Photo Showcase 210 East Fourth St. East Liverpool, OH 43920

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January 2015

Season From Page 12

saw a scrape as he stopped. He even contemplated pointing it out to me but he had to get to his stand and it was on the other end of the farm. I got to the top of the tree where the lock-on stand was at 3:45 and sat down. He barely got back to the trailer and I heard some noises behind me. There were two squirrels playing and dropping acorns. Five minutes later I heard noise coming from in front of me. It was a very nice doe and I had an agreement with Kevin and his father to take a doe, so this was just what I was looking for. She moved around and found a bush and began to rub her orbital glands and lick the branches. I have heard of this behavior before but have never witnessed it. She didn’t give me a shot and I heard more noise behind me. It turns out that there were three yearlings coming toward her. Still she didn’t give me a shot. Together the four deer fed for quite a while. During that time I ranged the tree and where each deer was. The limbs of the bush were 40 yards exactly. Each deer was within shooting range but the doe never gave me the broadside shot I

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

wanted. At around 6:30 the deer started acting funny. All the yearlings got nervous and took off to a spot behind me. Their tails were really moving. The older doe kept looking in the direction she came from and then she ran to right under my stand. I heard something but couldn’t make out what it was. Then there was a light grunt coming from the area by the bush. I knew right then it was a buck but he wasn’t in any hurry to come in the open. The doe was content to stay directly under me, so I had to make sure I didn’t move or she might bust me. After about five more minutes I finally got to see a leg of the buck. He was moving very slowly and deliberately towards the bush that the doe had rubbed. He came to the back side of the bush and I could see him lip curling and snorting. I couldn’t yet tell how big he was or how big the rack was. He moved to the left side and out of my view. When he came into view his head was high and he was quartering to me. I could only see his right side and it was high and very nice. I guessed him to be at least a seven point, possibly a nice main frame eight point. He walked back behind the bush and stuck his head up in the branches that the

Calendar of Events

West Virginia Trappers Association Fur Auction - Jan. 9-11, 2015 at Glimer County Recreation Center, Glenville, WV. Several vendors. For info. call Scott Schimmel at 304-462-7270, email Janet Hodge at hawkmtn@hawkmtn.com or visit website at: www.wvtrappers.com. Ohio State Trappers Association Fur Auction - Feb. 7 at 50 Boyer Lane (just off Rt. 41) in Jeffersonville, OH. Starts at 9 a.m. Call-ins for lot numbers (for all three auctions) will be taken on Jan. 2 only from noon - 9 p.m. Call Steve Hiller at 937-2061934. For info. contact Hiller, OSTA Fur Auction Coordinator via email: SH10@outdrs.net. Visit the OSTA website at: www.ohiostatetrapper.org. West Virginia Trappers Association Spring Rendezvous and Fur Auction March 6-8, 2015 at Glimer County Recreation Center, Glenville, WV. Several vendors. For info. call Scott Schimmel at 304-462-7270, email Janet Hodge at hawkmtn@hawkmtn.com or visit website at: www.wvtrappers.com. National Bowhunter Certification Class — March 14 at Trumbull County

Rod & Gun Club, 6575 Phillips Rice Road, Cortland, OH 44410. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free class, sponsored by National Bowhunter Education Foundation and ODNR, Division of Wildlife. Eight hour class. Class is open to the public however preregistration is required by contacting Todd Shafer at (330) 883-4347 or email at toddshafer000@gmail.com. Ohio State Trappers Association Fur Auction - March 14 at West Muskingum Booster Hall, 2170 Highland Rd., Zanesville, OH 43701. Starts at 9 a.m. Call-ins for lot numbers (for all three auctions) will be taken on Jan. 2 only from noon - 9 p.m. Call Steve Hiller at 937-2061934. For info. contact Hiller, OSTA Fur Auction Coordinator via email: SH10@outdrs.net. Visit the OSTA website at: www.ohiostatetrapper.org PA Trappers Association Rendezvous June 18-20,2015 at Schuylkill County Fairgrounds, 2270 Fair Road, Schuylkill Haven, PA 17972. Demos, dealers, contests, auction, kid’s activities. $5 admission, $10 for three days. Contact Karen Mohn at 610-562-1790. www.patrappers.com.

