HUNTERS SHARING IN THE HARVEST - P.8 New Check-In System in WV Story inside page 12
Hunting the Rut
Turn To Rut Page 4
EE!
Outdoor Times October 2016
OV Outdoor Times
Toward the end of summer, bucks get a natural boost in testosterone that slowly turns their attention from hanging with their pals in the bean field to chasing does all over the countryside. They un- By Ralph Scherder dergo several trans- Hunting Editor formations in a short period of time, the most noticeable, of course, being the shedding of velvet. Other changes are more subtle, such as an increased aggressiveness toward other bucks, rubbing and scraping behavior, and increased muscle size. The only way to get a true appreciation for these changes would be “before and after” photos that compare the same animal at two different stages. That’s how you have to think of them this time of year, too. These are whole different animals than they were only two months ago, and hunting them is different, too – but not much. A big misconception, I think, is that bucks will suddenly come out of hiding and run wild during the rut. That’s true to an extent, but mature bucks always maintain a level of caution, especially in areas of high hunting pressure. You still have to
Ohio Valley
FR
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of PGC When a buck breeds a doe, they can stay together for up to 72 hours. That means that for three days, a buck will go wherever the doe goes, breeding her as often as possible.
INSIDE THIS MONTH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
5 WV Hunting Season 14 Changes
Ohio River Bass Survey Nets Quality Fish
Low Water Provides Opportunity to Learn
in Ohio
Helping Others Through Hunting
Aquire Rival Cabela’s
7
8
16 Donate Venison
WVDNR
18 Bass Pro to
Jeff Knapp
ODNR
12 WV Big Game to 13
Larry Claypool
Grey D. Berrier II WVDNR
Use Check System
2016 Lake Erie Walleye ODNR
10
Mullins Crafted Boats & More at Salem Factory
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Trap Shoots - Registered trap shoots on Oct. 16 and Nov. 13 and 10-Bird Meat Shoots will be held on four different Sundays; Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 15 and Feb. 19. The Iceman Trap Event will be held Jan. 29, 2017. Regular trap shoots (open to public) held each Weds. and Sun. Sporting clays held fourth 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 Columbiana County Fish and Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, OH 44432. For additional information email: ccfishgame@gmail.com or visit their website at: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. WV Hunting Safety Class - Oct. 22-23 (11 a.m.- 4 p.m. and 1 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.) at Chester-Newell Sportsman’s Club. Call or text 304-374-5587 for info. or to register.
Ohio Valley
“Firearms and Fudge: Outdoor Stores Battle to be Your ‘Destination’”. That was the headline used in a feature article I wrote in the Summer 2014 issue of Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine about super outdoor By Larry Claypool stores Cabela’s and Editor Bass Pro Shops and smaller regional stores trying to keep up with the big dogs. So much has changed in the past few years. Smaller ‘mini-Cabela’s’ regional outdoor stores have continued to pop up in the Ohio Valley region. And so have Cabela’s and Bass Pro Shops. Both giants have recently opened stores in Ohio. Cabela’s now has three locations in the Buckeye State. Bass Pro has two stores in Ohio with one more being planned. Those plans may be scrapped after the October 3 announcement that Bass Pro Shops have purchased the Nebraska-based Cabela’s. *See story on Page 18. The two outdoor gear giants agreed to a $4.5 billion deal where the 99-store Bass Pro would snap up the 85-store Cabela’s, if the deal gets final approval. How or why would a deal like this come up? And be allowed to be completed? A little competition never has hurt anyone! It seems our finance gurus in this country have allowed people with deep pockets to get richer at another’s expense. Activist investor Paul Singer, of Elliott Management, put his nose into Cabela’s business because he saw a chance to score BIG because he felt the outdoor retailer was undervalued, and underperforming, and he could earn millions from his ‘hunch’.
Unfortunately for Cabela’s Singer’s hunch was correct. Elliott Management convinced others less than a year ago that they could force Cabela’s to sell, and profit. Singer and Elliott Management have already cashed in. After his company purchased $233 million worth (11%) of Cabela’s stock at $38.50 in the last 10 months the hedge fund swiftly sold more than 3.3 million shares by mid-October for at least a $90 million profit. Experts say Elliott may unload the remainder of it’s three million stocks in Cabela’s and just ‘cash out’. Some outdoor, and financial, experts say the $4.5 million price tag for Cabela’s was a steep price to pay since Cabela’s had been struggling for the past three years. The company has attributed the losses to decrease in demand for its clothing and footwear. Again, as I’ve stated before on these pages, the sale of firearms have helped Cabela’s and other retailers stay afloat. So, what will this do to the many ‘miniCabela’s’ stores in this region? Will Fin, Feather and Fur, Great Lakes Outdoor Supply, Kames Sports, Kidron Sports Center, Woodbury Outfitters and Vance Outdoors respond? There’s also other chain stores, including: Dick’s, Dunham Sports, Gander Mountain, MC Sports and REI. Can they respond, or should they? And will this help prices for consumers? A lot of questions, but we’re talking about sale of guns, ammo and hunting and fishing gear. Do you have an opinion on the Bass Pro and Cabela’s sale? Will this change where you make your purchases in the future? Send me a note, via mail or email. My contact information is on Page 7.
To Advertise CALL 330-385-2243
Outdoor Times October 2016
October 2016
A Response to Bass Pro and Cabela’s Sale OV Outdoor Times
2
VOL. 8, NO. 10
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
October 2016
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
3
cabins
hunting • fishing • vacation 14x20' A-Frame
$400 400 OFF F ANY 12' 12' WIDE E OR LARGER LARGER BUILDING OFFER CANNOT OT BE COMBINED COMBINED.. EXPIRES 11/19/2016 /19/2016
10x16' Cove 800.359.7522
4.5 miles East of Berlin 1.5 miles West of Winesburg on US 62
Hours: Monday-Friday 7-5
AlpineStructures.net
4
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Rut From Page 1
put in your time and find the best crossings and natural funnels where they rub, scrape, and bed. Find these areas and you can kill a buck any time of year, not just the rut. It’s just that during the rut, these areas will be hotbeds of activity and become the proverbial goldmines that nearly guarantee success. When hunting during the rut, though, pay extra attention to what the does are doing. Where are they bedding and feeding? After all, the rut is just a boring party without a hot doe to spice things up. A lot has been written about when is the best time to hunt during the rut. Prediction calendars and advice are floating all over social media telling you the best week, or even best day, to be in a treestand this fall. Many of these predictions have credibility and come from seasoned whitetail hunters and researchers with decades of experience. On a local level, though, what do to they really mean? How can you use them to help you tag a mature whitetail? First of all, it’s important to remember that bucks are willing to breed almost any time of year. It’s not a unique urge that suddenly comes on after they shed their velvet. It’s always there, and it rises exponentially as does come into estrus. After bucks get a bump in testosterone levels and the weather starts cooling off, they start feeling frisky. In some areas, scrapes can show up in early September. I’ve even seen those table-sized community scrapes as early as August, and I’ve observed bucks working them as if it were peak rut. No matter where you live, you will likely notice an increase in deer activity during the first few cool days and nights of early fall, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the rut will be early this year. It’s simply a matter of animals reacting to weather that makes them feel good enough to get on their feet and move around more. This gradual increase in deer activity is my favorite time to hunt, and it’s also the most productive if you’re keying on a specific buck. During this stage of the rut (known as the pre-rut), which peaks right around Halloween and first week of November, bucks can still be found in their core ranges but they’re moving around a lot more within those ranges. Later, during peak rut in mid-November, bucks will go wherever their nose leads them, which can make it harder to hold out for a specific one – it could literally be with a doe in the next county come peak rut. In terms of rutting behavior, the best predictor is usually the weather, at least on a local level. Cool days and hard frosts result in increased deer activity. Unsea-
October 2016
sonably warm weather inhibits that activity. Across the board, all experts and researchers agree on this. However, if a doe is coming into heat, a warm front isn’t going to all of a sudden stop it from happening. The warm front will effect when bucks chase her, though, which usually means that behavior will occur mostly at night when temperatures cool off. Bottom line, when she’s more active, he will be more active, too. Of course, there’s always talk of “peak rut” being the best, but let’s consider what peak rut means. Typically, peak rut occurs about middle of November in this part of the country. To me, the word rut is synonymous with breeding, so we’re really talking about peak breeding. When a buck breeds a doe, they can stay together for up to 72 hours. That means that for three days, a buck will go wherever that doe goes, breeding her as often as possible. If the weather is unseasonably warm, they may not cover much territory in that time and spend most of it bedded down or browsing within a very small area. Doesn’t sound like the best situation for us hunters trying to harvest that buck, does it? If the weather is nice and cool, though, the doe will move and the buck will follow. If you want to know when it’s peak rut, study the scrapes. If they suddenly go cold and don’t have any visits, you’ll know it’s because those bucks are locked up with does. All you can do then is wait until that doe is bred and the buck is on the prowl for another one. In that case, you’ll want to know where those doe groups are and what they’re doing because that buck will soon be looking for them, too. The timing of peak rut is irrelevant, in my opinion, because deer activity naturally fluctuates according to weather, moon phase, and food sources. Fetal studies in whitetails actually show that conception occurs approximately the same time every year regardless of conditions. It’s just that when the weather is suitable for movement, deer will be on their feet more often and be more visible to hunters, and because of the time of year, the behavior we most likely observe is bucks chasing does. In general, the best places to hunt are travel corridors and natural funnels between bedding and feeding areas. As the rut progresses toward its peak, I tend to gravitate toward the food sources because I know that’s where the does will be, and as a result, that’s where the bucks will be, too. If your stand is in a good location and hunting conditions are right for movement, you will see deer regardless of the stage of the rut.
October 2016
WV Hunting Season Changes Explained
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — Several important changes in the state’s fall hunting seasons for squirrel, whitetailed deer, black bear and wild turkey are included in the new 2016–2017 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary brochure. The publication is available at all West Virginia hunting and fishing license agents, DNR district offices, the Elkins Operation Center and the South Charleston Headquarters. The 2016–2017 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary also is available at www.wvdnr.gov. Hunters and trappers are encouraged to carefully review these regulations due to the numerous changes in hunting seasons. Major changes for 2016–2017 include: • The statewide squirrel season opened Sept. 10, 2016, and will close a month later than last year on Feb. 28, 2017. • The posting of private lands has expanded to include the use of purple paint as a method of posting private land. • Changes for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) management will be in ef-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of WVDN
The West Virginia squirrel hunting season opened Sept. 10, 2016, and will close a month later than last year on Feb. 28, 2017. There are other changes hunters should note.
fect Nov. 21 and 22, 2016, in Hampshire and Hardy counties. All adult deer harvested by hunters Nov. 21–22 within the CWD Containment Area of Hampshire and Hardy counties will be required to be brought to a designated CWD sampling station. • Hunters killing a black bear are now required to submit a first premolar tooth by Jan. 31, 2017. • The black bear Archery and Crossbow Seasons in Logan, McDowell, Mingo and Wyoming counties will not close during the buck firearms season and are open Sept. 24–Dec. 31, 2016.
• Black bear hunting firearms season in 2016 includes 33 counties (some of which are by permit only) open Nov. 21–Dec. 3 during the Buck Firearms Season; and all 55 counties open Dec. 5–31. • The definition of baiting for the purposes of black bear hunting has been expanded. • Fall wild turkey hunting season has been expanded this year with all 55 counties open Oct. 8–15; seven counties open Oct. 24–29; and 14 counties open Oct. 24– Nov. 12.
WV “Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook” Available
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — The 2016 “Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook” is now available on the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources website at www.wvdnr.gov. Since 1971, the Wildlife Resources Section, in cooperation with volunteers from numerous other agencies, has conducted a fall mast survey to determine the abundance of mast produced by 18 species of trees and shrubs. “The availability of fall foods has significant impacts on wildlife populations
5
and hunting season harvests,” said Chris Ryan, supervisor of Game Management Services for the Wildlife Resources Section “Our biologists have used the mast survey data to demonstrate a strong correlation between mast conditions and deer, bear and turkey harvests. Also, the amount of food available each year can affect the reproductive success of many species, which will affect population sizes in following years.” The survey indicates that production of acorns is better than in 2015 and will have noticeable effects on the 20162017 hunting seasons. Black and red oak trees produced mast above the 45-year average. However, because of a reduction in soft mast such as apples, yellow poplar and grapes, overall food conditions are below the long-term average. “It is very important for hunters to scout and consider the type and amount of food available in the areas where they hunt,” Ryan said. “White and chestnut oak acorns may be very abundant in one location but scarce across the hill. Scouting will play a crucial role in a successful hunt. Hunters can find a wealth of facts in the ‘Mast Survey and Hunting Outlook,’ and it should provide valuable information before they head into the fields.”
