Ohio Valley Outdoor Times 12-2014 by Morning Journal

MAKING A DIFFERENCE - P.07

Ohio Ice Fishing 101 Story inside page 08

Late Season Smoke OV Outdoor Times

Late season muzzleloader is my favorite time of year. Something about the cold and snow gets me excited to go deer hunting. When I tell people that, they shake their heads and tell me I’m crazy. By Ralph Scherder After all, who really Hunting Editor wants to sit in a treestand in single-digit temperatures? Well, I do! Late season is a great time to deer hunt. Many of the bucks are post rut. No longer are they chasing does all over the countryside trying to breed. This time of year, they settle into a daily routine that revolves around two things – food and cover. And because bucks are now feeding frequently to restore all the nutrients their bodies lost during the rut, they become almost predictable in their patterns. I prepare for muzzleloader season in much the same way that I prepare for archery. All of my hunting clothes get washed and doused with scent eliminator. All of my gear gets treated, too. My stand locations are usually in much tighter areas, typically in funnels and pinch points between bedding and feeding areas. Bucks have been pressured all

Outdoor Times

December 2014

season, which means they’re more likely to move during the first and last couple hours of daylight. Despite that, though, I prefer to stay on stand all day long for the simple fact that so many other hunters head back to their vehicles at lunchtime. When hunters start moving around they push deer, so lunchtime can be a great opportunity to bust a buck. It can be hard to stay on stand all day, though, especially if it’s really cold. I still remember the 2010-11 Ohio muzzleloader season. Daytime highs topped out at 15 degrees the first couple of days with wind chills below zero. They were long, grueling days, but I had lots of action. Deer were up and moving all day long, which helped keep me focused and positive. At 3:30 p.m. on the second day, a decent buck trotted within range. It had four points on one side and a thick, blade-like spike on the other. If both sides had been equal to the strong side, it would’ve been a 120-class buck. As it was, it was a “cull” buck of sorts and a hard-earned trophy. Field dressing and hauling it out of the woods was the only time during those two days that I felt even remotely warm, but the experience was worth it. Usually I have a pretty good tolerance for the cold. I dress in layers and pack a really big lunch full of sandwiches, granola bars, and other snacks. Basically, I feed all day long, and it’s amazing how something as simple as eating can keep Turn To Smoke Page 4

Ohio Valley

FR EE!

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Ralph Scherder

The author with a nice Ohio muzzleloader buck, taken during the 2010-11 season on a very cold winter day.

14 Winter Wildlife

ODNR

5 Central PA Fall Trout Season Opens

Jeff Knapp

PA Elk Harvest Totals 88; 25 are Bulls

Curt Grimm

8 Ohio Ice Fishing 101

Making A Difference

Austin Delano

Management PAGC

Scott Albrecht

Casto Named WV Officer of Year

WVDNR

Bow Length: Does it Matter? Brian Miller

10 Rabbits Elude Hawks Again OUTDOOR CALENDAR

Indoor Pistol Shooting - Dec. 19, 26 (every Fri. until Apr. 25) 7-10 p.m. at Columbiana County Fish & Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH. Also Indoor .22/Air Rifle Shooting every Tues. 6-9 p.m. All open to public. Website: www.columbianacountyfishand game.com Trap Shooting/Winter Jackpot - Dec. 14, 28, Jan. 11, 25, Feb. 8, 22. Weds. 6-9 p.m., Sun. 11-4. Columbiana County Fish & Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH. Open to public. Website: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Old Fashion Style Turkey Shoot - Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28 each Sunday thru March at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, Washingtonville, OH. Field stock guns, .680 choke max., no scopes. For info. contact Tom Brunner 330-692-6577 or email:tbrunner1020@gmail.com. Gun Show by Mahoning Valley Gun Collectors - Dec. 27-28 *Note this is a new date. (9 a.m.4 p.m.) at Lowellville Rod and Gun Club. Admission $4, vendor tables $25.For info. call Bill at 330-506-9194.

Ohio Valley

Thanking a Mentor

men`tor - noun (men, -tor, -ter): A person or friend who guides a less experienced person by building trust and modeling positive behaviors. An effective mentor understands that his or her role is to be dependable, engaged, authentic, and By Larry Claypool tuned into the needs of Editor the mentee. Bob Chambers was all of those things to Curt Grimm, although Grimm didn’t realize it until recently. Chambers was always a family friend to Grimm’s family. Grimm, a retired teacher, veteran hunter, outdoorsman and now outdoor writer, didn’t think of Chambers as a mentor until he started penning an article about his long-time friend. Read his article on Page 7. As a way to thank his friend Grimm wanted to write about how he initially got interested in hunting and being outdoors. Of all of the things he wrote about — including his love of running marathons — focused toward one person. His path in life — how he did his job, his hobbies, and love for the outdoors — was fostered from his relationship with Bob Chambers. “I then realized that Bob really was a mentor to me,” said Grimm recently. His thoughts about Chambers have weighed heavily on Grimm and his family recently. Chambers died just a few days after Grimm wrote the short essay about his friend. Grimm was pleased he was able to let Chambers hear of his reverence for the old man. He read the article to Chambers for his approval. Grimm even took his beloved dogs with him to visit Chambers — for what would be the last time. “He loved my dogs. Bolt (Grimm’s Yorkshire terrier) sat on his lap while I read the article to him,” said Grimm. “He really liked the article,” added Grimm. Chambers’ family liked the article too. After his death, during a memorial service for OV Outdoor Times

INSIDE THIS MONTH

3 Ohio Deer Gun 7

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Grimm’s friend, the article was read aloud during the service, per the family’s request. “They asked me to read it. I couldn’t, it was too emotional for me, so my brother Gary read it. There wasn’t a dry eye in the place,” said Grimm. Chambers’ wish was to be cremated after his death and have his ashes spread in the Pennsylvania mountains, near where his hunting camp was — and shared by many of his friends and hunting companions, including Grimm’s family. Grimm’s article about Chambers offers this advice to readers: “If you have a person like Bob in your life, take time to thank them for being a part of your life. I did, and I’m so thankful.”

A Perfect ‘Badger Dog’ for the Job For the love of falconry and photography, I again chased/followed Mick Brown’s little dogs around a tree farm recently (see story on Page 10). These little wiener dogs (actually miniature dachshunds) are so tough. They are perfect for the job as they are used for in falconry. Their German name means: badger dog. That fits. I know, they’re hunting dogs and that’s what they’re bred for, but these short-legged canines can go on forever, looking for/smelling for rabbits and rummaging through, digging in piles of brush and heavy grass. They’re bred to go into rabbit holes. I’ve seen that. And I’ve seen them dive into brush so thick they had to be pulled to safety. And an additional trait that the long-haired dachshund variety possesses helps in hunting for rabbits in the winter. The long hair, allows the dogs to push on with snow and ice balls hanging from their fur, and allows the dogs to shed off briars and thorns found in open fields. It’s a perfect model to kick up bunnies that are used in falconry. They’re just part of a perfect team of hunters. A good ‘badger dog’ offers a better day afield for everyone.

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

Outdoor Times

Graphics Designer, Linda McKenzie lmckenzie@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com

December 2014 VOL. 6, NO. 12

is published by Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine

Offices located at

Ohio Valley Outdoor Times

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

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Ohio’s Deer-Gun Season Opens with 17K Deer Harvested

COLUMBUS, OH — Hunters checked 17,512 white-tailed deer on December 1, the opening day of Ohio’s deer-gun hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). New for the 2014 deer hunting season, rifles using specified straight-walled cartridges can be used. Gun hunters took advantage of the new opportunity on Monday, checking in 1,805 deer with straight-walled cartridge rifles. Counties reporting the highest numbers of deer checked in on Monday include: Coshocton (793), Tuscarawas (667), Muskingum (652), Ashtabula (586), Knox (573), Guernsey (512), Licking (501), Holmes (477), Harrison (455) and Carroll (451). Last year hunters checked 22,619 deer on the first day of deer-gun season. Ohio’s deer-gun season remained open through Dec. 7. Find more information about deer hunting in the Ohio 2014-2015 Hunting and Trapping Regulations or at wildohio.gov. An updated deer harvest report is posted online each Wednesday.