doe had licked and rubbed. He rubbed on the branches and went off to my left out of sight again. The doe finally had enough and ran away to where the yearlings had gone. Finally I could move. I stood up and could see the buck pawing the dirt. This is a little early for the signs I was seeing, I thought. He finally got to a point where I could see his other side — definitely an eight pointer and he was, in my estimation, a three-year-old with a big body. I had seen enough to make my mind up that he was a shooter — if he gave me the chance. He went back into the wood line and again stuck his head into the branches of the bush. I was starting to cuss the fact that all the leaves were on the trees. I couldn’t get a clear shot unless he either committed to the open field or decided to put his head up in the branches from outside the wood line. He went to the right side of the bush and again started to paw the ground. Finally he decided to go to the bush from the field side and stopped and put his head up and gave the bush quite a shake. He was broadside and my rangefinder told me it was 40 yards. Red dot turned on and the 40 yard dot right in the crease behind his shoulder

and I took off the safety. One squeeze of the Horton Explorer trigger and the Rage tipped bolt was on the way. The buck never heard the crossbow fire because he was really hitting the branches of the bush. When the bolt hit him he mule kicked and took off into the wood line. A few seconds later, I heard him crash. If I wasn’t a believer in the effectiveness of the Rage Broadheads, I was now. From the shot to where he dropped was 30 yards! A nice walk back to the trailer to wait for Kevin, and a quad ride to my buck where I finally got to put my hands on him. I then discovered he was a main frame eight with a drop kicker on his left main beam. Then the real work begins. As I said early in this article, I just got back into the country. It was too warm to hang this deer like I usually do — and I process my own deer — so I didn’t want to take it to a processor. I plan to touch on the trials and tribulations of an early season deer and what happened in another article. Please stay tuned because you may learn from my mistakes in not being prepared. That can happen when your deer season only lasts a little more than three hours.

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

State Championships Set

PONCA CITY, Okla. — High School Fishing, the nation’s largest bass-fishing circuit dedicated to high school anglers, announced its 2015 state championship series schedule recently, and extended eligibility to seventh- and eighth-grade students. In 2015 seventh- and eighth-grade students are eligible to compete in High School Fishing tournaments provided that the other team member in the boat with them is in the ninth, 10th, 11th or 12th grade. “After receiving numerous requests we’ve decided to open competition to seventh- and eighth-grade students provided they are competing in the same boat as older students,” TBF National Youth Director Mark Gintert said. “In this manner High School Fishing will operate similar to most traditional high school sports that allow middle school students to ‘play up’ and compete at the high school level.”

Each state championship will advance the top 10 percent of teams to one of five conference championships. Each conference championship will then advance the top 10 percent of teams to the 2016 High School Fishing National Championship where students in the final round will experience the thrill of fishing from high-performance Ranger Z520C bass boats and weighing in on the world-famous Walmart FLW Tour stage as they compete for $10,000 in scholarships ($5,000 for each member of the winning team). In addition to state championships, the 2015 schedule includes a series of national opens that also advance teams to conference championships. The top three teams in each open will advance to the conference championship for their home state. While advancement to the High School Fishing National Championship is limited to top performers in each con-

