Ohio Valley Outdoor Times 12-2016 by Morning Journal

COLD FACTS ON '120-DEGREE RULE' - P.8 Slow Rolling Swimbaits Story inside page 6

Winter Whitetails

OV Outdoor Times

Gun season used to mark the figurative end of deer season. Yes, there were extended archery and muzzleloader seasons, but it just wasn’t the same once winter had arrived. Either the weather turned too cold or the deer had been pressured so much for so long that you didn’t By Ralph Scherder have a snowball’s chance of Hunting Editor seeing one during daylight hours. When I was growing up, if you didn’t have a buck by the end of gun season, you may as well hang it up till next year. That attitude has changed considerably in recent years, though, as more hunters realize that late season can be a great time to harvest a mature buck. For one thing, there’s more posted property nowadays than there used to be, and there’s a much greater interest in managing whitetails. More young bucks actually survive the hunting season and live to reach maturity than there used to be. Hunting trends have also shifted toward low pressure tactics. Rather than still hunting or driving deer all day, hunters are more inclined to hunt from stationary stands overlooking food plots, acorn flats, or funnels, and wait on natural movement. Because pressure during gun season isn’t as severe as it used to be, deer revert to their previous patterns much quicker. Not to mention all of a sudden those wily old bucks become somewhat predictable.

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EE!

Outdoor Times December 2016

As always, food is king in the world of whitetails. There’s only one time when food plays second fiddle, and that’s during the rut. When the rut’s over, food reclaims its rightful place at the top. Depending on weather conditions and availability, whitetails can key on certain food sources even more in the winter than they did in early fall. And, with the rut behind them, they have to feed hard and fast to replenish all the nutrients they lost from chasing does all fall. During winter months, the range of whitetails typically shrinks. The deeper the snow, the less distance they travel. In some cases, they reduce their movement by as much as 50% as they enter what scientists refer to as semi hibernation. In rare cases, whitetails can move so little that they actually starve to death even though food is a relatively short distance away. They just don’t get enough nutrition to keep warm during severe conditions. This time of year, deer prefer to frequent established food sources. Food plots and acorn flats are both viable options as long as the snow isn’t too deep or crusted with ice. Cuts and freshly timbered areas that have lots of accessible browse are great options once the snow really piles up. During these conditions, deer will bed as close to food sources as they can while still feeling secure. You should crowd these food sources, too, if you hope to intercept one of them. The trickiest part can be getting to and from your treestand without pushing them out. It might sound like taboo, but late season is a great time to hunt near a bait pile. Many hunters don’t like the idea of throwing out a couple hundred pounds of corn and hunting over it, but it can be an effective technique this time of year – just keep in mind that it’s not a cure all. In my opinion, Turn To Whitetails Page 4

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Ralph Scherder

During winter months, the range of whitetails typically shrinks. The deeper the snow, the less distance they travel.

INSIDE THIS MONTH

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

5 First Week of Ohio Gun Season

Slow-rolling Soft Swimbaits

Vintage Photos Spur Interest

6 7

The Year-round Story Behind Antlers

ODNR

15 Ohio’s Young

Jeff Knapp WVDNR

WV Deer Hunters

Bob Henke, AP

Larry Claypool ODNR

Hunters Harvest 6K Deer

PAGC

PA Bear Harvest

Alternative Ways to Get to Your Deer Grey D. Berrier II

The Cold Facts on the ‘120-Degree Rule’

OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Trap Shoots - 10-Bird Meat Shoots on three different Sundays; Dec. 18, Jan. 15 and Feb. 19. The Iceman Trap Event is Jan. 29, 2017. Regular trap shoots (open to public) held each Weds. and Sun. Sporting clays on 4th Sunday of month at Columbiana County Fish and Game Assoc. at 45716 Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, OH 44432. For info. contact Mike Giambroni at 330-383-2552 or visit www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Indoor Pistol/Rifle Events - Each Tuesday/Friday until April 2017 at Col. Cty Fish and Game Assoc. For info. email: ccfishgame@gmail.com or visit: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday (10 a.m.) through Dec. 18 at Chester-Newell Sportsmen’s Club. Cost $30 for package or $3 per shot. For information 330-383-1886 or 304-670-6058. 2017 Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show - Jan. 19-21, 2017 at new Mount Hope Event Center in Millersburg, OH. See Page 19 or full page on Page 20. Old Fashion Style Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday until further notice at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, 14480 Washingtonville Road, Washingtonville, OH. See Page 19 for more info.

Ohio Valley

December 2016

It’s just a fad. Right?

I’m waiting... waiting...waiting...OK, it may be a while. But I’ll wait! Really! Every fad runs its course and eventually dies down, levels off. I’m not really sure that Facebook is going to die out. It is fizzling, a little — By Larry Claypool losing its luster. We’ll Editor see. Personally, and professionally, I’m not very fond of Facebook now (see below). Social media is not going away, that’s for sure. There’s a lot of good things out there on social media, for individuals and businesses. I bring up social media, and Facebook, because it affects my job and the work I do, and other journalists everywhere. R e cently I had a discussion with a Division of Natural Resources representative (I won’t mention which state) and the end of the conversation went really weird for me. I had contacted this particular DNR office about some information I was seeking for a story — and after I received the answers I needed, I was told any follow-up information would be posted on Facebook. What? That slapped me in the face! That’s where we have gone? No press release? No formal public notification? Not even a mass email? Just “we’ll post it on Facebook”! Where has public relations (media relations) gone with our government agencies? It’s gone to Facebook? Many businesses and organizations have shifted to sending information — and advertising and marketing — toward social media. It’s just a fad. Right? What I’m hear to tell you — is anyone listening — is that the information highway can get a little bumpy as we rely on information to land accurately in social medialand. Or do we care — it’s a social thing? Maybe, but people confuse reality with the truth. And that’s a problem! “If you seen it on the Internet, it must be OV Outdoor Times

true.” NOT! I don’t like to hedge into politics but the recent national race for President of the United States dented the integrity of our mainstream media. And that hurts true journalists. But the garbage that appeared, from all sides, on social media the past two years has been appalling! And this should put any news organization, or any governmental agency, on alert about how information should be distributed. I actually think most of the state natural resources’ media, communications and PR entities that I deal with (we cover Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia) have shifted their attention toward social media. Why? Because it’s easier or less cost effective? I’m not sure. I’ve talked with one state communications officer about this subject and have read a few notices from others. It appears that posting information on social media saves money and time, as opposed to sending emails. When one state DNR office announced its new Facebook page and Twitter account 3-4 years ago the coordinator stated, the agency was attempting “to better communicate with our constituents.” And later added, “It’s another avenue of communication, and a very effective one.” I guess the media now falls under the ‘constituents’ category. Maybe that’s where the problem lies. I agree the notifications and information passed along by the DNRs on social media is beneficial, but media members should not have to ‘chase down’ story details on Facebook. The Internet is a great thing (thanks Al Gore) and can be a great tool (yes, I use it all day), but something’s got to break when it comes to getting reliable information to actual media outlets. We shouldn’t have to look through the junk piles of Facebook for information our readers seek and need. It also doesn’t help that ‘reliable’ news organizations are reporting news from items they’ve seen on Facebook or Twitter. That, I’m not waiting for!