Hunting is the best and most effective management tool for maintaining Ohio’s healthy deer population. During the 2013-2014 hunting season, Ohio hunters checked 191,459 deer. Ohio ranks fifth nationally in resident hunters and 11th in the number of jobs associated with hunting-related industries. Hunting has a more than $853 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation publication. The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations through a combination of regulatory and programmatic changes. The goal of Ohio’s Deer Management Program is to provide a deer population that maximizes recreational opportunities, while minimizing conflicts with landowners and motorists. This ensures that Ohio’s deer herd is maintained at a level that is both acceptable to most, and biologically sound. Until recently, the populations in

nearly all of Ohio’s counties were above their target numbers. In the last few years, through increased harvests, dramatic strides have been made in many counties to bring those populations closer toward their goal. Once a county’s deer population is near goal, harvest regulations are adjusted to maintain the population. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. A list of all white-tailed deer checked by hunters during opening day of the 2014 deer-gun hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2014, and the 2013 numbers are in parentheses. Adams: 219 (375); Allen: 98 (77); Ashland: 353 (318); Ashtabula: 586 (880); Athens: 305 (529); Auglaize: 77 (99); Belmont: 329 (530); Brown: 183 (262); Butler: 38 (92); Carroll: 451 (698); Champaign: 103 (137); Clark: 39 (56); Clermont: 131 (160); Clinton: 51 (68); Columbiana: 372 (584); Coshocton: 793 (940); Crawford: 161 (140); Cuyahoga: 4 (2); Darke: 53 (44); Defiance: 280 (269); Delaware: 119 (100); Erie: 45 (43); Fairfield: 186 (228); Fayette: 25

Ohio Valley Outdoors–

Brandon Easter with a 4-pt buck, taken in Columbiana County, OH. He checked in the deer at Runzo’s Sports Center in Beloit, OH.

(24); Franklin: 19 (25); Fulton: 125 (127); Gallia: 282 (382); Geauga: 124 (153); Greene: 57 (66); Guernsey: 512 Turn To Deer-Gun Page 4

4 Smoke From Page 1

you warm – which is why deer are constantly feeding this time of year, too. During late season muzzleloader, food sources become king. Any mast, such as acorns, still in the woods will draw whitetails like crazy, as will food plots. Also, this time of year baiting can be extremely effective. Very few deer, including bucks, can pass up the opportunity of an easy meal at the feeder. However, bait stations aren’t the end-all solution to harvesting a nice buck. It’s how you set up and use the bait station that makes it effective. Many hunters, when using bait, will set up practically on top of the corn pile. There’s nothing wrong with this, especially if they’re just looking to harvest a doe and put some meat in the freezer. Most mature bucks, though, instinctively avoid the feeder until after dark or in the waning minutes of daylight after legal shooting hours. Same goes with bucks coming out into food plots. They’ll typically only venture out into the wide open under the safety of darkness. Hunting over bait or food plots can be a lot trickier than most people realize. I’ve hunted all types of situations – bait stations, food plots, and many times with

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

neither during muzzleloader season – and I think the hardest way to kill a big buck is over a corn pile simply because they’re extremely cautious about coming to it. They approach slowly and constantly check the wind for danger. That’s why it’s so important to take all the steps to be as scent-free as possible. Rather than hunt within close range of the bait, though, I prefer to back off a short distance, perhaps even a couple hundred yards. Many times bucks will satellite around the bait station, checking the wind. A typical stand I set up is in a travelway or funnel about a hundred yards downwind from the corn pile and in an ideal location to intercept these satellite bucks. I view putting out corn differently than most hunters. I view it as establishing a food source that draws deer the same way that a food plot or stand of oaks draws deer, and I hunt it the same way. Deciding what gear to take on a late season muzzleloader hunt is pretty easy. I pack the same things I normally take when archery hunting, including my grunt call. Although we are now entering the post-rut phase, bucks will still respond to grunts. It’s possible, too, that a few deer could be in a second rut phase. Basi-

cally, the second rut occurs approximately 30 days after the first rut, when many of the does and yearlings that were too small to be bred in November have now gained enough weight and maturity to breed. How strong the second rut is depends on the intensity of the first rut, but typically the second rut is just a ghost of the first. Some years, the November rut occurs later than usual and is a little more sporadic and spread out over a longer period of time. From my observations during archery season, this year seemed to fall into that category. I witnessed a buck breeding a doe the day after Thanksgiving and saw a couple other small bucks actually chasing does around that same time. In the past, during years similar to this, I’ve even seen bucks with rutswollen necks after Christmas. It doesn’t happen often, but it does occasionally happen. So here we are. The snow is falling and so is the temperature. The deer are moving and there are still plenty of nice bucks out there if you have yet to harvest one. This is a great time of year to hunt. It’s winter. It’s muzzleloader season. Keep warm and good luck!

December 2014

Deer-Gun From Page 3

(742); Hamilton: 29 (42); Hancock: 127 (89); Hardin: 141 (142); Harrison: 455 (738); Henry: 98 (112); Highland: 230 (294); Hocking: 284 (382); Holmes: 477 (521); Huron: 296 (338); Jackson: 222 (325); Jefferson: 303 (448); Knox: 573 (645); Lake: 35 (30); Lawrence: 142 (276); Licking: 501 (572); Logan: 183 (186); Lorain: 174 (157); Lucas: 17 (27); Madison: 28 (26); Mahoning: 157 (227); Marion: 83 (76); Medina: 139 (146); Meigs: 251 (435); Mercer: 57 (72); Miami: 66 (53); Monroe: 203 (364); Montgomery: 24 (34); Morgan: 272 (387); Morrow: 184 (176); Muskingum: 652 (831); Noble: 234 (402); Ottawa: 17 (25); Paulding: 151 (158); Perry: 326 (419); Pickaway: 78 (102); Pike: 140 (198); Portage: 104 (150); Preble: 46 (73); Putnam: 85 (72); Richland: 337 (314); Ross: 227 (307); Sandusky: 61 (60); Scioto: 113 (264); Seneca: 205 (199); Shelby: 98 (111); Stark: 183 (243); Summit: 18 (23); Trumbull: 331 (482); Tuscarawas: 667 (853); Union: 77 (82); Van Wert: 69 (42); Vinton: 248 (397); Warren: 66 (78); Washington: 350 (497); Wayne: 170 (190); Williams: 286 (340); Wood: 95 (59); Wyandot: 207 (178). Total: 17,512 (22,619).

West Virginia Facts & Questions 2014-15 Hunting and Trapping Regulations

NONRESIDENT HUNTERS Q. Is the buck season a hunter’s choice season? No. Hunters must possess a valid Class NN stamp to hunt antlerless deer. The 2014 antlerless deer season will be open to nonresidents on Oct. 23-25, 2014 (private land only) and on private and public land during Nov. 24 - Dec. 6, Dec. 18-20 and Dec. 29-31, 2014, in 50 counties or parts thereof. This is not a hunter’s choice season in the counties where the antlerless deer season is open at the same time as the buck firearms season. Hunters may take two deer per day; however, only one antlered deer may be taken on any given day. Q. I’m a nonresident and I am coming to WV to hunt deer. Does my 14 year old son need a license? Yes. All nonresidents (except those who have a WV lifetime license), regardless of age, are required to possess a nonresident license. Both resident and nonresident hunters born on or after Jan. 1, 1975, must show proof of completing a certified hunter education course prior to purchasing a base license. Nonresident

hunters between the ages of 8 and 17 may purchase a nonresident junior sportsman license (XXJ) for $16 along with a CS/LE stamp for $13 to take one buck gun, one archery and one muzzleloader deer (during the traditional seasons). Additional licenses are required to hunt antlerless deer and to take additional archery and firearm deer. Q. I live in Ohio and I own property in Marion County. Can I hunt without a license on my own property? No. Nonresidents, even though they own and pay taxes on property in WV, cannot hunt on the property they own in WV without first obtaining a nonresident license. Q. I am a nonresident and possess Class E, CS/LE stamps. Am I required to purchase a Class UU stamp if I substitute my bow for a gun during a regular gun season? No, except that a bow may not be substituted for a gun during the muzzleloader season. Q. I purchased a Class X license in JanTurn To WV Q&A Page 5