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January 2015

ference championship, all High School Fishing teams are eligible to compete in the High School Fishing World Final. The 2015 High School Fishing World Finals will be held on Pickwick Lake in Florence, Ala., July 7-11. Visit highschoolfishing.org for the complete schedule. Registration opens January 15. To register click on the “tournaments” tab and select “2015 state championships” in the drop down menu. Complete rules for the 2015 season will be available online on or before January 15. A few state championships have not yet been finalized but will be added to the schedule soon. “We are excited to offer a lot of new venues for 2015, but we are still ironing out some details on a few state championships,” Gintert said. “If a state championship is not yet on the schedule, rest assured that it will be added soon.” High School Fishing was introduced by FLW and The Bass Federation (TBF) in 2011. It is the first and only national high school fishing program providing turnkey solutions for state athletic associations. There are no entry fees in High School Fishing state championships, opens, conference championships, the national championship or the World Fi-

nals. Participants must be members of the Student Angler Federation (SAF), which is $25 per year and includes: tournament eligibility , subscription to FLW Bass Fishing magazine, access to free online fishing education courses, insurance coverage for students, coaches, schools and volunteers, access to the largest volunteer angler network in the nation, a proven fundraising program to make participation virtually cost free for students and schools. For students 16 and older, eligibility to win great prizes in monthly FLW giveaways. “High School Fishing is the single greatest opportunity our sport has to grow participation and move into the mainstream, taking its rightful place alongside traditional sports in our nation’s schools,” FLW Vice President of Operations Dave Washburn said. ABOUT FLW FLW is the industry’s premier tournament-fishing organization, providing anglers of all skill levels the opportunity to compete for millions in prize money nationwide in 2015 over the course of 240 tournaments. For more information about FLW visit FLWFishing.com and look for FLW on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Section has confirmed that environmental DNA (eDNA) from the invasive Asian carp was found in water samples taken from the Ohio River and Kanawha River. As part of a cooperative project, the fisheries biologists from the Wildlife Resources Section and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) collected water samples in July 2014 from the Ohio River within the New Cumberland Navigational Pool (Hancock County) and Pike Island Navigational Pool (Ohio and Brooke counties), as well as the Little Kanawha River (Wood and Wirt counties) and the Kanawha River (Putnam and Kanawha counties). These water samples were tested for the presence of eDNA for bighead and silver carp by the USFWS. Positive results were found for bighead and silver carp DNA from the New Cumberland Navigational Pool, as well as for bighead carp DNA from the Winfield Pool of the Kanawha River. All samples were found to be negative for

both bighead and silver carp DNA collected from the Pike Island Navigational Pool, as well as the Little Kanawha River. Researchers use eDNA analysis as a tool for the early detection of Asian carp. The presence of eDNA does not provide physical proof of the presence of live or dead Asian carp, but indicates the presence of genetic material in the water body. This genetic material may be the result of live carp, or transport of only the genetic material via boats, birds or other vectors. Asian carp are a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, as well as to angling and boating recreational activities. Because of the harmful nature of these Asian carp species, the DNR urges anglers and boaters to help in slowing the spread of these invasive species. Anglers and boaters should thoroughly clean gear and boats before entering new waters. Anglers should never release live fish into a public water body and always properly discard baitfish after a fishing trip. See the WVDNR website (http://wvdnr.gov/Fishing/Asian_Carp.s htm).

Positive eDNA Asian Carp Found in Ohio and Kanawha Rivers

January 2015

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

One Last Stand for Squirrels

By Grey D. Berrier II

Since the beginning of archery season and continuing through gun and muzzleloader seasons, you most likely spent dozens, possibly hundreds, of hours in a treestand. If you paint the picture in your mind like a panorama, you can probably recall the trees, rocks, blowdowns, weed patches, gullies, rises, and streams surrounding each treestand in precise order. As you silently sat there watching and listening, highly focused and hyper-vigilant, patiently waiting for the whitetail of your dreams to materialize, what critter initially captured your attention? Most likely it was a squirrel! Their faint scraping of claws on tree bark, flicking tails, nut shell cuttings, leaf litter stirrings, periodic chases, routine scratching, and incessant chatter were all dead giveaways of their presence. From many of my treestands, I frequently counted over two dozen squirrel sightings during the course of a day-long