To Advertise CALL 330-385-2243

Outdoor Times December 2016 VOL. 8, NO. 12 Ohio Valley Outdoor Times

is published by Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine©

Offices located at

210 E. 4th Street, East Liverpool, OH 43920 Phone 330-385-2243, Fax 330-385-7114 ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com

Publisher/Editor, Larry Claypool lclaypool@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com

Graphics Designer, Linda McKenzie lmckenzie@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com Sales Consultant, Tracy Bissell tbissell@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com advertising@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com

Contributing Editors

Ralph Scherder, Hunting Editor Jeff Knapp, Fishing Editor Brian Miller, Field Editor

QUESTIONS, COMMENTS

Ohio Valley Outdoor Times is all about its readers. We’d love to hear from you. Send us something at ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com

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December 2016

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Mandatory Life Jacket Requirement in PA

HARRISBURG, PA — When sunny days and fall foliage tempt the boater in you, don’t forget about your life jacket, especially if you are planning to use a canoe, kayak or similar small boat in the Commonwealth. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is reminding boaters that beginning November 1 and lasting through April 30, they are required to wear a life jacket while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or on any canoe or kayak. The requirement applies to all Pennsylvania waters. “Life jackets are the most important piece of safety equipment on a boat,“ says Ryan Walt, PFBC Boating and Watercraft Safety Manager. “According to Pennsylvania’s boating accident reports, almost 80 percent of all boating fatalities happen to boaters not wearing a life jacket. A disproportionate number of the fatalities occur during the months of November through April. During these cold weather months, boaters are especially at risk due to the water temperature and the

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

risk of sudden cold water immersion.” When a person is unexpectedly plunged into cold water below 70 degrees, the body’s first response is usually an involuntary gasp. Without a life jacket, a victim may inhale while under water and drown without coming back to the surface. If an individual does make it back to the surface, his ability to swim is usually restricted because of a shortness of breath or hyperventilation. Individuals who plan to fish, boat or hunt from a boat this fall or winter are encouraged to follow these cold water survival safety tips: • Always wear a life jacket, even when not required. Many models also offer insulation from cold air. Read the life jacket’s approval label to be sure it’s appropriate for your boating activity. • Never boat alone. • Leave a float plan with family or friends and know the waters you plan to boat. • Bring a fully charged cell phone with you in case of emergency. • Wear clothing that still insulates when wet, such as fleece, polypropylene or other synthetics. If possible, stay with the boat. Get back into or climb on top of the boat.

December 2016

Duck or Goose Bands: What to Do?

The U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) Bird Banding Laboratory currently administers bird banding permits, supplies and data for the North American Bird Banding Program. For more information, please visit http://www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/. Bird bands placed specifically by the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) are generally older bands and will usually include the notation “Avise USFWS” or “Avise FWS.” You may report any federal bird band, whether placed by FWS or another federal agency, on the Bird Banding Laboratory’s website or by calling the toll-free Bird Banding hotline at 1-800-327-BAND (1-800-327-2263). The hotline operator will need to know the band number and how, when and where the bird or band was found. The hotline number works from anywhere in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. Birds may also be banded by individuals or organizations other than the FWS or the Bird Banding Laboratory. In such cases, the band should provide the appropriate contact information. To learn more about other types of bands, including where they can be reported, please visit the Bird Banding Laboratory’s Identifying Unusual Bands web page. Finally, colored bands are used to identify individual birds visually and are types of auxiliary markers. — Answer provided by Flyways.us. Whitetails From Page 1

hunting over a bait pile is at its best when you’re not actually hunting over it. Deer aren’t stupid, and there’s a reason those mature whitetails have lived as long as they have. More often than not, those bucks will show up at the corn pile long after legal shooting hours. When I’ve had the opportunity to hunt over bait, most of the activity I’ve observed has been of younger bucks. If I want a chance at a real shooter, I hunt the fringes, well away from the bait, in the funnels between the bedding area and the bait station. If I know a nice buck is hitting the bait after dark, I increase my odds of tagging it by back tracking until I get as close to its bedding area as possible without spooking it and then set up my stand accordingly. Even if you have a hot setup, though, sitting still in a treestand this time of year can be rough. The cold definitely takes its toll, and the wind has a stronger bite than it did two months ago. It’s imperative to layer clothing and carry enough food and

water to replenish your body and stay hydrated. If you get too cold, now would be a good time to take a walk to get warmed up. Light, fluffy snow can be perfect for still hunting, and the white background makes spotting deer much easier. You can literally sneak right up on bedded deer under the right conditions. Back in October and November, it didn’t make sense to still hunt and risk pushing that big old buck off your property and into someone else’s sights. Even if you own a large tract of private property, a jumped deer can run a good distance before it feels safe enough to stop. This time of year, though, you don’t have to worry as much about the possibility of it ending up in front of another hunter. Late season deer hunting can be a rewarding experience. You’re hunting the survivors, after all, the ones that have eluded hunters all season long. That doesn’t mean they can’t be killed, though, so get out there and try your hand at hunting these cagey winter whitetails.

December 2016

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

First Week of Ohio Gun Season Falls Behind Last Year

COLUMBUS, OH — Hunters checked 66,759 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s 2016 deer-gun hunting season, Nov. 28-Dec. 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Last year, hunters checked 73,392 deer over the weeklong deer-gun season. Hunters checked 18,776 white-tailed deer on November 28, the opening day of Ohio’s deer-gun season. In 2015, 22,253 deer were reported the first day of the deer-gun season. The muzzleloader season is Jan. 7-10, 2017, and archery season remains open through Sunday, Feb. 5, 2017. The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations. 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. Hunting Popularity Hunting is the best and most effective management tool for maintaining Ohio’s healthy deer population. 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. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. A list of all white-tailed deer checked by hunters during the weeklong 2016 deer-gun hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest num-

bers for 2016, and the 2015 numbers are in parentheses. They are — Adams: 1,082 (1,585); Allen: 363 (387); Ashland: 1,225 (1,232); Ashtabula: 1,946 (2,002); Athens: 1,377 (1,666); Auglaize: 268 (299); Belmont: 1,360 (1,516); Brown: 823 (1,054); Butler: 289 (338); Carroll: 1,494 (1,576); Champaign: 356 (419); Clark: 184 (207); Clermont: 542 (776); Clinton: 260 (292); Columbiana: 1,307 (1,458); Coshocton: 2,325 (2,419); Crawford: 569 (576); Cuyahoga: 47 (46); Darke: 259 (282); Defiance: 773 (865); Delaware: 411 (418); Erie: 206 (192); Fairfield: 681 (760); Fayette: 108 (125); Franklin: 157 (133); Fulton: 362 (361); Gallia: 1,211 (1,523); Geauga: 479 (508); Greene: 203 (220); Guernsey: 1,885 (1,995); Hamilton: 155 (252); Hancock: 454 (486); Hardin: 477 (542); Harrison: 1,573 (1,664); Henry: 345 (365); Highland: 948 (1,189); Hocking: 1,288 (1,592); Holmes: 1,484 (1,362); Huron: 1,074 (1,006); Jackson: 1,031 (1,323); Jefferson: 1,138 (1,169); Knox: 1,942 (1,755); Lake: 167 (160); Lawrence: 795 (1,020); Licking: 1,609 (1,865); Logan: 639 (765); Lorain: 683 (637); Lucas: 129 (113); Madison: 158 (147); Mahoning: 594 (556); Marion: 403 (363); Medina: 604 (545); Meigs: 1,373 (1,544); Mercer: 262 (235); Miami: 196 (235); Monroe: 1,131 (1,316); Montgomery: 103 (128); Morgan: 1,179 (1,418); Morrow: 626 (584); Muskingum: 2,112 (2,283); Noble: 1,271 (1,333); Ottawa: 105 (97); Paulding: 425 (523); Perry: 1,156 (1,340); Pickaway: 270 (345); Pike: 753 (954); Portage: 559 (553); Preble: 235 (284); Putnam: 274 (304); Richland: 1,228 (1,222); Ross: 1,102 (1,264); Sandusky: 219 (258); Scioto: 890 (1,164); Seneca: 835 (779); Shelby: 334 (387); Stark: 798

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Ron DeSanzo

Ron DeSanzo harvested this nice eight-point buck in Columbiana County, Ohio during the first day of the 2016 gun season.

(863); Summit: 174 (167); Trumbull: 1,144 (1,142); Tuscarawas: 2,045 (1,999); Union: 271 (336); Van Wert: 211 (237); Vinton: 1,111 (1,440); Warren: 236 (319); Washington: 1,502

(1,738); Wayne: 730 (683); Williams: 655 (823); Wood: 286 (293); Wyandot: 716 (696). Total: 66,759 (73,392).

