TRIO MAKES RECORD CATCH IN OHIO RIVER - P.12 FR E Improving Deer Hunting Story inside page 10
Three Late Summer Fishing Trips OV Outdoor Times
With summer in full swing, anglers have many venues at their disposal. If panfish and bass appeal to you, consider a trip to one of the following three waters. CONNEAUT LAKE – The largest natural lake in Pennsylvania, Crawford County’s Conneaut Lake plays host to a By Jeff Knapp variety of fish species. Many Fishing Editor summertime anglers, though, prefer to spend a few morning hours pursuing panfish. It’s a relative quiet time, the calm before the storm. In this case the storm is the daily round of boating madness that befalls the 900-acre lake. For the pan-fisherman bluegills and crappies are the attraction at Conneaut. The lake harbors some of the nicest weedbeds you’ll find in this part of the country. And although there are never-ending struggles between anglers (who like quality weeds) and non-fishing boaters (that don’t), weed levels remain at a level that provides good fishing. Weed control measures include limited chemical spot treatment and mechanical cutting. Conneaut contains weed varieties that include a couple types of cabbage (pondweed), as well as lots of coontail and milfoil. Crappies and ‘gils tend to suspend off the edges of this submergent cover. Savvy anglers take them on small jigs and undersized blade baits. Panfish aren’t the only component of the summer
Ohio Valley
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Outdoor Times August 2016
fishing picture. The lake supports a strong population of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. The two subspecies tend to occupy different niches. Largemouths are commonly found relating to shoreline weeds. Smallmouths, in contrast, call the deeper, rock-capped humps that are found offshore home. Many of these structures top off in the 10 to 15 foot range, just a bit too deep for weeds. Fishing the deeper humps can be feast or famine. When the smallies move up on the spots to feed, the action can be hot. Conversely the opposite is true, too. The Fish and Boat Commission has a public access on the lake. Fireman’s Beach also provides a ramp. Keep in mind that boating pressure on Conneaut is intense during the summer; plan on fishing the first few hours of the morning and then getting off the water. Log on to www.visitcrawford.org for additional information on the area. PRESQUE ISLE BAY – Each summer day a flotilla of charter boats ventures across Presque Isle Bay, bound for the open waters of Lake Erie and its offshore walleye and steelhead opportunities. What some of the anglers on these boats might not realize is that they are running through some of the best largemouth bass fishing in the state when they traverse “the bay.” Presque Isle Bay is a relatively shallow, sandybottomed 3,000-plus-acre basin that fronts the City of Erie. A seven-mile sand peninsula – which exists as Presque Isle State Park – is the barrier that forms the bay. While it’s possible to catch five and six pound largemouths in the bay, most fish are extremely fat 14 to 16 inchers. The extensive shallow flats of the bay fill in thickly with submerged weeds by mid-summer. This growth provides the majority of the cover for the bay’s green bass. Expect to find stands of weeds Turn To Late Summer Page 4
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Jeff Knapp
The North Branch of the Susquehanna River is teaming with feisty smallmouth bass, like this brace displayed by Russ Adamiak.
INSIDE THIS MONTH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
12
5 Avoid Problems at 6
Trio Makes Record Catch in Ohio River
14
BoatUS
the Boat Repair Shop
8
Ralph Scherder
WV Trophies Wanted for Display
Summer Scouting
15
Hunter-Trapper Ed in PA Hits 2M Mark
10 Hunters Working to 11
The Associated Press
PAGC
WVDNR
Lake Erie Fishery Managers Ask for Help ODNR
PAGC
Improve Hunting
WVDNR Officials Note Changes WVDNR
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Hunter-Trapper Ed in PA Hits 2M Mark
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
3-D Archery Shoots - Each Sunday in August 14, 21 & 28 and Sept. 4, 11, 18 & 25 at ChesterNewell Sportsmen Club. 30 McKenzie and Rinehart targets. Cost $10, $8 for youths, 12 & under are free. Begins at 8 a.m. to noon. For info. call 304-479-3456 or 330-383-1886. 3D Archery Shoots - Aug. 21, Sept. 18. Hosted by Mosquito Bowmen, 2535 McCleary Jacoby Rd., Cortland, OH 44410. Cost $10, Cubs under 12 free. For info. call 330-507-1212 or see website: www.mosquitobowmen.com. 3-D Archery Shoots - Sept. 4 at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, 14480 Washingtonville Rd., Washingtonville, OH. Reg. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Adults $10, Youth (10 & under) free. Contact Chuck York at 330-978-3253 or 330-716-3964. Gun and Sporting Goods Show - Sept. 24-25 at Hidden Valley Sportsmen’s Club at the club’s facility at 268 Gilkey Road, West Middlesex (Mercer County), PA. The times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 25. Admission is $5, with free parking. Vendor spaces available by calling 724-528-2700.
Ohio Valley
I’m nearly certain that the word “foxhunting” has not been used in this publication, since its inception eight years ago. Although the sport of foxhunting has been around since the 15th century (it was founded in England), I By Larry Claypool really didn’t know it ex- Editor isted in this country. In fact, fox hunting, or fox chasing thrives in North America, including active clubs in 37 states in the United States. Many call it “fox chasing” because, in this country, the purpose of the sport is not to kill the animal, but to enjoy the thrill of the chase. The hounds may go for the kill but a purposeful hunt is all about the pursuit. Actually with the influx of coyotes in this country they are also very fair ‘game’ for hounds to chase. Before I go too far into this topic I have to admit how the subject came to me. Yes, I’d heard of fox hunts (I thought it was only an English thing) and have always loved the old photographs of dogs and horses gathered along a scenic pathway. The dogs always seemed so excited with mouths wide open, tongues out and the horsemen dressed in similar bright-colored (red) jackets. Anyway, I took a phone call from someone recently who suggested we contact the Lisbon (OH) Historical Society about vintage hunting and fishing photos they had access to. The Society curator, Gene Krotky, explained to me their old photograph collection included some “fox hunting” photos from the early 1800s. It seems a local sports club (Lisbon Rod and Gun) previously hosted fox hunts in the Lisbon area. That peaked my interest and I quickly began researching foxhunting.