vigil and in one instance I had 11 squirrels active around me at the same time. Those 5 fox, 4 gray, and 2 red squirrels forced me to remain completely motionless while their close proximity made it extremely difficult to periodically scan for whitetails and even hear anything else in the woods. With deer season drawing to a close in Pennsylvania (archery and flintlock seasons end in Wildlife Management Unit 2B, Allegheny County and portions of surrounding counties, on January 24, 2015) and in Ohio (archery season ends February 1, 2015), we’re facing the stark reality that our 2014-15 whitetail hunting is coming to an end. Before starting the annual mid-winter chore of retrieving ladder stands, hanging stands, and climbing sticks distributed across private property and on public ground; now is an excellent time to take one last stand for squirrels. You have the opportunity to employ all the knowledge you gained during deer seasons regarding their preferred den trees, food sources, and travel

patterns to harvest a few bushy-tails while the leaves are down and you have the woods all to yourself. In Ohio, squirrels (fox, gray, black, and red) are legal quarry until January 31, 2015 and PA hunters can generously pursue squirrels until February 21, 2015. In both states, the daily bag limit is six. Rimfire rifles and shotguns are both excellent tools for pursuing squirrels and one’s individual preference is often dictated by the treestand’s location. Small woodlots surrounded by homes or other occupied structures may necessitate using a shotgun with its more limited range. Whenever possible, I prefer to employ a .22 long rifle with its increased lethal range, decreased noise report, and the elimination of the requirement to remove lead shot from dressed squirrels. Hunting from an elevated treestand enables rifle hunters to take safer shots at squirrels on the ground, since the bullet is fired on a downward trajectory. Always refrain from shooting at any squirrel in the treetops with a rimfire rifle as the bullet may travel up to 1+ mile downrange and cause unintended damage or harm. When was the last time you practiced shooting a firearm from your treestand?

Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo by Grey D. Berrier II

This ladder stand, located amongst several black walnuts, is an ideal perch for late season squirrels Turn To Squirrels Page 18

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Lavinya Gamble, age 14 1st. deer, 6-pt. Columbiana County, OH

Laura Levic 1st deer, 8-pt. Forest County, PA

Laura Levic 1st turkey, 18-lb, 10" beard Westmoreland County, PA

January 2015

Larry Marsh 7-pt. buck Columbiana County, OH

Kevin Weese 8-pt. buck Carroll County, OH

Send Us Your Photos

Mason Hughes 9-pt., 17-1/16" spread Mahoning County, OH

Steve Mahler 8-pt., 15-5/8" spread Jefferson County, OH

Coty Bates 7-pt., 16-5/16" spread Stark County, OH

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll print your hunting, fishing or trapping photos in the next issue of OV Times or Ohio Valley Outdoors magazine. Send photos via mail, email or Facebook. Email to: ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com Mail to: Photo Showcase 210 East Fourth St., East Liverpool, OH 43920

January 2015

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Chase Stuber 1st buck, 18" inside spread Trumbull County, OH

Corben Call doe, crossbow Columbiana County, OH

Nate Koerner 8-pt. Mahoning County, OH

Jessica Barlow-Moore Stark County, OH

Andrew Buchs 8-pt., 17" spread Portage County, OH

Deonte Stradwick 16-pt., crossbow Franklin County, OH

Denny Fetty & John Thomas pheasant w/Rex, brittany spaniel Highlandtown Wildlife Area, OH

