MAXIMIZE TIME AFIELD THIS FALL - P.12
Summertime Terrestrial Story inside page 4
Interest in CCW Continues to Rise
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Outdoor Times August 2015
OV Outdoor Times
The phrase, “conceal carry”, used to have a mysterious ring to it. That was a while back. Now it means you’re ‘packin’ heat’, carrying a LOADED weapon! And legally, in most By Larry Claypool cases. Editor Carrying a weapon, to me, was always reserved for police officers and bad people. I tried to stay away from both. Handguns never threatened me. And I’d never found a need to be around guns. Until lately! Firstly, my son loves guns, owns several types, and has a conceal carry permit (CCW) to carry a handgun in Ohio and several other states. Secondly, like many other people these days, I no longer feel safe — at times — (from bad people), so it’s time for me to join nearly 400,000 other Ohioians who have a (legal) permit to carry a firearm. I also like to visit the shooting range and feel I’m getting more comfortable with handling a gun. For those reasons I recently took, and
Ohio Valley
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Turn To CCW Page 14
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Larry Claypool
Firearms instructor Keith Thorn shows proper technique on the shooting range during a Conceal Carry Weapons class in Wintersville, OH. Thorn says his class sizes recently have jumped to 10-20 each month.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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15 BOW Workshop
Summertime Terrestrial
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Jeff Knapp
Slated at Watoga State Park in WV
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Ohio’s Migratory Bird Hunting Set for Sept. 1 ODNR
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Regional FLW Colleges Qualify for Championship Event FLW College
Boy Scouts Partner with Take Me Fishing
11 Early Migratory Bird PAGC
12 Wisely Prepare Now
Seasons Set in PA Grey D. Berrier II
to Maximize Time Afield
8 Getting Kids Involved in the Outdoors OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Catfish Tournaments at Hubbard Conservation Club - Aug. 22 (5:30-11:30 p.m.) $9 entry, 30% payout for 1st, 20% for 2nd. $4 for side pot, largest fish. Club located at: 1760 Wick-Campbell Road, Hubbard, OH 44425. For info. call Brian Radcliff at 330-610-5802. 3-D Archery Shoots - Sept. 6 at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, Washingtonville, OH. Cost $10 (12&up), $5 (11&under). All welcome. For info. call Chuck York at 330-978-3253 or 330-7163964. Women in the Outdoors event - Sept. 11-13 at Camp Muskingum in Carrollton, OH. Brenda Valentine will be featured speaker. Event sponsored by Ohio State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF). The event will feature special guest Brenda Valentine. Provide interactive educational outdoor opportunities for women (ages 14 and up). Fee is $135 and includes two night bunk-style lodging, a choice of five WITO courses (30 to choose from), meals and equipment. For a list of hands-on activities for the Camp Muskingum event visit their website: www.nwtf.org/events/supplemental-events/. Or contact Amy Butterfield at 614-327-1041.
Ohio Valley
They say “bad press is good press”. That may be the case in Hollywood, but not for the poor big-game safari hunters these days. And it gives all hunters a bad rap, and that’s not fair. Like most people, I’m really tired of hear- By Larry Claypool ing about Cecil the Editor Lion. The antis and national media have really taken this story from Zimbabwe for a long ride down a very bumpy, windy road. I will admit, if it’s true, something doesn’t sound right about the Minnesota dentist shooting at a famous local lion that was lured away from a protected preserve area. The dentist, Walter Palmer, his PH (professional hunter), and guide (Theo Bronkhorst) should have gotten their story straight on the animal they were pursuing. It also does not sound like a “fair chase” hunt. There’s also some question as to whether this lion was famous or protected. One Internet poster said he used to live in Zimbabwe and lions tormented villagers day and night. Some people were maimed and killed by wild lions, he said. Now, what do you believe, it was on the Internet? The big problem with the Internet is, everyone thinks they are an expert. It doesn’t matter the topic. And I’ve said this before, people can remain anonymous behind a keyboard and do not necessarily possess the proper facts or own credibility for issues they discuss or offer an opinion on. They are faceless people to me, making ridiculous statements and opinions. There’s NO credibility there but other people take their word that, number one, they know what they’re talking about, and number two, they don’t have to back up facts they fodder out
August 2015
there. It’s bullcrap and honest journalist often get caught up in and/or get compared to stories that have no merit, or facts to back them up. This international story follows up a long list of American hunters who’ve been wrongly accused of poaching by people who don’t know better. And for some reason they’ve targeted female hunters, including Melissa Baughman, Kendall Jones, Rebecca Francis, Beka Garris and many more. For some reason male hunters, for the most part, do not get harassed as much by antis. As more (truthful) information becomes available, we hope the lion poaching talk will be tamed. Two good sources (websites) on the Internet will keep us informed, and can be trusted, they are: the Safari Club International (www.sci.org) and U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (www.ussportsmen.org). Recently Nick Pinizzotto, President and CEO of the Sportsmen’s Alliance and Sportsmen’s Alliance Foundation, was asked to speak on national television about the lion poaching incident. He said, “It is disappointing to see hunting come under fire once again in the media, but it further illustrates the importance of ensuring that important facts about hunting and wildlife management are readily available to the masses. Reasonable people who are given good information will be far less likely to let misguided emotion cloud their judgment about the importance of hunting to wildlife and conservation.” Pinizzotto also discussed the role of sportsmen in wildlife management and habitat protection and enhancement. The positive economic, environmental and social impacts sportsmen provide throughout the United States. Well said.
