2016 BROKE RECORDS; 2017 WON’T - P.5
Ohio Valley
A New Twist Story inside page 6
Scouting for Turkeys
OV Outdoor Times
It’s that time of year again. Slowly the days start getting warmer and the chance of snow in the forecast grows less likely. Sure, we may get the ocBy Ralph Scherder casional flurry this Hunting Editor time of year, but by all rights, it’s almost spring. And around here, spring means turkey hunting. We’re still about a month away from opening day, but it’s never too soon to start scouting for birds. In my neck of the woods, it’s common to see guys cruising the backroads every morning, pulling over here and there to listen for gobblers. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but I also know a few hunters who like to jump the gun and do a “test hunt” prior to opening day just to see if they can call in a bird. They don’t carry a gun, of course. They’re simply out there trying to call in birds to find out what’s in the area and get a taste of that incomparable thrill one gets when calling in a bird. I understand the thrill, and I understand the restlessness that comes after a long winter of dreaming about spring, but I always wonder how many birds these
Outdoor Times
people educate in the process. Turkey hunting now is a whole different game than it used to be. Today’s birds seem much more reluctant to gobble once they fly down from the roost, let alone answer your calls on their way in to your setup. I’ve experienced entire seasons without a vocal tom and every one of them snuck in under the radar, especially on public land. Private land often provides much different results. If you’re serious about getting a gobbler this spring but you’re not a landowner, now is the time to start knocking on doors to get permissions. A little legwork and respect can pay big dividends with access to uneducated birds. I’ve always found that success is easy if there’s no competition. Often, the only thing separating the average hunter from the truly gifted hunter is access to quality hunting territory. The most successful hunters typically spend a lot of time obtaining permissions from landowners and building relationships that will allow them access to prime habitat year after year. Once I find a good place to hunt, I approach the area similar to how I’d approach it if I were scouting for whitetails. This time of year, that means low impact scouting. I drive around checking fields for activity, but I also hike back into more secluded areas. I use binoculars so that I only have to get as close as necessary to see if birds are present or strutting in the fields or woods openings. When I Turn To Turkey Page 4
FR EE!
March 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Ralph Scherder
The author tags another tom turkey. “Often, the only thing separating the average hunter from the truly gifted hunter is access to quality hunting territory.”
INSIDE THIS MONTH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
6
15
A New Twist with Wildside Adventures
8
Interest in Small Game Dwindling
16
Jeff Knapp
Now is the Time for Proper Preparation
11
Ohio Studies 2017-18 Deer Hunting Proposals
Grey D. Berrier II
18
Catchable Trout Releases Set in Ohio
12
AP
ODNR
ODNR
OV Times Staff
Calendar of Events
Fly Fishing Classes; Just in Time for Spring
13
OV Times Staff
PA Officials Striving to Retain Women Anglers
5
2016 Broke Records; 2017 Won’t
OUTDOOR CALENDAR
Spring Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday (10 a.m.) at Chester-Newell Sportsmen’s Club. Signups start at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $3, $30 for pack of 10 shoots. $5 for money shoots. Located on Gas Valley Rd., behind Green Valley Dairy, between WV Route 8 and PA Route 18. For info. call 330-383-1886, or 304-374-5587. Gun & Sporting Goods Show - March 25-26 (Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and Sun. (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at Hidden Valley Sportsmen’s Club, located at 268 Gilkey Road, West Middlesex, PA. $5 Admission. Buy, sell & trade. 3D Archery Shoots - March 25-26; April 22-23; May 27-28; June 24-25; July 22-23; Aug. 26-27 and 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. Contact David Puz at 330-240-8128 or Dennis Dabney at 330-414-5795. ‘Learn Fly Fishing’ Classes - March 28, April 4 and 11 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Sponsored by Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine. Craig Wetzel will instruct. Cost $45. 7-9 p.m. at East Liverpool Area Community and Learning Center. For info. call OVO at 330-385-2243.
Ohio Valley
It’s not in my comfort zone to talk politics, but when it relates to guns and firearms sales — I’m going to go there. President Donald Trump’s recent election win has rocked this nation. Love him or hate By Larry Claypool him, he’s shaken the po- Editor litical climate. He’s different, way different! Did I vote for him? You bet!! Do I like some of the stupid things he’s done? No, but the alternative choice wasn’t even close. So, here we are. A President that plays the game REALLY different! Trump wants to play by his rules, his court, his ball, his referees. OK, maybe that’s a push, but people are really torqued off on how he’s playing political games. Gamesmanship? Sure. His political maneuvering, posturing, if you will, is just really different. OK, let’s adjust and move on. The adjustment to reporting the ‘news’, releasing the ‘news’ and storytelling about and from this President has really ruffled some feathers. At the top, if I would grade Trump on his handling of the mainstream media, I’d offer a D-. I’d give him a F but he actually knows some of what he’s doing because he lures the media into his web and he gets what he wants out there. As for the media, I’d give them a C- on covering the Trump White House. They get good marks for keeping the pressure on a much inexperienced President. Bad marks for falling for his charades and reporting, passing along ‘fake news’. I hate the phrase ‘fake news’, but it’s what everyone has come to recognize as ‘false truths’ or ‘alternative facts’. That is
all VERY wrong. Tell us the truth or report the truth! There are NO alternatives! And I’ll close my rant with this: NO MORE TWEETS!! President Trump should stop using Twitter to push his agendas! (Note: He should have a 30-minute delay button on his Twitter account to allow two different sources to fact-check his claims!) And for the media, DO NOT REPORT from Twitter accounts! Period! Find your news elsewhere. Stop feeding that ‘tweety bird’ and it will stop chirping, eventually! Now to the headlines, since Trump has claimed the Oval Office. The media has had a little fun with writing headlines about gun issues, and that’s OK. Here’s a few of my favorites: * Gun Sales Are Stuck in a Trump Slump, CNN Money * Gun Sales Tapering Off, Fox Business * Though Champion of Gun Rights, President Trump Could Jam Firearm Sales, FoxNews.com * Gun Sales Might Slump Under Trump, NBCNews.com * Trump’s Pro-Second Amendment Could End Gun Sales Boom, FoxNews.com * Trump Took a Break from Fearmongering to Approve Good Gun Rights Bill, Reason.com Anyway, I wanted to write this column to point out an Associated Press story in this issue about ‘2016 Broke Records, 2017 Won’t’, on Page 5 and a related brief on Page 12 ‘Ohio Sets Concealed Carry Permits Mark’. The articles are referring to concealed carry permits recorded in Ohio for 2016, where close than 118,000 new CC permits were issued, along with 41,000 renewal permits. Creativity will not change those facts. We will keep our guns.
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Outdoor Times March 2017
March 2017
Creative Headlines Rule Since Trump’s Win OV Outdoor Times
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VOL. 9, NO. 3
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
March 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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Turkey From Page 1
find an area that’s been relatively undisturbed, the last thing I want to do is go charging in, breaking up flocks every day, and sending every old gobbler for the next hollow, and I certainly don’t want to drive birds out of their strutting zones. With the whole season ahead of me, a light touch will always produce better results than a heavy handed approach. Every turkey has its own tolerance level. Sometimes all it takes is busting up a flock once or twice and they’ll starting rerouting their travel patterns. For example, while trapping last fall I drove down an old farm lane at daybreak and about 30 birds took off from the trees overhead on my first morning there. The second morning I drove down that lane, only a handful of birds were in those same trees. By the third morning, no birds roosted there at all – but I did relocate them on the other end of the property that day. My trapline didn’t extend too far over that way, but I could hear them yelping every morning as I checked my traps. I ran the line for nine more days and the turkeys roosted in the new area every day. When scouting a property for turkeys,
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
I wait until at least mid-morning to walk around. By then, all turkeys are typically off the roost and into their daily routines. If you bump a flock, it’s not nearly as big of a deal as if you were chasing them off of the roost. As long as you don’t return the next day and bump them again, they usually won’t change their patterns. One trip around a property should tell you everything you know to get started making a game plan. I take notes about where I find scratchings at food sources, woods openings or fields that could be potential strut zones, and roosting areas. With that information in hand, I can start making predictions about how turkeys will use the property. In other words, I can pattern them exactly as I would a whitetail. Here’s another trick of a successful hunter: the closer you are to where wildlife is already traveling, the easier they will be to call to your setup. After all, you’re not pulling them too far off of their normal route, which makes them more likely to investigate your setup. Always have options, though. I always choose multiple stand locations on any given property so that I can make adjustments as needed. I prefer stands that are free of huge obstructions that could block my view of approaching turkeys,
or potentially cause birds to hang up. My favorite woods stands are where old logging roads intersect creek bottoms or ridges. The old roads provide a natural travelway for birds through any area. Field corners also make great stand locations, especially if you’re setting up a decoy spread. Only problem I’ve had with field corners is if there are other hunters on the property, they will also be eyeing up those areas, so there’s potential for competition. If I do my homework, though, I can usually intercept the birds on their way from the roost to the
March 2017
fields and avoid other hunters, which is why woods setups are my personal preference. A little scouting can go a long way for turkeys. Like any other living creature, turkeys have the same needs – shelter, food, and water. Find where they roost and figure out how they move from the roost to the feeding and strutting areas and success will happen regardless of how many times they gobble or answer your calls. You’ll get them because you’re already setup where they’re traveling anyway.
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Ralph Scherder
A little legwork and respect can pay big dividends with access to uneducated birds. This gobbler was taken by the author during the 2015 season.
March 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
2016 Broke Records; 2017 Won’t
The Bryan Times
BRYAN, OH (AP) — 2016 was a record-breaking year for Concealed Carry Weapon permits in Ohio but gun sales have slacked off an estimated 20 percent since January. It’s because of the new president, according to Mitch Stanley, owner of Stanley’s Guns and Ammo, 803 W. Jackson St., West Unity, OH “Last year, most people were concerned about the election,” Stanley said. “Hillary Clinton was set to be the next president and they were concerned about rights being taken away. That was definitely part of the reason CCW permits were in demand.” When Donald Trump actually won the election, there was an immediate and negative impact on gun sales. “We’ve seen a 20 percent decrease nation-wide,” Stanley said. “CCW permits are still in demand but gun sales are down and the rest of 2017 remains questionable.” “The fact that no one’s worried about their rights being taken away is not a bad
thing,” he said. “I certainly support what the president is doing. He’s a big supporter of the National Rifle Association and every one realizes he’s not going to attack the Second Amendment.” Chad Baus, who lives in Archbold, OH and serves as Vice Chairman and Secretary of the Buckeye Firearms Association, agreed with Stanley’s assessment. “For much of 2016, Americans were operating under the threat of an extremely anti-Second Amendment candidate being elected to the presidency,” Baus said. “Unlike President Obama, who at least tried to hide his anti-gun rights position during the campaign, Hillary Clinton was the first candidate since Al Gore to openly campaign against gun rights. Many people chose to obtain their licenses out of concerns for what a Clinton presidency would do and what changes she would have made to the Supreme Court would have meant for the Second Amendment.” The fear of loosing gun rights is subsiding but bigger fears remain, Stanley said. His shop saw a sharp increase in
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of Smith & Wesson
The Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 pistol is the choice of many conceal carry permit holders.
first-time customers after the Sierah Joughin abduction in July, 2016, in Fulton County. “It was a very sad situation,” he said. “A lot of people, especially women, realized how vulnerable they were and that increased the demand for protection. That’s what drove a lot of the local increases last year.”
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For personal protection, Stanely recommended the Smith and Wesson Bodyguard .380 semiautomatic pistol. It’s smaller than a 9 millimeter handgun with less kick but it has a built-in laser. “The laser itself is a good deterrent so you don’t have to fire,” he said. “If you do, it improves your accuracy.” Where ever the red dot lands, the bullet will follow. He also carries non-lethal weapons, like pepper spray and a Ruger stun gun that pushes 800,000 volts with its own miniature lightening bolt and thunder clap that would make anybody think twice about getting any closer. He has a display model ready for demonstrations. “A lot of people get that for their kids when they go off to college,” he said. “You don’t need any kind of permit to carry one of those.”
Ohio Valley Outdoors-Magazine
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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A New Twist with Wildside Adventures OV Outdoor Times
A Washington County, Pennsylvania man is using his experience in the outdoor television show industry to build a travel service that focuses on fishing and hunting destinations – Wildside Adven- By Jeff Knapp tures Travel Services. Fishing Editor Over a 10-year period Joe Rossi, of McMurray, produced and starring in Joe’s Wildside Adventures, with 65 shows aired, first on the Sportsman’s Channel, then on Root Sports/Pittsburgh. Rossi still held down his regular full-time job, restricting his available time to produce shows to an every-other-year basis. Eventually, its production became cost prohibitive. “Most people think TV pays the talent,” Rossi explained. “But in small markets and cable, it’s just the opposite. I had to pay for the air time and all my expenses. I raised money from sponsorships and commercials, barely making ends meet. A lot of my own money went in to produce the show. I did all the editing and
used family members and friends for my camera staff. Although I did not make any money, I got to see the world, doing something I absolutely love.” Rossi said that about two years ago, the network doubled the price to air shows and reduced the number of airings by 66 percent, making it impossible to find sponsorship. But his experience, which took him to destinations all over the western hemisphere and created numerous relationships with a host of outfitters, spawned the idea of starting a travel service. “I contacted about nine of the outfitters that I had filmed with and asked if them if they would like to have me as an agent. To my surprise every one of them said yes,” Rossi noted. Rossi said that he wants to introduce people to some of the best fishing destinations in the world – Alaska, Canada, all over the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Panama, Belize and others. “I also have outfitters here in Pennsylvania, for local sportsmen and women that don’t have the budget to travel internationally. I feel I have something for Turn To Wildside Page 7
March 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors– Photo courtesy of Joe Rossi
Outdoor personality and producer Joe Rossi, of McMurray, PA, is now offering his expertise in his new venture — Wildside Adventures Travel Services. Rossi is shown with a sockeye salmon, caught during one of his recent adventures.
March 2017
Wildside From Page 6
everyone’s taste and budget.” I some cases, Rossi will travel with the group as a host, increasing the frequency of such if the business grows as he hopes. While the potential for exceptional fishing and hunting is at the forefront of Rossi’s trips, he also takes other amenities into consideration, dining in particular. This is not surprising, as he wrapped up his TV show with a gourmet cooking segment. “The lodges are all staffed with high end chefs, with great selections of wine and spirits, combined with local fruits of the region,” he said. “Once the day of outdoor adventure is complete, the client can enjoy a hot shower and be treated to local cuisine that is incredible.” Rossi noted too that some destinations
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
offer side trips like snorkeling, horseback riding, hiking and snowmobile riding. “In Panama, the lodge even offers zipline tours. There’s something for everyone,” he noted. While folks have many options regarding researching and arranging outdoor adventures, working with a local person has its advantages, Rossi claims, particularly with someone who has personally experienced what these spots have to offer. “Also, western Pennsylvania is rich in beauty – rivers, streams and great places to hunt,” he added. “I’ve worked with many of the local outfitters and can make suggestions on places in our area where folks can have great fun without extensive travel.” More information on Wildside Travel Services can be obtained by visiting www.joeswildsideadventures.com.
WV to Relax Some Hunting Regulations
CHARLESTON, WV (AP) — West Virginia wildlife officials are seeking looser hunting regulations for deer and bears. The Charleston Gazette-Mail reports Division of Natural Resources officials proposed a list of changes at the state Natural Resources Commission’s recent meeting. Gary Foster, the DNR’s assistant wildlife chief, says the majority of the counties will have the same regulations as 2016. However, in some counties the bag limits or season structures will become more liberal. For example, antlerless-deer regulations will become more liberal in 18 counties or parts of counties.
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Teens Invited to Attend Ohio Camp
COLUMBUS, OH — Students who are interested in learning more about the outdoors in a hands-on environment while spending a week outside are invited to attend the Ohio Forestry and Wildlife Conservation Camp. The camp will be held June 11-16, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The camp is open to all students who have completed the eighth grade through high school seniors graduating the year of camp, which is held at FFA Camp Muskingum on beautiful Leesville Lake in Carroll County. “This program is ideal for teens who love the outdoors and want to engage in hands-on learning,” said Robert Boyles, Ohio’s state forester. Programs at this year’s weeklong resident camp include tree identification, ecology, forest industries, wildlife management, forest management, wildlife law enforcement, wildlife identification and watershed health. New this year will be the opportunity for the students to observe and learn from a recent timber harvest at the camp. The camp is sponsored by the Ohio Forestry Association Foundation, a pri-
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vate, nonprofit organization whose purpose is to promote the wise management of Ohio’s forests and natural resources. The camp is supported by the ODNR divisions of Wildlife and Forestry, Ohio State University Extension and the county Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). Campers spend the week making new friends, participating in fun camp activities and learning about the environment around them. Camp culminates with a comprehensive exam, including a tree identification section. The highest scoring students compete for college scholarships to Hocking College, The Ohio State University and Ohio University. Camp costs $375, with sponsorships available to assist interested students who need help covering the fee. Sponsorships are offered through local SWCD offices, sportsmen’s clubs, forestry groups and many private forestry-sector businesses. Students must register by June 9. For more information and to register contact the Ohio Forestry Association at 888-38-TREES, or visit the OFA website at ohioforest.org.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Now is the Time for Proper Preparation
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OV Outdoor Times
Good for you! First, you went to the big outdoor show and met face-to-face with prospective guides. Next, you did extensive research online, checked with the appropriate state or By Col.(Ret.)Grey D. Berrier II provincial wildlife FIN Pro Staff agency, and personally talked on the phone with several hunters who recently hunted with the specific guide you were considering. Finally, you made your decision, booked your hunt, and sent in the sizable check for your down payment. You did it! You’ve made the commitment to take that “hunt-of-a-lifetime� in 2017, something you’ve been dreaming of for years. Now your future hunt may be taking you to the western United States, Canada, or Alaska; but there’s more to getting ready for your big hunt than crossing off the days on the calendar and sending in additional payments. While your hunt may not be until Au-
gust, September, October, or even November; now is the time for proper preparation and getting yourself ready well in advance. You might ask yourself, what does proper preparation for your upcoming wilderness excursion look like? Let me offer some suggestions on how you can spend your time wisely over the course of the next several months to be absolutely sure you are ready when the time comes. You’ll also want to consider involving family members and friends in your preparations, since it will consume large chunks of your time and permit you to enjoy time together while you are readying yourself. My maternal grandfather, Sherman Kline, of Lewistown, PA shared the sage advice, “The good Lord gave us two ears and only one mouth, so that means we’re supposed to listen twice as much as we talk.� Unfortunately, he passed away during my tour as a young Field Artillery Officer at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska from 1985-89. However, PopPop’s counsel immediately came to mind Turn To Preparation Page 9
March 2017
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Grey D. Berrier II
In places like Alaska, Canada, and western U.S., having an entire drainage to hunt by yourself will truly test both your physical conditioning and your rifle marksmanship. The scale of everything is so much larger, so take the time and make the effort to properly prepare for your upcoming hunt in 2017.
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March 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
your feet (to avoid blisters), get you used to carrying a pack, and break-in the boots when my wife and I were invited to a you’ll be wearing on your hunt. I recchurch function at the home of Pete ommend you work up to where you’re Buist, a well-known Alaskan Master able to sustain a 15 minute/mile walking Guide, trapper, musher, and wildfire pace for the duration of a six mile or fighter. more walk. Pete, who was 10 to 15 years my senFrom my military experience, I equate ior, eagerly shared his thoughts on wilderness hunting shape with meeting hunters coming up to Alaska from “The the Expert Infantryman’s Badge (EIB) Lower 48”, when he road march standard, found out I was from which is 12 miles in Pennsylvania and an three hours carrying You’ll thank yourself avid outdoorsman. I your rifle and a loaded listened intently, as for your months long rucksack. this man who lived his walking routine when entire life and made Make sure your walkhis living in the your “mountain goat” ing regimen includes of a guide takes off plenty of hills to get Alaskan wilderness, gave me the “down up a steep incline to the added strain of and dirty” on what get you on a moose, going both uphill and many Alaskan guides while suselk, mule deer, bear, downhill, think about their taining a brisk walkclients and what they or sheep. ing pace. While you often talk about with may not have a locaeach other after their tion well-suited to carclient’s head home. rying your rifle on your walks, I That was back in 1988, almost 30 recommend you find a spot where you years ago, but I can still recall that con- can take a firearm or a reasonable facversation as if it was yesterday. Pete’s simile on at least some of your walks, so wisdom on hunting Alaska with a guide you get used to walking with this unfocused on two points: first, physical wieldy object either in your hands, over conditioning, and second, being profi- your shoulder, or attached to your pack. cient with your rifle. His assumption You’ll thank yourself for your months was that his clients were paying a lot of long walking routine when your “moungood money to harvest a prized big game tain goat” of a guide takes off up a steep species, not just go on a leisurely stroll incline to get you on a moose, elk, mule through majestic scenery. That meant he deer, bear, or sheep; and he just expects had to constantly work hard to put them you to keep up. Remember, high altitude on game, but they had better be able to will degrade your physical endurance, so keep up and make the shot when it prior conditioning is vital if you will be counted. hunting above 5,000 feet. It’s only mid-March and your upcomPete’s advice about knowing how to ing hunt is still months away, but now is shoot your rifle comes down to a differthe time to start on your physical condi- ence between deer hunting distances and tioning in order to keep up with your Alaskan distances. In his opinion, most guide. Hopefully, you’ve seen your doc- hunters coming to Alaska are proficient tor in the recent past and have his/her shooting out 100 to 200 yards. But what blessing to go on your upcoming hunt. about making a shot that counts at 300, There is a difference between being in- 400, or even 500 yards? Take time over shape and being in wilderness hunting the next several months to get your shape. You may spot the bull moose rifle(s) properly zeroed, find the optimal you’re after almost a mile away, but get- firearm/ammunition combination, and ting him may mean slipping over the then work on shooting accurately at all ridge into the next drainage and hoofing potential distances out to 500 or even it at a brisk pace for several miles 600 yards. After you can make the shot through spruce trees and muskeg to get off the bench, get off the bench (there out ahead of him. won’t be one out in the field), and pracIf you start now with walking 5 to 10 tice firing from the prone, sitting, kneelmiles per week, you’ll be able to build ing, and off-hand positions. Get up to where you’re able to knock out 20 comfortable with using your shooting to 25 miles per week per week when you sticks, bi-pod, or pack to stabilize your get closer to your hunt date. Walking this firearm and increase your accuracy. much in advance will improve your car- Learn how to utilize the reticle pattern in diovascular conditioning, most likely Turn To Preparation Page 10 help you shed a few pounds, toughen Preparation From Page 8
your rifle scope to shoot at longer ranges. Guides are impressed when you show up with a worn dope card attached to your rifle, it shows you’ve done your homework beforehand on the range. Before you get smug about your shooting proficiency, test yourself by jogging a mile at a 10 minute/mile pace that ends at the rifle range where you have to get off a shot at two hundred yards within 30 seconds while there’s sweat in your eyes, your heart rate is elevated, and your panting for breath. (You’ll want a partner waiting with your weapon on the range to do this task safely.) Overexerted may be your physical condition on your upcoming hunt when you crest a steep hill with your guide and your trophy-of-a-lifetime is getting ready to high-tail it into the next drainage. While you’re putting in your time at the range, become proficient at estimating ranges and make it second nature when it comes to employing your rangefinder, binoculars, or spotting scope. I’m not sure it still exists, but Fairbanks, AK used to have an excellent public range, south of town by the Tanana River. It was free and I made regular trips there with a variety of firearms. Many of the Alaskan guides would take their clients there after pick-
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ing them up at Fairbanks International Airport, under the auspices of making sure their hunters’ rifles didn’t lose their zeros during transit with the airlines. Most of the guides encouraged their clients to bring two rifles, just in case something happened to their primary rifle, they had a back-up readily available. Frequently, clients would show up with a brand-new .300 Weatherby magnum, a .338 Winchester Magnum, or even a .375 Ultra Mag as their primary firearm. Typically, their secondary firearm was a familiar .30-06 Springfield, .308 Winchester, or even a .270 Winchester. I wish smartphones with video recording capability existed back then, because I would have loved to have recorded what many of those shooting sessions looked like. Often when the hunters fired their new “high caliber rifles”, they closed their eyes and visibly flinched in anticipation of the substantial recoil, commonly resulting in rounds being all over the target down range. Then when they fired their familiar deer rifles, they kept a nice, tight shot group. I watched several guides talk their clients into toting the lighter caliber, which they shot more accurately, rather than carry a firearm they were innately fearful of.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
2017 PA Trout Fishing Updates
HARRISBURG, PA — In advance of the two trout openers on April 1 and April 15, anglers and youths can take part in the Commission’s Mentored Youth Trout Days. Youth under the age of 16 can join a mentor (adult) angler who has a current fishing license and trout permit to fish on March 25, on stocked trout waters within the 18 southeastern regional counties for regional trout season and to fish stocked trout waters in the other counties on April 8. Youth (less than 16 years of age) must obtain a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License from the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission. Youth are permitted to keep two trout, 7 inches or larger on these dates, while mentors (adults) must practice catch and release. For more information, visit the Commission’s website. Obtain a Mentored Youth Fishing Permit or Voluntary Youth Fishing License at more than 900 issuing agents across the state or online at: GoneFishingPa.com. New 10-year Fishing Licenses Available This year, in addition to 3-year and 5year licenses, you can lock-in both convenience and savings for a longer period of time with the new 10-year fishing license.
The 2017 adult trout stocking schedules are now available online and on the PFBC’s “FishBoatPA” mobile app. Anglers can easily search the trout stocking schedules for locations and dates of interest. To view the list, simply go to www.fishandboat.com, click on the link “Fish” in the upper right corner, then select Trout Stocking Schedules. From there, select a county and enter start and end dates from the calendars at the top of the page. Then press “Go.” For anglers with smartphones, an even easier way to view the schedules is through the FishBoatPA app, which is available for free from the Apple App and Google Play stores. The PFBC annually stocks approximately 3.15 million adult trout in more than 720 streams and 120 lakes open to public angling. These figures include approximately 2 million rainbow trout; 640,000 brown trout; and 500,000 brook trout. As with past practice, the average size of the trout produced for stocking is 11 inches in length. In addition to these fish, the PFBC plans to stock about 8,700 trophy golden rainbow trout that measure at least 14 inches long. Also, PFBC cooperative nurseries run by sportsmen’s clubs across the state will add another 1 million trout to waters open to public angling.
Preparation From Page 9
The moral of the story is to pick a caliber you can comfortably and accurately shoot, since a well-placed lighter load will bring down game faster than a heavier load that is off the mark. One of my young soldiers in Alaska, Specialist 4 Scott Marburger, was from Montana and worked part-time as a horse wrangler for a guide service in high school. I remember him telling stories about how clients, primarily from east of the Mississippi River, came out west for their “hunt-of-a-lifetime” with no previous horse-riding experience and many were completely miserable after only a few hours in the saddle. If you know your upcoming guided hunt is going to involve horses, take time over the next few months to take some riding lessons, become familiar with horsemanship and horse-related terminology, and get comfortable being around and on horses. Your backside and the muscles associated with being in the saddle will thank you when you are out on your hunt. Prior to your hunt, talk to your guide to find out what to pack and what to leave behind. In certain parts of Alaska, hunting in hip boots is the norm, so get used to wearing them, if that will be the
March 2017
case. Find out if your guide has any pet peeves, like one guide I know who insists on all clothing having nothing but buttons; since any zippers, snaps, or Velcro fasteners make too much noise in his opinion and may potentially scare game away. Finally, make absolutely certain whose responsibility it is to acquire the necessary hunting licenses and tags. Is it solely up to you or is it a service the guide will provide? Don’t let something like licenses and tags fall through the crack, and turn your “hunt-of-a-lifetime” into merely a sightseeing excursion. You’ve looked forward to your big hunt for several years, possibly decades. You’ve dreamed, planned, and saved to make it a reality. The truth is it’s only a few months ahead on the calendar. How your hunting trip goes will be largely influenced by how you prepare yourself physically and how you train with your firearm or possibly your bow. Be that guy or gal that your guide brags about being a top-notch hunter and eagerly welcomes back for future hunts. Don’t be the butt of jokes and sad stories amongst the guiding community in the off-season. The choice is up to you, since now is the time for proper preparation!
Linesville Fish Hatchery Plans Open House
MEADVILLE, PA – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will hold their annual spring Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery on April 1 from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Visitors to the Open House will have the chance to: • Watch the Walleye spawning process including fish sorting, removing/fertilizing eggs. • See native fish species in the 10,000 gallon viewing tank. • Practice their casting skills in the kids casting area. • Learn basic fly tying and fly casting. • Learn how to tell the age of fish. • Buy a $3 t-shirt and put a fish print on it. • Buy your Pennsylvania fish, amphib-
ian and reptile posters, patches, and books. • Visit with staff from various divisions within the PFBC and other partner agencies at their booths. • Purchase your 2017 Pennsylvania Fishing License or multi-year fishing licenses at the Open House. • Talk with members from Kayak Anglers of Western Pennsylvania. Shuttle service from the parking areas to the Visitor Center will be provided. There’s something for everyone, so follow the crowd to the hatchery. Directions: Turn south off State Route 6 at the only light in downtown Linesville and travel 1/2 mile to the entrance. The address is 13300 Hartstown Road, Linesville, PA 16424.
Critics Challenge Coyote Killing Contest
MARIETTA, GA (AP) — Critics are complaining about the state of Georgia’s plan to stage a coyote-killing contest in metro Atlanta. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is promoting the Georgie Coyote Challenge. Participants can kill as many as five coyotes a month from March through August for a chance to win a lifetime hunting license. But WSB-TV (http://2wsb.tv/2kUrq9a ) reports that critics are opposing the plan. Chris Mowry is with the Atlanta Coyote Project, which conducts scientific research about the animals around the city. He calls the idea cruel, partly because it will leave young coyote pups to starve if their parents are killed.
March 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Catchable Trout Releases Set in Ohio
COLUMBUS, OH — More than 100,000 rainbow trout are expected to be released this spring in 64 Ohio public lakes and ponds, creating excellent fishing opportunities for anglers all across Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The first rainbow trout release was slated March 3, at Adams Lake in Adams County. Some of the locations (see below) are located in northeast Ohio. Rainbow trout releases are taking place across Ohio from March 3-May 21 as long as areas are ice-free and accessible to anglers. Information about the trout releases, including updates to the schedule due to weather and stocking locations, is available at wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543). By stocking these water areas throughout the state, opportunities are created for anglers of all ages to get out and enjoy quality spring trout fishing in a family-friendly environment. Many stocked locations will feature special angler events, including youth-only fishing on the day of the trout release. Rainbow trout are raised at Ohio’s state fish hatcheries and measure 10-13
inches before they are released by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. The daily catch limit for inland lakes is five trout. Anglers age 16 and older must have an Ohio fishing license to fish in state public waters. The 2017-2018 fishing license is now available and is valid through Feb. 28, 2018. An annual resident fishing license costs $19. A one-day fishing license costs $11 for residents and nonresidents. The one-day license may also be redeemed for credit toward the purchase of an annual fishing license. Licenses and permits can be purchased online at wildohio.gov and at participating agents throughout the state. A complete list of participating license sales agents can be found at wildohio.gov. Sales of fishing licenses along with the federal Sport Fish Restoration (SFR) program continue to fund the operation of the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s fish hatcheries. No state tax dollars are used for this activity. This is a user-pay, userbenefit program. The SFR program is a partnership between federal and state government, industry, anglers and boaters. When anglers purchase rods, reels, fishing
MAHONING COUNTY, OH – A collaboration of many northeast Ohio organizations has led to enhanced opportunities for northeast Ohio anglers according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The ODNR Division of Wildlife partnered with the ODNR Division of State Parks & Watercraft, the Mahoning County Green Team, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Berlin Office), the Youngstown State Bass Club, and the Mohawk Valley Bass Club in order to recycle over 1,500 Christmas trees as fish concentration devices. “Recycled trees serve as excellent structures to attract a variety fish species. They are readily accessible, they mimic the natural habitat which has decomposed in many northeast Ohio lakes over time, and they are free to due to the collaborations we have established, saving valuable fishing license dollars. That way, we can spend such income on other important projects,” said Matt Wolfe, the project supervisor for the ODNR Division of Wildlife. Lake maps and a Google Earth file are available to show interested anglers the locations of these structures. Contact
Fish Management, Wildlife District Three in Akron at (330) 644-2293. To locate the structures: Mosquito Reservoir, Trumbull County 220 trees in 10 to 13 feet of water; approximately 450 feet off of north break wall, center of reef N 41o 18’ 36.8” / W 80o 45’ 39.2” 220 trees in 10 to 13 feet of water; approximately 700 feet off of south break wall, center of reef N 41o 18’ 32.7” / W 80o 45’ 35.5” Berlin Reservoir, Mahoning & Portage counties 400 trees total in 10 to 20 feet of water; out from Bonner Road launch; N 41 o 2’ 7.2” / W 81 o 0’ 26.4” To N 41 o 2’ 11.7” / W 81 o 0’ 20.5” 400 trees total in eight (8) to 20 feet of water; across from Sheriff’s launch; N 41 o 0’ 30.0” / W 80 o 59’ 33.0” to N 41 o 0’ 23.9” / W 80 o 59’ 22.8” 300 trees total in six (6) to 10 feet of water; off of Bedell Road near bridge; N 41 o 0’ 27.0” / W 80 o 59’ 13.3” to N 41 o 0’ 22.7” / W 80 o 59’ 12.2” All coordinates are in degrees, minutes, and seconds. Please have your map datum set to NAD83.
Recycled Trees Take On New Life as Fish Habitat
tackle, fish finders and motor boat fuel, they pay an excise tax. The federal government collects these taxes, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service administers and disburses these funds to state fish and wildlife agencies. For a list of trout stocking dates and locations, go to wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/fishing/trout-stocking-dates. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov for more details. Here’s a few regional waterways that are being stocked with trout: • Glacier Lake – Mill Creek Park (Youngstown): Take I-76 east to the I76/I-80 merge. From I-76/80 take I-680 to the Connecticut Avenue/Belle Vista Avenue exit. At the foot of the exit ramp turn left onto Manhattan Avenue and then right onto Belle Vista Avenue. Proceed across Mahoning Avenue (traffic signal; Calvary Cemetery is on the right) and, at the end of the cemetery’s fence, turn left into Mill Creek MetroParks. Follow the park drive to Lake Glacier’s west shore. Restrictions: Glacier Lake is open to fishing from March 1 through November 30 each year. The shoreline fishing hours are from 5 a.m. through sunset. • Hinckley Lake (Cleveland): Travel
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east on SR 303 to SR 606. Travel south on SR 606 to Bellus Road and then east to the park entrance. Restrictions: Fishing is permitted for people of all ages from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m.. No boats can be operated after 10:30 p.m.. • Jefferson Lake (Wintersville): Take SR 43 north through Richmond. Go about one mile and turn right on CR 54. Continue for about two miles on CR 54 to the entrance of the park. Restrictions: Jefferson Lake is open 24 hours a day to anglers of all ages. • Ohio/Erie Canal (Cleveland): Take I77 north (from Cleveland) to Grant Avenue. Exit at Grant Avenue and travel west to East 49th Street. Travel south on East 49th Street to the park entrance. Enter the park and proceed to the Canal Way Visitor’s Center. Park at the center and walk down the trail to the fishing area. Restrictions: Fishing is permitted for people of all ages from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. • Petros Lake (Canton): Take I-77 (south from Canton) to exit 101. Go west on Faircrest Street. Turn north on Perry Drive. Petros Lake is located at the corner of Perry Drive SW and Faircrest Street SW. Restrictions: Fishing is permitted for people of all ages from sunrise to sunset.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Fly Fishing Classes; Just in Time for Spring
A series of ‘Learn Fly Fishing’ classes will be offered to anyone interested from the Tri-State area. Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine and local fly fisherman Craig Wetzel will present basic fly fishing instruction, in three sessions, on March 28, April 4 and 11 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Wetzel, a master fly fisher and wellknown artist from East Liverpool, will instruct the classes. The classes will be held from 7-9 p.m. on three consecutive Tuesdays at the East Liverpool Area Community and Learning Center (located at the Trinity Presbyterian Church at 110 Maine Boulevard in East Liverpool). The facility is located near East Liverpool Junior/Senior High School. The cost is $45 per person and must be paid in advance. The six hours (minimum) of instruction will cover; needed equipment, fly casting instruction, flies, different techniques, finding fish and more. There will be prize drawings from local sponsors at the end of the three sessions for everyone who completes the se-
ries. A portion of the fee will be donated to the East Liverpool Area Community and Learning Center (ELACLC) so they may continue to offer their facilities, programs and opportunities to area residents. “This series will be great for someone wanting to learn basic fly fishing techniques, ‘fly fishing 101’ if you will, or practice new techniques with someone who’s very experienced in fishing local streams,” said OVO Publisher/Editor Larry Claypool. The class size is limited, so register soon. Call the Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine office at 330-385-2243 to register. The ELACLC is the operating wing of The HHH Foundation, and is a 501c3 non-profit charitable corporation. The Center offers several events, programs and opportunities to promote and encourage public interest in education, entertainment, recreation and socialization to benefit residents. For additional information about the Center, call 330-303-2110.
March 2017
Ohioans Begin New License Year
COLUMBUS, OH — Beginning this month (March 1), Ohioans can purchase a 2017-2018 hunting or fishing license at wildohio.gov and at hundreds of participating agents throughout Ohio. Licenses are also available for purchase on a mobile device such as a smartphone. Ohio’s hunters, anglers and conservationists will find a newly redesigned online purchasing system when they log in to buy licenses, permits, or other products. Licenses and permits are now grouped by category, such as hunting, fishing and trapping. New this year, anyone can access their online account at wildohio.gov and obtain a free reprint of
their license or permit (this option is not available at license agents). Ohio’s hunting and fishing license year begins March 1. A resident fishing license and hunting license cost $19 each. Prices for all fishing and hunting licenses and permits are unchanged from last year. Ohio’s 2017-2018 licenses are valid immediately upon purchase through Feb. 28, 2018. White-tailed deer and fall wild turkey hunting permits will go on sale later in 2017. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
Ohio Sets Concealed Carry Permits Mark
COLUMBUS, OH (AP) — State officials say a record number of concealed carry licenses for handguns were issued last year. The Ohio Attorney General’s Office reports that nearly 118,000 new permits were issued in 2016 along with 41,000 renewals. The total of 159,000 permits is the highest number since the state began issuing concealed carry licenses in 2004.
The previous high for new and renewed permits was 145,000 in 2013. The state also saw new highs last year for the number of licenses suspended after someone was arrested or charged with certain crimes, licenses revoked and license applications denied. Each county sheriff must report concealed handgun license statistics to the state on a quarterly basis.
March 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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PA Officials Striving to Retain Women Anglers
HAZLETON, PA (AP) — Only 18 percent of anglers in Pennsylvania are women, and they drop out of the sport faster than men, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission said in his February annual report to the legislature. Executive Director John Arway said reasons why 56 percent of women decline to renew fishing licenses from year to year are among the questions that the commission has asked business professors and students to study. A group from the Smeal College of Business at Penn State University offered to help the commission with its business plan. “We are a government business. We have to earn our revenue,” Arway said to members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee. Because the commission, like its counterpart the Pennsylvania Game Commission, gets most of its revenues from license sales and receives no tax dollars, Arway said his agency has been
trying to boost sales and trim costs. He said the agency appointed a coordinator of fishing programs for women and youth; teamed with businesses for giveaways of kayaks, fishing boats and other prizes; started selling multi-year licenses and began releasing trophy trout into select waters, which he said “added an element of excitement to trout fishing.” The commission holds family fishing days and fish-for-free days and loans fishing tackle to encourage people to try the sport. Arway also thanked the lawmakers for approving funding to repair 10 high-hazard dams, including five in Wayne County, and thanked private donors who gave $70,000 so far to an effort to revive the diseased population of bass in the Susquehanna River, which the commission matched with $50,000. The first project financed from the Save Our Susquehanna effort reduced erosion along Limestone Run, a tributary of the river in Montour and
Ohio Valley Outdoors–Photo by Larry Claypool
Pennsylvania officials are trying to find ways to get more women involved into fishing in the commonweath. Turn To Woman Anglers Page 14
Send us your trophy photos
Bill Hall 147", 21-pt., crossbow Franklin County, OH
Also for our Photo Showcase
Connor Mayle turkey Trumbull County, OH
email to: ohvod@ohiovalleyoutdoors.com mail to: Photo Showcase 210 East 4th Street East Liverpool, OH 43920
www.ohiovalleyoutdoors.com
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Trout Fishing Opportunities Await Anglers at Castalia
COLUMBUS, OH — Great trout-fishing opportunities on Cold Creek, one of Ohio’s most unique streams, await fishing enthusiasts who enter and are drawn in a special lottery conducted by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). A half-mile section of the creek, located at the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s Castalia State Fish Hatchery in Erie County, will be open to a limited number of anglers on selected dates from May 1-Nov. 30. Anglers interested in fishing the stream must submit an application form and a nonrefundable $3 application fee by March 31, in order to be eligible for the random drawing. Applications may be completed online at wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) to obtain a paper form, which must be returned via mail. Only one application is allowed per person. More information about the lottery can be found at wildohio.gov or by calling 800-WILDLIFE. There will be one season for adults (May 1-Nov. 30), and one for youths (June 12-Aug. 11). Applicants of the youth lottery must be at least 4-years-old
and under 16 when they apply. Approximately 90 adult and 90 youth permits will be issued. Individuals selected to participate will be allowed to bring two adults and three youths under the age of 16 (no more than six people total). Participation is determined by a random drawing, which will be held in early April. The results of the adult drawing will be posted on the division’s website at wildohio.gov. Successful youth applicants will be notified by mail. This year, all permits will be mailed. Applicants not chosen will not be notified. Special fishing rules will be in effect to ensure that a quality fishing experience is maintained throughout the season. One of these special rules prohibits catch-and-release fishing, with wildlife officials requiring that anglers keep all fish they catch. The daily bag limit will be five trout per angler. An Ohio resident annual fishing license costs $19, and a one-day fishing license costs $11. Those who purchase a one-day fishing license may later return it to a license agent to receive credit toward the purchase of an annual license.
Woman Anglers From Page 13
Northumberland counties. He also said the agency will sell old vehicles and other non-performing assets, including property. Despite those efforts, Arway said the agency, which celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2016, cannot continue its current levels of service unless the lawmakers increase license prices for the first time since 2005. Reps. Gerald Mullery, D-119, Newport Township, and Dan Moul, R-91, Gettysburg, asked how they could convince voters to support higher license prices. Arway described personnel cuts that the agency has made, showed graphs of when revenues will lag behind expenses and said all departments would suffer, including law enforcement and hatcheries, which are 50 percent of the budget. Like Game Commission Director Matt Hough, who also testified, Arway said the Fish and Boat Commission would prefer to increase fees gradually each year instead of waiting a decade or more for the lawmakers to approve larger price jumps, which drive away customers. If given authority to set
March 2017
prices, Arway pledged that the commission would stay within prices on a chart that he displayed during his talk. The chart showed the resident license of $21 reaching $29 in 2020 and $31.65 in 2023. Arway said he is committed to spending no more than what the agency earns in a year but wants the lawmakers to let him know whether they will raise license prices. “Give us certainty and we’ll put together a plan to survive,” said Arway, adding that a trimmed commission “won’t be like today.” Rep. Michael Pieffer, R-139, Greentown, said in the Pocono areas that he represents, visitors from New York and New Jersey tell him they wish they could buy three-day licenses by phone. The commission sold 24,811 three-day tourist licenses last year. Arway said buying a license by phone isn’t easy now, but he wants that service available the next time the fish and game commissions enter new contracts with companies that handle license sales. “If I could turn a switch, I’d love that to happen tomorrow,” Arway said.
March 2017
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Interest in Small Game Hunting Dwindling in PA
By STEVE FERRIS, The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard
CALIFORNIA, PA (AP) — Small game hunting can be a big challenge. Some small game species have become scarce and so have hunters who like chasing after them. Results from the California Hill Gun Club’s 23 annual “Small Game Hunting Classic” held in mid-January offered a pretty clear reflection of the state of small game hunting in Pennsylvania. About 150 hunters used to take part in the event in which cash prizes are awarded to teams that returned with the most rabbits and grouse, but this year’s classic drew only 73 hunters. “It’s been trickling down for the last few years,” said J.R. Anderson a club officer who runs the classic. His wife cooks the food that the teams enjoy when they return to the club with their quarry. Reports from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and wildlife conservation officers confirm that fewer people hunt for small game. Game-take surveys show that the number of hunters who pursue rabbits has fallen from about 350,000 in the early 1990s to about 75,000 in 2014 and the number of grouse hunters had dwindled from about 240,000 to 50,925 in that time frame. “Participation in small game hunting has declined over the past couple decades,” said WCO Shawn Barron, whose district includes southern Fayette County and part of Somerset County. Anderson says the club has had less
quarry, especially grouse, to tell tales about over bowls of hot chili in the clubhouse. Twenty-two hunters in 11 two-man teams harvested just 11 grouse and only one team harvested its legal limit of four birds — two per person. The runner up team turned in two grouse. The nine remaining teams harvested a total of five birds. “Greene County used to be polluted with grouse, but they’re harder to find now,” Anderson said. “Most are taken from the mountains (in Fayette County) now.” He said he works for a company that cuts trees from power lines and he used to see many more grouse while working than he does now. Most of the hunters who took part in this year’s classic are the same ones who have been doing for a long time and enjoy hunting with their dogs., he said. Most are middle-aged and some hunted with kids, but no young adults participated. “Same guys year after year. No 20year-olds like there use to be,” Anderson said. The club might add squirrels to the quarry list and allow individual hunters to participate to get more people to sign up for next year’s classic. The grouse population has significantly decreased due to West Nile Virus and insufficient habitat, Barron said. “West Nile Virus is affecting grouse significantly,” Barron said. “Seventy to 80 percent of the infected succumb.” He said more timber cutting is needed to create the type of habitat that supports
WV Officials Seek Larger Wild Trout
CHARLESTON, WV (AP) — West Virginia officials are working on a plan to help anglers catch larger trout in the wild. Division of Natural Resources trout biologist Dave Thorne told the Charleston Gazette-Mail that the agency is examining its management plans for both wild trout and trout that are brought in on stocking trucks. Thorne doesn’t expect a lot of changes regarding stocked trout, but he says officials want people to be able to catch larger native brook trout. Officials took the first step toward that goal in January, when catch-and-release regulations went into effect on Mill Creek and all its tributaries within the borders of Randolph County’s Kumbrabow State Forest. If Mill Creek’s catch-and-release regulations result in larger trout, Thorne says DNR officials might consider placing similar regulations on similar streams.
grouse. Good populations of rabbits can be found on private property with habitat that rabbits prefer, but populations and habitat are spotty in state game lands, Barron said. He said habitat effects rabbit populations more than predators. “Predation is a factor, but habitat is key. Predation takes a certain number of animals, but if the habitat is there animals will survive regardless of predation,” Barron said. The number of trappers who pursue predators such as coyotes, foxes and bobcats has declined over the last few years because fur market prices are down, he said. However, night hunting for predators is becoming more popular, he said. WCO Chris Bergman said there are not as many rabbits as there were in the 1970s and 80s, but there are a lot of rabbits in Washington and Fayette counties. He said landowners tell him that hunters from the Pittsburgh area regularly chase rabbits on their land with their beagles. Private property enrolled in the commission public access program, farms and closed mining property have good rabbit habitat, he said, adding that he sees signs of rabbits in game lands.
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Grouse are far less numerous than rabbits, he said. “For grouse, you pretty much have to go up on the mountain. When I was a kid in Westmoreland County, grouse were common, but they are rare in the flat lands now,” Bergman said. He said dedicated trappers who enjoy trapping and endeavor to control the predator population continue to trap despite low fur prices. Larger predators take some small game species, but Bergman said furbearers such as raccoons, skunks and opossums kill young and unborn small game animals in their nests. Few trappers target those species because their pelts are worth only a dollar or two. He said he attended a fur market a couple weeks ago and found raccoon pelts selling for an average of $3. “Who wants to go through all that work for $3?” he said. However the relationship between predator and prey is opposite of what some people might think. “The prey population determines the number of predators,” Bergman said. Trapping predators also helps control the spread of rabies and other diseases, he said.
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OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Ohio Studies 2017-2018 Deer Hunting Proposals
COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Wildlife Council heard proposals for Ohio’s 2017-2018 deer season dates and bag limits at recent meeting, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). Among the proposals were modifications to bag limits for several counties throughout the state. Overview of proposed deer hunting seasons for 2017-2018: • Deer archery: Sept. 30, 2017-Feb. 4, 2018 • Youth deer gun: Nov. 18-19, 2017 • Deer gun: Nov. 27-Dec. 3, 2017; Dec. 16-17, 2017 • Deer muzzleloader: Jan. 6-9, 2018 The county bag limits were proposed to be modified for several counties throughout the state. An increase in the bag limit, from two deer per county to three deer per county, was proposed for Athens, Belmont, Carroll, Coshocton, Fairfield, Gallia, Guernsey, Harrison, Hocking, Jackson, Jefferson, Lawrence, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Tuscarawas, Vinton and Washington counties. These proposed changes are designed to slow the rate of growth, but still allow the herds to in-
crease. A reduction in the bag limit, from three deer per county to two deer per county was proposed for Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Paulding, Putnam and Williams counties. All other county bag limits would remain the same. The statewide bag limit was proposed to remain at six deer, only one deer may be antlered and a hunter cannot exceed a county bag limit. These proposed changes are designed to encourage herd growth in these counties. In other proposals, the ODNR Division of Wildlife proposed to allow any straight-walled cartridge rifle with a minimum caliber of .357 to a maximum caliber of .50 be allowed for hunting deer in Ohio. There have been three seasons of hunting deer with straightwalled cartridge rifles in Ohio with no biological impacts to the herd or additional hunter incidents. Defining the allowable rifles would make the rule easily understood and easily enforced, while also being inclusive of a great number of rifle options. A complete list of proposed rules changes can be found at wildohio.gov.
The Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on all proposals after receiving public input. A statewide hearing on all of the proposed rules will be held at the ODNR Division of Wildlife’s District One office on March 16, at 9 a.m. The office is located at 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus 43215. The Ohio Wildlife Council is an eightmember board that approves all ODNR Division of Wildlife proposed rules and regulations. The council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates during
March 2017
its meeting on April 12, after considering public input. Small game, migratory bird and wild turkey hunting season dates were proposed at the January council meeting and will also be voted on by the council on April 12. Council meetings are open to the public. Individuals who want to provide comments on a topic that is currently being considered by council are asked to register at least two days before the meeting by calling 614-265-6304. All comments are required to be three minutes or less.
‘Spring Aboard’ for the 2017 Boating Season
COLUMBUS, OH — Spring Aboard has sprung! During the week of March 1925, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) are encouraging boaters to ‘Spring Aboard’ by enrolling in a boating education course. This national boating safety campaign was created to help educate boaters and reduce the number of serious boating accidents. “The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft wants to ensure every effort is made to promote boater safety and encourage education on the water,” said Mike Bailey, chief of the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft. “The Spring Aboard campaign is a great tool we use to help limit the number of serious accidents that occur on Ohio’s waterways.” According to the 2015 Recreational Boating Statistics report by the U.S. Coast Guard, statistics indicate that of the accidents where the level of operator education was known, 71 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the boat operator had never received boating education instruction. In Ohio, a boater education course is required for anyone wanting to operate a boat over 10 horsepower who was born after Jan. 1, 1982. Ohio’s boater requirement can be met by taking and passing an approved boating education course (classroom, online or home study), or by taking and passing a proficiency exam. For a summary of Ohio’s regulations and available courses, go to: watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/boatereducation. “If a boater has taken a boating safety education course, the likelihood of their time spent on the water being a safe and enjoyable experience is much greater for them as well as their passengers,” said Stephanie Weatherington, president of NASBLA. Working in partnership with the states, many course providers will be offering incentives or course discounts for students who enroll in, or complete, a course during the Spring Aboard campaign. For more information about the Spring Aboard campaign, visit nasbla.org/spring. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.
March 2017
Seth Utt 5-lb, 6-oz. bass Highlandtown Lake, OH
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
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PHOTO SHOWCASE SPONSORED BY
Maddox Chaffin, age 6 spike, 1st deer, crossbow WV
Aiden Huffman, age 9 1st deer, PA Mentor Hunt Lawrence County, PA
Mike Cochran 11-pt., archery Columbiana County, OH
Steve Reckner 10-pt., crossbow Columbiana County, OH
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Justin Leonardi 11-pt., crossbow Athens County, OH
Blake Baker 10-pt. Carroll County, OH
Sundra Sacconi 1st buck 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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Calendar of Events
Indoor Pistol/Rifle Events - Each Tuesday/Friday until April 2017 at Columbiana County Fish and Game Association, 45716 Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, OH 44432. For additional information email: ccfishgame@gmail.com or visit their website at: www.columbianacountyfishandgame.com. Spring Turkey Shoots - Each Sunday (10 a.m.) at Chester-Newell Sportsmen’s Club. Signups start at 9:30 a.m. Cost is $3, $30 for pack of 10 shoots. $5 for money shoots. Stock & factory guns and tubes only. Paying 1st & 2nd place, cash prizes. Kids & ladies welcome. Located on Gas Valley Rd., behind Green Valley Dairy, between WV Route 8 and PA Route 18. For info. call 330-383-1886, or 304-374-5587. Old Fashion Style Turkey Shoot Each Sunday until further notice at Beaver Creek Sportsman Club, 14480 Washingtonville Road, Washingtonville, OH. Field stock guns, .680 choke max., scopes permitted, meat and money rounds, shooting 60’. $3 per round, 1 p.m. start time. For info. contact Tom Brunner 330-692-6577 or email:tbrunner1020@gmail.com.
OHIO VALLEY OUTDOOR TIMES
Trap Shoots - Regular trap shoots (open to public) held each Weds. and Sun. Sporting clays held fourth Sunday of month at Columbiana County Fish and Game Assoc. at 45716 Middle Beaver Road, Lisbon, OH 44432. For info. contact Mike Giambroni at 330383-2552 or visit www.columbianacou ntyfishandgame.com. Yellow Creek Long Rifles Shoots Every second Sunday of the month at noon, except August. Black powder, patch round ball and open iron sights only. Trail walks have 15-20 shots. For more info. call Dennis at 330-738-6002 or Gary at 330-853-4979. Field & Stream/Outdoor Life Ohio Deer & Turkey Expo - March 17-19 at Bricker Building Ohio Expo Center (State Fairgrounds), 717 E. 17th Ave., Columbus, OH 43211. Admission $14 ($11 with coupon). Vendors, seminars, deer contest. Website: www.deerinfo.com/ohio. For information, call 800-324-3337. Gun & Sporting Goods Show March 25-26 (Sat. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and Sun. (9 a.m. - 2 p.m.) at Hidden Valley Sportsmen’s Club, located at 268 Gilkey Road, West Middlesex, PA. $5 Admission. Buy, sell & trade. Free parking. For
info. call 724-528-2700. 3D Archery Shoots - March 25-26; April 22-23; May 27-28; June 24-25; July 22-23; Aug. 26-27 and 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 330240-8128 or Dennis Dabney at 330-4145795. ‘Learn Fly Fishing’ Classes - March 28, April 4 and 11 in East Liverpool, Ohio. Sponsored by Ohio Valley Outdoors Magazine. Craig Wetzel will instruct in three sessions. Cost $45 for all three classes. 7-9 p.m. at East Liverpool Area Community and Learning Center. For info. call OVO at 330-385-2243. Gun Show by Mahoning Valley Gun Collectors - April 8-9 (9 a.m. - 4 p.m.) at Lowellville Rod & