DEER DISEASE SPARKS CONCERN - P. 8 Timeless Topwaters Story inside page 6
Eva Shockey “Takes Aim”
Outdoor Times September 2017
OV Outdoor Times
Eva Shockey wanted to be a dancer. She ended up a hunter. Now she’s promoting the outdoor way of life in her new book released this month, Taking Aim: Daring to be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors. The book is geared toward one of the fastest growing demographics in the hunting industry, female hunters, but the mesRalph Scherder sage is for everybody. If you’re not happy By Hunting Editor with your life, change it. If there’s something you’ve always dreamed of doing, pursue it. And don’t be afraid to stand up for what you believe in. We all know Eva Shockey as Jim Shockey’s daughter and cohost of the popular hunting show, Jim Shockey’s Hunting Adventures, on the Outdoor Channel. Having grown up watching her father make a living in the outdoor industry, Shockey came to the sport a little differently than most of us – not just as a hobby, but as a career choice. Once she realized how much she loved to hunt, she completely immersed herself in it, and soon found herself in the limelight, which made her both a celebrity among outdoorsmen and an easy target for anti-hunters. In November 2014, Shockey killed a 510-pound black bear in North Carolina and later posted photos of the hunt on social media. Anti-hunters rushed to condemn her, of course, one even remarking that she should “kill that little worthless dog you have instead.” Shockey’s response? “Apparently hunting a bear, eating/donating all of the meat, and putting money towards conservation is a bad thing, but killing my puppy is OK,” she
Ohio Valley
FR EE!
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Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Eva Shockey
Celebrity hunter Eva Shockey poses for a photograph with one of her many harvests, a 10-point whitetail deer. The 29-year-old Canadian-born Shockey talks about her new book, Taking Aim: Daring to be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the Great Outdoors.
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INSIDE THIS MONTH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Bahnsen’s Host 18th Annual Dove Shoot
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Larry Claypool
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Jeff Knapp
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Timeless Topwaters
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OVO’s Parker Crossbow Reader Contest
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Group Hosts First “Wheelin’ Sportsmen” Event OV Times Staff
Photo Showcase
ODNR to Offer Special Deer Hunts ODNR
It’s Possible to Pursue Porcupines in Pennsylvania
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Grey D. Berrier II
Squirrel Hunting Seasons Open in WV
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WVDNR
Deer Disease EHD Sparks Concern
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday, 1 p.m. at Tri-State Coonhunters Club, 2601 Irish Ridge Road, East Liverpool, OH. $2 per round, shoot 10 rounds. $5 round at end. Any gun with open sights or scopes. Up to 640 choke. Call William Dalrymple at 330-385-8822. Outdoor 3-D Archery - Sept. 17 at Mosquito Bowmen Archery Club, 2535 McCleary Jacoby Rd., Cortland, OH 44410. Reg. 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. 30 target course. Public invited. Field points only. $10, cubs free w/adult. Located at: See website: www.mosquitobowmen.com or email: info@mosquitobowmen.com. 3D Archery Shoots - Sept. 16-17 at Lake Milton Fish & Game Club. Sat. 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.; Sun. 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Cost $10, cubs $5. Breakfast and lunch served. Crossbows permitted, no rangefinders. Contact David Puz at 330-240-8128 or Dennis Dabney at 330-414-5795. Gun & Sporting Goods Show - Sept. 30 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) & Oct. 1 (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at Hidden Valley Sportsmen’s Club, West Middlesex, PA. $5 Admission. Buy, sell, trade, browse. Call 724528-2700 for info. See ad on Page 8.
Ohio Valley
September 2017
A Much Needed Fall Frost
Welcome to September, and nearly the fall season. The Autumn Equinox ‘falls’ on September 22 and officially marks the beginning of fall in the northern hemisphere. The word equinox means “equal night”, By Larry Claypool which leaves us with Editor an equal 12-hour shift for daylight and nighttime. For hunters, you just want to know how much daylight will be available to hunt. For our hunters, here’s what you have to look forward to: archery deer season opens September 30 in Ohio; gun season is set for November 27 and fall turkey season opens October 14. Archery season and cool weather can not come fast enough for hunters in this region. Many parts of the area have been hard hit by the summer midge deer virus, known as Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). And now the only thing that’s sure to quell the deer midge — and stop killing the whitetail deer — is a good fall frost. *See my story on EHD on Page 8. Many hunters I’ve spoken with are concerned about the low number of deer that will be available to hunt. Some have mentioned skipping the fall archery season due to the potential low numbers. The EHD virus does not discriminate which class of deer it eliminates. Farmers and local hunters have found many does, fawns and bucks dead or sick in this region. One southern Columbiana County farmer said 18 of 21 deer he’s recorded on trail cameras near his farm this summer are apparently dead from the disease. And some of the deer lost have been impressive bucks. While not much, or anything, can be done OV Outdoor Times
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by the ODNR or wildlife community to save the sick animals, questions still arise from hunters about whether they should make the effort to hunt this fall or eat meat from deer harvested this season. Hunters will have to see how that plays out. For the ODNR’s part they have tested some deer for EHD but haven’t reported any large number of deer kills in this region. This concerns hunters who have knowledge of high deer deaths in their area while the DNR is reporting minimal deaths due to the disease. The difference between what hunters and farmers are finding about deer deaths is far off from what the DNR is reporting. That leaves the question for hunters, what gives? Is the DNR concerned about hunters not wanting to hunt this year? Which would mean many less hunting licenses purchased this year. We all know that hunting license sales have been dropping the past 20 years. Enough that the ODNR has been forced to make changes in how they operate, and have cut back on some programs due to revenue losses. Although many sportsmen in Ohio have realized there is some need to balance a tough budget within the ODNR and Division of Wildlife, the agency doesn’t need any more negative press that it’s gathered this summer. The ODNR chiefs haven’t caught a break since national wildlife watchdog The Sportsmen’s Alliance, of Columbus, OH, led a coalition of 41 conservation groups to help convince the state legislature to approve increases in non-resident hunting and fishing licenses to help the state’s situation. That battle continues to go back and forth. For more information about The Sportsmen’s Alliance’s efforts, visit their website at: www.sportsmensalliance.org.