To Advertise CALL 330-385-2243 Publisher/Editor, Larry Claypool lclaypool@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
Outdoor Times August 2015
Taming the Lion Story OV Outdoor Times
INSIDE THIS MONTH
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Graphics Designer, Linda McKenzie lmckenzie@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
VOL. 7, NO. 08
is published by Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine
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August 2015
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Summertime Terrestrial OV Outdoor Times
Recently I embarked on one of my favorite activities: fishing an unfamiliar stream for wild trout. And when there I made sure I was armed with a box full of great summertime flies, terrestrial pat- By Jeff Knapp Fishing Editor terns. A few days earlier I’d had a conversation with the district fisheries biologist. The gist of our conversation was how great it is to see streams that had suffered from pollution, which in most cases around these parts is acid mine drainage, come back to life to become wild trout streams. He mentioned a particular creek, how his agency had sampled it 20 years ago and found no trout, and when about 10 years later they looked at it again and it was loaded with wild brown trout. I did some quick math and realized that 10 more years had passed since their last sampling; there
could be some big trout in there now. So I set up a trip with a longtime fishing partner. I started with a muddler minnow fished on top (to mimic a grasshopper) and Dave opted for a green weenie (which does a good job duplicating an inch worm). Within the first 10 minutes Dave hooked two small but feisty wild browns. I quickly changed to the green weenie and quickly put caught a wild brown of about 8 inches. With the water fairly low and quite clear, we were getting most of our action at the base of riffles, where the broken water masked our approach. I was fishing such a spot, one that flowed into a long pool. A portion of a submerged tree was embedded in the far bank, just down from the sluice of faster water. On about my fifth drift a large (comparatively) brown came out from the log and inhaled the green weenie. The 16 incher was the highlight of a great summetime afternoon trip. It’s not surprising that a terrestrial-imitating fly was so productive. Flies that
August 2015
Ohio Valley Outdoors -Photo by Jeff Knapp
A summertime fly, a green weenie, helped put this PA wild brown trout in the net.
mimic ants, beetles, grasshoppers, inch worms and such are top summertime flies. Here are a few tips to consider re-
garding terrestrials for trout:
Turn To Summertime Page 5
August 2015
Summertime From Page 4
• Match the type of terrestrial to the water you’re fishing. For meadow streams the nod often goes to hoppers, since they are prevalent in such surroundings. In the woodland stream, like the one in this story, it’s not surprising a green weenie worked well, as the trout are accustomed to eating inch worm. Ants and beetles are common insects, and work on most streams. • Be sure to include casts that drift tight to the bank, as this is the zone many
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
terrestrial insects are when they fall into the water. • Inch worms are one of the easiest flies to tie. If you’re considering getting in to fly tying, this is a good pattern to start with, since it’s essentially just a section of green chenille secured to a hook. The green weenie also does a good job of suggesting various types of caddis larvae. • Flies like Bass Pro Shops Flying Ant, which incorporates lots of color, is an easy fly to follow, making it a great one to fish on the surface.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
August 2015
By StatePoint Media
pose a safety hazard to motorists, cyclists, hikers, park staff, emergency responders and wildlife. “Not only should Congress ensure national parks are safe, but investing in them spurs economic growth and supports jobs,” says Loomis. “The 100th anniversary of the National Park System in 2016 is a historic opportunity for Congress to ensure our national parks have the resources they need to thrive.” Information about transportation needs and funding opportunities in national parks can be found by visiting www.npca.org. National parks around the country provide natural, educational, recreational, cultural and historical experiences for millions of visitors. In fact, there were 292.8 million visits to national parks in 2014, breaking the previous record of 287.2 million visits set in 1987. With national parks more popular than ever, it’s likely you’ll find yourself on a park road soon enough. Experts say that well-funded national park roads and bridges will help keep visitors safer and make their national park experiences more enjoyable.
Increased Funding Needed for National Parks Improvements, Say Experts
Local roads, bridges, and other transit are integral parts of the national park experience. However, parks and their transportation infrastructure are facing a mounting financial challenge, say experts. Under the current law, the National Park Service is guaranteed $240 million per year for transportation projects through the Federal Highway Trust Fund, which advocates say is only one quarter of the amount needed annually to guarantee safe access to national parks. “With national park visits at an all-time high, more park funding, not less, is what’s needed to address the $6 billion worth of overdue and delayed transportation projects on the table,” says Laura Loomis, National Parks Conservation Association’s deputy vice president of government affairs. The National Park Service manages 1,500 bridges and about 10,000 miles of roads nationwide, including rural national park drives and major urban thoroughfares. From corroding support beams on park bridges to outmoded roads that create dangerous drop-offs, unfunded projects can
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August 2015
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Ohio’s Migratory Bird Hunting Seasons Begin Sept. 1
COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Wildlife Council approved early migratory bird hunting season dates, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Sept. 1 is Ohio’s opening day for mourning dove, Canada goose, rail, moorhen and snipe hunting seasons. Ohio’s dove 2015 hunting season dates are Sept. 1-Nov. 8, and Dec. 12Jan. 1, 2016. The daily limit is 15 birds with a possession limit of 45 birds after the second day. Dove hunting dates were extended 20 days last year, and that extended season will continue in 2015. Additional hunting seasons approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council include the following dates. • Special early season Canada goose: Sept. 1-15. Daily limit of five; possession limit of 15 after the second day. • Early teal: Sept. 5-20. Daily limit of six; possession limit of 18 after the second day. • Sora rail and Virginia rail: Sept. 1Nov. 9. Daily limit of 25; possession limit of 75 after the second day.