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Slow-rolling Soft Swimbaits OV Outdoor Times

From the back deck of my boat Mark made a long cast that landed just of the bank. Quickly engaging his reel, he began a slow retrieve with just enough speed to keep the soft-bodied swimbait By Jeff Knapp from hanging up on Fishing Editor a rock. The bait’s steady cadence was interrupted by a chunky smallmouth bass. It was one of several bass and walleyes that fell for the attractive action of the soft swimbait during a Veteran’s Day outing. Soft swimbaits are versatile lures, ones that appeal to a wide variety of gamefish throughout much of the year, including late fall and early winter. They come in a wide variety of configurations. The ones I’m focusing on here can be referred to as swimbait tails, in that they team up well when fished behind a leadhead jig of some sort. In general, soft swimbaits offer a minnow-shaped profile, and furnish a swim-

ming action, without any added input from the user. Most baits feature a bootshaped tail that undulates as the bait is retrieved, an action that suggests a real minnow. Others, like the Galida’s Grubz which enjoys a cult-like following, particularly around western Pennsylvania, feature a sickle-shaped tail. Lake Fork Tackle’s Live Magic Shad is yet another variation; it has a segmented body that had two hinge points that provide the bait’s freedom to swim. As more and more anglers are finding out, late fall is one of the best times to catch oversized fish. Species such as bass tend to actively feed until the water temperature drops to around the 40-degree mark. Currently it’s in the 50-degree range in our local waters. Bass are still feeding, but the presentation needs to be slow. Soft swimbaits can be worked slowly, using a method called slow-rolling. Initially, the tactic seems simple, just slowly winding the bait back in with little, if any, added action. But it requires Turn To Swimbait Page 7

December 2016

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Jeff Knapp

Slow-rolling a soft swimbait can result in nice bass during the late fall, like this one taken by Steve Gierl.

December 2016

Swimbait From Page 6

concentration, working the bait at pace to needed to maintain that just-off-thebottom position. The opening remarks described a scenario that took place on a river. But the method works equally well on lakes during the late fall. Like bumping the bait down a rocky ledge on Keystone Lake for big largemouth and smallies. A good friend of mine does the same thing on northwestern Pennsylvania’s Conneaut Lake, only in many cases ticking deep weeds in the 12 to 15-foot range. He’s taken many five-pound-plus largemouths and smallmouth from Conneaut during the late fall by slow-rolling a swimbait. Keitech’s Swing Impact is a good example of a soft-swimbait that excels using the slow-roll method. It’s slim, deeply-rigged body reacts at slow speeds. Offered in sizes ranging from 3 inch to 4.5 inches, an angler has four length options. Another good choice, and one I frequently reach for, is Bass Pro Shop’s Speed Shad, which comes in both 3.8 and 4.8 inch lengths. During outings last weekend we duped numerous bass and walleyes using the 4.8-inch version of the Speed Shad.

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

A variety of leadhead jig styles can be used for rigging the types of soft swimbaits discussed here. Standard roundhead jigs work well. I prefer a more streamlined shape, and instead opt for mushroom-shaped heads, like Gopher Tackle’s original Mushroom Head, and Bass Pro Shops’ Shroom Head. Quarterounce heads work well in most slowrolling situations. A downside to soft swimbaits is that oftentimes, at least in my experience, they are not be best “hooking” lures, in terms of hook-up ratio to bites. But I don’t think this is due to any weakness on the bait’s design, but rather how fish hit it. Often bass will intercept the bait from behind, and continue swimming in the same direction. They don’t always turn away, which provides the proper angle where the hook is embedded in the corner of the mouth. When the bass is still swimming toward you, the hookset angle is poor, and it’s also more difficult to get the line slack out for a good set. It’s a situation to expect, but not one to keep you from trying a slow-rolled swimbait this fall and early winter.

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WV Deer Hunters Harvest 45,871 Bucks

SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — Preliminary data collected from the electronic game checking system indicate deer hunters in West Virginia harvested 45,871 bucks during the two-week buck firearms season which ran from Nov. 21 through Dec. 3, 2016, according to Paul Johansen, chief of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Wildlife Resources Section. The 2016 buck harvest is down 25 percent from the 2015 harvest of 60,814. The top 10 counties for buck harvest were: Preston (1,769), Randolph (1,610), Jackson (1,482), Greenbrier (1,445), Ritchie (1,414), Upshur (1,392), Mason (1,266), Lewis (1,238), Hampshire (1,183) and Wood (1,182). The buck harvest decreased in all six DNR districts. The buck season harvest was predicted to decrease in the Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook brochure, primarily because of an increased number of acorns in 2016 compared to acorn crop production in 2015. In addition, high winds across much of the state limited deer activity and decreased success

rates on the first two days of the season. “Hunters continued to use the electronic game checking system established in 2015,” Johansen said. “Hunters enjoyed the ease of being able to check deer and other game using the telephone, Internet or by stopping at a license agent.” Johansen reminds hunters that several days of deer hunting opportunity still remain for 2016. The traditional antlerless deer season in selected counties on both public and private land opens Dec. 15, and runs through Dec. 17. The Youth, Class Q/QQ and Class XS deer season for antlerless deer will be open Dec. 26 and 27 in any county with a firearms deer season. This will be followed by the reopening of Class N/NN antlerless deer season Dec. 28-31 in specified counties or portions of counties. See the 2016 - 2017 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary or visit the DNR website at www.wvdnr.gov for county and area listings.

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

The Cold Facts on the ‘120-Degree Rule’

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The boat may be put away for the season, but the occasional warm fall day still brings plenty of paddlers out on the water. Knowing when to wear the thermal protection offered by a dry or wetsuit is key. However, a long-assumed guideline meant to help paddlers make the right decision, sometimes known as the “120-degree rule,” may instead put paddlers in danger. The 120-degree rule is a formula that adds together the air and water temperatures to determine when thermal protection is required. It assumes that if the total is above 120 F, that no dry or wetsuit is needed. “Using this simple formula,” says BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner, “a paddler could mistakenly believe that if air temperature is the low 70s and water temperature is hovering around the low 50s, that thermal protection is not necessary. That could not be farther from the truth.” Sensenbrenner says that warm fall or spring days give paddlers a false sense

of security. “Water temperatures have plunged, but the warm sun on your face hides the reality that accidentally going overboard at this time of year could quickly lead to trouble.” According to research, sudden coldwater immersion can kill in several ways: involuntary gasp reflex and hyperventilation, cold incapacitation, and immersion hypothermia. Not wearing a life jacket compounds the drowning risk. A word to the wise? “Always wear a life jacket when in an open boat or on deck, and consider the water temperature when dressing for your next boating adventure,” says Sensenbrenner. For more on cold-water boating including what to wear, go to BoatUS.org/cold-water-boating. About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water: The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the over half-million members of Boat Owners Association of

December 2016

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Current Designs

Knowing when to wear the thermal protection offered by a dry or wetsuit is key to your safety in cold water or air temperatures. The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of

America’s waterways and keeping boating safe for all. A range of boating safety courses - including 34 free state courses - can be found at BoatUS.org/courses.

Ohio’s Game Check System: Fact vs. Fiction

COLUMBUS, OH — Some hunters have voiced concerns that the ODNR online checking system encourages cheating and promotes poaching. We understand these valid concerns. So, let’s look at the facts: 1. The system provides an enormous convenience and cost savings to hunters because they are not required to transport their harvest. Does that convenience transform an honest hunter, who was previously willing to load up a deer or turkey and drive it across the county, into a poacher who is unwilling to check it over the phone or Internet? Probably not, because an honest hunter is likely to remain honest. 2. Because the system is in real-time, it is easier for law enforcement staff to make cases against poachers. In the past, collection and processing of check station forms often took weeks and officers had no way to know if someone had already checked in an animal in another part of the state, what was harvested, or when. The new system allows information to be instantly available, regardless of where the animal is harvested. For more Facts vs. Fiction on this and other wildlife topics, check out the latest Wild Ohio Magazine, or purchase a magazine membership online for $5.