To Advertise CALL 330-385-2243
Outdoor Times September 2017 VOL. 9, NO. 9 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
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September 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Bahnsen’s Host 18th Annual Dove Shoot
NEW MANCHESTER, WV — The 18th Annual Dove Shoot, hosted by Peggy and Doc Bahnsen of New Manchester, WV, kicked off the 2017 hunting season in West Virginia on September 4. It was another great day for wing shooters to open the new season. The shoot took place at Miller Farm, along Gas Valley Road, near New Manchester. Only in few hunters in this group of 40 shooters were able to bag a limit of 15 birds. For the past several years most hunters have limited out in a 3-4-hour span. This year it appeared that several less birds were flying into Doc Bahnsen’s finely manicured sunflower and corn fields. Special guest shooters to the event were West Virginia Secretary of State Mac Warner (R) and West Virginia Department of Agriculture Commissioner Kent Leonhardt (R). See more photographs from this hunt on our website: www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com and Facebook page. — Larry Claypool
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
September 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo by Larry Claypool
Forty hunters participated in the 18th Annual Dove Shoot at Miller Farm in Hancock County, West Virginia. Before hunting the group gathered for this photograph and a nice meal, provided by hosts Peggy and Doc Bahnsen of New Cumberland.
September 2017
Takes Aim From Page 1
wrote. “If this logic isn’t totally insane, I don’t know what is.” Mainstream media caught wind and hyped the story, and intense backlash followed. But so did something else – the rallying cries of fellow hunters, and once again, Shockey had the perfect response, to create special T-shirts that stated: “I’ll never apologize for being a hunter.” As Shockey says in Taking Aim, “When the destructive verbal storm erupted, I was faced with a decision. I could have shut down my Facebook page. I could have retreated. I could have kept silent. Instead, I made the choice to take a stand.” In today’s politically correct society, hunters often find themselves on the outside looking in. We needlessly apologize for enjoying what we do, pointing instead to the value of hunting as a management tool. Yes, we have science on our side, and nothing is more effective than hunting at controlling wildlife populations, not to mention that we also give back tens of millions of dollars every year toward conservation – but we shouldn’t feel ashamed for having fun in the process.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Unfortunately, mainstream media is trying to make hunting just that, a source of guilt. And you know what? They’re winning. If they weren’t, we wouldn’t be facing potential bans every year at the ballot box. We wouldn’t be worried about keeping our rights to hunt, fish, and trap, and it wouldn’t be so crucial to join organizations that help us fight to keep those rights. We need an ambassador for our sport. We need someone to lead by example and inspire more women, girls, men, and boys to look toward the outdoors as a source of adventure and fuel for the soul. We need more people like Eva Shockey who will stand firm against our critics. The biggest threat to hunters today is the wealth of misinformation floating around out there. Taking Aim puts the facts on the table in laymen’s terms. Anyone unfamiliar with hunting could read this book and immediately gain a better appreciation and understanding of the importance of hunting, and also what it means to be a successful hunter. “Contrary to what I thought at first,” she writes, “hunting isn’t easy.” Every excursion presents its own challenges and obstacles that must be overcome. On another level, Taking Aim is a series of heart-pounding adventures, sev-
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eral of which could have easily claimed Shockey’s life, interspersed with those quiet, reflective moments in the wilderness. Only when you are alone in the wilds, with no distractions, can you look into your own heart and discover your own personal truths. Perhaps the most poignant passage can be found in the introduction where she writes, “Anything worth doing in life will come with resistance. You may hunt. You may not. But if you’ve worked hard to achieve a goal or a dream or are right now in the midst of fighting for or striving for something you believe in, you can relate to the challenges I’ve faced. You know what it’s like to go up against the status quo. You know the discipline required, the struggle that follows. You know the detours. You know the critics who tell you to quit or that you’ll never make it. You know the self-doubt that creeps in. And one day you’ll know what Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo courtesy of Eva Shockey it feels like when you wake up and realFor today’s hunters and non-hunters, Eva ize that you’ve created your own life, Shockey takes us through her personal journey your own future, and left your own mark in her new book, Taking Aim: Daring to be Different, Happier, and Healthier in the in this world.” Great Outdoors. Now more than ever, it’s important to get young people interested in the sport if we expect our outdoors heritage to many non-hunters as possible so that we continue for future generations to enjoy. have enough voter clout on issues that It’s equally imperative to educate as Turn To Takes Aim Page 7
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Timeless Topwaters OV Outdoor Times
Long before the arrival of technically honed topwater baits sporting glass rattles and ultra-realistic finishes, bass anglers were triggering surface strikes with baits that went by names By Jeff Knapp like Pop-R, Jitter- Fishing Editor bug, Hula Popper, Zara Spook and floating Rapala. In a market constantly looking to create the better mousetrap, it’s easy for these icons of angling tradition to get buried in the bottom of the tackle box. In many situations, though, the classics often outperform the new kids on the block. Also, late summer and early fall is a great time to throw surface lures to bass that are often looking up at this time of year. Though B.A.S.S. Elite Series veteran Zell Rowland was instrumental in the development of the technically advanced XCalibur Zell Pop, under many conditions he reaches for a bread-n-but-