• Common moorhen: Sept. 1-Nov. 9. Daily limit of 15; possession limit of 45 after the second day. • Common snipe: Sept. 1-Nov. 29 and Dec. 19-Jan. 4, 2016. Daily limit of eight; possession limit of 24 after the second day. • American woodcock: Oct. 10-Nov. 23. Daily limit of three; possession limit of nine after the second day. Waterfowl hunters must have a valid hunting license in addition to an Ohio wetlands habitat stamp endorsement, a federal duck stamp and a Harvest Information Program (HIP) certification. Hunters must obtain a new HIP certification each year to hunt any migratory game bird season. Call 877-HIP-OHIO (447-6446) to complete the HIP certification. Licenses, permits and stamps are available online at the Wild Ohio Customer Center. Federal duck stamps are available at duckstamp.com. New this year, hunters can carry a valid receipt for a federal duck stamp, or an e-stamp, in place of a signed stamp for 45 days after purchase. An Ohio wet-
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lands habitat stamp endorsement and a federal duck stamp are not required to hunt doves, rails, moorhens, snipe and woodcock. Controlled dove hunts will be offered Sept. 1, and Sept. 2, at Fallsville, Rush Run, Spring Valley, Indian Creek and Bott state wildlife areas. Controlled dove hunts will also be offered at St. Marys State Fish Hatchery on Sept. 1, Sept. 2, Sept. 5, Sept. 12 and Sept. 19. Hunting hours are noon to sunset for all controlled dove hunts. Opening day drawings for all of these hunts will take place at noon on Aug. 22, at the respective public area headquarters. Bott Wildlife Area will hold its drawings at the Indian Creek Headquarters. Drawings for the other hunts will be held the day of the hunt at noon. Maps and details are available at wildohio.gov. Questions about these hunts should be directed to the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s District Five office at 937-372-9261. The 2015-2016 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations are available at wildohio.gov and at license outlets. The 2015 Migratory Game Bird Hunting Seasons brochure is available in August. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
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Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of ODNR
Hunting season for American woodcock in Ohio is set for Oct. 10-Nov. 23. The early migratory bird hunting season for dove and Canada goose opens September 1.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Getting Kids Involved in the Outdoors OV Outdoor Times
My girlfriend says I’m a freak, and she’s probably right. Throughout high school, when most kids my age were rebelling against their parents or hanging out with their friends, I spent my time run- By Ralph Scherder ning traplines, scout- Hunting Editor ing for deer, and tying flies for trout season. Strangest part of it, though, is that in all these years, I haven’t changed. In fact, I probably get even more pleasure out of those things now than I did back then because now I have kids in my life that are eager to learn about them, too. It’s no secret that nationwide hunter, trapper, and fishermen numbers have steadily declined the past 20 years, which is why it’s so important that we get our youth involved today. If we want our outdoors heritage to continue and thrive into the future, it’s imperative that we share our passion with the next genera-
tion. Yes, it’s true that there are more things vying for kids’ attention than there were years ago, with technology being the main culprit. Here’s a shocking statistic: 99% of boys under 18 and 94% of girls under 18 say they regularly play video games. By the time they reach 21, the average youth will have spent up to 10,000 hours playing video games. Incidentally, that’s roughly the same number of hours students spend in a classroom for all of middle and high school combined. Of course, video games are only one part of the equation. I only mention it because I hear so many other outdoorsmen say, and with good reason, that the outdoors can’t compete with the latest Play Station 4 or Xbox One. Actually, maybe nothing can. After all, the outdoors isn’t the only industry being affected. Across the board, youth involvement in sports is down significantly, too (football -28.6%, baseball 14.4%, track and field -13.7%, and so on with almost every major sport), in the
August 2015
past 10 years. I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer, but I’m telling you all of this for a reason. A new hunting and trapping season is fast approaching, which means lots of new opportunities for getting kids involved in the outdoors. Every year, I make it a point to get a kid involved in whatever I’m doing in the outdoors. Usually, that means trapping because I’ve always felt that trapping is perfectly geared toward keeping youths interested. For one thing, trapping requires a lot of preparation, from scouting to dying and waxing traps to finally setting them on opening day. It’s busy work, but it’s also work in which progress can be measured fairly quickly, so there’s a sense of accomplishment after each task. We may spend an evening finding new locations, looking for tracks in the mud, and asking permission from landowners. We may spend another evening dyeing traps and then another evening waxing them. Last year, Ashley, my nine-year-old niece, helped me wax traps. More accurately, once I showed her how to wax Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Ralph Scherder them, she wanted to do the rest all by Ashley, the author’s nine-year-old niece, helped herself. As she did, I tinkered with some Scherder wax his traps before last season. “Once other traps to make them operate more I showed her how to wax them, she wanted to Turn To Kids Page 9
do the rest all by herself,” said Scherder.
August 2015
Kids From Page 8
smoothly and we talked as we worked. It provided me the opportunity to spend time with her while teaching her something new. If I’ve learned anything from being around kids, it’s that they always enjoy learning new things. The next day, Ashley rode along with me as I scouted a few new places. I showed her how to make a pocket set by digging a hole in the bank for the bait and showed her where we’d place the trap once the season opened. She asked questions and absorbed everything. Although she lives in West Virginia and couldn’t actually run the trapline with me last fall, she called or texted me almost every day to find out what I caught in the places she helped me find, and how many of them were caught in pocket sets or dirthole sets, and, of course, how the traps she waxed were holding up. Later in the season, when my energy and enthusiasm levels started to drop off (because no matter how much I love it, trapping is still hard work), her phone calls kept me going. I wanted to have something good to report to her, so I worked harder and for a longer period of time than I might have otherwise. In the meantime, other kids occasion-
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
ally accompany me on the trapline – Zack, the neighbor kid, and Ian, my girlfriend’s older son. Eventually I introduced my cousin’s husband, Reed, to trapping, and shortly after that he and his son started running their own trapline. By season’s end, they caught about a dozen raccoons and a couple muskrats. That’s another reason why I’ve always felt trapping was a great way to get kids involved in the outdoors – if you put in the effort, you get rewarded with a catch, and usually within just a few days. There are many ways to get youth involved in the outdoors, of course. In the past, I’ve taught kids how to tie flies and then taken them to the lake where they could catch bluegills on the flies they tied themselves. Every time I get a new bow, I pass my old one along to a kid who shows an interest, and then we spend time shooting and getting better. That’s another thing I’ve learned about kids – they seem to be happiest when they notice themselves getting better at something. In my opinion, that’s what keeps kids interested more than anything. In recent years, trail cameras have been a great way to get kids involved in the outdoors. To me, checking cameras is like checking traps – you never know what you’re going to get that day. Kids
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Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool
Seven-year-old Brayden Hall target shoots for the first time with his 22 rifle. This father, Steve, helped line up the target and made sure proper ear protection and safety gear was used.
love checking the cameras, too, and seeing the photos of deer and other wildlife. I’ve found that even kids who aren’t that interested in hunting, such as my girlfriend’s younger son Owen (he’s only 9),
like to check scouting cameras. Owen gets excited when we head out into the woods to check cameras because I tell him stories of past hunting experiences, Turn To Kids Page 10
August 2015
Kids From Page 9
show him my favorite spots and take the time to explain why deer travel the way they do, why some spots are better than others, and any other things I can think of that might make it a more enjoyable experience. He’s mighty curious about all of that stuff, so who knows, maybe eventually Owen will want to hunt, too. Most of all, though, we’re doing something fun together, creating memories. It takes time to teach a kid to hunt, trap, or fish, but it’s a worthwhile investment, not only for the future of the sport but for the personal enjoyment I get out of seeing a kid succeed at something they’ve never done before. As a general rule, outdoorsmen are really good at getting their own kids involved in hunting, trapping, and fishing. As fathers and mothers, we know the joy of sharing the outdoors with our kids and we know that doing so forms a bond that almost no other activity can form. The challenge, though, is to also share our passion with kids who don’t have that kind of connection or who lack role models in their lives who will take the time to introduce them to the outdoors. Those kids need us now more than ever, and we need them.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Partner with Take Me Fishing Program
ALEXANDRIA, VA — At the recent ICAST trade show, Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) President and CEO Frank Peterson and BSA’s Fishing Committee Chairman Ben Jelsema signed a partnership agreement to support Boy Scout fishing through its BSA Certified Angling Instructor program. The BSA Certified Angling Instructor program transforms BSA fishing advocates into more effective trained instructors across the country, teaching Scouts of all ages the basics of fishing. The key objectives to introduce Scouts to the joys of fishing are to help them catch their first fish, provide opportunities for ongoing fishing experiences, and encourage a progressive interest in fishing while increasing their skill levels. RBFF will provide resources including educational and instructional content
from its Passport to Fishing and Boating Program and TakeMeFishing.org. In addition, RBFF will leverage materials from its industry network to the Boy Scouts of America to aid in teaching youth the enjoyment of getting outdoors, enjoying boating and fishing activities and protecting our precious outdoor environment and waterways. “Our goal is to double the number of Certified Angling Instructors with BSA, increasing the opportunities for Scouts ages 6-12 to get involved in fishing,” said Peterson. “This partnership aligns nicely with our mission to get more people out on the water fishing and boating, in turn generating critical funds for state aquatic conservation activities.” For over 100 years, fishing has been an important activity for Boy Scouts. The Fishing merit badge was one of the original merit badges and in 2015 the
2,000,000th youth earned the Fishing merit badge. Surveys indicate that 83% of Scouts like to fish and it is the 4th most popular outdoor activity (surpassed only by camping, swimming and bicycling). Surveys further revealed Scouts are spending 23.3 million hours fishing every year, and spend approximately $70 million dollars on fishing equipment. A newly-introduced recognition for Scouts is to become a “COMPLETE ANGLER.” It is earned by completing the Fishing, Fly fishing and Fish and Wildlife merit badges. It all begins with their first catch, and both BSA and RBFF are committed to ensuring Scouts’ first fishing experience is fun, exciting and memorable!
August 2015
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Early Migratory Bird Seasons Set in PA
HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s early migratory bird seasons have been approved, and dove hunters will need to pay particular attention to the dates on which seasons start and end. Dove-season segments have been restructured this year so that doves may be hunted throughout the early small-game season. But that means dove season will close briefly prior to the start of smallgame season, then reopen. Dove season will open on September 1 and run through Oct. 10. It then will reopen on Oct. 17, which is the first day of the statewide openers for squirrels and ruffed grouse, and run through Nov. 28, which is the closing day for squirrels, grouse, rabbits, pheasants and quail. The final dove season segment runs from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Traditionally, the first segment started and ended in September, and much of October was closed to dove hunting. But for the second consecutive year, under season-setting guidelines adopted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2014, Pennsylvania and other eastern states have been allotted additional dove-hunting days to make for a longer season. Hunting hours are from noon until
sunset from Sept. 1 through Sept. 25. Beginning on Sept. 26, hunting hours during open dove seasons begin at onehalf hour before sunrise and end at sunset. The daily bag limit in each dove-hunting segment has been set at 15, with a possession limit of 45. The September statewide season for resident Canada geese also will open Sept. 1, and continue through Sept. 25. The September season retains a daily bag limit of eight Canada geese, with a possession limit of 24. Shooting hours during the September goose season are one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, except when the season overlaps with youth waterfowl hunting days. On those days, shooting hours end at sunset. The first youth waterfowl hunting day will be held statewide on Sept. 19, and the second day will vary by duck-hunting zone and will be announced when late migratory game bird seasons are selected in mid-August. Youth waterfowl days are open to licensed junior hunters who are 12 to 15 years old. To participate, a youngster must be accompanied by an adult, who
may assist the youth in calling, duck identification and other aspects of the hunt. During those hunts, youth can harvest ducks, geese, mergansers, coots and gallinules. Licensed adults can harvest Canada geese on Sept. 19, and on the second youth day if there is a general Canada goose season open in the area being hunted. Migratory game bird hunters, including those afield for doves and woodcock, are required to obtain and carry a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license ($3.70 for residents, $6.70 for nonresidents), as well as a general hunting, combination or lifetime license. All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older also must possess a federal migratory bird hunting and conservation (duck) stamp. Annual migratory bird and waterfowl seasons are selected by states from a framework established by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The “Pennsylvania 2015-16 Guide to Migratory Bird Hunting” brochure will be posted on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in midAugust. Hunters are encouraged to report legbanded migratory game bird recoveries online at www.reportband.gov, or use the toll-free number (1-800-327-
11 BAND). Online reporting is preferred because it provides better data quality and lowers costs. Hunters will be requested to provide information on where, when and what species were taken, in addition to the band number. This information is crucial to the successful management of migratory game birds.
August 2015
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Wisely Prepare Now to Maximize Time Afield this Fall
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OV Outdoor Times
Growing up in Eastern Pennsylvania, the PA Dutch restaurants we periodically visited all had gift shops. There you could find the most effective By Col.(Ret.)Grey D. Berrier II time management FIN Pro Staff tools to help avoid procrastination. Some were made of wood with elegant stenciling, while others were paper certificates with large font printing. To save you the time and expense of traveling several hundred miles east on the PA Turnpike to acquire one, let me explain how you can make your own. Simply start with a piece of paper and cut out a large circle from it. With a magic marker, boldly write the letters: T-U-I-T on it. Post your finished project in your basement, garage, or wherever you store your outdoor gear. The next time you think of some task you need to get done in preparation for an upcoming outdoor excursion, you’ll no longer be
able to push it off with the familiar excuse, “I’ll get it done when I get around to it,” because you’ll now have your very own Round TUIT hanging on the wall. All kidding aside, we are rapidly approaching my favorite months of the year: October and November, when hunting and fishing can be exceptional. If you are anything like me, you’ll want to spend as much time as possible out in the woods or on the water with the vibrant transition of the leaves as a colorful back-drop. In order to squeeze out as many opportunities as possible this Fall to sit in a tree stand, duck blind, or fishing boat; or trek through your favorite woodlots, fields, swamps, or forest, or along a preferred waterway; you need to get as much preparation done as practical now to avoid wasting precious time later. From my perspective, the days in October and November seem to fly by twice as fast as any other months of the year, most likely because I want
to cram in as much outdoor time and activities as physically possible during that time frame. I’m guessing you have similar thoughts on these prime Fall months, so permit me to share some ideas on what we can all be doing in the time remaining before we soon kick our outdoor appetites into high gear. Inspections – Take the time to get your gear out and thoroughly look it over. When it comes to critical items, like your treestands, this boils down to a matter of personal safety. The Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA) highly recommends that users thoroughly read their owner’s manual and watch their product videos on an annual basis to properly prepare for the season. Remember, complacency maims or kills when it comes to treestand accidents, so carefully look for worn or missing components, frayed harnesses or straps, and crack or damaged metal. Preseason is the time to repaint bright surfaces to conceal reflective glare and add tape to help silence noisy parts. Give your safety harness the attention it deserves as a key component to ensure you come home safely to your loved ones after each day afield. Other critical items to inspect closely include your firearms, Turn To Prepare Page 13
Ohio Valley Outdoors–PPhoto by Grey D. Berrier II
Now is the time to get out your climbing treestands to inspect their serviceability and practice your climbing technique. Don’t procrastinate until the season opener, in case there might be a problem.
Send us your t rophy photos
Eric Mehalko largemouth bass using green pumpkin java tubes
For our Photo Showcase Connor Mayle turkey Trumbull County, OH
email to: ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com mail to: Photo Showcase 210 East Fourth St. East Liverpool, OH 43920
www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
August 2015
Prepare From Page 12
muzzleloaders, bows, crossbows, arrows, bolts, broadheads, waders, GPS units, decoys, calls, flashlights, knives, backpacks, clothing, and just about every other outdoor item that if it fails, or doesn’t do its job, could potentially ruin a trip. Cleaning and Repairing – Chances are pretty high that you may have an item or two that got put away dirty at some point or requires some form of repair before the season. Now is an excellent time to get these little things done that can be such an annoyance if ignored until the night before you’re heading out. I can think of one upland hunting vest that was torn plowing through a multiflora rose thicket during the late season that will need sewn up soon to avoid losing valuable shot shells out of the right pocket on a future pheasant hunt. If you think about it, your clothing and equipment may have had some similar casualties to fair wear and tear that require attention before getting back in the game. Practice – I can’t stress this enough when it comes to your bow, crossbow, shotgun, rifle, handgun, or muzzleloader. You need to become competent
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
and confident with the hunting implements you elect to use. We all owe it to the game we pursue to make clean, humane kills at ranges that we are comfortable taking high percentage shots at. Repetition with good form and a safety consciousness are key to maximizing your potential with your selected hunting tool. Mentors owe it to the youth and adults that they plan to take hunting this fall to ensure they have the opportunity to get in ample practice before heading afield. Other key items to practice with include climbing treestands, safety harnesses, calls, GPS units, compasses, and your camera. Projects – We all seem to have a mental “To Do List” when it comes to enhancing our outdoors experiences. Some of these are long-term, such as establishing a food plot or erecting a permanent stand. There is still time to tackle these significant tasks for this coming hunting season, if you get started soon. Other smaller, yet important, projects may include reloading shot shells or cartridges, tying flies, or waxing traps. The remaining days of August and the month of September are excellent times to knock out those big and small projects you have in mind for this year.
Scouting – There is no substitute for knowing what is going on in the woods. While animal behavior and travel patterns will change somewhat between summer and fall, nothing inspires confidence and provides motivation to be out there as frequently as possible this fall as knowing what animals could potentially show up. This includes: trophy bucks, magnificent long-beards, cagy coyotes, or abundant small game. Whether your scouting consists of close encounters from a treestand or blind, long distance observations with quality optics, or trail camera photographs; the more information you gather preseason, the better odds you’ll have of being in the right place at the right time to fill your tag this fall. Purchases – Every outdoorsman, woman, and youth I know has a “Wish List” of what they want or need to enhance their future outdoor experiences. Maybe it’s something new and high tech, possibly old school and fundamental, a required license, stamp, or permit, or you just want to get started in another outdoor pursuit you’ve never tried before (such as deer hunting with a straight-wall cartridge rifle in Ohio). Whatever you decide, take the time to do your homework in advance by con-
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sulting numerous resources such as the Ohio Valley Outdoor Times, Ohio Valley Outdoor Magazine, and other outdoor publications and books, visiting the abundant outdoor websites on the Internet, and talking to fellow hunters and the pro staff members at your favorite outdoor retailer. After you’ve completed your research, you’ll feel comfortable and confident about adding that necessary item to the outdoor gear you tote afield to get the job done. We all have only 24 hours in a day. If you plan on spending as many of those hours as possible afield or on the water this coming October and November, now is the time to get around to it inspecting your gear, cleaning and repairing, practicing, completing projects, scouting, and making necessary purchases to ensure you are ready when the season(s) you are eagerly anticipating roll around. Thorough preparation will make the days go by quicker and will definitely be time well spent!
Ohio Valley Outdoors
14 CCW From Page 1
passed, a Concealed Carry Weapon certification class. I will soon apply for my CCW permit through the county sheriff’s office so I can begin carrying a Kahr 9mm handgun. I asked others in my CC class why they were there for the eight-hour session, on a hot, muggy Saturday morning. The answers were pretty much what we’ve been hearing across this country recently. And the responses/reactions are driven by fear. “It’s not safe in our town. I live in Steubenville and there’s a lot of drugs in our town,” said Cheryl Ciaramitaro. “For someone who hasn’t picked up a gun, I think you need to educate yourself.” Wellsville resident Denny Stoddard agrees, “It’s an education piece (the CCW class). I had no opinion or knowledge (about guns previously), but it’s time to do something now.” For Becky Mickey, also of Wellsville, she would like the option to conceal carry when her family is outdoors and riding trails with their quads. Many of her friends conceal carry. “I wanted to take the class for the education of it. And we go four-wheeling, and there’s a lot of wild animals out where we ride. A lot of
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
coyotes.” Taming wild animals or uncomfortable situations with people seems to be a common theme for why regular citizens are taking CCW classes. For firearms instructor Marty “Keith” Thorn, who taught the class I attended in Wellsville, he has definitely seen an uptick lately in students interested in obtaining CCW certification. He’s currently holding classes monthly with anywhere from 10-20 students. Business is pretty good for firearms instructors across this country. Thorn says interest in CCW classes is cyclical. Some of the interest is tied to shooting events that capture national media attention. “It comes and goes. It depends on the mood of people. When they start the thing that “people shouldn’t have guns”, then people want to take a class. Or when they talk about taking guns away, it’s the same thing,” said Thorn, who’s been in law enforcement since 1974 and a firearms instructor the past 12 years. Thorn has been offering CCW classes in Wellsville for the last four years. He’s assisted by his son, Marty, and friend Steve Vallera. The past few years the average class size has been five people. This year a spike in students average be-
August 2015
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool
Firearms instructor Steve Vallera (left) shows student Becky Mickey the correct way to load her 9mm handgun.
tween 10-20 per month. Most of Thorn’s students are senior citizens and women. In my class, of 10 people, half were women, and I may have been one of two people over the age
of 50. In the world of firearms instruction, Thorn said safety is key for everyone. “Safety is the big thing. We don’t want Turn To CCW Page 15
August 2015
CCW From Page 15
any injuries,” said Thorn. That was definitely stressed during my class. By law a CCW class must include eight hours of instruction. Two hours of that must be done on the shooting range. Up until this year classes were 12 hours long. The cost is anywhere from $50$100. Thorn charges $60 per course, and that includes time on the shooting range. Most instructors operate the same way, as I found in my searches on the Internet. Thorn said the eight hour class is more convenient for students but it makes it tough to get the required information across during the shorter span. “It means you really, really have to try and get it done in eight hours,” said Thorn. “We usually go one more hour, so I can cover everything.” The class also stresses the importance of the added responsibility one bears when they are conceal carrying. There’s also a heavy liability, or burden, placed on CCW permit holders. Thorn said he’s even had a few people say they were no longer interested in carrying a weapon after taking the class, because of the responsibility it carries (pun intended). For those who do want the responsibility they must apply for a CCW permit
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
through their local sheriff’s office. In Ohio, permits are issued in the county you reside in or an adjoining county. In West Virginia permits are issued only in the county which you reside in. You must be at least 21 years of age to apply. The cost for a CC permit in Ohio is generally $67 for a new issue license. That covers a five-year period. The renewal fee after that will cost $50. There are additional fees if you’ve been a resident in Ohio for less than five years. There’s an extra background check that is required. In West Virginia, the cost for a CC permit is $100, $75 toward the application fee and $25 for the West Virginia State Police fee. The renewal fee, also after five years, is the same as the initial fees. In Pennsylvania, the permit fee is $20 but no firearms training is required. Ohio and West Virginia, as do most states, require a permit holder to have a CCW class before applying for a permit. The states of Georgia and Washington are similar to PA. Three states, Alaska, Arizona and Vermont, allow the general public to carry concealed and they do not need a license or permit to do so. Gun laws are changing across the country regularly. Many states, like Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia,
are “shall-issue” states, which means the government agency (county sheriff’s offices) shall issue a permit (usually within 45 days) or deny the application and state why. There are many items that will lead to denial of a permit application, mostly involving any previous felony or drug convictions. A federal NICS (National Instant Criminal Background Check System) background check is part of the process. Visit the provided web pages below or contact your local sheriff’s office for specific questions about the permit application process and CCW laws. For additional questions about conceal carry laws, contact your local sheriff’s office or state Attorney General or visit one of the following websites: in Ohio — www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov; www.buckeyefirearms.org; in West Virginia — www.ago.wv.gov; www.wvcdl.org and in Pennsylvania — www.psp.pa.gov/firearms-information and www.pafoa.org. In Ohio, most county sheriff’s offices have valuable information, including CCW applications, on their websites. Information about finding a CCW instructor in your area is also available online. Instructor Keith Thorn’s contact number is: 330-383-9235.
15 BOW Workshop Slated at Watoga State Park
MARLINTON, WV — The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) announces that registration is underway for the fall “Becoming an Outdoors-Woman” (BOW) workshop at Watoga State Park Sept. 18-20, 2015. This is an opportunity for women ages 18 and older to learn new outdoor skills. “Have you ever wanted to learn a new skill but have never had the opportunity to try? Or, have you wanted to take up an outdoor sport but were afraid to purchase all the equipment and then find out later that you hated it? Then, the ‘Becoming an Outdoors-Woman’ program is definitely for you,” said BOW organizer Billie Shearer of the Wildlife Resources Section of the DNR. The BOW workshop will offer outdoor classes that include archery, biking, shooting, fishing, nature walk and outdoor cooking, to list a few. Registration is open with a fee of $150, which covers lodging and two dinners. Breakfast and lunch will be on your own. For more information or to register for the workshop, please contact BOW at 304-5582771 or billie.j.shearer@wv.gov. The registration form can be downloaded at www.wvdnr.gov/hunting/bow.shtm.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Steve DiCross 19.8lbs., 10" beard, 1" spurs Harrison County, OH
Jerry Hanna 19.2lbs., 9" beard, 1" spurs Harrison County, OH
Nikki Snyder largemouth bass Brooke County, WV
August 2015
Hunter Seminsky double beard 9-1/2" & 8", spurs1-3/8" & 1 1/8" OH
Wayne Wilson 8.4 lbs 29" walleye Hancock County, WV
Send Us Your Photos
Dillon Walton 24 lbs., 10.5 " beard Westmoreland County, PA
Wendy Shetler largemouth bass
Dennis Shetler largemouth bass
We’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
August 2015
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Brian Woods 10-pt. buck Shelby County, OH
Aaron Tangeman mule deer Alberta, Canada
Steve Scott mule deer Alberta, Canada
Marvin Aeschbacher 1 7/8" spurs. 12" beard 20lbs. Florida Osceola turkey
Mark Colella 9-pt., 20" outside spread Venango County, PA
Matt Scarsella 10-pt., bow Jefferson County, OH
Sam Derugen Velvet whitetail, 9 1/2" droptine Sheyenne, ND
Beten turkey
Chad Parker 9-pt., compound bow Enon Valley, PA
Marvin Aeschbacher 1st Merriam turkey Black Hills, SD
Gary Clark 23 lbs, 11" beard Ashtabula County, OH
Lillian May 1st turkey, 20-lbs., 9-1/2" beard Mahoning County, OH
August 2015
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Miller’s Gun Supply Hunting, Trapping and Archery 10654 Skyline Dr. | Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681
Hours Mon: 11-7 Tues: 9-5 (Sept - Dec: 9-7) Wed: 11-7 Thurs: CLOSED Fri - 11-7 Sat: 9-4 Sun: CLOSED
Guns, Ammo, Optics 330.340.9071 Archery 330.407.3483 Full line of Archery products available
www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
Ohio Valley Outdoors
August 2015
Regional FLW Colleges Qualify for Conference Championships
CHAUTAUQUA, N.Y. — The Christopher Newport University (CNU) team of Cody Griffey of Smithfield, Virginia, and Peter Kenny of Ashburn, Virginia, won the FLW College Fishing Northern Conference tournament on Lake Chautauqua Saturday with five bass weighing 12 pounds, 11 ounces. The victory earned the club $2,000 and advanced the team to the FLW College Fishing Northern Conference Championship tournament. The top 15 teams that advance to the Northern Conference Championship tournament on Chesapeake Bay. The winners and top regional qualifiers are: 1st - Christopher Newport University Cody Griffey, Smithfield, Va., and Peter Kenny, Ashburn, Va. (five bass, 12-11, $2,000); 10th - Kent State University Matthew Holsinger, Massillon, Ohio, and Dante Gramuglia, Middlefield, Ohio (three bass, 10-4); 11th - Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania - Joel Hixon, Butler, Pa., and Evan Kretz, Allison
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Park, Pa. (five bass, 9-14); 12th - Ohio State University - Ryan Surface, Fenton, Mich., and John Belluardo, Peninsula, Ohio (five bass, 9-13) and 13th - University of Akron - Kevin Arnold, Copley, Ohio, and Christian Combs, Norton, Ohio (four bass, 9-6). Complete results can be found at CollegeFishing.com. This FLW College Fishing Northern Conference tournament was hosted by Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau and was the third and final regular-season qualifying tournament. The next event for Northern Conference anglers will be the FLW College Fishing Northern Conference Championship, scheduled for Sept. 12-13 at the Chesapeake Bay in North East, Md. FLW College Fishing teams compete in qualifying tournaments in one of five conferences - Central, Northern, Southern, Southeastern and Western. The top fifteen teams from each regular-season tournament will qualify for one of five Conference Championship tournaments. The top ten teams from each of the five Conference Championship tournaments will advance to the 2016 FLW College Fishing National Championship. College Fishing is free to enter. All
participants must be registered, full-time students at a college, university or community college and members of a fishing club recognized by their college or university. For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow College Fishing on Facebook at Facebook.com/FLWFishing and on Twitter at Twitter.com/FLWFishing. Visit CollegeFishing.com to sign up or to start a club at your school.
Whitacre and Gywnn Take Walleye Madness Final
GENEVA-ON-THE-LAKE, OH — Walleye Madness Tournaments held their fourth and final tournament of the year on July 25 on Lake Erie. The soldout field launched out of Geneva State Park, looking for Lake Erie gold. Teams spread throughout the lake looking to score a record setting $3,000 first place prize. The team of Matt Whitacre and Jim Gywnn took top honors with 32.60# bag. In a close second Zak Jobes and Dan Niese with 32.00#. Jobes and Niese were also the top finishing Mercury outboard
19 team which earned them an additional $150. Tied for third place were the teams James Dean/Jeff Metzger and Frank Burkhart/Clint Kendrick with 31.55#. Dave Maholic and Mike Minton finished in fifth place with 31.20#. Jim Cooper and Steve Fielder took top Lund boat honors. Father/son team Ed and Nick Oleksy took Buckeye Big Fish with a 9.35# walleye. Teams spread throughout the central basin from Geneva to Conneaut. Teams fished anywhere from 55 to 76 feet of water. Both deep diving crankbaits and worm harnesses worked well, teams reported. Many teams also had success using dipsey divers to get down to fish lower in the water column. Deep Huskey jerks and Reef Runners also worked well. For full results go to www.walleyemadness.net. Walleye Madness Tournaments are sponsored by Buckeye Sports Center, Lund Boats, Mercury Marine, Oakley and Mepps. The series offers no-membership fee required 100% payout tournaments, plus $500 per event in sponsor bonuses. Cabela’s National Team Championship qualifying is provided by the series affiliation with the national organization, The Walleye Federation.