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Central Pennsylvania Fall Trout OV Outdoor Times

The drive up State Route 2004 – better known as Fishing Creek Road – was like entering a cathedral. A few moments earlier we’d been surrounded by the broad fertile valleys common to By Jeff Knapp Centre and southern Fishing Editor Clinton counties. Then, with the early morning sun illuminating the remaining foliage, we were in a narrow, wooded corridor, one drained by an absolutely gorgeous section of trout stream. It was a multi-day trip I’d promised myself for some time, one to central Pennsylvania and the wild brown trout that prosper in the region’s many limestone spring creeks. While I visit these streams during the spring and summer, come fall, like many outdoors folks, I participated in other forms of hunting and fishing. Not this year! My friend Mark Transue joined me on the trip. Mark’s a skilled fly fisher, one WV Q&A From Page 4

uary and moved to PA in June. Can I still hunt as a WV resident in November? Yes. A resident, who purchased a license during the year and holds a valid resident license when he moves out of the state, may continue to use the resident license for the rest of the calendar year. Only senior citizens over 65, Class Q and veterans surrender their hunting privileges when leaving the state. Q. I am a nonresident and only want to hunt bear, what licenses do I need? Nonresidents who plan to hunt only bear must purchase a nonresident bear hunting license Class EE ($162), a Bear Damage Stamp DS ($10), and a Conservation/Law Enforcement Stamp ($13), unless they hold a Class DT license. A Class I ($2) stamp is needed for hunting on a National Forest. To hunt other species, a nonresident must have a Class E ($119) license and appropriate stamps. Q. I am a handicapped nonresident hunter. Can I participate in the special Class Q hunts for deer in WV? Yes, provided you qualify for and obtain a Class Q hunting permit from the state of WV and purchase the appropriate licenses (i.e., Class E and Class CS/LE). RESIDENT LANDOWNER Q. How many deer can I kill on my own

who has fished these streams for decades. But like me, he’d never tried them during late fall. “It will probably be tough,” he predicted prior to our outing. “The streams will be low and clear. Unless there’s some kind of hatch coming off, the action will probably be slow.” These creeks, which include Clinton County’s Fishing Creek (commonly called Big Fishing Creek) and Centre County’s Spring Creek, harbor excellent wild brown trout populations. So any lack of sport wouldn’t be due to a shortage of fish. But these streams are also loaded with natural food. In addition to an assortment of mayflies and caddis flies, they also host a variety of crustacean — scuds and sowbugs mostly. They can afford to be selective. Another issue is that fertile spring creeks commonly contain an abundance of vegetation — beds of watercress and weed-coated rocks. Fishing subsurface flies means dealing with regular coatings of slimy and clingy green growth. Dry flies are an obvious solution; you hope there’s enough bug activity to have

property? A resident landowner on his own property can kill the same number of deer as a licensed hunter and no more. A hunter (licensee or landowner) cannot exceed the number of deer allowed in the respective season. Q. I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license and own property in Brooke County. Can I kill my first deer as a licensed hunter and then kill my additional deer as a landowner? Yes. However, the additional deer must be killed on your own land. Q. I bought a Class X Hunting and Fishing license and own property in Brooke County. Can I kill my first buck during the buck-firearms season as a landowner and then kill an additional deer on a Class X license on my buddy’s property? Yes. The hunter may kill his first deer as a landowner (fulfilling his RG privilege) and his additional deer on his Class X license. Q. I am a West Virginia resident; can I hunt without a license on my resident parents’ property? Yes. WV resident children may hunt on their resident parents’ property without a license. Resident parents may hunt on their resident children’s property without a license.

the trout looking up. Mark’s prediction was correct. We worked hard for fish, but managed to get a few to hand. And those we did came on dry flies, size 18 and 20 blue-winged olives and equally small Griffith’s Gnats that mimicked, at least closely enough, the tiny natural insects the finicky trout were rising to. We had to drop down to 7X tippets as well. During our trip we fished both Spring Creek and Big Fishing Creek. Both waters are under special regulations. Much of Spring Creek (16.5 miles) is managed with Catch and Release, All Tackle Regulations. Fishing is permitted year-round, with all legal forms of tackle (flies, lures, live bait), but all trout must be released. Spring Creek also has a Fly Fishing Only project, located near the Bellefonte Fish Hatchery. It too is open year-round, on a catch-and-release basis, with only traditional fly fishing gear being permitted. No wading is allowed in a portion of this project, one common known as Fisherman’s Paradise. A small section of Spring Creek near the town of Bellefonte – the Exhibition Area – is closed to fishing. The portions of Big Fishing Creek we visited also come under special regulations. Two stretches are managed as

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Jeff Knapp

Mark Transue displays a nice wild brown trout taken from Clinton County’s Big Fishing Creek. Turn To Trout Page 6

6 Trout From Page 1

Trophy Trout Projects. Waters under this designation can be fished all year with artificial lures and flies. From opening day of trout season until Labor Day two trout, minimum 14 inches in length, can be creeled. The remainder of the year all trout must be released. Another nearby two-mile section is managed as Catch and Release. Both flies and artificial lures are allowed, but all trout must be released year-round. Since I visited both Spring Creek and Big Fishing Creek during the same trip, care was taken in regard to wading gear; more specifically, different waders and wading shoes were used in each stream. New Zealand mud snails have been discovered in Spring Creek, and can be transferred from one water to another via boots. Complete drying of wading gear is one way of preventing the spread of invasives. Since that’s not practical on a trip such as this, waders/boots designated “Spring Creek only” were used. More information on preventing the spread of invasive species can be obtained by visiting the Fish and Boat Commission

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Ice Fishing: Frequently Asked Questions

Which is safer, clear ice or cloudy ice? This is actually a trick question- NO ICE IS SAFE ICE! Regardless of how the ice looks, always proceed with caution since there are always thin spots on lakes and ponds. But, as far as which ice is better, clear ice is better than cloudy ice. It is very intimidating if you step out onto a lake or pond and can see clearly to the bottom. But with the way ice forms, the clearer it is, the less impurities and irregularities is has. So, inch for inch, clear ice is stronger since it’s purer.

There is no one on the lake and I hear weird noises. Is that the sound of the ice cracking? Probably not. The ice on a lake is in a difficult position: cold air above, warm water below, and only so much room to expand. So when ice forms, it will actually “sing.” This is the result of the ice pressing against itself as it expands. It is hard to describe, but with experience, you can distinguish between the muffled music of forming ice vs. the dangerous sound of ice cracking.

True or False- Speaking of water temperatures, the warmest water will be near the top since the sun can still warm the water. False! Believe it or not, water can have different density depending on the temperature. Water is MOST dense when it is at 4°C (39°F). Instead of warm water at the top and cool water at the bottom in summer, the warmest water in the winter will be at the bottom while the coolest water will be at the top. This cool water will eventually freeze first and become the first layer of ice. So when you start your day ice fishing, try putting your lures near the bottom first since that is where it is the warmest. True or False- Why go ice fishing? The fish are “turned off,” so they won’t bite. False! Just like everything else, fish need to eat to survive. Now granted, they do eat less when the waters get cold since their activity level decreases. But they do need to eat enough to maintain their body condition, and make it to the spring when they will reproduce. They

December 2014

aren’t going to eat much, and what they will eat will basically be a snack. So scale down the bait size, present it a bit slower, be patient, and that Fish Ohiosized crappie might be on your line before you know it!

True or False- During the winter, aquatic vegetation dies off, and the lake bottoms are flat with no features or cover for fish. False! Aquatic vegetation can last throughout the winter as long as sunlight can penetrate the ice. If you ever reel up some vegetation in the winter, and it is green, it is probably alive. However, if the ice is cloudy or there is an excess amount of snow on the ice, this can cause the vegetation to die off. If the dieoff is severe enough, a “winter kill” of fish can happen since decomposing vegetation reduces oxygen in the water that fish need to survive.

Ohio Fall Turkey Harvest Tops 1,200

COLUMBUS, OH — Hunters harvested 1,238 wild turkeys during Ohio’s 2014 fall wild turkey season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. Ohio’s 2014 fall wild turkey hunting season was open in specific counties Oct. 13-Nov. 30. This year’s total is a 19 percent increase from 2013, when hunters harvested 1,037 wild turkeys. The top 10 counties for fall wild turkey harvest were: Ashtabula (54), Coshocton and Guernsey (45 each), Geauga and Jefferson (36 each), Holmes and Knox (35 each), Tuscarawas (34), Trumbull (32) and Williams (31). Hunters could pursue a wild turkey of either sex in 56 counties. A list of all wild turkeys checked during the 2014 fall hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2014, and the 2013 numbers are in parentheses. Adams: 23 (23); Ashland: 14 (18); Ashtabula: 54 (41); Athens: 21 (12); Belmont: 23 (14); Brown: 16 (22); Butler: 11 (10); Carroll: 24 (18); Clermont: 29 (33); Columbiana: 29 (52); Coshocton: 45 (31); Cuyahoga:

8 (1); Defiance: 20 (19); Delaware: 17 (6); Fairfield: 8 (8); Franklin: 3 (2); Gallia: 30 (16); Geauga: 36 (24); Guernsey: 45 (28); Hamilton: 7 (18); Harrison: 22 (33); Highland: 27 (24); Hocking: 18 (13); Holmes: 35 (29); Huron: 7 (11); Jackson: 25 (15); Jefferson: 36 (21); Knox: 35 (44); Lake: 15 (7); Lawrence: 23 (14); Licking: 30 (22); Lorain: 18 (20); Mahoning: 27 (21); Medina: 7 (13); Meigs: 23 (14); Monroe: 15 (19); Morgan: 19 (9); Morrow: 12 (9); Muskingum: 26 (14); Noble: 26 (20); Perry: 26 (12); Pike: 17 (18); Portage: 19 (20); Richland: 21 (25); Ross: 22 (21); Scioto: 20 (8); Seneca: 12 (7); Stark: 21 (23); Summit: 17 (11); Trumbull: 32 (28); Tuscarawas: 34 (28); Vinton: 21 (6); Warren: 9 (12); Washington: 14 (17); Wayne: 12 (9); Williams: 31 (24). Total: 1,238 (1,037).

Have a question for the OVO Pro Staff?

Please submit questions on a variety of topics to members of the Pro Staff via email at: prostaff@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com.

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Making a Difference OV Outdoor Times

Sometimes when you take time to reflect back on life you recognize someone who has been a major influence in your life. Often the main focus centers on something that By Curt Grimm made days an enjoy- The Marathon Hunter able experience. It may revolve around a hobby or sport you’ve enjoy during your lifetime. For example, golf, football, or some other major sport; but in my case it was centered on enjoying the great outdoors and appreciating the excitement and beauty it had to offer. Hunting and fishing became my passion and my favorite thing to do. Taking the time to let that person know they were truly appreciated should not go unaddressed. It is a very rewarding experience for both parties involved. For me, Bob Chambers represented this as a role model and teacher. Bob was our dad’s best friend, and was there when I harvested my first squirrel, rabbit and

deer. He taught me how to find turkeys and use my first turkey call. We went on many long hikes together and he took me over miles and miles of farm and forest land. I gained valuable exercise to pursue game and set the stage for my years of running through what I’ve learned from Bob. My marathon running, triathlons and high tech adventure racing was built from the foundation I learned while taking long hikes with Bob. My nickname, The Marathon Hunter, was originated because of my association with this man. I never realized what a role model was. But Bob never expected anything in return and he was always there to provide guidance and advice for me and my family. Every fall my brothers and friends go to a camp in the Pennsylvanian mountains to hunt and photograph the Pennsylvania elk herd. We also make annual deer and bear hunts that are very exciting. Bob was the original owner of our camp and always encouraged us to use it at no expense. He later sold the hunting camp to one of my brothers and we still continue to make our annual trips.

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Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Gary Grimm

The author (left) with his mentor, Bob Chambers, at his home in late November. Chambers, at age 85, died a few days after this photo was taken.

For the last 30 years we have made an annual bear hunting trip to the central PA camp. Over the years Bob was the only one fortunate enough to harvest a

trophy bear near his favorite place to hunt that he called, Dice Rock. The bear was over 400 pounds. Since then we’ve Turn To Difference Page 11

By Scott Albrecht

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Ohio Ice Fishing 101

Ice fisherman in Ohio are gearing up for the 2014/2015 season with hopes that this year will be just as good as last. Lake Erie received heavy attention early last year for the trophy walleye and perch it was producing on ice and for the first time in a while, ice fishing in Ohio was something top of mind in this state and nationwide. As popularity for the sport of ice fishing grows in Ohio, so does the interest of those who have have not ice fished before. As a sponsored angler in the ice fishing industry, I get the privilege of sharing my experiences with these newcomers and help them learn the basics of ice fishing in Ohio. Whether in seminars, or during on-ice demos, the first topic of discussion has to be ice safety. Ice safety boils down to being informed. Knowing where safe ice occurs in Ohio, the proper technique for testing ice thickness with a spud bar as you walk out, and what to do if you break through are necessary topics to understand.

New ice anglers can conduct online research, call around to local baits shops and inquire on online ice fishing forums (like www.icefishohio.com) before venturing out. I recommend ice fishing with someone who has experience for your first time out on the ice and never ice fishing alone. Now that you understand the basics of ice fishing safety, warmth is the next topic to tackle. Many anglers underestimate the importance of layering with the right fabrics and the use of rubber insulated boots. A good outfit for a day on the ice should include a base layer that fits close to the skin, a mid-layer made up of looser insulating fabrics (avoid cotton as it tends to let cold air and moisture in), and an outer layer with insulation, a waterproof, wind breaking material and in some instances a material that floats. I use the Striker Predator suit which floats and is versatile for ice fishing in all kinds of conditions in Ohio. Equally important to being safe and warm on the ice is catching fish, you shouldn’t need more than an hand auger, ice scoop, 2 rod reel combos (one

backup one in case you break off or get tangled), some ice fishing line, and a handful of jigs to get started. You can add a 5 gallon bucket to the above list to sit on while you fish and store your gear or fish while on ice. Typical bait used in Ohio for ice fishing are small tungsten or lead jigs tipped with wax worms, spikes, or Euro Larvae. Soft plastic imitations of the above are also starting to catch on. I like to use strike indicators at the end of my ice fishing rods to indicate a bite when fish are finicky. Some rods, like the Sportsmen’s Direct Flatline rod, even have one built in as a feature at the end of the rod. Once your hole is drilled and you have removed the slush from your hole, drop your baited line down the hole and start working the jig/bait combination with slight jiggles and pauses as you lower the bait down through the water column. When your jigs hits the bottom, work the bottom few feet up and down with different jigging progressions until you figure out what jigging pattern the fish want that day. Catching that first fish through the ice is a magical experience even after 20 years of doing it. I hope you get a chance to ice fish this winter in Ohio. I will be conducting free seminars and on ice

December 2014

demonstrations this winter. For information on seminars and locations, check www.iceprofromohio.com. You can also submit a question about ice fishing and I will respond.

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of Scott Albrecht

The author with a nice perch, taken during an ice fishing trip in Ohio.

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

4H Shooting Sports Return to Jefferson County Ohio OV Outdoor Times

Dale Carnegie, the American author and motivational speaker, often discussed attitude. In his sixth book, published in 1948, he penned a chapter titled “If You Have a By Travis R. Hunt Lemon, Make a OVO Pro Staff Lemonade.” My 14year-old daughter Leia was born with a lemon in the form of a malignant eye tumor that rendered her virtually blind in her left eye. However, you only need one eye to look through a scope. This obvious fact became stunningly apparent early in the spring of 2014. As a father of five, hunter, and aspiring marksman, I am passionate about my four daughters, my son, and my arsenal. My arsenal includes a Modern Sporting Rifle chambered in 22LR. Leia took an interest and after receiving basic instructions in marksmanship and safety, she was soon connecting with a plate

target positioned 40 yards off our back deck. Later, the 100 yard swinging steel plate swung to and fro as round after round maintained the momentum. The bottom line — Leia was a natural marksman. She expressed a desire to run with this new sport and I sought to oblige her fledgling interest. My search for a youth shooting organization resulted in a referral to the Jefferson County 4H. I spoke with Janine Yeske (740-264-1112) and she shared with me that once Leia was affiliated with one of the many local 4H clubs, she would be granted access to 4H shooting sport activities. She directed me to an old friend Tom Perrin (740-765-4602). Tom explained to me that he was taking the first steps down the path of reintroducing 4H shooting sport opportunities in the area. He invited Leia and I to the second 4H shooting sports event. On June 14, 2014, Leia and I joined Perrin, five youth participants, and 4H shooting sport instructors Dave Hendricks and Bob Hickle at the Steubenville Rifle and

Calendar of Events

Indoor Pistol Shooting - Dec. 19, 26 (every Fri. thru Apr. 24) 7-10 p.m. (open to public) at Columbiana County Fish & Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH. Also Indoor .22/Air Rifle Shooting every Tues. 6-9 p.m. New website: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Indoor .22/Air Rifle Shooting - Dec. 16, 23, 30 and every Tues. thru April 28 6-9 p.m. (open to public) at Columbiana County Fish & Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH. Website: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Trap Shooting/Winter Jackpot - Dec. 14, 28, Jan. 11, 25, Feb. 8, 22. Weds. 6-9 p.m., Sun. 11-4. Columbiana County Fish & Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Rd, Lisbon, OH. Open to public. 50 targets, $10 entry ($2 goes in jackpot). Website: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Old Fashion Style Turkey Shoot - Dec. 14, 21, 28 each Sunday thru March at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, Washingtonville, OH. Field stock guns, .680 choke max., no scopes. For info. contact Tom Brunner 330692-6577 or email: tbrunner1020@gmail.com. Gun Show by Mahoning Valley Gun Collectors - Dec. 27-28 *Note this is a new date. (9 a.m.-4 p.m.) at Lowellville Rod and Gun Club. Admission $4, vendor tables $25. Buy, sell and trade. Free appraisals, free

parking. GPS address 6225 Quarry Road, Lowellville, OH. For info. call Bill at 330-506-9194. West Virginia Trappers Association Fur Auction - Jan. 9-11, 2015 at Glimer County Recreation Center, Glenville, WV. Several vendors. For info. call Scott Schimmel at 304-462-7270, email Janet Hodge at hawkmtn@hawkmtn.com or visit website at: www.wvtrappers.com. Ohio State Trappers Association Fur Auction - Jan. 10 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 Jan. 2 only from noon - 9 p.m. Call Steve Hiller at 937-206-1934. For info. contact Hiller, OSTA Fur Auction Coordinator via email: SH10@outdrs.net. Visit the OSTA website at: www.ohiostatetrapper.org. Ohio State Trappers Association Fur Auction - Feb. 7 at 50 Boyer Lane (just off Rt. 41) in Jeffersonville, OH. Starts at 9 a.m. Call-ins for lot numbers (for all three auctions) will be taken on Jan. 2 only from noon - 9 p.m. Call Steve Hiller at 937-206-1934. For info. contact Hiller, OSTA Fur Auction Coordinator via email: SH10@outdrs.net. Visit the OSTA website at: www.ohiostatetrapper.org.

Pistol Club, Inc. (SRPC), located in Richmond, Ohio. The day began with an overview of gun safety including the understanding that a gun is a machine and that all machines can fail. This understanding naturally progressed into a discussion about the four rules of gun safety. I will take this opportunity to regurgitate these rules: 1. Treat every gun as if it is loaded; 2. Always point the barrel down range; 3. Always know the target and what is beyond the target; and 4. Always keep your finger off the trigger until you are ready to shoot. As a safety practitioner, I appreciated the demonstration of range safety including a demonstration of the range horn and range lights. The participants and attending parents adsorbed the safety briefing as well as the explanation of traditional buck horn and iron and peep sight usage and target acquisition. However, the smiles formed on the faces of the shooters when the instructors retrieved the bolt action Winchesters from their cases and placed them, bolt open, on each of four SPRC shooting benches. After donning hearing and eye protection, each shooter was handed 22LR cartridges. Shooting began in earnest and instructors tweaked performance. The first round of shoot-

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Travis R. Hunt

The author’s daughter, Leia (standing, right) and five other youth participants, take a moment for a photo during the first 4H shooting sport activities session held at the Steubenville Rifle and Pistol Club (SRPC), in Richmond, Ohio.

ing occurred with buck horn sights at 25 yards. Shooting and education continTurn To 4H Page 12

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Rabbits Elude Hawks Again

December 2014

OV Outdoor Times

This hunt started out with freezing rain. After a 90minute rain delay Mick Brown decided it was safe to fly his Harris’s hawk Pipa. His miniature dachshund, Zoey, was more than ready to By Larry Claypool hunt after a nearly Editor two-hour car ride in his car carrier. Tippy, the elder dachshund, and Zippy, Brown’s older Harris’s hawk would have to stay in their cages a few hours longer, to work the second shift on this day. The falconry hunt took place on a Christmas tree farm (Windy Hill Tree Farm) near East Liverpool, OH. Brown, a master falconer from Martins Ferry, OH, was in charge of this hunt. Windy Hill owner Gregg Ludwig and I tagged along, occasionally kicking up brush trying to assist in the hunt for rabbits. That would be the quarry for the day — and a few field mice the hawks would spot and stalk. The dachshunds did kick up two rabbits on the day but Pipa and Zippy each missed their one shot at a meal. They had to settle for ‘treats’ Brown offered during breaks in the hunt (that keeps the birds of prey happy, yet still hungry enough to hunt) and baby chick meal at the end of their hunts. This was the third hunt I’ve accompanied Brown — and his crew — on without a bunny harvested. Ludwig’s tree farm is a perfect hunting location for hawks. There’s a lot of brush piles and high weeds that rabbits like to hide and live in. The birds generally hang out in nearby trees above where the dogs are scurrying through brush piles. Sometimes they station themselves in nearby Christmas trees, waiting for any movement near the ground. The dogs bark too when they detect any foreign scent. When a rabbit is spotted by the falconer he yells a distinctive sound as to alarm both the dog and bird. Brown likes to use, HO, HO, HO! Although no wild game was caught during the hunt it was a good workout for everyone involved, including the dogs and birds. Brown said he adjusts

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

meals for his birds according to when they fly and hunt. Falconry birds are kept at a very specific weight so they are strong enough to fly, and hungry enough to hunt. Brown plans several falconry hunts each month (mostly weekends) during hunting season, which runs concurrent with small game hunting season in Ohio — November 7 to February 28. For more information about falconry, visit the websites: www.ohiofalconry.org and www.americanfalconry.com. Contact Mick Brown at 740-359-1341.

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool

Zoey, a miniature dachshund, works through snow and high grass, looking for rabbits.

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool

Zippy, a Harris’s hawk works with handler and master falconer Mick Brown near East Liverpool, OH recently.

Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool

Falconer Mick Brown and Pipa, a Harris’s hawk, work a Christmas tree farm near East Liverpool, OH.

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Casto Named WV Officer of the Year

PARKERSBURG, WV — West Virginia’s 2014 Natural Resources Police Officer of the Year is J.R. Casto of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) District 6. Col. Jerry Jenkins, chief of the DNR Law Enforcement Section, presented Officer Casto with the award during a recent ceremony at the DNR District 6 Office in Parkersburg. Each year, one officer from each of the six DNR districts is nominated for the award. The nominations are reviewed by an awards committee and the final selection is made based on several categories, including attitude, leadership, teamwork, public outreach, achievements and accomplishments. “Officer Casto’s nomination noted that he is an excellent role model for new officers and routinely assists others in investigations,” said Col. Jenkins. “Officer Casto has been an asset in working investigations initiated by the Internet and social media. He never ceases to volunteer for new assignments and goes above and beyond the call of duty.”

Officer Casto, who is assigned to Wood County, traveled to Destin, Florida, in October to represent West

Virginia at the annual meeting of the Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. At the meeting, Officer Casto received a plaque and pin during two separate awards ceremonies in recognition of his distinguished service.

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of WVDNR

DNR Col. Jerry Jenkins presents the 2014 Officer of the Year Award to NRPO Jonathan R. Casto during a ceremony at the DNR District 6 Office in Parkersburg.

11 Difference From Page 7

always made sure to hunt around his favorite spot. Over the years a few bears have been spotted in the Dice Rock area, but his was the only one to make it to the taxidermist. We all should feel that it is important to take the time to let a person like Bob know he is appreciated. A person should not wait until tomorrow, because tomorrow may never come. It is a very satisfying experience to share stories and laughs with fellow hunters that have been part of your hunting party and close friends. It’s also important to realize that you can become a hunter and fisherman that has the ability to impact someone else’s life and teach them safety and the enjoyment of the great outdoors. If you have a person like Bob in your life, take time to thank them for being a part of your life. I did, and I’m so thankful.

Editor’s Note: Just a few days after the author penned this article Bob Chambers passed away, at the age of 85. Grimm had visited Chambers to read him this article, for his approval. He approved, and Grimm said he was thankful he was able to share his thoughts with his mentor.

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Bow Length: Does It Matter? OV Outdoor Times

And the debate continues: do longer bows really provide better accuracy? It is time to look deeper at the facts related to bow length. Manufacturers have been in a head-to-head Brian Miller race to build more By Field Editor compact bows, following the recent craze to go shorter and more compact. A short bow can be wonderful but I have long been a proponent of longer bows. It’s time to call in an expert to find out if longer bows really provide better accuracy for hunters. Coming from my perspective, a 30 inch bow seems short. The first compound bow I purchased was a 50 inch Onieda Eagle. Not 12 years ago I was still using a 39 inch Matthews Q2XL, which is a long axle-to-axle bow by today’s standards. On the other hand, a hunter just getting into archery doesn’t know what it is like to shoot a really 4H From Page 9

ued for the next hour until Tom Perrin announced that lunch was served. The SPRC not only supplied the ammunition but the sloppy joes as well. Lunch was consumed, all were full, and the targets were moved to 50 yards. Leia worked with the instructors to become not only accustomed to, but proficient with fixed sights. Then the stops were pulled out and the targets were moved to 100 yards. A longer distance resulted in the need for bolt actions, dressed with peep sights. Once again the instructors provided the participants with an explanation of the dynamics of target acquisition, but this time with peep sights. The shots continued to ring out for the next few hours and ultimately hundreds of rounds were thrown down range. Before the afternoon was concluded, instructors and students alike nodded in satisfaction as they acknowledged the return of 4H shooting sports. The questions began to swirl. The participants and instructors decided to meet and shoot on a monthly basis. Perrin confirmed that the SPRC will continue to host and sponsor the event. Instruction and practice will continue but Leia

long bow, so their perception may be different then mine. Let’s dig in and discover the advantages and disadvantages of each style — long verses short. Bow designs have radically changed in the past 10 years. Parallel limbs allowed the design of shorter, more compact bows. Bow risers became longer and limbs became shorter and parallel. This redesign started the craze to build more and more compact bows. A long 40-inch axle-to-axle bow from yesterday is now been shortened to under 34 inches on today’s bows. Many hunting bows fall into the 28 to 34 inch range. Competition bows have a much longer axle-to-axle than hunting bows. For this conversation we’ll define a short, compact bow to be 32 inches or less. Longer bows will fall above that length with many in the 33-34 inches. When comparing compact bows to longer bows it has helped me to understand the physics involved before making any decisions. However, I don’t make my decision blindly on science alone. My determination it is also based

wanted to know where this will lead. She questioned if a 4H shooting sports team will emerge. Tom and I looked at each other and almost in unison uttered “maybe.” Author’s remarks: Between the writing and research for this article, the Jefferson County 4H Shooting Sports list of participants has grown to 14. By the time this article is published the 2014 4H Shooting Sports season has concluded. However, the tentative itinerary for the 2015 season is detailed in the facts box below. Additionally, I would like to extend a warm thank you to the Steubenville Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc. for selflessly advancing and promoting the children who are the future of shooting sports. After all, these children may one day become hunters, soldiers, police officers, or simply chose to responsibly exercise the Second Amendment, and for that I am grateful. 2015 Jefferson County 4H Shooting Sports Itinerary: • Meeting day - 2nd Saturday of each month from May-November • Location - Steubenville Rifle and Pistol Club, Inc., Richmond, Ohio • For information - Tom Perrin (740765-4602) • Cost - free

Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Brian Miller

Compact bows are also great for shorter draw lengths, which is why women generally shoot well with shorter bows.

on field testing and what works best for my hunting situation. When comparing bows, a longer bow has a higher inertia than a shorter bow

of the exact same mass. Inertia is the resistance of an object to changing its state of motion. That means the longer axleTurn To Bow Page 13

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December 2014

Bow From Page 12

to-axle bows hold steady better and are more forgiving than their shorter counterparts. In addition, the density of the riser factors into this equation. Essentially, the distribution of weight near the top and bottom of the bow helps the bow hold steadier then placing all the weight in the middle near the grip. You can test this theory yourself by taking a short bow and turning it sideways then taking a much longer bow and doing the same. You will find it is harder to turn the longer bow. Testing different axle-to-axle length in the field shows there is an advantage to longer bows. This is most evident at longer distances beyond 30 yards. There are many hunters today that have exceptional shooting form. Those hunters initially may not see a great difference in accuracy related to bow length until their form degrades. Hunters with a longer draw length — over 29 inches — often require a longer bow. In addition, the string angle is less severe when at full draw the on a longer bow, so the peep remains at an adequate distance from your eye. Shorter bows are more susceptible to grip errors and more sensitive to anchor

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

point movement. These issues present themselves most commonly through bow torque. Archery form problems become most prominent during those stressful moments when wild game gives you only a few seconds to pull off a shot. What advantages do shorter axle-toaxle bows offer? Compact bows allow a hunter to squeeze through smaller spaces. Ground blind hunting, a tight tree stand, and spot and stalk through thick brush are all easier with compact bows. They provide exceptional maneuverability in tight situations. Editor’s note: Read the rest of this article in the Winter Issue of Ohio Valley Outdoors magazine. On newsstands now.

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PA Hunters Sharing the Harvest

HARRISBURG, PA — It’s prime time for Pennsylvania hunting and, with any luck, some game bags or ear tags have been filled already, or are nearly about to be. Each year, the generosity of Pennsylvania’s hunters results in about 200,000 meals for the state’s hungry. By donating venison through Hunters Sharing the Harvest – a program that works through a network of meat processors to channel venison donations to local food banks, soup kitchens and hungry families – hunters extend their helping hands to those in need. And this year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other partners have made it easier than ever for hunters to help out. The Game Commission this year has donated $20,000 to the program, and the donation has helped enable Hunters Sharing the Harvest to nix the $15 fee previously paid by each hunter donating his or her venison. With its donation, the agency hopes to spur additional venison donations by

hunters and help Hunters Sharing the Harvest reach its goal of 100,000 pounds of venison donated this hunting season, Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said. “Nationwide, Hunters Sharing the Harvest has been the leader among programs facilitating charitable venison donations, and we’re proud of what the program represents and what it shows about the generosity of Pennsylvania’s hunters,” Hough said. “Our hope is that by removing the fee, more and more hunters will consider the program and take part in it, making our gift one that keeps on giving, and one for which many will be thankful.” All deer donated through Hunters Sharing the Harvest must be processed professionally by a participating butcher. For information on where to take deer to be donated, or to learn more about the program generally, visit Hunters Sharing the Harvest’s website, www.sharedeer.org.

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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Winter Wildlife Management

By Austin Delano The Gamekeepers Club

The winter can be a great time to take a look back on how your season has gone and make a checklist of things you would like to improve in the coming year. Call it a new year’s resolution for wildlife management purposes. To ensure you can grow the best food possible for all the critters you are trying to manage, late winter can be a great time to soil test. Getting the areas that you plan to plant in food plots or mast producing trees tested and properly amended with the recommended lime and fertilizer will be the best money you can spend. I encourage land managers to get their lime spread in the late winter for a couple of reasons. Ag lime can take months to begin to break down and neutralize the acidity of your soil, the finer the mesh that the lime is screened through at the quarry, the sooner it will break down. If you usually use the local co-op to spread your lime or rent equipment from them to do it yourself, late winter is a good time to get it done be-

fore the row crop farmers begin their planting season. Getting your plots amended with the proper amount of lime will increase the effectiveness of your fertilizer which will positively impact the growth and palatability of your spring and fall food plots. This can also be a great time of year to create a tree plot by utilizing hard and soft mast producing trees. Many of us have those hard to reach fields or grown up areas that don’t make great food plots because of their tough access or poorer soil types. These areas can be turned into a tree plot by selecting mast producing trees that will drop highly coveted acorns and fruit for your wildlife. One great tactic I like to use is taking a couple of acres and selecting 2-3 tree varieties that drop their mast at different times, this creates 2-3 month source of food. For example, persimmons and swamp white oaks can be planted for a great early season drop tree, and Shumard oaks can be used for the mid to late season drop. The guys at Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries in West Point MS have these and many other varieties of bene-

December 2014

ficial wildlife plantings available. Most of us have at least a couple weeks or more of deer season left to hunt this year and many of us have filled our freezer and more by this time of year. If you live in the southern portion of the country you are gearing up for the rut and ready for a shot at the bucks you have protected all year. Take the time this year to take a kid or an adult that may not have an opportunity or the resources to get out and enjoy God’s creation. A positive impact can be made on so many people by taking them out and showing them all the different ways we work and enjoy the land. Simple management chores on the farm can be a great way to spend time with kids and teach them things they don’t get from a classroom. Planting trees, working on farm equipment, building duck boxes, are just a few of the hundreds of things we need to make sure we are passing on to not just our kids, but any others who show interest. To learn more about improving your hunting grounds join the new Mossy Oak GameKeepers Club at www.gamekeepersclub.com or call 844Photo courtesy of Gamekeepers Club To ensure you can grow the best food possible 256-4645. for all the critters you are trying to manage, late winter can be a great time to soil test.

Ohio’s Youth Hunters Harvest 6,400+ Deer

COLUMBUS, OH — Ohio’s young hunters checked 6,453 white-tailed deer during the two-day youth gun season, November 22-23, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). This season provided youth hunters with their first opportunity to pursue deer with specific straight-walled cartridge rifles and young hunters, taking advantage of these rifles, harvested 378 deer over the weekend. The Ohio counties that reported the most checked deer during the 2014 youth gun season were: Coshocton (282), Tuscarawas (220), Holmes (218), Knox (207), Guernsey (191), Muskingum (187), Licking (168), Ashtabula (167), Carroll (145) and Meigs (143). Coshocton was also the top county in 2013. Last year youth hunters checked 6,640 deer. 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 nonhunting adult during the two-day season. The youth deer-gun season is one of four special youth-only hunting seasons designed to offer a safe and early hunting experience for young hunters.

Youth hunting seasons are also set aside for small game, wild turkey and waterfowl. 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. Ohio offers many more opportunities for hunters of all ages to pursue deer. Deer-muzzleloader season is January 25, 2015. Deer-archery season is open through February 1, 2015. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov. A list of the top white-tailed deer checked by youth hunters is below. Ashland: 127 (122); Ashtabula: 167 (112); Athens: 104 (127); Belmont: 135 (165); Carroll: 145 (161); Columbiana: 121 (120); Coshocton: 282 (248); Guernsey: 191 (182); Harrison: 127 (165); Holmes: 218 (196); Jefferson: 107 (156); Knox: 207 (189)Licking: 168 (189)Mahoning: 63 (62); Muskingum: 187 (212); Trumbull: 81 (72); Tuscarawas: 220 (220). Total: 6,453 (6,640).

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Turkey Hunt Back After 30 years

By BRADY McCOMBS, Associated Press SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — It’s turkey time in Utah, and not just for people getting ready to sit down for Thanksgiving feasts. A wild turkey hunt was back in Utah for the first time in three decades. With the state’s wild turkey population swelling to the healthy level of more than 20,000, the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources decided to allow the hunt again for the first since it was ceased in 1984. Nearly 300 hunters received permits for a hunt that started on November 1, said Jason Robinson, the state’s upland game coordinator. Hunters were drawn to the event not only for the sport of it, but by the allure of being able to bring home their own turkey for Thanksgiving, Robinson said. But it’s far from a guarantee everyone will get a bird. In the spring hunt that has been going on for years, only one out of three hunters kill a turkey, he said.

These are not lazy, butterballs waiting to be snatched, he said. Wild turkeys are smart and quick with great eyesight and hearing. “The odds are actually stacked against you,” Robinson said. “It’s a sport, it’s challenging. But at the end of the day, if the hunter is successful, the hunter has a really big bird that can provide a good meal for the family.” “They are really, lean athletic birds. They have to be able to escape predators,” he said. Permits were taken fast for the fall hunt, which continues through December in the northern part of the state and through Jan. 15 in the southern part of the state. But hunters can still apply for permits to hunt wild turkeys in the spring. Wild turkeys live all over in Utah, including as high up as 10,000 feet elevation in the mountains. They need access to food, water and cover, and tall trees where they can sleep to avoid predators, Robinson said.

PA Multi-year Fishing Licenses Discounted in December

HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) is now offering a discount for anglers for the upcoming 2015 fishing season and beyond. For the first time in the Commission’s history, the prices of fishing licenses are being reduced. Throughout the month of December, anglers who buy a 3-year or 5-year multi-year fishing license will enjoy $3 and $5 off their license purchase. But,

this deal is only good through the month of December. Anglers can also enjoy $1 off on resident, non-resident and senior resident annual licenses purchased anytime during the 2015 season. The 2015 Pennsylvania fishing licenses went on sale December 1, and anglers can purchase licenses and gift vouchers online at www.GoneFishingPa.com.

Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo by AP Photo/The Salt Lake Tribune

Wild turkeys are active and calling while roosting in the tops of cottonwood trees just before dawn outside Mountain Green, Utah. With the state’s turkey population swelling, hunting allowed again for the first since 1984.

There’s debate about whether turkeys are native to the state. Wildlife officials say it appears the Merriam’s subspecies is native to southeastern Utah, based on turkey bones and turkey rock art found near ancient ruins. Others believe turkeys might have been traded and weren’t native. There isn’t evidence of turkeys in the area when pioneers arrived in Utah. The first turkey hunt in the state was held in 1967, but the fall hunt was eliminated in 1984.

15 PA Bear Harvest Close to 2013 Totals

HARRISBURG, PA — In the wintry weather that enveloped much of Pennsylvania on November 26, the final day of the statewide firearms bear season, hunters harvested 100 bears, according to preliminary figures released by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. That final-day total pushed the harvest during the four-day 2014 season to 2,444, down slightly compared to the 2,473 bears taken during the statewide season in 2013. Extended season harvest totals, as well as harvest totals from the bear archery season and other early bear seasons will be released following the close of all bear hunting in late January. Bears were harvested in 54 counties during the statewide season. And two of the larger bears in the harvest were taken beyond the season’s midway point. John L. Thrush, of Boiling Springs, on Nov. 26, harvested a bear estimated at 597 pounds while hunting in Delmar Township, Tioga County; while Gabriel J. Heckman, of Shelocta, took a 579-pounder in Armstrong Township, Indiana County of Nov. 25.

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

PHOTO SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY

Cole Carbone 20-pt., 22" spread, longbow Stark County, OH

Dan Aquino 22-pt., bow Richland County, OH

Vincent Campbell 20-pt., 21" spread Stark County, OH

December 2014

Josef Kirkpatrick 9-pt., 15" spread Stark County, OH

Luke Flickenger 1st deer, 3-pt. Mahoning County, OH

Send Us Your Photos

James Paul III 10-pt., 22-5/6" spread Portage County, OH

Malakia Hilton 20-pt., 19-5/8" spread Columbiana County, OH

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

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Linda Showers 10-pt., 13-1/2" spread Guernsey County, OH

Mark Rastetter 10-pt., 16" spread Harrison County, OH

Ken Hoopes 12-pt., 20-7/16" spread Columbiana County, OH

Chris Didick 9-pt., 15 1/4" spread Columbiana County, OH

Dave Bloor 10-pt., 17-7/8" spread Columbiana County, OH

Debbie Rockhold 12-pt. buck Ohio County, WV

Eric Abbott 9-pt., 15-15/16" spread Columbiana County, OH

Justin Whitehair 10-pt., 20-11/16" spread Jefferson County, OH

Jeff Ingledue 11-pt. Columbiana County, OH

Greg Gullett 12-pt., 20-7/8" spread Columbiana County, OH

Marvin Butler 11-pt. buck Guernsey County, OH

Mike Southers II piebald Carroll County, OH

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

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Ohio Valley Outdoors

PA Elk Harvest Totals 88; 25 are Bulls

HARRISBURG, PA — More than 82 percent of the hunters participating Pennsylvania’s 2014 elk hunt were successful at claiming a trophy. The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently announced 88 elk were taken by hunters during the regular one-week elk season that ended November 8. And for those licensed to hunt antlered elk, also known as bulls, the success rate was 93 percent. The 2014 harvest included several large elk. Sixteen bulls were estimated to weigh 700 pounds or more, with the heaviest bull taken in this year’s hunt estimated at more than 872 pounds. That bull, which sported a 7-by-7 rack, was taken by Mark Colt, of Ligonier, PA. The largest bull in terms of rack size was an 11-by-7 harvested Nov. 8 by Robert C. Baker, of Worthington. That bull weighed an estimated 851 pounds and its rack initially was measured at 414 inches, according to Boone &

December 2014

Crockett big-game scoring standards. The second-highest-scoring bull, taken by Michael B. Weaver, of Hanover, had a 7-by-7 rack initially measured at 398 inches. That bull weighed 786 pounds. Other large bulls taken included a 7by-8 weighing 830 pounds taken by Frederick J. Kass, of Glenside; a 7-by-6 weighing 837 pounds taken by George Oko, of Wilkes-Barre; a 6-by-7 weighing 829 pounds taken by John G. Trout, of Felton; a 7-by-8 weighing 780 pounds taken by David L. Bailor, of Madera; a 5-by-6 weighing 772 pounds taken by Justin Forsythe, of Imperial; a 7-by-5 weighing 772 pounds taken by Llewellyn Kauffman, of Red Lion; an 8by-7 weighing 715 pounds, taken by David Condie, of Pittsburgh; an 8-by-6 weighing 715 pounds taken by Dean Erney, of Telford; a 7-by-7 weighing 715 pounds taken by Mark Wickizer, of Dickson City; and a 7-by-8 weighing

702 pounds taken by Christopher Mumber, of Richlandtown. Oko, just 15, of Bear Creek Twp, PA harvested his bull elk on Nov. 3 while hunting with his father, George Oko Sr., and a guide in Weedville, which is near Benezette in Elk County. There also were some large antlerless elk taken in the harvest. Twelve of the 63 cows taken by hunters during the one-week season weighed over 500 pounds. Twenty-five of the 88 elk harvested were taken on the opening day of the elk season Nov. 3. The Pennsylvania Game Commission typically doesn’t release information about license holders, but those who are drawn to participate in the annual elk hunt often give their consent to release their names or other information. Information on successful hunters who do not sign and submit a consent form prior to the hunt is not released. 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 20,000 applicants.

Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of PAGC

Keith Akam, of Erie, took this 6-by-7 bull on the second day of PA elk season. It was one of 27 bulls, and 88 total elk harvested in the state in 2014.

December 2014

OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES

Brokaw Featured in Pheasant Hunting Special

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — A TV special by South Dakota native Tom Brokaw that chronicles the start pheasant hunting season is now available for online viewing. The one-hour program, called “Opening Day,” debuted in November on the NBC Sports Network. Brokaw examines traditions around the beginning of hunting season and how the state made itself a destination. He also visits the annual dinner of Pheasants Forever and goes out with fellow hunters, including Ted Turner. The former NBC anchor got rid of his

guns while living in Los Angeles in 1968 but took up hunting again a couple of decades later. Brokaw, one of the greatest storytellers of his generation, returns to his home state of South Dakota to take viewers through the hunting fields and introduce them to the people that highlight every third Saturday in October. Brokaw has been attending Opening Day for more than 25 years. The show can be viewed on the nbcsports.com site at http://bit.ly/1typeRt.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Federal prosecutors say a bookkeeper for an Arkansas hunting club has pleaded guilty to defrauding the club of more than $540,000. The U.S. attorney’s office in Memphis said recently that 58-year-old Hazel Cathy Wadley faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing in February.

Prosecutors say Wadley, of Memphis, performed bookkeeping duties for the Menasha Hunting and Fishing Club in Turrell, Arkansas. Between October 2007 and August 2013, Wadley used funds in Menasha’s bank account to make online payments for personal debts and expenses.

Hunting Club Bookkeeper Scams 540K

Dispute Over 9-pt Buck Settled With Coin Flip

ONEIDA, Wis. (AP) — A dispute over a nine-point buck in Wisconsin was settled with a coin flip. Wisconsin’s deer season was just a couple hours old when D.J. Jorgenson says his 11-year-old son, Kameron, wounded the buck in the Town of Oneida. Jorgenson told WLUK-TV (http://bit.ly/1uGWtCm ) they tracked it to a neighbor’s property. Neighbor Randy Heyrman shot twice from his stand to finish off the buck.

With the deer dead and the hunters deadlocked over who could keep it, they flipped a coin. Kameron called tails. It came up heads. Heryman claimed the buck. All Kameron got was a photo. Shad Webster of the Oneida Conservation Department says hunters need permission to follow a deer onto private property, and the landowner has a right to take the deer. Information from: WLUK-TV, http://www.fox11online.com

MUD LAKE, Idaho (AP) — Three southeastern Idaho men have been banned from hunting for a year after one of them used a powered parachute to spot deer and radio back information to two others on the ground. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game in a news release Monday says parachute flyer Braxton Tomlinson of Terreton, Jake Tanner of Rigby and Neil Wood of Dubois also received suspended jail sentences of 10 days.

Authorities say they responded in late October to the Mud Lake Wildlife Management Area following a report of a low-flying powered parachute. The three men pleaded guilty in Jefferson County Court to violating Idaho rules prohibiting the use of aircraft to locate game and communicating that information to hunters on the ground. The three also received $500 fines, with $400 suspended.

Powered Parachutist Spotting Deer Fined

Hearty Venison Lasagne • Prep Time: 20 min. • Cook Time: 45 min. • Ready In: 2 hrs 10 mins. • Yields: 8 Servings

1 lb. lasagne noodles 1 lb. ground venison 1 32 oz. jar tomato sauce 4 cups ricotta cheese 2 cups shredded Mozzerrella cheese 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 4 eggs 1 packaged chopped frozen spinach fresh parsley amount to taste salt amount to taste pepper amount to taste

Directions:

Brown meat, add sauce. In the meatime, cook noodles, drain and cool. Blend eggs into ricotta cheese and drained, thawed spinach, add salt and pepper to mixture. In a large baking pan, layer meat, noodles, 1/3 of ricotta mixture, sprinkle of mozzarella, meat sauce and repeat. Reverse last layer so mozzarella is on top of meat sauce. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 45 min. Serve with a parsley sprig and parmesan cheese.