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
6
Low Water Provides Opportunity to Learn a Lake or River late into added water demands for coolLow water, which OV Outdoor Times
typically is accompanied with clear water, often provides challenging fishing conditions. Fish are often spooky, as these conditions make them more vulnerable to their By Jeff Knapp predators. Fishing Editor But you can learn a lot about a body of water or flowing river by fishing them when they are low. Finishing up what has been a hot, dry, nearly-drought-like summer, there have been plenty of opportunities to learn. West-central Pennsylvania’s Keystone Lake – which I’ve fished several times in recent weeks – is a good example. Currently the lake is about nine feet below full pool. Significant drawdowns occur on Keystone during dry years, as the incoming water sources are small. Couple that with elevated power needs (example: air conditioners) during an excessively hot summer — which trans-
ing towers — and its water level drops considerably. While getting your boat in and out of the Atwood ramp is more of a challenge, once on the lake a person can really see things that are usually covered with water. This includes old road beds, bridges (in tributary bays), stump fields, rock piles and brushpiles. The upper tips of submergent vegetation are also up on the surface. In Keystone’s clear waters weeds grow out to depths in the 12 to 15- foot range (depending on where you are on the lake). When the lake stays full few weeds reach the surface, even by late summer. With the level down, though, weedlines are right on top, creating a visible outline of major structures, as well as welldefined targets to cast toward. Keystone has a lot of shale banks. As the lake recedes, shelves are formed along these banks by wave action, particularly when the level stays at a given point for some time. When the lake fills Turn To Low Water Page 7
October 2016
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Jeff Knapp
With Keystone Lake (PA) down around nine feet a roadbed is visible as it parallels the shoreline, along with the upper tips of weeds.
October 2016
Low Water From Page 6
back up these ledges are now underwater — providing ambush points for species such as smallmouth bass — along what was pretty much a featureless bank. All of these details can easily be logged by taking a few shots with a camera, or even a short video, both of which can easily be accomplished with today’s smartphones. A short description entered in a written log, or computer file, ups the chances of the information being useful the following year. Low water is not only helpful on drawn-down lakes, but on flowing waters as well. This is especially true on medium to larger sized streams and rivers; smaller streams often become a mere trickle during low water, with all fish concentrated in the deeper pools, which are the only places with enough water to support them. But on larger flowing waters like western Pennsylvania’s Conemaugh, Kiski, Clarion, and the middle Allegheny, fish holding character becomes much more visible as levels drop. When flows are higher such areas are simply buried under the higher flow. Free-flowing rivers in this part of the
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
PA Archery Season Kicks Off
HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania’s archery deer season opened on October 1, and its return has prompted the Pennsylvania Game Commission to issue some helpful reminders. Archers statewide can hunt for antlered or antlerless deer from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, and during the late archery deer season, which runs from Dec. 26 to Jan. 14. Properly licensed bowhunters in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D also may take antlered and antlerless deer during an extended late archery season, which runs from Jan. 16 to Jan. 28. Archery hunters may use long, recurve or compound bows, or crossbows. Bows must have a draw weight of at least 35 pounds; crossbows must have a
country follow a riffle-run-pool sequence, based on surrounding topography of the area they drain. Fast riffles give way to runs, where the current is somewhat slower, and the water deeper. Runs eventually become pools — deeper and slower yet. At some point the pool will begin to thin out (commonly called the tail-out section), speed-
How to Contact US
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
• E-mail: lclaypool@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com • Write: “Dear OVTimes” at Ohio Valley Outdoor Times: 210 E. 4th Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920 • Please include your full name, address and phone number. Letters may be edited for clarity and space.
ADVERTISING
• E-mail: advertising@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com • Phone: 330-385-2243 • Fax: 330-385-7114 • Write: advertising at Ohio Valley Outdoor Times: 210 E. 4th Street, East Liverpool, Ohio 43920
minimum draw weight of 125 pounds. The Game Commission encourages hunters to spend as much time as possible afield this fall prior to and during the hunting seasons to pattern deer movements and identify areas where fall foods are abundant. Bowhunters are urged to take only responsible shots at deer to ensure a quick, clean kill. For most, that’s a shot of 20 yards or less at a deer that is broadside or quartering away. Archery and crossbow hunters should shoot only at deer that are within their maximum effective shooting range – the farthest distance from which a hunter can consistently place arrows or bolts into a pie pan-sized target. Hunters may use illuminated nocks for arrows and bolts; they aid in tracking or locating the arrow or bolt after being launched. However, transmitter-tracking arrows still are illegal.
ing up and then spilling into the next riffle, which starts the sequence again. On medium-sized streams like Mahoning Creek this can all take place within a couple hundred yards, whereas on the Allegheny it can take miles for the same transitions to occur. When the water is low, riffles and runs become much easier to identify. And as
7
Treestands and climbing devices that cause damage to trees are unlawful to use or occupy unless the user has written permission from the landowner. Tree stands – or tree steps – penetrating a tree’s cambium layer cause damage, and it is unlawful to build or occupy tree stands screwed or nailed to trees on state game lands, state forests or state parks. Hunters are reminded portable hunting tree stands and blinds are not permitted on state game lands until two weeks before the opening of the archery deer season, and they must be removed no later than two weeks after the close of the flintlock and late archery deer seasons in the WMU being hunted. Treestands placed on state game lands also must be conspicuously marked with a durable identification tag that identifies the stand owner. you fish these waters, the small little details, such as a rock ledge within a run, or a fish-holding weed bed growing in a tail-out, become evident. Fish a flowing water long enough and you’ll come to learn which areas are most likely to produce fish given the flows of the day.
8
Helping Others Through Your Hunting OV Outdoor Times
If you are reading this, odds are pretty good you’re pretty familiar with Hank Williams, Jr.’s song, “Country Boy Can Survive”. (If not, you should check it out online.) Released in By Col.(Ret.)Grey D. Berrier II 1981, the year I gradFIN Pro Staff uated from high school, the lyrics extol the virtues of rugged individualism, personal responsibility, helping others, and patriotism. The lines I occasionally find drifting through my mind, especially when I’m heading out hunting in the predawn darkness, are “I’ve got a shotgun, a rifle, and a four-wheel drive, and a country boy can survive. Country folks can survive.” If you can relate to an outdoor-oriented, country state-of-mind, then there’s a high probability you’re driven to hunt like I am and also have a strong inclination to help out others whenever the op-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
portunity arises. What you may not know is there is a way you can combine both passions, hunting deer and helping others. In my home state of Pennsylvania, the program is called Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH). More details to follow on the corresponding venison donation programs in Ohio and West Virginia. Started back in 1991, PA’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2016. Since its inception, HSH has collected over 1,000,000 lbs. of highly nutritious venison, which is correspondingly low in cholesterol. The program has progressively grown to the point where they now have a yearly goal of obtaining 100,000 lbs. of donated venison. (That translates into roughly 3,000 donated whitetails each year.) During the 201516 PA deer hunting seasons, 109,750 lbs. of venison was donated, which resulted in 532,800 meals served to hungry men, women, and children across the Com-
monwealth. The ongoing need is very great, with current estimates indicating 1.8 million people in PA need food assistance. On average, one deer yields 37.5 lbs. of ground venison or 200 meals with 3 oz. portions of this high quality protein source. Participating deer processors can be found across the state and can be located through Hunters Sharing the Harvest’s official website: www.sharedeer.org. Successful deer hunters can take their harvested whitetails to a participating processor, either close to where they hunt or near to home, whatever is more convenient for them. All 67 PA counties participate in HSH, with donated ground venison going from cooperating deer processors to 21 regional food banks. The fresh meat is then redistributed to more than 5,000 local provider charities to be served to those in need in rural and urban communities. Prior to 2014, hunters were asked to make a $15.00 copay when they donated a deer to the program. That requirement has been eliminated and hunters can now drop off a whole deer at participating processors at no cost. Hunters also have the option of taking their deer to a participating processor and then donating a
October 2016
portion of their deer at no cost. (The hunter will still be responsible for any processing costs associated with the portion of their deer they elect to take home.) In addition to donating deer, individuals can make tax deductible monetary donations to Hunters Sharing the Harvest, which is a 501C3 nonprofit charitable organization. HSH’s well-designed monetary donation forms include the catchy phrase, “Please give a buck to the pot”. Additional information on making monetary donations can be found on the HSH website or by calling: 1-866-4742141. The HSH website also includes contact information for each county HSH coordinator. Those individuals can answer any questions hunters or donors may have, or they can provide information to individuals who may desire to take a more active volunteer role in the program. In addition to receiving private donations, HSH receives a PA Dept. of Agriculture grant through the Federal Emergency Food Assistance Program and has secured Bass Pro Shops as a corporate sponsor. Funding primarily goes to reimburse participating deer procesTurn To Helping Others Page 9
October 2016
Helping Others From Page 8
sors at the rate of $1.35/lb. to cover their time and costs to skin, cut, grind, and package all the ground venison they process for HSH in order to help feed the hungry. According to Hunters Sharing the Harvest’s official literature, there are five simple steps to donate a deer. Step 1 – Enjoy a safe and successful hunt. Step 2 – Carefully field-dress, legallytag, and report your deer harvest. Step 3 – Take the whole deer to any HSH processor near where you hunt or live. Step 4 – Complete the HSH donor receipt form verifying your donation. Step 5 – Know you just helped feed the hungry in Pennsylvania. There are similar opportunities for deer hunters in Ohio and West Virginia to help feed the hungry through their hunting efforts. On Page 48 of the Ohio 2016-2017 Hunting & Trapping Regulations, hunters are encouraged to Share the Bounty through three participating programs. The first is Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) with 66 participating deer processors spread across
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Ohio. Started in Virginia in 1997, their mission statement says it all: “Passion for the hunt…Compassion for the hungry!” FHFH also has three participating processors in PA and two in West Virginia. Additional information on FHFH can be found on-line at www.fhfh.org or by calling toll-free: 1-866-438-3434. The second program is through Whitetails Unlimited. Their website is www.whitetailsunlimited.com. Additionally, there is Safari Club International’s Sportsmen Against Hunger, which focuses on “sharing nature’s bounty with the hungry.” Additional information on their program can be found at: www.safariclubfoundation.org. West Virginia deer hunters can help feed the hungry in the Mountaineer State by participating in Hunters Helping the Hungry (HHH). Organized in 1992, HHH has 16 participating deer processors across West Virginia. Details on how to donate a deer can be obtained on their website: www.wvdnr.gov/Hunting/HHH.shtm or by calling the West Virginia Dept. of Natural Resources at (304) 924-6211. See Page 21 of the West Virginia July 2016 – June 2017 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for additional information.
Five Charged in Ginseng Case
ATHENS, OH – Five individuals were recently charged with ginseng related violations in Muskingum County, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). In early September, a caller provided information to the Turn-In-A-Poacher (TIP) hotline regarding possible ginseng violations in Muskingum County. The caller believed that several individuals may have been dropped off at Blue Rock State Forest. State Wildlife Officers Roby Williams and Bryan Postlethwait responded to the area and conducted surveillance. Eventually a female driver returned to the area. The officers were able to contact the driver and four male suspects who were walking out of the woods and getting into the vehicle. The officers interviewed the suspects, who admitted
It’s finally Fall and we have ample opportunities to hunt deer for the next several months! After you’ve harvested the deer you need to provide for your family, why not consider using your additional tags to head back out in pursuit of another one or
9
to digging ginseng on Blue Rock State Forest. Those charged and convicted were: Brandon McNutt, 18, of Chandlersville; Russell A Stemm III, 19, of Zanesville; Michael Wickham, 20, of New Lexington; Jonathan L Clark, 26, of Zanesville and Tiffany A Clark, 25, of Zanesville. All five were convicted of digging ginseng on state property, sentenced to five days in jail and ordered to pay fines, court costs, placed on probation for one year and prohibited from digging ginseng for two years. A total of 254 ginseng roots were discovered and seized from the suspects. On September 21, 2016 all five suspects appeared in the Muskingum County Court. Ginseng harvest season is from September 1st to December 31st annually. Diggers must keep accurate harvest records by county and collection date, and all ginseng must be certified.
more deer. You’ll be able to further pursue your passion for hunting deer and at the same time, you’ll be able to help feed those in need in our communities with tasty and nutritious venison. Now that’s a win-win outcome in my book!
10
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Mullins Crafted Boats and More at Salem Factory OV Outdoor Times
It was once the largest boat manufacturer in the WORLD. In the small town of Salem, Ohio, Mullins Manufacturing was once the mecca of turning out metal products — of By Larry Claypool all sorts — with a Editor large chunk of the metal leaving the Columbiana County factory in some shape of a boat. The various boats would fit the needs of sportsman and boating enthusiasts everywhere. Mullins once anchored a large part of the industrial real estate in Salem. For years it was the city’s largest employer, with 1,200 employed at one time in the mid-1920’s. For 30-plus years Mullins manufactured some form of watercraft. It made boats from sheet metal, wood, aluminum, galvanized steel and more.
Being a steel factory/manufacturer Mullins had to evolve over the years to keep up with changes, innovations and demands. Many of the changes and innovations came from Mullins to stay ahead of their competition. They did that, several times. They even changed the name of the company, a few times, to roll with the market. Backing up just a bit, the Mullins business began as early as 1872. So the production, uses and needs of steel and metal fabricating have come a long way. The history of W.H. Mullins began in 1882, when William H. Mullins purchased Kitterage, Clark and Co. and formed W.H. Mullins. Kitterage, Clark began making metal building ornaments in 1872. Later in 1882 Mullins became Bakewell and Mullins and the company focused on Steel Metal Architectural Ornaments and Statuary. Nearly by accident Mullins discovered a demand for a worthy waterfowl hunting boat. According to an article in ‘The
October 2016
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool
This Sea Eagle inboard runabout, made by Mullins, was created by famed automotive artist and designer Count Alex de Sakhnoffsky. The boat is part of a collection of Mullins Body Corporation items displayed at the Salem (OH) Historical Society.