ter Rebel Pop-R. “The Zell Pop is designed to spit,” explained the Montgomery, Texas, pro. “The Pop-R produces a chug.” Rowland said that while the Zell Pop excels in clear water situations, when there is a fair degree of color to the water it’s time to throw the Pop R — or an Arbogast Hula Popper — baits that have the ability to get a bass’s attention in low visibility water. Considered the original of the cigarshaped walk-the-dog topwaters, the Heddon Zara Spook is another classic Rowland often reaches for. “The problem with the Spook has always been one of holding on to fish,” noted Rowland. “I’ve found that far fewer get loose when I use the Super Spook, which features three hooks.” Central Florida’s Captain Mike Tipton considers the original floating Rapala his go-to bait. While the floating Rapala is capable of diving a foot or so subsurface, Tipton fishes it as a topwater, a craft that while once popular is largely forgotten. Turn To Topwaters Page 7
September 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Jeff Knapp
Fishing expert Jeff Samsel holds a nice Pennsylvania smallmouth bass that took a surface favorite, Zell Pop, in the Allegheny River.
September 2017
Topwaters From Page 6
“I’ve been using the F13 floating Rapala for 45 years,” said Tipton. “There have been so many new developments in lures – like holographic finishes – that many folks gave up on the minnow. It just didn’t look as ‘fishy’ to the human eye, but it does to the fish.” In addition to not having the same eye appeal as more flashy lures, Tipton said a reason people don’t find the original floater as productive is they simply don’t know how to fish it as a surface bait. “Many of the folks that I guide start off by jerking/pulling the minnow, rather than snapping it,” explained Tipton. “When they pull the minnow, it simply dives under the surface, wiggles a few times, and then floats back up.” Tipton said that his technique, which has pulled many Florida largemouths in excess of 10 pounds out of hydrilla beds, is to really snap the lure. “To do that you need to leave about a foot of slack at the rod tip prior to each snap of the rod tip,” he noted. “That slack allows the bait to snap to each side. I really snap it hard, moving lots of water.” Following a series of aggressive snaps, Tipton allows the minnow to rest,
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
and then gives it a tiny twitch that barely moves the bait. Tipton usually uses floating Raps in the classic silver or gold patterns. He fishes them on braid, no-stretch line that maximizes the snapping action imparted by the angler. For those of us with an angling history measured in multiple decades, growing up night fishing for bass meant throwing an Arbogast Jitterbug, plain and simple. On a calm night the only thing to interfere with the plop-plop of the Jitterbug was the startling intervention of a striking bass. Longtime tackle tinkerer Andy Vetula has found that the plopping action of the Jitterbug can be enhanced with a bit of tuning. “The object is to make the lip a bit more dish-shaped so the bait produces a more distinct plopping sound,” said Vetula. With pliers or vice-grips, Vetula bends the bottom of the lip slightly inward, and also gives the tips of the lip a tiny inward kick. He’s had good success on bass with not only “tuned” standard size Jitterbugs, but the muskie version as well. “I also fish the Jitterbug with monofilament line,” he added. “Fluorocarbon, which sinks, pulls the nose of the bait down and kills it.”
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Putting the classic topwaters back to work is more than a nostalgic effort resulting in a few “washed” lures. It can lead to a more productive season on the surface.
PA Hunters: Report Banded Birds
HARRISBURG, PA — Migratory game bird hunters in Pennsylvania are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese, doves and woodcock they harvest online at www.reportband.gov. The toll-free phone number for band reporting (1-800-327-BAND) is being phased out due to cost and data-quality concerns, and may not be in operation for the 2017-18 hunting season. Hunters will be requested to provide information on where, when and what species of migratory birds were taken, in addition to the band number. This information is crucial to the successful management of migratory birds. Jeremy Stempka, Game Commission biologist, also stressed that reporting leg-bands helps the Game Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service learn more about migratory bird movements, and survival and harvest rates, which are critical to population manage-
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ment and setting of hunting regulations. Each year, nearly 380,000 ducks and geese and 30,000 mourning doves are banded across the United States and Canada. Last year, over 6,000 migratory game birds, including more than 5,000 waterfowl, were banded in Pennsylvania. “Pennsylvania continues to monitor migratory game bird populations in cooperation with other wildlife management agencies across North America,” Stempka explained. “Information provided by hunters is essential to manage migratory game bird populations. Takes Aim From Page 5
concern wildlife management. Shockey’s celebrity status gives her access to huge audiences, both within the hunting industry and in the general, non-hunting public, and in Taking Aim she’s using that status in positive ways that help secure our future. Taking Aim emphasizes the joy of hunting. If nothing else, maybe this book will show people that the outdoors is fun. It’s the perfect venue for creating memories with family and friends, the meat is organic and healthy, and best of all, the byproduct of a life spent doing what you love is happiness.