Watts Named Southern WV Parks Chief

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (AP) — Lizzie Watts has been named superintendent overseeing three national parks in southern West Virginia. The National Park Service announced Watts’ selection Monday to oversee the New River Gorge National River, the Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River. Watts has spent her 25-year career with the Park Service in five different regions, including a previous stint as supervisory park ranger and acting chief of interpretation and education in southern West Virginia. She currently serves as superintendent of the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site and Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Tennessee. She will transition to her new position in January.

December 2016

PA Bear Harvest Results Released

HARRISBURG, PA — Hunters during the final day of Pennsylvania‘s statewide bear season Nov. 23 brought in 271 bears, raising the 2016 statewide season harvest to 2,579 — a decrease compared to the 2,693 bears taken during the four days of the statewide season in 2015. A final tally of the total bear harvest, which will include all bears harvested during the 2016 archery bear season and the extended bear seasons, will be released at a later date, after all bear seasons for the 2016-17 license year are completed. Bears were harvested in 53 counties during the statewide season in 2016. The top 10 bears processed at check stations through the close of the statewide season all were either estimated or confirmed to have live weights of 621 pounds or more. One bear taken on Nov. 23 joined the state’s top 10, it was taken by Donald Boandl, of Lake Ariel, Pa., harvested a 676-pound male in Dreher Township, Wayne County. It’s the second-heaviest bear taken during the statewide season. The largest of the state’s heaviest bears

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

— a male estimated at 700 pounds — was taken in Barrett Township, Monroe County, by Chad D. Nauman, of Cresco, Pa. He took it with a rifle at about 7 a.m. on Nov. 19, the season‘s opening day. Other large bears taken in the statewide season — all with a rifle — include: a 666-pound male taken Nov. 21 in Leidy Township, Clinton County, by Ryan Grieb, of Leesport, Pa.; a 662pound male, taken Nov. 21 in Homer Township, Potter County, by Grant Ruhl, of Lebanon, Pa.; a 649-pound male taken Nov. 22 in Armstrong Township, Lycoming County, by Gregory S. Fuller, of Williamsport, Pa.; a 642-pound male taken Nov. 19 in Sterling Township, Wayne County, by Randy D. Elders, of Greentown, Pa.; a 635-pound male, taken Nov. 21 in Hebron Township, Potter County, by Andrew Tiffany, of Athens, Pa; a 622-pound male taken Nov. 19 in Porter Township, Pike County, by Joseph M. Skutches Jr., of Nazareth, Pa.; a 621-pound male taken Nov. 19 in Tionesta Township, Forest County, by Ronald J. Reitlinger, of Cranberry Township, Pa.; a 621-pound male taken Nov. 21 in Briar Creek Township, Columbia County, by Kerry Lauer, of Berwick, Pa. The overall 2015 bear harvest was

PA Elk Harvest Results Released

HARRISBURG, PA — More than 78 percent of the hunters participating in Pennsylvania’s 2016 elk hunt have taken home a trophy. The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently announced 97 elk were taken by hunters during the regular one-week elk season that ended Nov. 5. And for those licensed to hunt antlered elk, also known as bulls, the success rate was 96 percent. The 2016 harvest included some large elk. Fourteen bulls each were estimated to weigh 700 pounds or more, with two going more than 800 pounds. The heaviest bull taken in this year’s hunt was estimated at 824 pounds. That bull, which sported a 9-by8 rack, was taken Oct. 31 by Stephen Winter, of Perkasie. The other 800-plus-pound bull (813 pounds), which had a 7-by-8 rack, was harvested with a bow on Nov. 4 by Steven Armburger, of Guys Mills. The largest bull in terms of rack size was a 9-by-8, harvested Nov. 2 by Joshua Fuqua, of Clymer. Its rack initially was measured at 418-6/8 inches, according to Boone & Crockett big-game scoring standards. The second-highest-scoring bull, taken on Oct. 31, by Donald Newman, of Andreas, had an 8-by-9 rack initially measured at 407-2/8 inches. That bull weighed 776 pounds. Official measurements of these bulls cannot be taken until the antlers have air dried for at least 60 days after the animal was killed. Pennsylvania elk are well represented in the Boone & Crockett Club’s records, and in the state record book. Other large bulls taken include a 6-by-7 weighing 797 pounds taken by Michael Baer, of Waynesboro; a 6-by-7 weighing 761 pounds taken by Mark Butcher, of Newport; a 6-by-7 weighing 745 pounds taken by Israel Messinger, of Palmerton; a 6-by6 weighing 741 pounds taken by Paul Scansaroli, of Downingtown; and a 6-by-6 also weighing 741 pounds taken by Eddy Stamm, of Jersey Shore. There also were some large antlerless elk taken in the harvest. Eleven of the 73 cows taken by hunters during the one-week season weighed over 500 pounds. Fifty-six elk— 10 bulls and 46 cows — of the 97 harvested were taken on the opening day of the elk season Oct. 31. To participate in the elk hunt, hunters must submit an application, then must be selected through a random drawing and purchase a license. The drawing annually attracts more than 30,000 applicants.

3,748, the third-largest in state history. In 2014, hunters took a total of 3,366 bears — the seventh-largest harvest all time. The largest harvest — 4,350 bears — happened in 2011, when preliminary two-day totals numbered 2,709. The top bear hunting county in the statewide season was Clinton County, with 191. It held off Lycoming County, where hunters took 172 bears during the statewide season. Harvests by top county and region during the statewide season are: Northwest (473): Warren, 121 (122); Venango, 82 (73); Forest, 73 (72); Jefferson, 66 (58); Clarion, 49 (64); Crawford, 46 (12); Erie, 18 (5); Butler, 9 (18); and Mercer, 9 (7). Southwest (244): Somerset, 83 (64); Fayette, 59 (56); Westmoreland, 33 (23); Indiana, 30 (19); Armstrong, 22 (40); Cambria, 17 (25); and Allegheny, 0 (1). Northcentral (1,086): Clinton, 191 (224); Lycoming, 172 (237); Tioga, 156 (136); Potter, 139 (72); McKean, 102 (89); Clearfield, 93 (110); Centre, 78 (110); Cameron, 71 (75); Elk, 71 (75); and Union, 13 (25) and Southcentral (279); Northeast (446) and Southeast (51).

Hillcrest Public Shooting Range Closed

HANCOCK COUNTY, WV — The West Virginia DNR District 1 Wildlife office has temporarily closed until further notice the Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area public shooting range (Hancock County) within the district, according to Steve Roach, District 1 Wildlife Biologist. Roach said in early November the District office was made aware of some ricocheting shots getting out of the range facility, so it was closed for safety reasons. Roach added that officials are not sure if the stray shots were isolated incidents or if a problem at the range needs to be addressed. “There is a process to get an evaluation of the range,” said Roach. The Hillcrest outdoor shooting range offers a 100-yard maximum backstop distance with seven covered shooting benches. The District will offer updates on the range’s availability on its website: www.wvdnr.gov. Also, the Pedlar WMA (Monongalia County) shooting range has also been closed until further notice due to similar issues, according to Roach.

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Alternative Ways to Get to Your Deer OV Outdoor Times

Do you still have an unfilled 2016-17 deer tag? Has it been a year or more since you even harvested a whitetail? If you’re honest with yourself, maybe it’s because your deer hunting has By Col.(Ret.)Grey D. Berrier II gotten to the point FIN Pro Staff where it meets Albert Einstein’s definition of insanity. (You’ve probably heard the quote and may not know it is attributed to the brilliant theoretical physicist.) It was Einstein who postulated, “Insanity is doing something over and over again, and expecting a different result.” If your deer hunting consists of hunting the same spots time after time and you harvest nothing, the cold hard reality is you probably need to change something up. If you’re constantly seeing deer and just getting routinely busted because they’re detecting your presence before you ever get a shot with the bow or a firearm, then possibly you may need to work on your camouflage, concealment, scent containment, noise discipline, or patience. However, if

the truth is you are diligent regarding your woodsmanship skills and you are seeing very few deer or possibly none at all where you are hunting; then the practical reality is you probably need to hunt deer somewhere else. There was a fascinating study conducted on the hunting habits of PA deer hunters during the 2003-04 hunting season by wildlife researchers from Penn State University in cooperation with the PA Game Commission and the PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. Their study area was the 280,000 acre Sproul State Forest in Clinton and Centre Counties of northcentral PA, just north of Interstate 80. Sproul State Forest is part of PA’s “Big Woods” and their study consisted of two primary components. First, they surveyed hundreds of deer hunters and asked them two simple questions: (1) “How far did you walk in off the road to your stand?” and (2) “How far did you walk during the entire day?” The standard replies to those two questions were: (1) “I walked in about a mile” and (2) “Over the course of the day, I walked a total of 7 to 8 miles.” What made this study so ground-break-

ing was the second component. These same deer hunters were voluntarily outfitted with GPS tracking units and the actual data of their deer hunting travels afield was recorded. When subsequently plotted and analyzed, the results were amazing. The facts were the average deer hunter only walked into the woods 1/3 of a mile from the nearest road or man-made trail (that’s less than 2,000 feet) and during the course of the day, he or she walked a total of 1.75 miles on average. (An interesting side note was that the overwhelming majority of these same deer hunters could not accurately plot on a map of Sproul State Forest where they had actually parked or traveled in the woods.) The part of this study that completely boggles my mind is one of the conclusions these researchers drew. Based on the existing highway, road, and trail networks found in PA, they estimated potentially 40% of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania never gets hunted, simply because most hunters are not willing to put forth the extra effort to reach somewhat inaccessible areas. If you let that sink in, their findings lead one to believe there are potentially deer in parts of PA which may never be hunted in their lifetimes. (The same can be extrapolated regarding black bears and turkeys.) While I find the 40% un-hunted land figure hard to comprehend, I do know there are definitely places in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia that seldom, if ever, receive hunting pressure. The reasons for this lack of deer hunting pressure are multi-fold. It could be a distance factor, where most hunters are not willing to walk in that far or simply dread the thought of having to drag a deer out from such a remote location. Alternatively, it could be the terrain or vegetation is so inhospitable most hunters don’t want to put up with the hassle of getting in there. Finally, it could simply be the land is private property and the landowner does not permit hunting at all (essentially creating a sanctuary situation). Unfortunately, you can’t do anything about the private property restriction, unless you’re fortunate enough to obtain the landowner’s permission to hunt there. You can decide to be a hunter who breaks your routine deer hunting paradigm and gets serious about bringing home some venison. 1. Go in Further - Over time, like the deer, you’ve probably come to learn where most other hunters typically move and take a stand on the property you are familiar with. Like me, you can probably predict where they will park and already know the spots where hunters will be found, frequently within 100 yards of their vehicle. To be successful, sometimes you must be willing to go back in further to find

December 2016

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

Sometimes you have to work a little harder than the next guy or gal to get where the deer are. Moving by boat is just one of several alternative means to get back further in the woods away from roads, vehicles, and other hunters.

where the deer have moved to avoid the hunting pressure associated with the road network. It also pays to have a plan in advance, whether that includes a deer cart or a sled, to get your whitetail out of the woods after you’ve made the shot. 2. Get into Difficult Spots - Almost every area you hunt has them, small pockets or larger sections of inhospitable vegetation or difficult to negotiate terrain which most hunters avoid. (The deer also know this fact and that’s why they’ll head there.) Many of these locations are overgrown with multi-flora rose or consist of a maze of toppings from a previous timber harvest intertwined with a nearly impenetrable growth of saplings. On closer inspection, you’ll often see where deer weave through these “jungles” and frequently wonder how a mature buck with his majestic antlers can even fit through the narrow openings. These are the places where thorn-proof field pants, knee pads, and gloves are mandatory protection to save your skin and avoid bloodshed on the many thorns. Numerous times I have gotten within 10 feet of whitetails while crawling on my hands and knees to penetrate their domains. Often these hotspots are within sight of other hunters, but purposely ignored, simply because they’re too thick and formidable. Turn To Alternative Page 11

December 2016

Alternative From Page 10

3. Hip Boots or Waders - It has been my experience mature deer, particularly big bucks, seem to gravitate towards bottomlands and swampy ground, which hunters frequently avoid. I hunt one spot in Trumbull County, OH where hip boots are required to get across the march at the base of a large beaver dam in order to get to the oak-covered ridge on the other side. Numerous times I’ve made the trek in the predawn darkness, before changing into hunting boots and stashing my hip boots in a hollow tree while I hunt. 4. Canoe, Kayak, or Boat - Thoughts of a majestic whitetail buck laid out in the front of a canoe are typically associated with Maine’s Big Woods, New York’s Adirondacks, or Minnesota’s Boundary Waters. However, there are a few locals who know this can be an excellent tactic on our waterways here in OH, PA, and WV. I grew up in eastern PA where we employed jonboats to hunt deer on the islands in the Susquehanna River, north of Harrisburg. I’ve come to know a few hunters who reach the

DU, Others Discuss Conservation Challenges

MEMPHIS, TN — Ducks Unlimited (DU), Axalta Coating Systems, ConocoPhillips and Caterpillar Inc., recently conducted a panel discussion on conservation challenges and solutions during the 2016 Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Conference in Baltimore, MD. Titled “Facing the conservation challenges of our time through partnership, philanthropy and investment,” the panel covered three working models for positive relationships between corporations and non-profit conservation organizations partnerships, philanthropy and investments. “Ducks Unlimited is grateful for the support and partnership provided by these companies, along with many others, who are dedicated to a win-win conservation model that has long-term landscape level impact, improving the communities we live in and the overall quality of life for all wildlife and people,” said Amy Batson, DU’s chief fundraising officer. “These companies are leaders in their vision and understanding of sustainability that will significantly impact our continent for gen-

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

forests along remote stretches of Moraine State Park’s Lake Arthur by boat to pursue deer each fall. 5. Horseback or Bicycle - While most public lands in PA are off-limits to motorized vehicles, there are significant stretches that do permit the use of horses or mountain bikes to get into the “backcountry” on the many miles of gated forest roads and trails that exist. While more typically associated with hunts in the Western U.S., a horse can get a hunter and their gear into the woods and help bring a deer out, just as effectively here in the east. Chances are extremely high you’ve never seen a deer hunter on horseback in OH, PA, or WV; but for individuals who want to go back in further than anyone else, a horse is an excellent means to reach inaccessible places foot-bound hunters never penetrate. Creative approaches and honest hard work will result in more deer harvested year after year. You can choose to change things up when it comes to where and how you hunt deer. Read this full story in the Winter Issue of Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine, on newsstands now.

erations to come.” The Wildlife Habitat Council Conservation Conference is the leading conference of corporate and conservation professionals who come together to learn, network and celebrate conservation milestones. Discussions during the event focus on important topics related to corporate conservation, employee engagement and community relations. “We’re committed to providing quality learning at the Conservation Conference, and DU provides a perspective that is important to our members,” said Margaret O’Gorman, president, Wildlife Habitat Council. “The conservation challenge is so great that partnerships such as those highlighted by DU are critical to meet our common goal of functioning ecosystems and a healthier planet.” For more information about DU, visit www.ducks.org. To learn more about the Wildlife Habitat Council, visit www.wildlifehc.org. Ducks Unlimited Inc. is the world’s largest nonprofit organization dedicated to conserving North America’s continually disappearing waterfowl habitats. Established in 1937, Ducks Unlimited has conserved more than 13.6 million acres thanks to contributions from more than a million supporters across the continent. Guided by science and dedicated to program efficiency, DU works toward the vision of wetlands sufficient to fill the skies with waterfowl today, tomorrow and forever.