Joe Blazer pheasant w/Rex, brittany spaniel Highlandtown Wildlife Area, OH

Bill Melzer 10-pt., buck, 16-3/4" spread Stark County, OH

Mark Colella 9-pt., 20" spread, archery Venango County, PA

Toni Lynn Leport 9-pt crossbow Beaver County, PA

Jeff Metzgar 8-pt. Carroll County, OH

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

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Ohio Valley Outdoors

with your non-dominant eye. Better learning that awkwardness with a squirIt’s not something that most gun clubs, rel now, rather than trying it for the first public or home ranges are set up for. time on the buck-of-a-lifetime later. Shooting a few squirrels from your ladWe all have some treestand locations der or hanging stands provides a great that we would never think of hunting opportunity to get comfortable with rest- squirrels to avoid damage to the future ing your firearm on the stand’s shooting sanctity of our special, secret whitetail rail (if so equipped) or learning to fire “hot-spots”. Howfrom a sitting posiever, all other treetion with your el- A squirrel may be the first quarry stands where you bows braced on you ever try harvesting by firing watched squirrels your knees. It may from your off-shoulder with your for the past four also force you to months should be non-dominant eye. take shots in unanconsidered potential ticipated directions perches for bushyand cause you to retail excursions before you pull them alize there are some “blind spots” from down for the season. An excellent day certain treestands that you can’t cover of squirrel hunting in a very familiar due to thick intervening branches or un- stand may await you or perhaps, your comfortable shooting angles. Right- luck will be like mine, and that will be handed shooters struggle with shots 90º the day that the trophy buck you were to their right, while lefties have a similar hunting all season decides to show up. challenge going to their left. A squirrel Either way, it will be time well spent outmay be the first quarry you ever try har- doors! vesting by firing from your off-shoulder Squirrels From Page 15

January 2015

Show Time From Page2

ventures Sports Area. Admission is: $12. Visit their website: www.cincinnatiboatshow.com. The same sponsors, Hart Productions, will host the Cincinnati Hunting and Fishing Show the following week (Jan. 21-25) at the Duke Energy Center. Young female huntress Kendall Jones, of Texas, will be featured. Admission is: $12. See the above website for more information. In March, mark your calendars for the Ohio Deer and Turkey Expo, held each year at the Ohio Expo Center (state fairgrounds) in Columbus, OH. That event is slated for March 13-15. Featured at this show is the Big Buck Contest, sponsored by the Buckeye Big Buck Club. Byron Ferguson and turkey calling champion Alex Vedrinski headline more than 30 seminars. Admission is: $14. Visit their website: www.deerinfo.com. The 14th Annual West Virginia Hunt-

ing and Fishing Show will be held on March 7-8 at Mylan Park in Morgantown, WV. Admission is: $6. Visit their website: www.outdoorsportsshow.com.

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January 2015

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Ohio Hunters Harvest 65,000+ Deer Dring Gun Season

COLUMBUS, OH – Hunters checked 65,485 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s 2014 gun hunting season, Dec. 1-7, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Rifles using specific straight-walled cartridges were allowed during Ohio’s deer-gun season. Gun hunters took advantage of the new opportunity and checked 5,360 deer with straight-walled cartridge rifles. Hunters have checked 148,830 deer so far in all 2014 hunting seasons, compared to 162,720 at the same point last year. Hunters harvested 75,408 deer during the 2013 deer-gun season. Until recently, the populations in nearly all of Ohio’s counties were above their target numbers. In the last few years, through increased harvests, dramatic strides have been made in many counties to bring those populations closer toward their goal, and the effectiveness of these herd management efforts are reflected in the number of deer checked this season. Once a county’s deer population is near goal, harvest regulations are adjusted to maintain the population.

Counties reporting the highest number of checked deer during the 2014 gun season: Coshocton (2,308), Muskingum (2,084), Tuscarawas (2,074), Guernsey (1,788), Ashtabula (1,730), Knox (1,727), Licking (1,655), Harrison (1,491), Carroll (1,477) and Belmont (1,428). Hunting is the best and most effective management tool for maintaining Ohio’s healthy deer population. During the 2013-2014 hunting season, Ohio hunters checked 191,459 deer. Ohio ranks fifth nationally in resident hunters and 11th in the number of jobs associated with hunting-related industries. Hunting has a more than $853 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation publication. The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations through a combination of regulatory and programmatic changes. The goal of Ohio’s Deer Management Program is to provide a deer