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Deer Disease EHD Sparks Concern OV Outdoor Times
It’s still a little early to tell how hard the deer population will be hit in this region due to the recent outbreak of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). Many dead deer have been found By Larry Claypool across this region re- Editor cently, and hunters are getting concerned. Wildlife officials from Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia have confirmed several cases of what appears to be EHD. Some deer have been tested and officials from all three states reported in August that EHD is present. Since many dead and sick-looking deer have been found recently, most near water, it points to another outbreak of EHD. West Virginia DNR Wildlife Biologist Jim Crum said the deer usually die quickly (5-10 days) after getting bit-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
ten by a midge 2-3 times. He calls them “blood meals”, where the midge (tiny, fly-like insects) bite the deer multiple times, sometimes laying eggs and pass along the deadly virus. EHD can not be passed from deer to deer, or be transferred to humans or other animals. All deer, any age, male or female, can get infected with the disease. It causes a high fever and extreme hemorrhaging in deer. In many cases the infection is deadly. Some deer, if exposed from year to year, may become immuned to the disease. EHD has been prevalent in the south for years, but according the Crum, the disease is spreading north. The most severe cases in this region last hit in 2007, where large sweeps of deer were found dead. The last noted outbreak was in 2012. Crum said West Virginia’s eastern panhandle, near Virginia, was hardest hit then. Crum said the weather plays a big part in the appearance of the tiny midges. Dry summer conditions foster their existence. So, for bowhunters in the this region, they must be aware of the potential of seeing sick deer. It’s suggested not to eat the meat from a deer that has been infected with EHD. Ohio DNR Wildlife Research Technician Laurie Graber, working out of the
September 2017
District 3 office in Akron agrees the weather has played an important part in the appearance of the midges. “Things are dry now, but I think the warmer temperatures this spring led to this,” said Graber. “It seems that every year we have problems, it’s just in different areas. Portage and Geauga counties were bad in 2012, this year it seems to be in Jefferson County.” People in Columbiana County have been reporting several downed and sick deer since early August. Photos of dead and sick deer from the county have also been appearing on Facebook pages. One photo showed a local hunter petting a small sick fawn found alone and struggling to hold its head up. It was later reported that the fawn died a few days later. One local concerned farmer, who owns a farm in southern Columbiana County, reported that of 21 deer he has regularly seen on his deer trail cameras, only three of those have been recorded recently around his property. He believes the rest are dead. On September 9 Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool A southern Columbiana County (OH) the farmer (who does not want to be identified) brought five deer skulls with farmer has had the deer herd around his farm decimated by what is believed to be from large racks (see photograph) to our office in East Liverpool to be pho- Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). Since Turn To EHD Page 9
early August the farmer has found these five large bucks, and others, on his farm.
September 2017
EHD From Page 8
tographed. All of those deer have been found dead since August, believed to have died due to EHD. ODNR Wildlife Officer Jesse Janosik, who covers Columbiana County, said in late August that he had reports of dead and sick deer in the county, but only one has been tested so far. That report came back negative though. “We are hearing of dead deer out there. I think some areas in Beaver County (PA) have been hit harder though, from what I’m hearing,” said Janosik. Graber said in late August that her office had received some reports of dead deer from Columbiana County, and Geauga and Trumbull counties, but Jefferson County is taking the biggest hit. “On my door is a list of calls I’ve received (about dead deer) and our front desk has received a bunch of calls too, both of bucks and does. Jefferson County has been hit the hardest, by far. Right now we have at least 111 reports from Jefferson (County),” said Graber. Both Crum and Garber said the threat of this disease will not end until this area gets a good fall frost on the ground. Something that eliminates the midges, as they cannot tolerate cold tempera-
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
tures. Garber said the DNR will continue to monitor the situation on EHD cases, but that’s really all they can do. Asked if there would be any scenario where deer hunting seasons would be cut or changed in any way. “No, we have to leave it be and let nature take its course,” said Garber. “We wouldn’t do that. We wouldn’t know what areas would be affected. On one farm many of the deer could be gone and the farm next to that would not be affected. That wouldn’t be fair.” One area that appears to also be hit hard by the EHD virus is in the northern part of Hancock County (WV). Resident Mike Ludovici, who owns a farm just off of state Route 8 in New Manchester, has dealt with a stench smell of dead deer since early August. He’s found several dead and sick deer near his home. One Gas Valley Road farmer (Hancock County), Mark Tetrault, said one of his neighbors has been caring for a sick bull cow recently. That cow has shown signs of fever and being sick, but is been treated with antibiotics by a local veterinarian. The EHD virus can also attack cattle. Crum said from the reports his office Turn To EHD Page 14
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Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Mike Ludovici
The young male deer was found dead in northern Hancock County earlier this week. It’s believed to have succumbed to a deadly deer virus, called Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD). The disease can wipe out large quantities of deer and is a concern for local farmers and hunters.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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It’s Possible to Pursue Porcupines in PA OV Outdoor Times
Question: “How do you know a train came by here?” Answer: “Because it left its tracks!” I don’t know about you, but when I was a young boy, I’m By Col.(Ret.)Grey D. Berrier II talking early elemenFIN Pro Staff tary school age, I heard some pretty corny jokes and riddles from my adult family members. My great uncle, Knox Fisher, was an engineer for the Penn Central Railroad, so I endured his favorite train joke numerous times when we approached a railroad crossing or walked along the railroad tracks. Even as a 6 or 7-year-old, I was thinking: “Uncle Knox, those steel rails spiked down to railroad ties make it pretty obvious a train came through here at some point in time.” While that thought may have crossed my mind, I never verbalized it for fear of being disrespectful and simply politely laughed at his joke each time he brought it up. I share that story because similar to how railroad tracks provide clear evidence a train came through, physical evidence is constantly being left out in the
woods documenting a particular wildlife species was present at some point, if you know what to look for. For instance, if we were to go for a walk in Pennsylvania’s “Big Woods”, somewhere north of Interstate 80 anywhere between Barkeyville (Exit 29) and White Deer (Exit 210), there is a very high probability you will observer some strangely disfigured trees. These particular trees, often wild black cherry, will have what appear to be gnarly knobs or scabbed over knee caps growing anywhere from 8-feet up to 40feet in the air. To the casual observer, it may appear that those trees have some sort of disease. Quite the opposite, the trees with the strange growths are strong survivors. They have withstood a porcupine eating their bark and the “scabs” are the tree’s efforts to heal their wounds. Unfortunately, if a porcupine eats the bark completely around the circumference of a tree, girdling it, the tree becomes incapable of getting water and nutrients to the leaves and branches above that point and that portion of the Turn To Porcupines Page 13
September 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo by Grey D. Berrier II
To help with the ongoing porcupine-problems property owners were experiencing in Pennsyvlania, the PA Game Commission introduced a porcupine hunting season in 2011. The season opened September 1 and runs through March 31, 2018.
September 2017
Porcupines From Page 12
tree will die. While walking in “porcupine country”, you will occasionally observe a tree that has just recently had its outer bark consumed, since the lighter-colored inner bark (phloem) or vascular cambium will be exposed. The damaged band often sticks out in stark contrast to the darker colors predominant in the woods. Only a handful of times over the years, have I come across Mr. or Mrs. Porcupine actively eating away at a tree overhead, since they are primarily nocturnal. Another distinct sign of porcupine activity is their scat or droppings. Commonly found underneath a tree where they were eating or more frequently near the entrance to their den under rocks or in a hollow log, their scat is approximately an inch or so long, oblong in shape, slightly curved, and based on their woody diet, has a packed sawdust-like consistency. While deer droppings are normally black, porcupine “poop” is typically a lighter brown to tan color and somewhat resembles the wood pellets that fuel a pellet stove. Based on my prior reading and formal survival training, I was always instructed to just leave porcupines alone when hik-
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ing or hunting, and you have dependable food provisions. The logic being, porcupines are the ideal “survival protein source” since they are slow moving, have poor eyesight, and can be readily harvested with either a club or rock, if necessary. The “woods wisdom” was to always leave porcupines alone for the next guy or gal who may be starving and really need to kill something in order to eat and survive. While the literature may say to give porcupines a free pass, the facts are their actions when they come in contact with manmade objects can be quite destructive. Their diet consists primarily of leaves, twigs, bark, and other plant material. Nutritionally, this means they are ingesting a high potassium/low sodium diet and translates into an inherent lifelong craving for salt. This is why you hear stories of porcupines gnawing on wooden canoe paddles, axe handles, and even gunstocks that are left lying around camp. Those particular items are sweatinfused from human contact and become a potential source of salt for a wandering porcupine. Another troublesome habit that residents who live or have camps in porcupine-country become familiar with and have to endure is their affinity for ply-
wood and chipboard. Apparently, the glue used to bond these building materials together contains sodium and porcupines are attracted to it as a source of necessary salt. Many property owners have unfortunately found the walls or floors of their garage, shed, outhouse, or camp have been gnawed away by porcupines. If the property has been left vacant for several weeks or months, like is typical with hunting camps, the porcupine-chewed damage can be quite extensive and very costly. Based on the 30,000 prickly quills covering a porcupine’s body, they have very few natural predators. While a very hungry black bear, coyote, or bobcat make take an occasional porcupine, their predominant predators are fishers. Fishers are larger members of the weasel family that were reintroduced into PA starting back in 1994 in hopes of curtailing the porcupine numbers. While the fisher population has expanded to the point where there is now a regulated fisher trapping season in PA, they have not decreased the porcupine population to the point that human/porcupine conflicts are eliminated. To help with the ongoing porcupineproblems property owners were experiencing and to aid in managing the
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statewide porcupine population, the PA Game Commission introduced a porcupine hunting season back in 2011. Now entering its seventh year, many PA resident hunters and most PA nonresident hunters are not aware a porcupine hunting season exists in the Keystone State. Porcupine season recently opened on September 1, 2017 and runs through March 31, 2018. While the porcupine was recently classified as a furbearer by the PA Game Commission for management purposes, like coyotes, it can be legally hunted with either a hunting or furtaker license. However, porcupines can only be hunted Monday through Saturday with Sunday hunting prohibited. The daily limit is three porcupines and there is a season limit of 10 porcupines. Legal hunting methods include manually-operated or semi-automatic rifles (any caliber), manually-operated handguns, shotguns using not larger than #4 buckshot, archery equipment (compound bows, crossbows, recurve bows, or longbows), and air or gas-operated firearms at least 22-caliber. There is a lot of misinformation surrounding the porcupine. They cannot shoot or fire their quills. A human or animal has to make physical contact with Turn To Porcupines Page 18
14 EHD From Page 9
in Elkins have received, Hancock County appears to be one of the hardest hit counties in West Virginia. They have tested one dead deer from Hancock but test results have not been released. Garber said the Ohio DNR will normally test only one deer for the disease from each county. When reports come in about dead deer found in a decomposing state, with blood coming from its mouth and nostrils, it’s a pretty good bet that the cause of death is from EHD. Garber said tests will only be taken on deer that has died in the last 24 hours before sampling. She said the deer that tested positive for EHD last week from Lorain County, she was the technician who took the sample. “We received a call about a dead deer in a pond from Lorain County. That was on a Sunday, by Monday I was up there and we pulled the deer from the water,” said Garber. Of the dead deer found by Ludovici around his farm recently, one offered a most gruesome reminder of how nature works, and doesn’t in some cases. Ludovici found, and photographed, one dead buck that had been decaying for several days, melting into the earth with
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