August 2016
Foxhunting in Ohio? You bet! There are two very active hunt clubs in Ohio (according to the Masters of Foxhounds Association, MFHA): Chagrin Valley Hunt Club (Cuyahoga County) and Miami Valley Hunt Club (Champaign County). Chagrin Valley was founded in 1909. Its kennels are located in Gates Mills, OH, just west of Cleveland. They hunt red fox and coyotes. The Chagrin Valley hounds went out 36 times last season. Find more information about the club online at: www.thecvhunt.org. Miami Valley was founded in 1959. Its kennels are located in Urbana, OH. They hunt red fox, grey fox and coyotes. The Miami Valley hounds went out 30 times last season. Find out more about the club online at: www.mvhunt.net. By comparison Pennsylvania has many more Masters of Foxhounds Association member clubs with 11. PA’s oldest MFHA club, Rose Tree-Blue Mountain Hunt Club, was founded in 1859. Working from kennels located in New Bloomfield, PA (Perry County), the Rose Tree-Blue Mountain group is very active, with 106 hunts last year. The club actively meets at least three days each week during its season, August to March. Traditional foxhunting in England and Wales was banned in 2004 and has caused considerable controversy over the years. See more history about the sport at www.en.wikipedia.org. For more information about foxhunting visit the Masters of Foxhounds Association website at: www.mfha.com. So, look for more information and photographs about foxhunting in future issues of the OV Times, Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine and on our website, www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com.
To Advertise CALL 330-385-2243
Outdoor Times August 2016
Foxhunting in Ohio? OV Outdoor Times
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VOL. 8, NO. 08
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
August 2016
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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PA to Expand Sunday Use of Ranges
HARRISBURG, PA — Shooting ranges on state game lands soon could be open longer on Sundays before and within the firearms deer and bear seasons. The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners recently gave preliminary approval to a measure that calls for ranges to remain open from 8 a.m. to sunset on the Sundays immediately preceding, and any Sundays throughout the duration of the firearms deer and firearms bear seasons. The measure will be brought back to the September meeting for a final vote. As it is now, shooting ranges on game lands, are open from noon to sunset each Sunday, except the Sundays immediately preceding the firearms deer and firearms bear seasons, when ranges are open from 8 a.m. to sunset. Regular Monday-through-Saturday hours are 8 a.m. to sunset. Commissioners said the expansion of Sunday hours, while minor, creates a convenience for hunters who might find themselves pressed for time to adjust sights or scopes on firearms at the height of the hunting season.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
The measure also strengthens safety provisions by prohibiting the possession or discharge of a loaded firearm anywhere on the range while another person is downrange. Intentionally shooting at or damaging the frames or stands constructed to mount permanent target backboards also would be prohibited if the measure receives final approval.
4-H Shooting Sports Pioneers to Hosts Youth Sportsfest
VIENNA, OH — The Trumbull County 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneers Club will host a free NRA Youth Sportsfest on September 17, from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. at the Fish & Game Club of Vienna on state Route 193 across from the Youngstown Warren Regional Airport. The purpose of this event is to teach basic gun and archery safety, demystify firearms by providing hands-on experience, and provide an enjoyable learning experience to all youth ages 9 to 18 years old. Participants will have the opportunity to safely shoot .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading rifle, and archery equipment with adult supervision. We
will have the Vienna Township Fire emergency squad exhibit at the event. Youth and their parents will receive a gun safety lesson taught by a Certified Instructor prior to the shooting events. A picnic lunch will be provided. Pre-registration before Sept. 10 is reLate Summer From Page 1
along much of the shallows that run out from the peninsula. Though fewer anglers target the area, there are also quality weedbeds on the “city” (southern) side of the bay, ones sandwiched between the many marinas and breakwalls. Though the bay is often touted as being a fine alternative when wind whips the big lake to a froth, the fact is windy weather can make the bay tough to fish, not necessarily dangerous, but still unpleasant. It fishes better in light winds. Good access sites in the state park include the Niagara Launch, as well as the one in Marina Bay. On the city side use the Chestnut Street ramp. Go to www.visiteriepa.com for extensive travel information. NORTH BRANCH, SUSQUEHANNA RIVER – The North Branch of the Susquehanna River supports a rich fishery, one highlighted by smallmouth
August 2016
quired at 330-898-4486 or email at larrybeard@aol.com. Parents must sign a release. And, no guns owned by the participants are to be brought to this event. Major funding is provided for this event by the Ohio Dept. of Natural Resources and Safari Club International.
bass. Walleyes and muskies are also fair game for summertime river anglers. The North Branch is considered the river section from the New York State line south to the merger with the West Branch near Sunbury. While poor smallmouth bass young-ofyear production has cursed the main stem of the Susquehanna River in recent years, the columnaris-fueled problem hasn’t been an issue on the North Branch. Reproduction rates have been relatively stable on the North Branch, with the peaks and dips typical of river systems, but with no significant loss due to bacterial infection. 2005 and 2007 year classes were particularly strong, and should be evident it this summer’s smallie catches. Popular put-in points on the North Branch include Berwick, Danville and Bloomsburg. This is a shallow river, most appropriate for canoes, kayaks, and jet-driven shallow draft boats.