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

The Year-round Story Behind Antlers

Bob Henke, The Associated Press

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It is deja vu all over again every fall. I stop in the local Stewartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shop for a coffee and someone notices my brush pants or sees the dog and shotgun in the truck. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Arenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t you going deer hunting? Did you already get a deer?â&#x20AC;? The fact is I just do not get that excited about pursuing swamp donkeys. Perhaps it is from years of handling deer on the job but, unless the freezer is really empty, my tags might stay right in the house for the whole season. If I do feel inclined, it is often quite late in the season when most everyone else has given it up. My last five bucks have been taken on the afternoon of the last day of the season. I am similarly unimpressed by antlers. I typically pass up little young-of-theyear spike horns but faced with choosing between a gnarly oldster and a nice, tender two-year-old six-point, the better-eating youngster would go with me every time. This does not, however, mean I am unimpressed with the process that produces deer antler. It is fascinating. A whitetail deer does not have

â&#x20AC;&#x153;hornsâ&#x20AC;?. Horns are a permanent fixture, made up of a mass of specialized hair follicles. Cattle and goats have horns. Deer re-grow their headgear each year. Boney projections that are deciduous, or shed each year, are called â&#x20AC;&#x153;antlersâ&#x20AC;&#x153;. Members of the deer family, including moose and caribou, have antlers. The antlers of the deer family are the most primitive form of artiodactyl horn but they are also the most structurally complex. The grand champion cervid was the Irish Elk, which grew antlers as much as 10 feet across and weighing up to 300 pounds. They became extinct after the last ice age, perhaps because forests grew up too thick for them to easily pass or perhaps simply because the energy system would no longer support such extravagant use of energy. The reigning champion nowadays is the moose, whose huge palmated antlers average 60 and may weigh as much as 100 pounds. The fine buck you see in the fall spends the winter as bald as the does. Unlike the doe, however, there is a projection on each side of the top of his head called a pedicle. In the spring, the deerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s body reacts to the increasing amounts of

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ultraviolet light in the longer days. The surface of the pedicle begins to put on new layers of bone. Throughout the course of the spring and early summer this growth continues as the new antler lengthens and branches out. During this period of rapid growth the antler is covered with a unique soft skin called velvet. The velvet is filled with blood vessels to carry calcium and other nutrients to the growing antler. Antler formation is the fastest bone growth that occurs in the entire natural world. The buck is very careful with his head during this time since the antlers are very easily injured and the velvet is richly endowed with nerve endings to remind him not to knock them about. There are also blood vessels supplying the interior of the antler through bony tubes called lamellae. The size and shape of the growing antlers are determined to a certain extent by the age and genetics of the individual deer but are also quite dependent on the amount and quality of feed which the deer has during the summer. Fallâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s shorter days bring changes in the buckâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s antlers. The decrease in ultraviolet light causes the blood vessels around the pedicle to contract and cut off the blood flow to the velvet and the interior of the antler. The velvet dries and begins to come off in great shreds as the antler dries out, shrinks to a certain extent, and becomes hard polished bone. The lamellae remain between the antler and the pedicle. This effectively â&#x20AC;&#x153;nailsâ&#x20AC;? the antler to the deerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s head. About this time the buck begin to make â&#x20AC;&#x153;rubsâ&#x20AC;? selecting a sapling and scrubbing his newly hardened antlers up and down, doing a great deal of damage to the tree. Folk lore holds that the velvet itches and the buck is rubbing it off. This is impossible since the nerve systems in the velvet and antler have long since died with the cutoff of the blood flow. Actually the mating season is beginning and the buck is beginning to have secretions from the glands in his forehead which proclaim to all other deer that this is his territory. The antlers are also something of a novelty. Here is something that has been tender for several months and now all of a sudden there is no feeling in it. Look how we react to a shot of Novocain. The patient will always poke and prod at the numbed area, at least until the feeling comes back. During the breeding season, called the â&#x20AC;&#x153;rutâ&#x20AC;? the antlers serve as jousting weapons and also as a means of intimidating smaller rivals. This usefulness is short-lived. As the days get even shorter, causing additional changes, the pedicle

December 2016

Ohio Valley Outdoorsâ&#x20AC;&#x201C; Photo courtesy of Metro Creative

The antlers of the deer family are the most primitive form of artiodactyl horn but they are also the most structurally complex. This whitetail offers a very nice rack of antlers.

begins to get ready to grow new antlers. As part of this process, its cells absorb any available calcium from the blood stream or adjoining tissues, including the lower portion of the lamellae. Just as a rusty nail weakens the structure, eroded lamellae cause the attachment of the antler to become less firm. The larger the rack, the heavier the lamellae system and the longer it takes to absorb the attachment. By January or February, however, it is so weak that the antler is dislodged and drops off. Actually, a deer is too handy with his hind feet to simply let the antlers drop off. Biologists have found that at a certain point the deer simply kicks the loosened antlers off, and goes on about his business. For a while, immediately following the loss of the antlers, a large buck can still be recognized because from force of habit he continues to hold his ears down at port arms, to clear the antler beams that are no longer there. A few lucky people find antlers in the woods but for the most part they are consumed by mice, squirrels and especially porcupines for the rich mineral content. Surprisingly, buck deer also use them for chew toys, recovering some of the valuable minerals to help grow a larger rack. I did take a nice 9 point a few years ago. I should just put those antlers in the truck. I could change the tag every year and then maybe people would quit berating me for bird hunting during the deer season.

December 2016

CUFFS & COLLARS

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Field reports from ODNR Division of Wildlife Officers

Central Ohio – Wildlife District One State Wildlife Officer Tyler Eldred, assigned to Morrow County, received information from the Morrow County Sheriff’s Office that a vehicle had discarded processed deer parts in a ditch near a stream. A partial plate was retrieved from the suspect’s vehicle, but neither the suspect nor the vehicle could be located for several weeks. One day, Officer Eldred was contacted by a deputy who had obtained a valid address for the suspect. Officer Eldred was able to make contact with the suspect at his residence, and further investigation revealed that not only were the deer parts illegally dumped, but neither of the two deer had been properly checked in. Two individuals were found guilty of multiple violations and paid nearly $700 in fines and court costs. During the 2016 Ohio dove hunting season, State Wildlife Officer John Coffman, assigned to Fayette County, received information from Ohio’s Turn In a Poacher (TIP) hotline concerning two men who were shooting doves off power lines. Officer Coffman reached the men’s

location and watched as one of the men shot a dove from a power line. Further investigation revealed that the men had been hunting that day in the morning and in the evening, and both were over their daily bag limit of doves. Both men were found guilty of harvesting doves in excess of the daily bag limit, and one of the firearms was forfeited to the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Northwest Ohio – Wildlife District Two During the summer, State Wildlife Officer Ryan Kennedy, assigned to Hardin County, received a complaint that a Hancock County resident was taking and keeping undersized snapping turtles. Officer Kennedy was able to contact the suspect and found a 9-inch snapping turtle shell in his possession. Further investigation revealed the suspect had harvested the turtle with the 9-inch carapace. The suspect was issued a citation for the violation and paid $150 in fines and court costs. State wildlife officers were patrolling Paulding County when they came across six garbage bags of trash dumped along a