what he described as “three inches of maggots” blanketing the dead carcass. According to some hunters a normal dead deer carcass found in the woods would be picked clean by wild scavengers; including coyotes, possum, fox, vultures, crows, eagles and more. And in this case, only flies (and later maggots) would devour the diseased carcass. For information purposes, EHD is not to be confused with Chronic Waste Disease (CWD). CWD is another disease that deadly affects whitetail deer, along with elk. That syndrome attacks the animal’s central nervous system and deteriorates the brain. CWD can spread from deer to deer through direct contact or with saliva, urine, feces, blood or deer parts or infected materials in soil. Those conditions can allow the disease to spread across a wide area and be transported by live deer or infected parts. CWD can also be in an infected deer or elk for 1-2 years. It’s always fatal. EHD infected deer can survive and recover. To date Chronic Waste Disease has not been found in any wild deer in Ohio. Testing for that serious disease has been done each year since CWD was found in several captive deer in 2014. The ODNR has tested hundreds of wild deer since a shooting preserve in Holmes County,
Report Banded Game Birds in WV
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — Hunters who harvest leg-banded game birds should report them online at www.reportband.gov. The United States Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory (BBL), the federal agency in charge of overseeing all migratory bird banding, has discontinued the 1-800 number used to report banded birds. “While this band-reporting method has been discontinued, bands inscribed with the 1-800 number could be encountered for several years,” said Mike Peters, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) game bird biologist. “We ask hunters to continue to report
Ohio had 19 whitetail deer test positive for CWD. Graber said any reports of dead deer suspected of having the EHD virus can be forwarded to the District 3 office in Akron by calling, 330-644-2293. To file a report with Columbiana County’s officer Janosik, leave a voicemail message at 330-245-3039. In Hancock County, WV, contact Wildlife Officer Josh Allison at: 304-546-6201.
September 2017
those bands through the website because we still need the valuable information those bands provide.” If the 1-800 number is called, an automated answering system will direct callers to report the band through the www.reportband.gov website. Bands can still be reported by mail to: Bird Banding Lab, 12100 Beach Forest Road, Laurel, MD 20708. Hunters must provide their contact information and the leg-band number, and indicate when and where the bird was harvested. Hunters can keep the band. Migratory bird biologists from state and federal wildlife agencies use banding data to develop models to predict harvest impacts and understand environmental factors affecting migratory bird populations. For more information about EHD, visit the ODNR website at: www.ohiodnr.gov or WVDNR website at: www.wvdnr.gov. Another excellent source on the topic comes from the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study by The University of Georgia; visit: http://vet.uga.edu/population_health_fil es/hemorrhagic-disease-brochure2013.pdf.
September 2017
Squirrel Hunting Seasons Open in WV
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — The West Virginia statewide squirrel hunting season opened September 9. Hunters should expect to see lower squirrel numbers this year compared to last year, due to a slightly below-average hard mast crop in 2016. Squirrel survival and productivity will be reduced following a year of poor mast conditions. “Wipe the dust off your favorite squirrel gun and hit the woods this fall in pursuit of the Mountain State’s most abundant small game,” said Paul Johansen, chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. “Squirrel hunters should remember success comes with proper scouting and locating areas that have an abundant mast crop,” Johansen said. The daily bag limit is six, and the possession limit is 24 squirrels. Youth hunters under the age of 15 must be accompanied by a licensed adult. The accompanying adult cannot carry a gun or a bow and must remain close enough to the youth to render advice and assistance. Youth hunters age 15 to 17 must comply with all licensing requirements.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
All other licensing requirements will remain in effect, and hunters should check the 2017-2018 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary for additional information.
WV Hunting Season Changes Explained
SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV — Several important changes in the state’s fall hunting seasons for deer, black bear and wild turkey are included in the new 2017-2018 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary. The publication is now available at all West Virginia hunting and fishing li-
cense agents and Division of Natural Resources district offices, as well as the DNR Elkins and South Charleston offices. It also is available online at www.wvdnr.gov. Hunters and trappers are encouraged to carefully review these regulations and the changes in hunting seasons. Important changes for 2017-2018 include: Sunday hunting on private land is now legal in all 55 counties only with written permission from the landowner. All deer harvested by hunters Nov. 2021, 2017, in Hampshire, Mason and Upshur counties are required to be brought to a designated Biological Game Examination Station. Refer to the 2017-2018 West Virginia Hunting and Trapping Regulations Summary brochure for the Biological Game Examination Station locations in those counties. Since the regulations were distributed, two corrections have been made and are now available online. The first change is that Boone, Fayette, Kanawha and Raleigh counties are open for concurrent buck deer and bear hunting during the buck firearms season Nov. 20-Dec. 2. No prior application is required and hunters may participate with the appropriate hunting license and a bear damage stamp.