population that maximizes recreational opportunities, while minimizing conflicts with landowners and motorists. This ensures that Ohio’s deer herd is maintained at a level that is both acceptable to most, and biologically sound. Find more information about deer hunting in the Ohio 2014-2015 Hunting and Trapping Regulations or at wildohio.gov. An updated deer harvest report is posted online. Ohio’s first modern day deer-gun season opened in 1943 in three counties, and hunters harvested 168 deer. Deer hunting was allowed in all 88 counties in 1956, and hunters harvested 3,911 deer during that one-week season. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. A list of all white-tailed deer checked by hunters during weeklong 2014 deergun hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2014, and the 2013 numbers are in parentheses: Adams: 1,134 (1,343); Allen: 348 (380); Ashland: 1,160 (1,162); Ashtabula: 1,730 (2,334); Athens: 1,360 (1,745); Auglaize: 278 (299); Belmont: 1,428 (1,851); Brown: 940 (932); Butler: 308 (312); Carroll: 1,477 (2,019); Champaign: 434 (414);

19 Clark: 195 (198); Clermont: 685 (667); Clinton: 285 (250); Columbiana: 1,245 (1,726); Coshocton: 2,308 (2,658); Crawford: 515 (528); Cuyahoga: 24 (31); Darke: 241 (170); Defiance: 871 (744); Delaware: 422 (393); Erie: 219 (176); Fairfield: 708 (827); Fayette: 142 (103); Franklin: 124 (113); Fulton: 336 (341); Gallia: 1,220 (1,420); Geauga: 470 (509); Greene: 213 (224); Guernsey: 1,788 (2,401); Hamilton: 165 (202); Hancock: 443 (338); Hardin: 487 (544); Harrison: 1,491 (2,133); Henry: 334 (326); Highland: 1,004 (1,041); Hocking: 1,195 (1,456); Holmes: 1,349 (1,494); Huron: 921 (1,029); Jackson: 968 (1,156); Jefferson: 1,120 (1,494); Knox: 1,727 (1,966); Lake: 138 (126); Lawrence: 779 (1,002); Licking: 1,655 (1,887); Logan: 672 (653); Lorain: 646 (678); Lucas: 105 (131); Madison: 154 (127); Mahoning: 555 (750); Marion: 340 (348); Medina: 567 (555); Meigs: 1,270 (1,482); Mercer: 206 (219); Miami: 250 (211); Monroe: 1,056 (1,337); Montgomery: 130 (109); Morgan: 1,207 (1,445); Morrow: 671 (640); Muskingum: 2,084 (2,604); Noble: 1,031 (1,454); Ottawa: 121 (88); Paulding: 509 (499); Perry: 1,160 (1,362); Pickaway: 330 (343); Pike: 701 (818); Total: 65,485 (75,408).

Amy’s Venison Sloppy Joes • Prep Time: 20 min. • Cook Time: 30 min. • Ready In: 1 hrs 40 mins. • Yields: 4 Servings

1 green bell pepper chopped 1 yellow bell pepper chopped 1 onion chopped 1 lb. ground venison or beef (we used elk) 2 cloves garlic 1 5 oz. can tomato paste 6 large tomatoes crushed and skins removed 1 tbs olive oil 2 tbs. Cabernet Sauvignon Fine Wine Jelly Sportsman's Table Item #SCJ021

2 tbs. Venison Barbeque Seasoning and Rub Sportsman's Table Item #2688

salt amount to taste pepper amount to taste

Directions:

Heat olive oil in pan over medium heat for 2 mins. Add chopped peppers and onion and saute until partially translucent. Add ground venison and brown. Add barbeque seasoning, tomatoes, tomato paste, garlic, salt, and pepper. Lower heat and simmer for 10-15 min. Add wine jelly and simmer for 5-10 more min. Serve on sandwich rolls.