August 2016
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
5
Avoid Problems at the Boat Repair Shop
ALEXANDRIA, VA — For over 25 years the BoatUS Consumer Protection department has helped Boat Owners Association of The United States members resolve disputes with repair facilities. The vast majority of shops do the job right, but sometimes they — or boat owners — make mistakes. To see what went wrong and to possibly learn from others, BoatUS has surveyed its BoatUS Dispute Resolution files to identify eight trouble spots that boaters needing work done should know: • Finding a shop: Word of mouth is still king. Having American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) and Better Business Bureau (BBB) certifications are also two good signs. Boaters can also check out the BoatUS Consumer Protection Database for complaints filed by BoatUS members. • Get it in writing: Get a written estimate before work begins, and remember that it is based on an approximation of how much the job will cost. If work may go beyond the estimated price, you can always direct the shop to obtain your authorization before proceeding with unforeseen repairs. Remember, if it’s not in writing, there’s no way to confirm the work was requested. • Is there a guarantee for the work? 30-,
60-, or 90-days are all typical. Ask if parts and labor are included. Don’t wait until after the warranty expires to check the repairs. • Remove valuables: Bring small electronics, personal items and fishing gear home. • Take photos: It’s always good to take a few “before” time-stamped photos of your boat in the shop (your smart phone may have this feature built-in or there are Apps available). Accidents do sometimes happen, and you may need before and after damage photos to show the shop damage took place and possibly file an insurance claim. • Languish at your peril: Avoid having your job pushed to the back burner by staying frequently informed about ongoing repairs. While there are often legitimate delays due to seasonality, parts sourcing, weather, and personnel, if you think you are getting put off, you probably are. Cut losses and find another shop. (Tip: For larger jobs, ask the shop to periodically email you pictures of work in progress. It may help keep the job on schedule.) • Inspect, inspect, and inspect: When picking up the boat after completion of re-
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy BoatUS
Boat owners of all types of vessels should heed the advise listed from BoatUS, a national organization to help recreational boaters.
pairs, ensure each bit of repair work matches the actual invoice. If you do have a dispute with the final bill, you’re in better legal shape if you pay it in full, preferably on a credit card, and then file a complaint with the shop and/or your credit card company. • A note about end of season repairs: Sea trials must take place during the warranty period, which has sometimes caused problems for BoatUS members who put their boats away for the winter before ensuring the repairs are satisfactory. Any open issues found in the springtime will likely come out of the boat owner’s wallet. About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):
Celebrating 50 years in 2016, BoatUS is the nation’s largest organization of recreational boaters with over a half million members. We are the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill and fight for their rights. We help ensure a roadside breakdown doesn’t end a boating or fishing trip before it begins, and on the water, we bring boaters safely back to the launch ramp or dock when their boat won’t, day or night. The BoatUS Marine Insurance Program gives boat owners the specialized coverage and superior service they need, and we help keep boaters safe and our waters clean with assistance from the non-profit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water. Visit BoatUS.com.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Summer Scouting OV Outdoor Times
August is the time of year when hunting season starts seeming less like a dream and more like reality. The bulk of the offseason is behind us. Nights are getting cooler. More often now my mind drifts off to the By Ralph Scherder times I’ll be spending Hunting Editor in a treestand this fall. I can almost smell the autumn leaves and feel those frosty mornings. But I try not to get too carried away — a lot needs done between now and then. Last month I set a half dozen trail cameras in a new area I’m planning to hunt. Summer is a rough time for scouting, especially new areas, because sign can seem nonexistent. Thick foliage and plentiful food sources mean deer will be scattered. Also, the ground is so dry and hard that most trails will be pretty faint and have that ancient look to them, like they haven’t been used in decades. Don’t let it fool you, though. Deer are present.
Finding good places for trail cameras can be challenging. Whenever possible (and where legal) I always use some sort of attractant in combination with the trail cameras to help concentrate the deer and get better photos. A lot of hunters use mineral licks and the next biggest “rack booster” mix, and that’s fine, but it doesn’t do much good if you’re just now putting it out. Most racks are fully developed and done growing by midAugust, despite the fact they may still be clad in velvet. In general, antlers stop growing approximately 30 days before that velvet is shed. If you really want to see any benefit from your minerals, you have to get them on the ground early during the growing season, if not year round. Most brands have a cumulative effect and have little short term benefit. For the purpose of getting photos, I’ve used a number of different products with varying degrees of success. Heck, even salt blocks work well. Salt is a major component of many of those products, anyway, and it does a great job of drawing deer. My main purpose this time of year is
August 2016
just to see what’s in the area and get an idea of what to expect come fall. Of course, it’s always nice to get photos of big bucks. I often hear about guys creating “hit lists” of whitetails, but I’ve never actually done that myself. The main reason, I think, is that I don’t always know what a trophy is until it’s there in front of me. Many factors determine trophy quality, such as how hard I had to work for it, how I got it, what were the circumstances leading up to the kill, public or private land, etc. A rack’s score isn’t how I measure success. In all my hunting years, though, one thing has remained constant. The more I enjoy a season is directly related to how much effort I put into it. I’ll admit it, some years, life gets in the way — family, work, or whatever the reason, I’ve had seasons when I hardly did any preseason scouting and didn’t put much effort into locating bucks to hunt. And my satisfaction and overall experience suffered, despite successfully harvesting animals those years. Instead of challenging myself to explore new areas, Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Ralph Scherder I relied on information accumulated from previous seasons, and those spots The author uses an attractant in combinawere still good, but I didn’t feel like I’d tion with the trail cameras to help concentrate the deer during the summer months accomplished any great feat by killing a and get better photos to help see what deer are Turn To Summer Scouting Page 7
present.
August 2016
Summer Scouting From Page 6
buck there. Those are the hunts that I sometimes have a hard time remembering because I played a more passive role rather than being actively involved on a deeper level. From 2006-2010, my dad and I had a hunting lease and really discovered the joy of active involvement. Year round, we fed and monitored deer with trail cameras and created mineral sites. We watched bucks grow all summer, become more nocturnal, and then shift patterns altogether when fall arrived, and finally disappear for awhile until they showed up on the other side of the lease a week or month later. That’s the joy of hunting – getting out there and figuring things out for yourself. We all have those areas we return to year after year. We are creatures of habit, and let’s face it, if we’re having success in an area, it can be hard to leave. But how fun is it to hunt the same exact stand every year and not have to put any effort into scouting or be challenged by new situations? I had a stand location that was about the best I’ve ever found. I hunted there from 1997-2002 and killed at least an 8point buck every year during archery
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
season. By the end of that run, I felt like I’d lost some of my personal fire. It seemed too easy. I’d found a great spot and milked it for too long. It was time to move on and explore new territory. Before I left, though, I passed the spot on to a friend, who also went on to kill several bucks there before sharing the stand with others. To each their own, but I know what rekindles my fire, and summer scouting is the perfect way to get involved. Scouting this new hunting area has me excited for fall because there are so many things to figure out yet. Where are the mast trees? What funnels are the best? What bucks are living here? The other day I was sitting by a soybean field glassing with binoculars when three racked bucks stepped out of the woods line. Bachelor groups of bucks are impressive – even more impressive when they’re all big bucks. I wondered which one would end up the dominant buck, which is why they form bachelor groups in the first place, to sort out dominance. The winner will get the prime habitat and breeding opportunities in the fall. On the other side of the property, I found a gnarly old tree with a huge scrape under it. Typically, finding
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New Wildlife License Plates Available in WV
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — Two new wildlife license plates are now available to West Virginia motorists, one featuring a native brook trout and the other an Eastern bluebird. The plates are a joint offering by the Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Previous wildlife license plates have featured a rose-breasted grosbeak, a white-tailed deer buck, and a black bear with a cub. All have been popular with car owners in West Virginia. The license plates are more than just decorative. In 1996, West Virginia voters approved a constitutional amendment which earmarked a portion of the proceeds from the wildlife license plate sales to fund West Virginia’s Wildlife Diversity Program.