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The other change deals with deer hunting on McClintic Wildlife Management Area in Mason County. The annual bag limit for antlered deer on the area is one deer, not three. The Antlerless Season bag limit is three, instead of one.
Gun Show Returns in Lowellville
LOWELLVILLE, OH — The popular annual Gun Show, hosted by the Mahoning Valley Gun Collectors returns on December 9-10 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) at the Lowellville Rod and Gun Club. Admission for the event is $4. Vendor tables, at a cost of $25, are available by calling Bill at 330-506-9194. Vendors can buy, sell or trade. Firearm appraisals are offered by club members at no charge. Free parking is also available. The GPS address for the gun club is: 6225 Quarry Road, Lowellville, OH.
Ohio Valley Outdoors-Magazine
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Group Hosts First “Wheelin’ Sportsmen” Event
HERMITAGE, PA — Whole Life Services hosts it’s first ever National Wild Turkey Federation sponsored “Wheelin’ Sportsmen” event on August 11 on the grounds of the Hubbard Conservation Club, in Hubbard, Ohio. The group participated in fishing and archery and were treated to a live bird presentation by The Birds in Flight Sanctuary of Warren, Ohio. Whole Life Services is located in Hermitage, PA and they provide individualized support and services to people with disabilities and their families. About 35 individuals from Whole Life Services participated in the event, along with and other staff and volunteers. Wheelin' Sportsmen provides all people with disabilities opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. With more than 50 million people with disabilities in the United States, Wheelin' Sportsmen fills a significant void. NWTF chapters host Wheelin' Sportsmen events across North America that help participants gain a sense of independence by learning to stay active in
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
September 2017
Club Offers Free Hunter Education Class
NEW CUMBERLAND, WV — A free Hunter Education Class will be held September 24-25 at the Chester-Newell Sportsmen Club, located at 592 Dairy Lane, between Chester and New Manchester, WV. The GPS address is: 131 Gas Valley Rd., Georgetown, PA, 15043. Gas Valley Road is located behind Green Valley Dairy. The class runs from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Saturday (24th) and 1 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Sunday (25th). Students must attend both days, and be 10 years of age or older. The class is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is required by logging onto www.register-ed.com or email groundhog57@comcast.net or call or text 304-3745587. The class is limited to 35 students. Walk-ins will be accepted if classroom permits. Students 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult, 18 or older, and provide their last four digits of their social security number. Access Gas Valley Road past Oak Glen High School and Hillcrest Wildlife Management Area, by way of WV state Route 8, or from PA state Route 168. For more information on West Virginia’s Hunter Education program, visit www.wvdnr.gov, and go to the hunting section, hunter education.
7th Annual Gun Bash & Hog Roast Set
NEGLEY, OH — The Middleton Township Fish & Game Club will host its 7th Annual Gun Bash and Hog Roast on October 28 at the club, located at 50501 Richardson Ave., in Negley, Ohio 44441. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. Cost is $35.00 donation. The ticket price includes: a chance on all 20 main gun and cash prizes, dinner, drinks and dessert. There is a limited number of tickets available. Dinner will be served immediately upon arrival. For tickets, contact Jesse Thompson at 330-429-1707 or visit Millrock Auto the outdoors on their own in between Wrecking in Rogers, OH. Guns for the raffle are provided by Faloon’s Firearms of Wheelin' Sportsmen events. East Liverpool, Ohio. Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo courtesy of Gene Blair
An archery instructor from the Hubbard Conservation Club assists a participant during the “NWTF Wheelin’ Sportsmen” event last month in Hubbard, Ohio. Whole Life Services of Hermitage, PA organized the event.
September 2017
Laurie Ellis 1st buck, 10-pt, .44 mag lever Harrison County, OH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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PHOTO SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY
Nicholas Upperman, age 13 king mackerel Port Canaveral, FL
Austin Crowell 10-pt. Columbiana County, OH
Bob Hope 9-pt. Mahoning County, OH
Colby Cooper 1st deer, 9-pt. Columbiana County, OH
Send Us Your Photos
Bob Parks 12-pt., 20-1/8" spread Columbiana County, OH
Brad Cox 1st deer, bow Columbiana County, OH
Brandon Kochert 12-pt., 23 5/16" spread Mahoning 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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ODNR to Offer Special Deer Hunts
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
COLUMBUS, OH — In a continuing effort to control deer populations, specifically those affecting native plant communities, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will coordinate special deer hunts at several state nature preserves across the state. High deer populations can have an adverse impact on many sensitive habitats at several state nature preserves. In addition to direct browsing of native vegetation by deer, evidence suggests that deer browsing may promote the spread of garlic mustard, a non-native invasive plant which displaces many native Ohio plant species. Preserve managers will handle hunting applications at the local level. Hunters must attend individual meetings if they are interested in particular hunts. During those events, hunters can enter the drawing by purchasing a single ticket for $5. Other requirements include: Hunters must possess a valid 2017-2018 hunting license in order to purchase tickets.