Amateur Sportsman’ magazine, in 1893 Mullins and a group of friends ventured to North Dakota for a “duck hunting expedition”. The hunting proved very good but the lack of a good duck boat marred the trip. Upon returning to Ohio someone struck the idea to have Mullins’
skilled employees attempt to craft a boat made of sheet metal. They did, and after one boat was made for Mr. Mullins, he had others built for his hunting friends to test. The tests went well — it didn’t take on water — but did take several jabs Turn To Mullins Page 11
October 2016
Mullins From Page 10
about its appearance. The flat, kayaklooking boat functioned well and the hunters liked how it handled on the water. So, a product was born. The company then ramped up to full production of the duck boats and in 1902 they added a line of row boats. Three years later they added motor boats with wood, polished steel hardware and motor controls. In 1912 the Mullins Steel Hydroplane 16-foot, 25hp engine was introduced. Things were moving up for the company. They declared it the fastest boat in the world. By 1915 the company started making wood boats and cedar canoes to expand their line. In 1917 Mullins boasted about offering 40 different boat choices. During these years, and through the mid1920s, the Mullins Body Corporation was also stamping out steel for auto bodies, fenders and other parts. Mullins stopped making wooden boats by 1920, but was ramping up in inboard boats with bigger and better motors and classier interiors. In 1931 famed automotive artist and designer Count Alex de Sakhnoffsky created the Sea Eagle, a sleek inboard runabout that clocked 30mph.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Getting de Sakhnoffsky to craft a Mullins boat was a significant coup for the company. The famed designer had won countless awards for automotive body designs and fancied many other products around the world from airplanes to furniture to bicycles to movie sets. He also was awarded 38 United States patents during his lifetime. The success of the Sea Eagle was jaded shortly after its introduction by the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Depression also slowed Mullins’ production of auto bodies and parts and washing machine tubs. Later they relied on making radiator covers and metal sinks. To diversify in 1936-37 Mullins began manufacturing pull-along trailers, dubbed the Red Cap Utility Trailer. It was advertised as a “all season, all purpose carrier”, with uses for luggage, tools, supplies, hunting and fishing gear and camping. It sold for $119. About 2,000-3,000 were made. As mentioned Mullins fluctuated with demand over the years. Two World Wars also altered production. When Uncle Sam called, if you were in the metalmaking business, you answered. The first World War didn’t appear to put as much strain on Mullins as did WW II. During WW I Mullins produced aircraft
Available in 3 different sizes! 4x4' 10', 5x5' 10' or 12', 6x6' 10', Kits easily fit on any truck for mobility.
KAUFFM AUFFMAN MAN LAAWN WN FURNIT URNITURE TURE
877.219.2741 4540 US Route 6 62, 2, Millersburg Millersburg OH www.KauffmanLawnFurniture.com www.KauffmanLawnF LawnFurniture.com
11
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of David Dufresne
W. H. Mullins began making steel duck boats like this one in 1906. The boats were made of either galvanized steel, manganese bronze or aluminum.
parts and parts for gas masks. During World War II Mullins was forced to stop making all consumer products and switch to military mode. Mullins was responsible for a multitude of products for the military, including several mortar shells (over 2.2 million) and important fuel tanks for fighter planes. Mullins was able crank up the war effort in the 1940s as they were operating three plants in Salem and one in Warren, OH. Of interest to sportsmen, other than Mullins’ production of boats and mortar
rounds, although very large, the company also created and crafted many interesting statues and ornamentals pieces during its early years. Many of those statues still remain to this day. Some of the larger statues are located atop prominent buildings across this country, including key government buildings, parks and cemeteries. One such life-size figure is of an elk, made by W.H. Mullins, that rests in the Grand View Cemetery in Salem. The steel elk statue was purchased to honor Elks Lodge members Turn To Mullins Page 16
12
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
WV Big Game to be Checked Using New System
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — With the opening of big game hunting seasons here, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) reminds successful hunters that they must field tag and electronically check in their harvest. Field tags must be completed before moving the carcass, and the tag must remain with the carcass until it is electronically checked. Hunters are no longer required to transport their harvest to a check station; they can check their game by phone at 1-844-WVCheck (1-844-982-4325), on a computer at wvhunt.com, or by visiting a license agent, with or without the animal. To check game in by phone, hunters must know their unique lifetime DNR ID number. That number will be printed on the top of the license for hunters who buy one each year. Lifetime license holders can obtain their DNR ID number, which has already been assigned to them, by visiting wvhunt.com or a local license agent. Landowners and those who don’t need a license, such as residents under the age of 15, resident
hunters who turned 65 before Jan. 1, 2012, and former Prisoners of War, also can log on to wvhunt.com or visit a license agent to obtain their number. To game check by computer, the hunter must log on to wvhunt.com. Those logging in for the first time can set up an account, get their DNR ID number if they don’t already have one, and then check in their game. When a hunter has completed the electronic game check process, a 13-digit number will be assigned that confirms the game has been checked in properly. The game check confirmation number must be written down on a field tag or a sheet of paper along with the hunter’s name and address. This number must remain with the carcass until it is dressed for consumption. A summary of the checking requirements follows, but hunters should check the 2016-2017 Hunting and Trapping Regulations brochure for complete details. Deer: Each deer shall be electronically checked and the 13-digit confirmation number, along with the hunter’s name
October 2016
and address, shall be attached to the deer before it is transported beyond the county adjacent to the county in which it was killed within 72 hours from when it was killed or 24 hours from the close of the respective season, whichever comes first. Bear: Harvested bear shall be electronically checked and the 13-digit confirmation number, along with the hunter’s name and address, shall be attached to the bear within 24 hours after the kill and before any part of the bear is transported more than 75 miles from the point of kill. Turkey: Each turkey shall be electronically checked and the 13-digit confirmation number, along with the hunter’s name and address, shall be attached to the carcass before it is skinned or transported beyond the county adjacent to the county in which it was killed, and within 72 hours from when it was killed or 24 Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of Tom McIntyre hours from the close of the respective West Virginia hunters must now field tag season, whichever comes first. Boar: Boar harvest must be electroni- deer and electronically check in their harvest. cally checked within 24 hours after kill. The 13-digit confirmation number, along with the hunter’s name and address, shall be attached to the carcass and remain with it until it is dressed for consumption.
Lake Erie Walleye and Perch Hatches Released
COLUMBUS, OH — Early data gathered by wildlife agencies in the western basin of Lake Erie indicate that the yellow perch hatch was near its annual average while the walleye hatch was below average, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Each year in August, wildlife agencies from around the western basin of Lake Erie sample the waters using bottom trawls in search of young of the year walleye and yellow perch. Data from these bottom trawls are combined into a basin-wide index, and fisheries biologists compare the figures to previous years to estimate the success of the walleye and yellow perch hatches. Biologists from the ODNR Division of Wildlife conducted bottom trawling surveys at nearly 40 sampling locations across Ohio waters of the western basin. This data provides biologists with an estimate on how many young fish will enter the fishable population two years later. Based upon results from the August trawl surveys the 2016 yellow perch hatch appears to have been successful in
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
both Ohio and Ontario waters of the western basin. Initial results from the combined basin-wide hatch of yellow perch found 398 yellow perch per hectare compared to the long-term average of 406 yellow perch per hectare. Four good yellow perch hatches in a row should help the perch population in the western basin rebuild and lead to quality yellow perch fishing over the next several years. The 2016 walleye hatch was below average but is strong enough to help support the fishery. Last year’s hatch was the fourth highest on record, and those fish are still plentiful in the lake. Average to excellent hatches from four of the past 10 years have resulted in a broad range of walleye ages and sizes that make up the current Lake Erie walleye population. Results from Ohio’s surveys found 6.7 walleye per hectare. The average since 1988 is 27 walleye per hectare. Initial reports from bottom trawl surveys conducted by the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry in Ontario waters of the western basin show similar results. To estimate the basin-wide hatch of walleye, Ohio and Ontario bottom trawl data are combined. The resulting basin-wide average catch for 2016 is 9 young-of-the-year walleye
New Voter App for Ohio Gun Owners
COLUMBUS, OH — Now Ohio voters can create a voter guide customized for the ballot in their district with the new mobile app at OhioGunVote.com. OhioGunVote.com will allow Ohio’s gun owners to quickly see which candidates support Second Amendment rights. The app reveals grades and endorsements from both Buckeye Firearms Association PAC and the NRA Political Victory Fund on a smartphone, tablet or desktop computer. This easy-to-use application eliminates the need for voters to know their exact voting district or be forced to choose the correct district. m a
ily
Shoe S to
r
13
Elk Returning to WV in December
CHARLESTON, WV (AP) — State wildlife officials say elk will return to West Virginia for the first time since 1875. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports (http://bit.ly/2dEE2Ta ) West Virginia wildlife officials have reached an agreement with officials at Kentucky’s Land Between the Lakes Elk and Bison Prairie to bring as many as 27 elk to West Virginia by mid-December. Elk were once common in West Virginia, but market hunting and habitat loss caused their numbers to decline. The state’s last elk was killed in Webster County in 1875. Officials had hoped elk in Kentucky would naturally migrate to West Virginia, but that never happened. West Virginia officials say their goal is to have an elk population large enough to allow hunting. The current plan is to have 150 elk by 2019 at two sites. Pennsylvania now has nearly 900 elk in the north-central part of that state. Wildlife officials re-introduced wild elk to PA nearly 100 years ago and they have thrived in that state.
Family F amil mily
e
Send us your trophy photos
per hectare compared to the long-term average of 32 young-of-the-year walleye per hectare. Information on the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s Lake Erie research and management programs, fisheries resources, fishing reports, and maps and links to other Lake Erie web resources are available at wildohio.gov. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
F
October 2016
td
r
O
u
e
Shoe S Store tore oo
r F urn
it
u
Take an additional
2 5 % O FnF ce
LaCrosse | Red Wing Wing Carolina | Danner Wolverine Wolv erine | Rocky Rocky | Keen Keen Chippew a | SAS Shoes Chippewa Hush Puppies ppies s | and more!
All Cleara Shoes & Boots 3rd Saturday of the Month
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
www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
(SHU 4\SSL[ 4 ‹
2PUZTHU 9K 9[ ‹ 4PKKSLÄLSK ‹ TP T ^LZ[ VM 4LZWV /YZ! 4VU 4VU -YP YP " :H[ * *(:/ ( (:/ 69 */,*2 653@ :699@ 653 3@ :699@ 56 *9,+0; *(9+: *(9+:
14
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Ohio River Bass Survey Nets Quality Fish OV Outdoor Times
For the past 12 years members of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife have surveyed fish in the Ohio River. The surveys are done by the state’s fisheries biologists. Data col- By Larry Claypool lected is used to Editor check the current status of the fisheries and fish, compare information from previous years and help to forecast the quality of fishing in the future. I was invited to see first-hand how biologists collected samples for their 2016 black bass survey on a section of the Ohio River in mid-September, within the New Cumberland Pool (located near Toronto, Ohio). Surveys for black bass are done at night. Electroshocking the fish from a specially equipped aluminum flat-bottom boat is the method used to collect sam-
ples. The “shocking” of fish temporarily stuns them so nets can be used to collect only the targeted fish, in this case smallmouth and largemouth bass and temperate basses (white, striped and hybrid striped bass). My host for the evening was a survey team from the Division of Wildlife, District Three office, consisting of Fisheries Biologists Curt Wagner, Steve Moss and Cameron McCune. According to Wagner similar surveys are done each fall along the entire stretch of the Ohio River that borders the Buckeye State. Comparing the data collected each year is valuable information to the ODNR and fisherman. Many decisions about the fish species are determined by the results. Surveys are also done around the state (on inland lakes) each fall (September and October) for walleye and crappie. Trap nets are used to collect crappie in the lakes. To compare fish surveys from year to
With 3,000 acres of public land and water in
Carroll County, the hunting season never looked so good Visit www.carrollcountyohio.com 1-877-727-0103 Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest
October 2016
Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo by Larry Claypool
ODNR Fisheries Biologist Steve Moss holds a four-pound plus smallmouth bass that was collected for a black bass survey recently in the Ohio River.
year the fisheries biologists use a partic-
ular system to collect samples. The biolTurn To Bass Page 15
October 2016
Bass From Page 14
ogists generally know the areas in the river used to sample fish and they execute a timed, 15-minute run of electroshocking along the river bank. Six 15-minute runs were used during this survey, the same as they’ve done in the past. The crew, led by Wagner, started downstream just below the New Cumberland Dam (on the Ohio side) near Stratton, OH. Three runs were done on the Ohio side, then three from near the West Virginia shore. The water flow and temperature were normal for the Ohio during this late summer survey. During this survey several very nice smallmouth bass were collected. The biggest fish was a five-pound smallie with beautiful markings. A good number of smallmouth bass were collected with some temperate bass netted too. Other fish seen but not collected included: carp, gar, several catfish, freshwater drum and even an American eel. All of the fish collected by the biologists during this survey appeared to be in very good health. Which says something about the quality of the water in the Ohio River. The eel was the most unusual catch of
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
the night. It was only temporarily netted by Moss, as the fish leaped from his net before making the boat. It would have been a cool fish to see up close as I’ve never seen one in the wild. Moss did take a little ribbing from his crew mates for missing the eel. I did get a photograph of the fish, as it jumped from the net.
NOTES: • For more information about the ODNR Ohio River Fish Management and Island Fish Management, visit the w e b p a g e : http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-andhabitats/fisheries-management. • The Ohio River provides a wide variety of fishing to shore and boat anglers along its 981 miles. Twenty-five types of sport fish are available from its origin at the confluence of the Monongahela and Allegheny Rivers near Pittsburgh, PA to where it empties into the Mississippi River, near Cairo, Illinois. • The sampled fish — in this case only black bass — are collected and tested/measured by the biologists in the field after each survey. If any questions or problems arise then samples are sent to a state laboratory.
ODNR Continues to Monitor Ohio’s Deer for CWD
COLUMBUS, OH — Portions of Holmes and Wayne counties will retain their designation as Disease Surveillance Area (DSA) 2015-01 again this year as part of the state’s ongoing Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) surveillance efforts, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). This designation requires that additional rules be followed by deer hunters in this area. Since October 2014, 19 captive white-tailed deer have tested positive for CWD at a shooting preserve and a breeding facility in Holmes County. Since that time, ODNR Division of Wildlife staff have tested hundreds of wild deer with the cooperation of hunters and local landowners. CWD has not been detected in the nearly 1,000 wild deer tested from DSA 2015-01. The DSA includes the areas within a 6-mile radius from the CWD positive samples in Holmes County and includes: all of Franklin and Clinton townships in Wayne County, and Ripley, Prairie, Salt Creek, Monroe, Hardy, Berlin, Killbuck and Mechanic townships in Holmes. In addition, the northeast portion of Richland Township (defined by the boundary of Township Road 36 to State Route 520 to Township Road 31 to U.S. Route 62) in Holmes County falls within DSA 2015-01. This DSA designation will remain in effect at least through the 2017 deer season. The area will be mapped and posted on the division’s website at wildohio.gov. The following regulations apply within the DSA: • Requires hunters to bring deer harvested within the DSA to an ODNR Division of Wildlife inspection station for CWD testing during the seven-day gun, two-day gun and muzzleloader seasons. Inspection stations will NOT be operated during the two-day youth season; • Prohibits the placement of or use of salt, mineral supplement, grain, fruit, vegetables or other feed to attract or feed deer within the DSA boundaries; • Prohibits hunting of deer by the aid of salt, mineral supplement, grain, fruit, vegetables or other feed within the DSA boundaries; and prohibits the removal of a deer carcass killed by a motor vehicle within the DSA boundaries.
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool
An American eel leaps from the net of ODNR biologists during a black bass survey in the Ohio River recently. The eel in one of 159 fish species found in the Ohio River and its tributaries.
15
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool
ODNR Fisheries Biologist Cameron McCune (right) holds a nice smallmouth bass that was collected for a black bass survey recently in the Ohio River.
16
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Donate Venison in Ohio
COLUMBUS, OH — There are several organizations in Ohio fighting hunger by helping hunters donate a portion or all of their venison to folks who need it. The Division of Wildlife wishes to thank you, the Ohio hunter, for making a difference by donating your venison to the hungry of our state.
Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry FHFH is an outreach ministry called upon to help feed venison and other big game to the hungry among us. This program began in 1997 and continues to grow, with representation in more than one-half of the United States. To make a donation, visit the FHFH website and find an active chapter near you. Venison donated to food banks must be processed by a local or state-inspected and insured meat processor who is participating with FHFH. Hunters wishing to donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay for the processing of the venison as long as the program has funds available to cover the cost. A subsidy grant from the Division of Wildlife was awarded to FHFH to help with the costs of venison processing.
Sportsmen Against Hunger Sportsmen Against Hunger was established by Safari Club International in 1989. The program helps share nature’s bounty with the hungry. This program is active in all 50 states of the U.S., in parts of Canada, and in several countries around the world. Deer hunters wishing to help fight hunger and homelessness may donate venison to Ohio food pantries by contacting Safari Club International via their website. Deer meat will be accepted during any of the Ohio deer seasons. Whitetails Unlimited Whitetails Unlimited (WTU) is a national non-profit organization with over 30 chapters in Ohio. WTU’s purpose is to raise funds in support of education, habitat conservation, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the direct benefit of the white-tailed deer and other wildlife. Local WTU chapters use local funds for programs such as venison donation to the needy, youth archery and shooting sports activities, conservation club grants, and hunting promotion.
)0345 5* 3& 4&37* $& 'VM M 5 J S F 4FS WJ D F
8J M M ZPVS U J S FT M FU ZPV EPXO PO U IF XBZ U P U IF IVOU 1J D LVQ ČŠ "5 7 ČŠ 5 S BJ M FS ČŠ 5 S BD U PS ČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠČŠ ČŠ ČŠ ČŠ ČŠ
.PO ' S J 4BU
8BU F S G PS E 3 E /F X 8BU F S G PS E 0)
Mullins From Page 11
from the Salem area. Mullins also made several types of ornate statues and figures of eagles and animals that can be found throughout the country, and probably the world. Mullins Manufacturing Corporation filed for bankruptcy in 1974 and was purchased by American Standard in 1975.
Notes: • See one of the Red Cap Utility Trailers at the Salem Historical Society. There are a few of the all steel trailers available for sale online. Prices start at $4,500.
October 2016
• Learn more about Count Alex de Sakhnoffsky online. Just Google his name. • Visit the Salem Historical Society at 239 S. Lundy (location)/208 S. Broadway Ave. (mailing), Salem, OH 4440 or online at: www.salemhistoricalsociety.org. Phone them at: 330-337-8514. • Some information for this article was provided by David Shivers of the Salem Historical Society and David Dufresne, a collector of Mullins boats. See more online at: www.speedboatclassics.com/mullins_ste el_boats.htm.
October 2016
Trisha Rinaldi 9-pts., 17-1/4" spread Carroll County, OH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
17
PHOTO SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY
Cari Roberts, Dwight Kommel 20 3/4 " Channel Catfish Westville Lake
Jonathon Hoopes 8-pt. Mahoning County, OH
Kate Irey 10-1/2" catfish Westville Lake
William Richmond 10-pt., muzzleloader Ohio
Send Us Your Photos
Zach Bloss 10-pt., 15-5/16" spread Carroll County, OH
Steve Kiko elk Colorado
Colton Kiko elk Colorado
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
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
18
October 2016
www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
Ohio Valley Outdoors
FIREARMS
TURN YOUR FIREARMS INTO CASH BUYING OR SELLING? JOHN SLAGLE has Marketed to Firearm Buyers in Over 48 States!