Ohioan’s Harvest 2,000+ Wild Turkeys COLUMBUS, OH — Hunters harvested 2,168 wild turkeys during Ohio’s 2016 fall wild turkey season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Ohio’s 2016 fall wild turkey hunting season was open in 56 counties Oct. 8-Nov. 27. During the 2015 fall wild turkey season 1,535 turkeys were harvested. Wild turkeys were extirpated in Ohio by 1904 and were reintroduced in the 1950s by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s first modern day wild turkey season opened in the spring of 1966 in 9 counties, and hunters checked 12 birds. The wild turkey harvest topped 1,000 for the first time in 1984. Spring turkey hunting opened statewide in 2000. Fall turkey season first opened in 19 counties in 1996. For summaries of past turkey seasons, visit wildohio.gov/turkeyharvest Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. Note: A list of all wild turkeys checked during the 2016 fall hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest

numbers for 2016, and the 2015 numbers are in parentheses: Adams: 30 (44); Ashland: 25 (27); Ashtabula: 66 (73); Athens: 63 (31); Belmont: 47 (33); Brown: 20 (26); Butler: 13 (13); Carroll: 30 (21); Clermont: 28 (43); Columbiana: 31 (43); Coshocton: 94 (43); Cuyahoga: 9 (2); Defiance: 26 (18); Delaware: 10 (9); Fairfield: 24 (14); Franklin: 2 (1); Gallia: 57 (50); Geauga: 32 (45); Guernsey: 79 (35); Hamilton: 11 (10); Harrison: 68 (32); Highland: 34 (40); Hocking: 57 (52); Holmes: 74 (27); Huron: 13 (6); Jackson: 50 (43); Jefferson: 39 (30); Knox: 43 (34); Lake: 12 (11); Lawrence: 32 (31); Licking: 54 (36); Lorain: 19 (29); Mahoning: 27 (23); Medina: 28 (22); Meigs: 79 (33); Monroe: 86 (21); Morgan: 52 (13); Morrow: 8 (17); Muskingum: 64 (27); Noble: 74 (35); Perry: 62 (29); Pike: 39 (35); Portage: 31 (38); Richland: 31 (21); Ross: 25 (24); Scioto: 23 (27); Seneca: 11 (6); Stark: 41 (27); Summit: 16 (12); Trumbull: 42 (50); Tuscarawas: 92 (23); Vinton: 47 (35); Warren: 9 (9); Washington: 54 (23); Wayne: 10 (13); Williams: 25 (20); Total: 2,168 (1,535).

road. Further investigation revealed the trash contained mail from four different individuals at the same city of Paulding address. Over the course of several days the officers contacted three different individuals at the residence and identified a suspect. The suspect was issued a summons in Paulding County Court for litter, and ordered to pay a $260 fine. Residents of the home were ordered to pick up the litter from the roadside. Northeast Ohio – Wildlife District Three State Wildlife Officer Eric Moore, assigned to Medina County, was on patrol checking hunters on Spencer Wildlife Area. He observed three hunters in full camo hunting waterfowl over a spread of decoys. As Officer Moore approached the hunters, he noticed them fumbling with something inside the boat. As he identified himself, Officer Moore noticed that two of the three individuals were holding shotguns. Another shotgun was partially hidden inside a gun case behind the third hunter. Further investigation found that the shotgun was capable of holding more than three shells, which is prohibited when hunting migratory game birds. The hunter was issued a summons for the violation and paid $242 in fines and court costs.

While patrolling Tappan Lake, State Wildlife Officer Nick Turner, assigned to Harrison County, observed a man and a woman fishing from the shoreline across the lake. When Officer Turner contacted the couple to check their fishing licenses, it was discovered that the woman had a valid license and her male counterpart did not. The man was issued a summons for fishing without a license and paid $135 in fines and court costs. Southeast Ohio – Wildlife District Four State Wildlife Officer Brian Baker, assigned to Belmont County, received complaints about multiple road hunting incidents in Belmont County. One evening, Officer Baker was watching an intersection when a vehicle drove up and slowly illuminated the surrounding fields. Office Baker was able to make contact with the driver of the vehicle near the intersection. Further investigation revealed deer blood and hair in the bed of the truck and information suggesting that a deer had been killed in West Virginia. However, the suspect did not have a valid West Virginia hunting license or deer tag, and did not game check a deer in West Virginia. West Virginia conservation offiTurn To Cuffs Page 18

Send us your trophy photos

Bill Hall 147", 21-pt., crossbow Franklin County, OH

Also for our Photo Showcase

Connor Mayle turkey Trumbull County, OH

email to: ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com mail to: Photo Showcase 210 East 4th Street East Liverpool, OH 43920

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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Vintage Photos Spur Interest

By Larry Claypool

A while back I placed a classified advertisement in the local newspapers in Columbiana County, Ohio (where our office is located) asking for readers to share â&#x20AC;&#x153;Vintage Hunting and Fishing Photosâ&#x20AC;?. The response has been very good and we thought weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d share a few of those in this issue. We also hope to spur more interest in saving old photographs from the garbage bins. As with most outdoor adventures â&#x20AC;&#x201D; hunting and fishing tales â&#x20AC;&#x201D; thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s usually more to the story. The old photos are documents, testaments of some great adventures and many offer a unique story, and in some cases provide recorded history of this region. Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve found that to be the case in many of the vintage photographs weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve received. A good example of that would be of the two photos on this page. Both photos are from the Lisbon, Ohio area. They were provided by the Lisbon Historical Society. The hunting camp photos come from the Lisbon Rod and Gun Club, 1880â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s era. The bottom photo (men posing under

a tent) features men wearing college insignia sweaters, squirrel tails hanging from a clothes line and a few hunting dogs. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s tagged, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Rod & Gun Club Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Social Groupâ&#x20AC;?. The other photo, with no markings other than six names, appears to be at another location but has some of the same names handwritten on the photosâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; borders. The hunters in the photo are holding raccoon pelts and trying to hold still three dogs for the photograph. Gene Krotky, curator of the Lisbon Historical Society, said the photos from the hunting club are part of several the society has obtained. My research continues to seek out where the Rod and Gun Club was actually located. Krotky believes the club, at one time, was located in the Elkton, Ohio area near Little Beaver Creek. If you have any information about the old Lisbon Rod and Gun Club, or any of the names that are attached to these photos please contact me at 330-385-2243. I am working on additional stories that relate to the vintage photographs and will publish more photos that readers have shared with us.

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December 2016

Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of Lisbon Historical Society

This 1880â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s circa photo shows hunters from the Lisbon Rod and Gun Club hoisting raccoon pelts in their hunting camp. Some of the names listed (in no order) on the photo are: L. Johnson, George Groves, Barney Springer, J. Vogan, B. Huston and Tom Toot.

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Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of Lisbon Historical Society

This 1880â&#x20AC;&#x2122;s circa photo shows hunters from the Lisbon Rod and Gun Clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Menâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Social Group. Notice the squirrel tails hanging as trophies along the tent roof. Some of the names listed (in no order) are: B. Huston, Bill Steele, T. Toot, L. Johnson, John Vogan, J.F. Steele and John Morrow.

December 2016

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Ohio’s Young Hunters Harvest Nearly 6,000 Deer

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio’s young hunters braved less than ideal weather conditions recently and checked 5,930 white-tailed deer during the two-day youth gun season, November 19-20, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). During last year’s youth gun season, 7,223 white-tailed deer were checked. Youth hunters could pursue deer with a legal shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun or specific straight-walled cartridge rifle and were required to be accompanied by a non-hunting adult during the two-day season. The youth deer-gun season is one of four special youth-only hunting seasons designed to offer a dedicated hunting experience for young hunters. Youth hunting seasons are also available for small game, wild turkey and waterfowl. Ohio offers many more opportunities for hunters of all ages to pursue deer. The deer-gun season opened Nov. 28, and ran through Dec. 4. A second season runs Dec. 17-18. Deer-muzzleloader season is Jan. 7, through Jan. 10, 2017. Deerarchery season is open through Feb. 5, 2017. Find complete details in the 20162017 Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations at wildohio.gov.

Youth hunters can commemorate their hunt with a First Harvest certificate, available at wildohio.gov. Participants can upload a photo and type in their information to personalize the certificate. Hunters can also share photos by clicking on the Photo Gallery tab online. For summaries of past deer seasons, visit wildohio.gov/deerharvest. The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations. 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. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. A county list of all white-tailed deer checked by youth hunters using a shotgun, muzzleloader, handgun or straight-walled cartridge rifle during the 2016 youth deergun hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2016, and the 2015 numbers are in parentheses. The youth deer-gun numbers may include controlled hunts. The list by county: Adams: 139 (170); Allen: 37 (44); Ashland: 111 (149); Ashtabula: 108 (147); Athens: 106

(169); Auglaize: 35 (52); Belmont: 147 (167); Brown: 70 (100); Butler: 19 (25); Carroll: 127 (140); Champaign: 36 (47); Clark: 11 (20); Clermont: 56 (65); Clinton: 25 (37); Columbiana: 117 (122); Coshocton: 222 (258); Crawford: 34 (37); Cuyahoga: 0 (0); Darke: 22 (21); Defiance: 63 (75); Delaware: 26 (42); Erie: 72 (17); Fairfield: 53 (79); Fayette: 18 (18); Franklin: 6 (8); Fulton: 20 (30); Gallia: 114 (124); Geauga: 41 (39); Greene: 21 (18); Guernsey: 197 (188); Hamilton: 18 (13); Hancock: 40 (50); Hardin: 48 (58); Harrison: 116 (183); Henry: 25 (20); Highland: 96 (132); Hocking: 73 (125); Holmes: 145 (203); Huron: 80 (85); Jackson: 108 (135); Jefferson: 98 (117); Knox: 144 (182); Lake: 6 (8); Lawrence: 84 (69); Licking: 138 (182); Logan: 74 (82); Lorain: 62 (56); Lucas: 6 (15); Madison: 21 (19); Mahoning: 38 (65); Marion: 36 (31); Medina: 42 (38); Meigs: 152 (171); MerOhio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Rod Mayle cer: 32 (47); Miami: 25 (29); Monroe: 112 Connor Mayle harvested this doe in (128); Montgomery: 4 (7); Morgan: 121 (143); Morrow: 38 (52); Muskingum: 162 Columbiana County on the opening day of Ohio youth gun season. (200); Noble: 118 (114); Ottawa: 20 (18); Paulding: 44 (49); Perry: 101 (128); Pickaway: 27 (41); Pike: 85 (83); Portage: 32 carawas: 178 (226); Union: 31 (36); Van (104); Preble: 22 (43); Putnam: 34 (38); Wert: 19 (38); Vinton: 87 (102); Warren: Richland: 99 (116); Ross: 128 (162); San- 26 (35); Washington: 126 (145); Wayne: dusky: 29 (15); Scioto: 72 (127); Seneca: 72 (79); Williams: 32 (48); Wood: 30 75 (95); Shelby: 47 (67); Stark: 62 (64); (28); Wyandot: 52 (79). Summit: 6 (9); Trumbull: 79 (81); Tus- Total: 5,930 (7,223).

December 2016

Brenden Emerick, age 9 1st deer, crossbow Columbiana County, OH

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

PHOTO SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY

Connor Mayle doe, 2016 Youth Gun Season Columbiana County, OH

Eli Stewart 6pt., 1st deer, rifle Wetzel County, WV

Natalie Witheron 8pt., bow, 18 yards Columbiana County, OH

Sheldon Horst 8-pt., bow Columbiana County, OH

Send Us Your Photos

Les Grimes, age 13 5-pt. buck Columbiana County, OH

Tyler Lippiatt, age 15 9-pt., 1st buck, crossbow Columbiana County, OH

Corben Call 8-pt., gun season Hancock County, WV

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.

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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

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Cuffs From Page 13

cers are expected to charge the suspect with multiple violations. The suspect could also be charged in Ohio.

Southwest Ohio â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Wildlife District Five State Wildlife Officer Gus Kiebel, assigned to Clermont County, was on patrol when he located a vehicle that was

December 2016

off the roadway and parked in a field. Using vehicle information, Officer Kiebel determined that the owner had a valid hunting license and valid deer permit, and decided to not disturb the hunter. The next day, Officer Kiebel was reviewing deer harvest data for Clermont County. He noticed that the owner of the vehicle from the previous evening had checked a deer as a landowner harvest.

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Officer Kiebel visited the hunter and spoke with him about where he killed the deer. The hunter told him the deer was harvested behind his house. Further in- Ohio Valley Outdoors-Magazine vestigation revealed that the hunter had harvested the deer on a different property. The man was charged with providing false information while game checking a deer and paid $125 in fines in Clermont County Municipal Court.

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December 2016

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

NE Ohio Sportsman Show to Move in 2017

MILLERSBURG, OH — Jody Witzky of JW Promotions, of Howard, OH, has announced that the 2017 Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show will be held at the new Mount Hope Event Center in Millersburg, OH on January 19-21, 2017. The show had previously had a long-standing run at the Buckeye Event Center in Dalton, OH. It was announced after last year’s event that a new location would be needed in 2017. “We are excited about this move and look forward to many years to come in this brand new facility!,” said Witzky. The Mount Hope Event Center is located at 8076 state Route 241 in Millersburg. Witzky said the show hours will be: Thursday 2-9 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To inquire about vendor space or for additional information contact Witzky at 740-397-7788 or email him at jodywitzky@earthlink.net. The event website is: ohiosportmanshow.com. CCFGA to Host Several Events LISBON, OH — The Columbiana County Fish and Game Association will host several events this fall at the Lisbon, OH facility. Some events are open to the public. The club is located at 45716 Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, OH 44432. 10-Bird Meat Shoots will be held on three different Sundays; Dec. 18, Jan. 15 and Feb. 19. The Iceman Trap Event will be held Jan. 29, 2017. Regular Trap Shoots, open to the public, are held each Wednesday (6-9 p.m.) and Sunday (11 a.m. - 4 p.m.), which began in September. Sporting Clays, again open to the public, will be held on the fourth Sunday (9 a.m.) of each month. For additional information contact club secretary Mike Giambroni at 330383-2552 or visit their website at: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.co m. CCFGA to Host Indoor Pistol/Rifle Events LISBON, OH — The Columbiana County Fish and Game Association will indoor pistol and rifle events until April of 2017. They are open to the public. The club is located at 45716 Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, OH 44432, just off of state Route 7. The Indoor .22 and/or Air Rifle Shooting is slated for each Tuesday (6-9 p.m.) from October 2016 to April 25, 2017.

Offhand shooting, 50-foot shooting distance. Scopes are permitted. Closest to the bull, and best group win. The Indoor Pistol Shooting is scheduled for each Friday (7-10 p.m.) from Oct. 2016 - April 28, 2017. Shooting distance will be 21 feet. Open to all calibers, except magnum loads. For additional information email: ccfishgame@gmail.com or visit their website at: www.columbianacountyfishand game.com. Other Calendar of Events Old Fashion Style Turkey Shoot - Each Sunday until further notice at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, 14480 Washingtonville Road, Washingtonville, OH. Field stock guns, .680 choke max., scopes permitted, meat and money rounds, shooting 60’. $3 per round, 1 p.m. start time. For info. contact Tom Brunner 330-692-6577 or email:tbrunner1020@gmail.com. West Virginia Trappers Association Fur Auction - Jan. 6-8, 2017 at Gilmer County Recreation Center, Glenville, WV. Several vendors. Spaces available $15. Auction is 1 p.m. Sunday. For info. call Scott Schimmel at 304-462-7270, email Janet Hodge at hawkmtn@hawkmtn.com or visit website at: www.wvtrappers.com.

West Virginia Trappers Association Spring Rendezvous and Fur Auction March 3-5, 2017 at Gilmer 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 - Jan. 14, 2017 at Crawford County Conservation League, 3477 St. Rt. 98, Bucyrus, OH. Starts at 9 a.m. Call-ins for lot numbers (for all three auctions) will be taken on Dec. 2 from 5 - 9 p.m. Call Brian Sprague at 419305-4869. Visit the OSTA website at: www.ohiostatetrapper.org.

Ohio State Trappers Association Fur Auction - Feb. 11, 2016 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 Dec. 2 from 5 - 9 p.m. Call Brian Sprague at 419-305-4869. Visit the

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool

Hershberger Taxidermy, of Leetonia, OH, is one of the featured vendors each year at the Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show. The 2017 event moves to Millersburg, OH.

OSTA website www.ohiostatetrapper.org.

at:

numbers (for all three auctions) will be taken on Dec. 2 from 5 - 9 p.m. Call Brian Sprague at 419-305-4869. Visit the OSTA website at: www.ohiostatetrapper.org.

Ohio State Trappers Association Fur Auction - March 11, 2017 at Kidron, Ohio. Starts at 9 a.m. Call-ins for lot

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