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Names will be randomly drawn, and those selected will be assigned a specific time to hunt. An orientation will be conducted immediately following the drawing. Hunters will be permitted to hunt with a partner, however, the partner is not required to attend the drawing or orientation. Hunts at Sheepskin Hollow and Lawrence Woods state nature preserves will be archery-only hunts. Successful lottery winners of these hunts will be offered two-week blocks of time to hunt. Hunters may apply for hunts at multiple sites, but they must attend the meeting for each hunt in order to enter the drawing. Do not mail entry forms. Hunt locations and meeting dates are as follows: • Goll Woods State Nature Preserve (Fulton County) - The archery hunt drawing will be held at the preserve office, located at 26093 County Road F, Archbold, 43502 on Sept. 16, at 9 a.m. Contact Ryan Schroeder at 419-445-1775 or ryan.schroeder@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more. • Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve (Hardin County) - The archery hunt drawing will be held at the preserve parking area, located at 13278 County Road 190, Kenton, 43226 on Sept. 17, at 1 p.m. Contact Ryan Schroeder at 419-4451775 or ryan.schroeder@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more. • Sheepskin Hollow State Nature Preserve (Columbiana County) - The drawings will be held at the Beaver Creek State Park office, located at 12021 Echo Dell Road, East Liverpool, 43920 on Sept. 20, at 6 p.m. Contact Charlotte McCurdy at 330-298-9198 or charlotte.mccurdy@dnr.state.oh.us to learn more. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
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September 2017
Porcupines From Page 13
a quill in order for it to release from the porcupine’s body. They are not aggressive, but will go into a proactive defensive posture, hiding their vulnerable undersides, and thrashing their tail at a would-be attacker. It’s not a bad idea to carry a Leatherman-like tool or a pair of pliers along, if hunting or hiking in porcupine country with a dog, to help in potential quill removal. Additionally, you’ll want to keep an out for porcupines for roadways, if traveling in PA’s “Big Woods”, since a road-killed porcupine’s quills have the potential to flatten a vehicle tire. Maybe you’re looking to hunt something new or potentially looking for a unique specimen to add to your taxidermy mount collection. Possibly, you’re looking to help out property owners who are suffering porcupine-induced damage (much like hunters help farmers by harvesting groundhogs). Then there’s always the option to try eating a porcupine before you’re in a survival situation to know how to properly eviscerate one, prepare it, and find out what it tastes like. Whatever your rationale, it’s worth knowing you can now pursue porcupines in PA, if you are so inclined.
September 2017
WV Trappers to Host Annual Event
GLENVILLE, WV — The West Virginia Trappers Association will holds its 49th annual convention on September 15-16 at the Gilmer County Recreation Center, in Glenville, WV. The event is open to the public. Admission is free. According to media chairman Rebecca Pingley, they will feature many activites for trappers and non-trappers, including: demostrations, education classses, vendors, kid’s activities, chainsaw carving, trapping contests, music and food. Camping is available. There’s also a nearby hotel.
Ohio Valley Outdoors - Photo by Larry Claypool
The West Virginia Trappers Association will holds its 49th annual convention on September 15-16 at the Gilmer County Recreation Center, in Glenville, WV.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
For additional information, contact John Pingley at 304-641-7908 or email; info@wvtrappers.com. Visit their website at www.wvtrappers.com. The emergency phone number at Gilmer County Recreation Center is 304-462-7653.
Pioneers Club to Host NRA Youth Sportsfest
VIENNA, OH — The Trumbull County 4-H Shooting Sports Pioneers Club will host a free NRA Youth Sportsfest on September 23 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 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 youths ages 9-18 years old. Participants will have the opportunity to safely shoot .22 rifle, .22 pistol, shotgun, muzzleloading rifle, and archery equipment with adult supervision. The Vienna Township Fire emergency squad exhibit at the event. Youths, and their parents, will receive
a gun safety lesson, taught by a Certified Instructor prior to the shooting events. A picnic lunch will be also provided. Pre-registration, before September 16 is required. Call 330-898-4486 or email: larrybeard@aol.com. Parents must sign a release. And, no guns owned by the participants are to be brought to this event. Major funding for the event is provided by Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Safari Club International.
NRA Women on Target to Host Shooting Clinic
NEW CUMBERLAND, WV — The NRA Women on Target will hold another Instructional Shooting Clinic (Learn to Shoot!) on October 7 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at the Chester-Newell Sportsmen Club, in New Cumberland, WV. The class will be instructed by Tammy West and several volunteer instructors. The event is sponsored by the Women of the NRA and Chester-Newell Sportsmen Club. The cost is $35.00 (pre-registration is required). Cost includes use of ear/eye protection firearms, ammunition, targets
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and lunch. Clinic is held rain or shine. Deadline to register is September 30. Free goody bags and t-shirts for the first 20 registrants. Contact Vance Squires at 304-3745587 or via email: groundhog57@comcast.net or Tammy West at 304-218-9534 or via email: tammysuewest1980@yahoo.com. Send advanced registration and check (payable to Chester-Newell Sportsmen Club) to: Vance Squires, NRA Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinic, 45 Kathy Drive, Chester, WV, 26034.
Group Trying to Save Shooting Ranges
COLUMBUS, OH — Unless something is done to upgrade and repair the state’s network of decaying public shooting ranges, Ohio’s 4 million gun owners will see declines in the availability of places to safely shoot, train, and sight in guns. To help address this growing problem, Buckeye Firearms Association (BFA) has joined forces with the Sportsmen’s Alliance and other leading sporting organizations and gun clubs in the Protect What’s Right Campaign.