You need more customers! YOUR CARD HERE
Contact Sales Consultant Tracy Bissell at 330-385-2243
Bass Pro to Acquire Rival Cabela’s
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Outdoor gear giant Bass Pro is snapping up rival Cabela’s in a $4.5 billion deal that was announced on October 3, 2016. Bass Pro is paying Cabela’s shareholders $65.50 cash per share, a 19 percent premium to the September 30 closing
price. The deal combines two companies known for their giant destination superstores. It also creates uncertainty about jobs in Cabela’s home state of Nebraska. The combined companies plan to keep some operations in Sidney and Lincoln, Nebraska, but it’s not immediately clear how many jobs might be lost. Cabela’s employs about 2,000 people in the western Nebraska town of Sidney,
CALL TODAY 330.418.4963
JOIN
OVO
johnslagle@kikocompany.com
ON THE NET:
Ohio Valley Outdoors www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
which has about 7,000 residents. State Sen. Ken Schilz, who represents the area, said the deal is concerning because of the duplication between the two companies’ headquarters that will be eliminated. Cabela’s has three locations in Ohio; Centerville (Columbus area), West Chester and Avon. The Avon (Cleveland) location opened this past August. Bass Pro Shops currently has two stores in Ohio; West Chester (Cincinnati) and
Rossford (Toledo). A Boston Heights (Cleveland) store has apparently been put on hold. Cabela’s was founded in 1961 when Dick Cabela started selling fishing flies through the mail from his kitchen table with his wife, Mary, and brother, Jim. It now has 85 retail stores primarily in the western U.S. and Canada. Bass Pro got its start in 1971.
October 2016
Feeding of Wildlife in PA
HARRISBURG, PA — The feeding of wildlife in areas where hunting occurs could be considered baiting, depending from how far away animals are being drawn to feeding sites, and many other factors. “If animals are clearly being drawn to feed that’s placed out near homes or elsewhere, and someone is hunting them along that travel route, hunting over bait charges might be appropriate,� Grohol said. “The facts of each case are considered individually, but the feeding of wildlife near a hunting area is something hunters need to take into account.� Additionally, the feeding of wildlife is prohibited in several circumstances. It is unlawful to feed wildlife anywhere on state game lands. And on all lands public or private in Pennsylvania, it’s unlawful to intentionally feed bears or elk, or to place any food, fruit, hay, grain, chemicals, salt or other materials that cause bears or elk to congregate or habituate in an area. If bears or elk are being attracted to an area because of other wildlife feeding, wildlife conservation officers can issue written notices to temporarily halt feed-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
ing activity, Grohol said. The prohibition on the feeding of bears and elk decreases the possibility these often-large and powerful wild animals will lose their fear of humans, creating potentially dangerous situations. The prohibition also helps protect bears against the spread of mange — an increasingly prevalent threat that often is fatal for bears — by removing congregation areas where healthy bears might encounter infected bears, or pick up the mange-causing mites infected bears leave behind at feeders. Likewise, the prohibition on feeding gives elk an additional layer of protection against chronic wasting disease (CWD). In areas of the state where the Game Commission has established Disease Management Areas (DMAs) in response to CWD being detected, the feeding of deer is prohibited. Any feeding of other wildlife that is attracting deer is considered feeding deer, and unlawful. Feeding causes deer to congregate in unnaturally high densities, and by prohibiting feeding, this requirement serves to slow the spread and decrease the prevalence of CWD in areas where it’s been detected. The use or field possession of urine-based deer attractants are
prohibited within DMAs for the same reason. Grohol said feeding and baiting need to be considered together because of the link they share in attracting wildlife. Questions can be sent to the Game Commission by e-mail to pgccomments@pa.gov or call the Game Commission region office or 717-787-4250. And if you find bait on public land, especially from September through November, please report it to the Game Commission. Take a photo and record the coordinates if you can.
Safety Tips for Bowhunters
¡ Make sure someone knows where you’re hunting and when you expect to return home. Leave a note or topographic map with your family or a friend. Pack a cellphone for emergencies. ¡ Always use a fall-restraint device – preferably a full-body harness – when hunting from a treestand. Wear the device from the moment you leave the ground until you return. Don’t climb dead, wet or icy trees. Stay on the ground on blustery days. Keep yourself
19
in good physical condition. ¡ Always carry a whistle to signal passersby in the event you become immobile. A compass and matches or lighter and tinder also are essential survival gear items to have along. An extra flashlight bulb also can be helpful. ¡ Use a hoist rope to lift your bow and backpack to your treestand. Trying to climb with either will place you at unnecessary risk. ¡ Don’t sleep in a treestand! If you can’t stay awake, return to the ground. ¡ Always carry broadhead-tipped arrows in a protective quiver. ¡ If you use a mechanical release, always keep your index finger away from the trigger when drawing. ¡ Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for all equipment and check your equipment before each use. ¡ Practice climbing with your treestand before dawn on the opening day of the season. Consider placing non-slip material on the deck of your treestand if it’s not already there. ¡ Never walk with a nocked, broadhead-tipped arrow or bolt. ¡ Cocked crossbows should always be pointed in a safe direction.
SPEC$IAL0!0 ONLY 3th7e for both book and the DVD!
BOAT FISHER ’LINE TRAPPING BANDITS with Ralph Scherder & Rich Faler
Pennsylvania Foothold Methods
R
by Ralph Scherder & Rich Faler
ich and Ralph bring their readers a special mix of successful trapping techniques blended with WUXO\ JLIWHG ZULWLQJ DELOLWLHV LQ WKLV ÀVKHU WUDSSLQJ book. Their style of co-authoring no doubt mirrors how WKH\ WUDS WRJHWKHU DV SDUWQHUV LQ WKH ÀHOG ² HDFK RI WKHP FRPSOHPHQWV WKH RWKHU $V , UHDG WKHLU ERRN , ÀQG LW KDUG to put down based on the approach these trappers use and WKH PDQQHU LQ ZKLFK WKH\ GHVFULEH WKH VLWXDWLRQ ² LW¡V OLNH ,¡P WDNLQJ SHUVRQDO LQVWUXFWLRQV IURP WKHP LQ WKH ÀHOG – Mark June, Pro Trapper and Biologist
$
96 Full-Color 6� x 9� Pages!
1495
EACH POSTPAID
SPECIAL!
J
oin Ralph and Rich as they share their trapping adventure. “Boat Line Banditsâ€? is sure to entertain and educate anyone interested in big water trapping. Prepare to get fully immersed in the trapline experience, away from the beaten path and crowds, where you can fully enjoy the beauty of nature and the excitement of trapping! ,Q WKLV '9' \RX¡OO OHDUQ KRZ WR FUHDWH D simple, yet effective, system for taking raccoons, KRZ WR VFRXW DQG Ă€QG ORFDWLRQV EHIRUH HYHQ launching your boat, and how to choose the best boat and motor for any situation.
BOTH THE BOOK AND THE DVD $ POSTPAID
3700 $2995
BEAVER POND PUBLISHING P.O. Box 224-D • Greenville, PA 16125
Approximately 1 hour!
EACH POSTPAID
Pennsylvania residents please add 6% sales tax.