scrapes this early in the season is a sign of a good population of mature whitetails. Again, they use the scrape to determine the pecking order. With each new discovery, I’m unraveling a little piece of this new puzzle. It’ll be challenging and I’m sure there
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The cost of each plate is $55 for the first year, with renewal costs for subsequent years at $45. Fifteen dollars of each purchase go toward the DNR Wildlife Diversity Program to help conserve the state’s nongame animal species and rare plants, provide educational materials to schools and libraries, develop wildlife viewing areas, and support other programs designed to educate the public about the state’s wildlife resources. Customers may exchange their current license plates at any DMV regional office or by mail at the time of renewal. Additional information about the new wildlife plates is available by calling the DMV at 1-800-642-9066 or by visiting the DMV web site at www.dmv.wv.gov and clicking the special plate’s link. will be bumps along the way, but that’s all part of the fun. And I still have quite a bit of summer left to do plenty of scouting. More importantly, plenty of time to get fired up about the possibilities of a new place and a new season. It’s going to be a good one.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Hunter-Trapper Ed in PA Hits 2 Million Mark
HARRISBURG, PA — Twelve-yearold Jon Kreiser, of Palmyra, would be getting his first hunting license in the coming season, so he enrolled in a Hunter-Trapper Education course to be held at the Izaak Walton League of Lebanon County in June 2015. His kid brother, Darby Kreiser, tagged along. Darby had hunted as part of the state’s mentored youth program since 2012, with a turkey harvest to his credit, and at 11 years old, he was eligible to take the course alongside Jon. But little did he know that in completing Hunter-Trapper Education, he’d also make Pennsylvania hunting history. Darby became the 2 millionth student to graduate from the Game Commission’s Hunter-Trapper Education program, which first became mandatory in 1969. He was recognized at the Board of Game Commissioners meeting in July, where the Game Commission presented him with a framed certification card and patch; Cabela’s awarded him with a new Parker crossbow; and Kalkomey Enterprises gave him a $200 gift card to Bass
Pro Shops. The dedicated team of Hunter-Trapper Education instructors from the Izaak Walton League of Lebanon County joined in the presentation and also received a plaque. Volunteer instructors like these are the reason the Hunter-Trapper Education program has been so successful in training new generations of hunters to be safe and responsible. And the results have been impressive. More than 38,000 students received their basic Hunter-Trapper Education certification in 2015. And 2015 also was the safest year on record for hunting in Pennsylvania, with only 23 hunting-related shooting incidents occurring statewide. Decades ago, hundreds of incidents a year were commonplace. Hunter-Trapper Education has played a big part in making hunting as safe as it is. “Our Hunter-Trapper Education program is something in which every Pennsylvanian can take pride,” said Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough. “The fact it has reached
August 2016
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of PGC
PA Game Commission Hunter Education Specialist Andy Hueser (left) presents a framed certification card recently to Darby Kreiser, of Palmyra, PA, while Ron Leh, manager for the Cabela’s store in Hamburg, presents Kreiser with a new crossbow the store donated in recognition of Kreiser being the 2 millionth graduate of the Hunter-Trapper Education program.
2 million people is impressive by itself, but the role it has played in making hunting in Pennsylvania continually safer is an achievement all of us can celebrate. “Please join me in applauding the dedicated team of volunteer instructors who make it all possible, congratulating
Darby Kreiser as the program’s 2 millionth graduate,” Hough said. “May all your future hunting and trapping seasons be successful.” For Darby, the best part of graduating the course last year is the chance this Turn To Million Mark Page 9
August 2016
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Disabled Veterans’ Hunts Approved
HARRIBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners recently gave final approval to a measure that allows the Game Commission’s executive director to designate one shooting day at each the Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas as open only to veterans with disabilities. Participants will be selected by a random drawing, and only those who qualify for and possess a disabled veteran license can apply. Successful applicants who participate in the hunt will be permitted to bring along three guests, so long as they possess proper general or base hunting licenses.
Pymatuning will conduct a Veterans With Disabilities Hunt in the 2016-17 season, and Middle Creek is expected to conduct its first at a later time after pit blinds there are made wheelchair-accessible. A date for the Pymatuning hunt will be announced at a later date. Applications for the Pymatuning hunt are available online at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov, as well as in the Goose Blind Application page in the 2016-17 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.
HARRISBURG, PA — As we close in on a new slate of deer seasons, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is holding a big-buck photo contest to showcase some of the huge whitetails caught on trail cameras this summer and fall in Penn’s woods. Submissions should be sent to the PGCtrailcam@pa.gov. Photos are limited to 5 megabytes in size – must be of wild Pennsylvania deer taken with trail cameras. Winners will be selected monthly. The contest runs from Aug. 1 through Nov. 30, 2016 and photos must be taken during the month of submission. All submissions must include the photographer’s first and last name, hometown, and the county where the deer image was recorded. The Game Commission has the right to use all submitted
images. Individuals submitting photos are reminded the use of bait to attract deer to your trail cam is unlawful in Disease Management Areas and discouraged elsewhere. The Game Commission will select a group of “contending” photos for each month on the first Monday of each month starting Sept. 1 and ending Dec. 5. Once assembled, these contending photos will be placed on the Game Commission’s Facebook page in a photo album. Facebook users will determine the winning photo by “Liking” the image. The contest will select monthly winners and, at its conclusion, one overall winner. Trail cameras will be awarded to all winners. The contest is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by Facebook.
PA to Hold Big Buck Trail Cam Contest
year to finally get his first hunting license. And although he’s received a little more attention than his older brother, don’t feel too bad for Jon – graduate No. 2,000,001. His first-ever antlered deer harvest tag was filled out with ballpoint pen on the second day of the 2015 firearms season. Million Mark From Page 8
To Become an Instructor For more information about becoming a Hunter-Trapper Education instructor, visit the Game Commission’s education page at www.pgc.pa.gov, or call the Game Commission’s Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015. Instructors must be at least 18 years old, meet qualifications and pass a background investigation. To Take the Course Hunter-Trapper Education is required for all first-time license buyers in Pennsylvania. To find a Hunter-Trapper Education course near you, go to the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov. The Hunter-Trapper Education page can be found under the Hunt & Trap tab. Registration can be completed online. Enrollment for most courses is limited due to the size of the facility where it is taught. Questions can be directed to the Game Commission’s Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717787-7015.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
August 2016
Hunters Working to Improve Deer Hunting in PA
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of PGC
The new Deer Management Working Group in PA will bring together a collection of people who value the quality of the state’s deer hunting, and gives them a voice in helping to shape the future of deer management.
for the first time in August. Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said the working group not only provides an opportunity for the agency to gather input on deer hunting from across a broad cross-section, it allows that dialogue to continue as the deer-management plan is implemented. Plans also are underway for developing the next deer-management plan, slated to become effective in 2018. “Public input has always been an im-
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Shoe S ily to r
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portant part of the Game Commission’s process for managing wildlife,” Hough said. “When the agency updated its deermanagement plan about 15 years ago, advisory committees much like this one were formed to make sure no opinion was overlooked. When that plan was updated, more recently, the goals were presented at seven separate open houses where the public was able to show its strong support for the goals.
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with the Quality Deer Management Association. Citing QDMA’s Whitetail Report 2016, Adams points to the facts in explaining why Pennsylvania is one of the best states in which to pursue deer. “Pennsylvania is No. 5 in the nation for the number of bucks harvested per square mile, No. 5 in the number of does harvested per square mile, and No. 4 in productivity,” says Adams. “The stats are clear, Pennsylvania is one of the best states to hunt deer.” The task of the Deer Management Working group is to identify how to make deer hunting even better. Members of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, the Quality Deer Management Association, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania and the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania have joined the working group and will work alongside of the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners’ deer subcommittee and Game Commission staff in so doing. The working group is slated to meet
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HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is bringing several hunting groups together to expand the agency’s goal to improve deer hunting in Pennsylvania. The groups will work collaboratively as the “Deer Management Working Group” to discuss ideas and develop workable solutions to benefit Pennsylvania’s hunters. “If you look at our more than 940,000 license buyers, nearly all of them are deer hunters, and many of them hunt only deer,” says Game Commissioner Tim Layton, of Windber, who is part of the working group. “Deer hunting is an important part of the lives of so many Pennsylvanians, and it’s important their voices be heard.” The Deer Management Working Group brings together a collection of Pennsylvanians who value the quality of the state’s deer hunting, and gives them a voice in helping to shape the future of deer management and oversee the implementation of management practices. “Pennsylvania is a deer-hunting state,” says Deer Management Working Group member Kip Adams, a biologist
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August 2016
Deer Hunting From Page 10
“Our commitment is to continue and expand that collaboration, developing it to make it the best it can be,” Hough said. “And since there are no plans to ever disband the new Deer Management Working Group, and its members will continue to meet quarterly to discuss deer management, the working group will provide an opportunity for continual and lasting input that can only improve deer hunting in Pennsylvania.” The working group will meet monthly during its first four months, with members being informed about the Game Commission’s existing process for managing the deer herd in balance with available habitat, and advised of other
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
pressing issues including the emergence of chronic wasting disease and managing deer in more-urban areas. “We will also open discussions on how the agency can provide more technical information to private landowners to help them better manage their land to improve deer hunting,” said Hough. Educating private landowners to help them enhance deer hunting on their land is a relatively new direction for the agency, but it makes sense, Hough said, since most of the state is privately owned. The working group will visit areas to view forest habitat and better understand deer-management challenges. Ultimately, the group will formalize
WVDNR Officials Note Several Regulation Changes
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — Several important changes in West Virginia’s fall hunting seasons for squirrel, white-tailed deer, black bear and wild turkey are included in the new 2016-
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of WVDNR
2017 WV Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary brochure. The publication is now 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 will open 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 effect 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 will be open Sept. 24-Dec. 31, 2016. • Black bear hunting firearms season in 2016 includes four counties open Sept. 3-10; 15 counties or parts thereof open Sept.17-23; four counties open Oct. 1-7; 33 counties (some of which are
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its goals and vision, then continue to meet quarterly thereafter. The working group’s initially identified goals are to: provide continual feedback on the effectiveness of the deer-management plan; inform working group members about the past and present methods used to manage the state’s deer herd; develop strategies to improve deer hunting in Pennsylvania; identify questions that need to be addressed; identify other methods the Game Commission can implement to help landowners improve deer hunting on their land; and to develop a formal process for delivering information from each committee member to their constituents throughout.
Minutes of each meeting will be posted on the agency’s website so other deer-hunting enthusiasts will have the opportunity to learn more about the subject matter discussed at the meeting, and allow all hunters the opportunity to voice their opinion back to the agency by writing or sending an e-mail. “The Deer Management Working Group is not a policy-making committee,” said Brian Hoover, president of the Board of Game Commissioners. “However, we hope the work this group takes on and the recommendations it provides will help the agency in developing new programs and policies to further improve deer hunting in this great state.”
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.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Trio Makes Record Catch in Ohio River
By Seth Staskey, Associated Press
SHADYSIDE, OH — Spencer Badia, Eric Howell and Adam Stupak were all standout athletes during their prep days at Bellaire and Shadyside high schools. None, however, set any state records in their sports. A few years removed from high school, the trio of friends etched their names into an Ohio record book in midJuly when they hauled in a 59-inch, 86pound Bighead Carp while bowfishing in the Ohio River near Rayland (Jefferson County). All three played a major role in catching the fish, which was approved as an Ohio state record by the Bowfishing Association of America. “So many things had to happen just right in order to even get a shot off at the fish,” Stupak said. “It’s a story that we will be talking about and sharing for the rest of our lives.” That story goes something like this ...
It was early in the morning last Sunday when the three were on Howell’s flat-bottom boat when, according to Stupak, they “noticed a large object swimming toward the boat.” “We knew it was a carp,” Stupak said. Stupak, who was driving the boat at the time, indicated that Badia was the first to hit the fish with an arrow, connecting behind its gills. Stupak then hit the fish with another arrow. “I grabbed the lines connected to the arrows to lift them over the motor and try to control it as it swam toward the middle of the river,” Stupak said. Stupak realized his arrow had come loose because it hit the fish’s spine, so Howell began helping pull the fish in and handed Stupak another bow for a final shot. “After the third shot, we managed to pull the fish around the boat and lifted it up into the boat,” Stupak pointed out. At that point, a “celebration ensued” because the trio of anglers realized just
what they had. “Spencer gets the credit for being the first one to arrow the fish, but all three of us would have had the same level of excitement no matter who shot it,” Stupak confessed. Obviously, they knew the fish was huge, but didn’t have any idea that it was any kind of record-setting catch. “All we knew was it was the biggest fish we had ever seen, let alone killed,” Stupak said. Don’t look for the fish to be hanging in any of the three’s houses because the fish was disposed of. “We didn’t realize the magnitude of the fish until the next day,” Stupak said. “A taxidermist we know said it would be pretty hard to mount it now because we didn’t freeze it the night that we killed it.” Since they didn’t fully grasp the significance of their catch, Badia, Howell and Stupak originally weighed it on on a deer scale and saw an 86-pound reading. Some quick searches on the Internet about the size of the fish and seeing records for the sport, they realized they had to get the fish to a certified scale, which they found at the Marshall County Turn To Record Catch Page 13
August 2016
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of Adam Stupak
Bowfishing of America has certified that (from left) Eric Howell, Spencer Badia and Adam Stupak reeled in a bighead carp (59inch, 86-pound) while bowfishing on the Ohio River last month near Rayland, OH.
August 2016
Record Catch From Page 12
Co-Op in Moundsville. “I talked Eric into coming with me to get the fish after it had sat in the sun for another eight hours,” Stupak said. “We put the fish in a barrel of ice water and got it weighed (on Monday). Suprisingly, it was still in good condition.” During the time between the catch and the weigh ins, the fish may have lost weight through dehydration. “We think the fish would have been closer to 90 pounds if it wouldn’t have lost any weight,” Stupak said. “The world record for bowfishing is 92 pounds.” Bowfishing is the sport of shooting fish with bows and arrows that have a line attached to them. “The most common time to bowfish is at night when the carp move into the shallow waters to feed and move around,” Stupak said. “Bowfishing aims to shoot ‘trash’ fish to help the sporting or game fish thrive.” Howell and Stupak have been bowfishing for a few years and just recently got Badia on board with them. “Spencer was skeptical when we first asked him to come with us,” Stupak recalled. “Now, he loves it as much as Eric and I do. If we have a free weekend - and
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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it’s not raining - it’s almost a guarantee that we will be on the water somewhere.” The trio, which received a certificate from the Bowfishing Association of America recognizing the Ohio record, has been very successful in its voyages this summer. They’ve shot more than 400 fish. “It’s a fun sport, but we shoot these fish because carp and sucker fish can drastically hurt the sporting/game fish population by eating the eggs that they lay,” Stupak pointed out. “The Bighead carps usually aren’t found in this part of the Ohio River. They’re unwelcomed fish because they can reproduce rapidly, eat much more than the typical ‘common carp’ and can drastically affect the river’s ecosystem for all of the other fish.” The trio hasn’t rested on its record-setting catch. Howell and Badia were back out last week and Badia and Stupak went Friday night.
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Adam Stupak
Ohio Valley Outdoors-Magazine
Don’t let the summer slip away without coming to
These three Ohio Valley friends recently were recognized by Bowfishing of America for their successful catch while bowfishing of a bighead carp from the Ohio River near their home in Jefferson County, OH. Shown with the big carp are (from left): Eric Howell, Spencer Badia and Adam Stupak. The fish, and invasive species in Ohio, measured 59 inches and weighed 86-pound.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
WV Trophies Wanted for Display
ROANOKE, WV — Owners of trophy bucks and fish displays may apply for an opportunity to showcase them during West Virginia’s Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day, Sept. 17-18, 2016, at Stonewall Resort State Park in Lewis County. The West Virginia Wildlife Federation, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) and Toyota are seeking hunters who own trophy white-tailed bucks that were legally taken in West Virginia with either bow or gun and have a Pope & Young or Boone and Crockett score of 140 or greater. They are also seeking fish that qualified for a trophy fish citation under the DNR guidelines. “Each year, the displays are a tremendous draw at the Hunting and Fishing Day celebration, attracting thousands of visitors during the two-day event,” said DNR Wildlife Biologist Rob Silvester, who will work with fellow Wildlife Biologist James Walker to review the entries and set up the displays.
Participation for trophy bucks will be limited to the first 30 qualifying trophy entries received. As an incentive for participation, hunters who display their trophy deer will be entered into exclusive prize drawings. Participation for trophy fish will be limited to 25 qualifying trophy entries to be determined by the selection committee. No more than five entries of any species will be accepted. As an incentive for participation, each angler who displays his or her trophy fish mount will be eligible to win one of several gift certificates. Prizes will be picked randomly. Interested hunters and anglers who have qualifying mounts should contact display organizer James Walker for fish or Rob Silvester for bucks at 304-9246211 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or email James.A.Walker@wv.gov or Rob.A.Silvester@wv.gov for additional information.
August 2016
Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of WV Dept. of Commerce
The Big Buck display is always a popular exhibit during the annual West Virginia Celebration of National Hunting and Fishing Day. This year’s event is Sept. 17-18 at Stonewall Resort State Park
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August 2016
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Lake Erie Fishery Managers Ask Anglers to Scan Yellow Perch
OAK HARBOR, OH — Anglers can help fishery managers by taking yellow perch they catch this year in Lake Erie to be scanned for microchips at one of seven stations along the coast. A collaborative project among the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, U.S. Geological Survey, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry and Ohio Sea Grant aims to study fish behavior, migration, population size and the rate of death by natural causes using data the public’s scanning efforts will provide. “This research will help fisheries biologists better understand movement patterns of yellow perch, which in turn will assist agencies to better manage the yellow perch fishery,” said Patrick Kocovsky, a fishery biologist with the USGS Lake Erie Biological Station. The microchips, called PIT tags, are about the size of a grain of rice and work similar to a pet microchip. Because of their small size, it is impossible to tell if a fish is tagged without scanning it. The part of the fish containing the tag is removed as a part of normal cleaning, so tagged fish are safe to eat.
Anglers can simply take their catch of yellow perch to one of the scanning facilities and pass their coolers through the scanner. Sport fishing on Lake Erie is a $1 billion industry and important to Ohio’s coastal economies, and one of the most important species is yellow perch, according to Tory Gabriel, fisheries outreach coordinator and extension program leader for Ohio Sea Grant. “With this project, anglers have a chance to provide data to the fisheries managers and, in the long term, actually help in keeping Lake Erie a world-class fishery,” Gabriel said. More than 4,300 yellow perch were tagged during the 2013, 2014 and 2015 spawning seasons. Scanners on commercial trap net boats and at cleaning houses have scanned more than 4 million fish so far. Preliminary results of the study show that yellow perch tend to stick together in groups and stay within a limited area of Lake Erie. “This is another case where the tagging of animals has provided valuable information and insight toward the understanding and management of species,”
DU Awarded Grant for Michigan and Ohio
ANN ARBOR, MI — Ducks Unlimited was awarded $559,177 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to enhance 380 acres at coastal wetlands in Michigan and Ohio important to waterfowl, recreation and wildlife. The projects will improve Michigan’s St. John’s Marsh and Ohio’s Toussaint Wildlife Area. The funding is part of $1.58 million awarded under the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Restoration Act grant program to restore sustainable populations of fish and wildlife resources, and their habitats, in the Great Lakes Basin. Eight projects were funded. The $599,177 will be split between the Michigan and Ohio projects. Both projects are scheduled to be complete within two years. Toussaint Wildlife Area - A popular public use area owned by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, Toussaint is managed to provide coastal wetland habitat for wildlife and outdoor recreation. Toussaint was formerly a waterfowl hunt club. This project will enhance 85 acres of coastal wetlands by reconnecting the area to the Toussaint River and improving outdated infrastructure. The upgrades will improve seasonal fish access and habitat for waterfowl. For more information on our work, visit www.ducks.org.
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of ODNR
Anglers can assist Ohio fishery managers by taking perch caught in Lake Erie to have the fish scanned for a microchip, used for studying the species.
said Carey Knight, fisheries biologist with the ODNR Division of Wildlife, adding that partnerships with other organizations helped the study go smoothly. Visit go.osu.edu/perchscan to view a map of PIT tag scanning stations, and watch a video about the project at go.osu.edu/perchvideo. Ohio State University’s Ohio Sea Grant College Program is part of NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 33 Sea Grant programs dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. For more information, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu.
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No Seasons, No Bag Limits on Litter OV Outdoor Times
If you’re honest, you’ll probably admit you have one or more. I’m talking about a pet peeve. What the dictionary defines as “something that a particular person finds especially By Col.(Ret.)Grey D. Berrier II annoying.” Like most FIN Pro Staff people, I have my own set of aversions that get me riled up when I encounter them. One of my most fervent pet peeves is littering, especially when it takes place in a natural setting where I am engaging in an outdoor activity such as hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, or another pursuit I am truly passionate about. To me, there is just something wrong at a visceral level when I encounter a recently discarded candy bar wrapper over a mile from the nearest road as I’m still-hunting through a mountain laurel patch in pursuit of whitetails, or when I come around the bend on a remote stretch of a small winding river in my kayak with hopes of seeing a bald eagle at close range, only to discover an empty plastic water bottle bobbing in a side eddy. They say many of our adult habits,
thoughts, and behavior patterns can be traced to our upbringing and the outside influences we encountered during the formative years of our youth. Maybe you are old enough, like me, to remember the poignant public service advertisement the non-profit organization Keep America Beautiful, Inc. premiered on Earth Day 1971 with the now famous Crying Indian. Narrated by deep-voiced actor William Conrad, the well-known ad chronicles how widespread litter and pollution bring a Native American to tears and ends with the tagline, “People Start Pollution, People Can Stop It”. Voted one of the top 100 commercials of all time, research documented the Crying Indian ad was a primary motivator in a subsequent 88% reduction in littering across 38 states in the 1970s. (If you’ve never seen the moving one-minute PSA, just type “Crying Indian commercial” into a search engine and you’ll be able to watch it for yourself online.) I know the Crying Indian definitely influenced me as an eight-year-old and was probably fundamental in shaping my long-standing pet peeve regarding litter. Just about everyone will agree litter is unsightly, but a significant number of outdoorsmen and women never take time to think about how it negatively impacts Turn To No Season Page 19
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Mary S. Berrier
The author with his dog Colby and a bag of trash he recently collected during a hike near his home in western Pennsylvania.
August 2016
August 2016
Tom McIntyre 10-pt., 2015 Wood County, WV
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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PHOTO SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY
Matt Rickerd 17 3/4" smallmouth bass Ohio River
Colin McCormick 1st fish Middle Beaver Creek
Tanner Utt, age 16 15" black crappie Highlandtown Lake, OH
Frank Aleksiejczyk Caught in a farm pond
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Mitchell Auer, age 11 9-pt., 1st buck, shotgun Columbiana County, OH
Rob Auer 9-pt., crossbow Columbiana County, OH
Grace Auer, age 9 6-pt., 1st deer shotgun Columbiana County, OH
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
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Ohio Valley Outdoors
3-D Archery Shoots Set in Chester
CHESTER, WV — The Chester-Newell Sportsmen Club will host several 3-D Archery Shoots each Sunday this month and next (August 14, 21 and 28 and September 4, 11, 18 and 25). Thirty McKenzie and Rinehart targets will be used on the course. The cost is $10 per shooter, $8 for youths, 12 and under are free. The shoots begin at 8 a.m. and run through noon. The sports club is located on Gas Valley Road, behind Green Valley Dairy (behind WV state Route 8 and PA state Route 168). For additional information call 304-479-3456 or 330383-1886.
Women in the Outdoors Workshop Set for Sept. 9-11
COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will host its 17th Annual Women in the Outdoors event on September 9-11 in Carroll County, OH. The program is designed to offer women ages 14 and over the opportunity to gain valuable in-the-field skills in an environment that encourages fun and success in the outdoors.
August 2016
The program targets women who want to learn outdoor skills through inexpensive courses addressing such topics as camping, fishing, botany, hiking, canoeing, bird watching, archery, shooting sports and much more. The program also can provide the foundation to train women as outdoor educators and develop a network of outdoor enthusiasts with similar interests. The 2015 event was named by the NWTF as The Best WITO Event in the nation for 75-150 participants. The deadline to register is Sept. 5. Pre-registration is required. Space is limited. Registrations received by August 19 will be placed in an “early bird” raffle. For more information contact Amy Butterfield at 614-327-1041 or email: abutterfield.nwtf@gmail.com.
Gun and Sporting Goods Show Set for Sept. 24-25
WEST MIDDLESEX, PA — The Hidden Valley Sportsmen’s Club will host its annual Gun and Sporting Goods Show on September 24-25 at the club’s facility at 268 Gilkey Road, West Middlesex (Mercer County), PA. The times are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sept. 25. Admission is $5,
with free parking. Vendor spaces may be available by calling 724-5282700.
NE Ohio Sportsman Show to Move in 2017
MILLERSBURG, OH — Jody Witzky of JW Promotions, of Howard, OH, has announced that the 2017 Northeast Ohio Sportsman Show will be held at the new Mount Hope Event Center in Millersburg, OH on January 19-21, 2017. The show had previously had a long-standing run at the Buckeye Event Center in Dalton, OH. It was announced after last year’s event that a new location would be needed in 2017. “We are excited about this move and look forward to many years to come in this brand new facility!,” said Witzky. The Mount Hope Event Center is located at 8076 state Route 241 in Millersburg. Witzky said the show hours will be: Thursday 2-9 p.m.; Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. To inquire about vendor space or for additional information contact Witzky at 740-397-7788 or email him at jodywitzky@earthlink.net. The event website is: ohiosportmanshow.com.
August 2016
No Season From Page 16
their favorite activities. In Pennsylvania, surveys of landowners who have posted their property with “No Hunting or Trespassing” signs document littering is one of the top reasons why they decided to deny outsiders access. While the blame can sometimes be shifted to others, when the litter includes piles of empty shotgun shells and shotshell boxes in the fields or discarded bait containers, snelled hook packages, or tangled fishing line around the pond bank, the evidence clearly indicates a few inconsiderate hunters or anglers can ruin it for everyone. Additionally, litter can have unintended negative consequences on wildlife, birds, and fish. Everyone is familiar with TV news stories or online videos of deer, bear, raccoons, or other wildlife stumbling around with their heads stuck in plastic containers or other debris. In most cases, those stories captured on video have happy endings since they involve human intervention. Unfortunately, there are probably twice as many cases that go undetected in the wild and hapless wildlife endures senseless consequences, potentially starvation, because someone thoughtlessly littered. With August, your thoughts and ener-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
gies are probably turning to the upcoming fall hunting seasons. As you start to make scouting trips to your favorite whitetail haunts and begin to hang stands in remote locations, why not commit to being part of the solution and make picking up the litter you encounter part of your outdoor routine every time you head afield. As a conscientious outdoorsman or woman, you are most likely already adhering to the sage advice, “If you carried it in, carry it out”; but why not make it a point to stash a Walmart bag or small trash bag in your daypack, butt pack, tackle box, or cargo pocket to bring out a few of the unsightly items others left behind in the woods, out in the fields, or on the water. If every hunter, fisherman, hiker, camper, canoeist, kayaker, and participant in other outdoor endeavors just took home a few of the wrappers, bottles, cans, and other pieces of litter they came across each time they headed afield, it would go a long way to eliminating whatever litter is out there in your favorite outdoor spots. Taking time to pickup litter is also a great way to ingratiate yourself with the landowner and possibly a means of securing or retaining access to private property that others are kept out
of. Call it destiny, karma, or maybe just “one good turn deserves another”, but my penchant for toting litter out of the woods helped me harvest my black bear in 2012. After sitting still from well before daylight until 2 PM, I began to still-hunt across a rugged valley. I was appalled when I saw a bag of trash sitting on top of a large rock, the size of a moving van, in the middle of nowhere. It took me almost 10 minutes to climb up the side of the rock with my rifle and binoculars, retrieve the plastic bag containing an empty 2-liter Mountain Dew bottle and Doritos bag, and then climb back down. The unanticipated delay in my movement eventually put me in the right place at the right time 20 minutes later when
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my 460 lb. bruin came down out of an adjacent timber harvest. If I hadn’t climbed up to get the trash off the rock, I would have been long past the location where the bear eventually came down through. Who knows what your future litter abatement efforts may help you accomplish? When it comes to litter, there is no season and there are no bag limits. You are free to harvest as much as you want! The time you take to pick up any litter you encounter will benefit you, other outdoorsmen and women who travel there in the future, and wildlife, birds, fish and their habitat. Now that’s a Win-Win-Win situation which will bring a smile, instead of a tear, to everyone who loves the outdoors.
Enjoy the outdoors.... Take a kid hunting or fishing Join your local Sportsman’s Club, You’ll be glad you did!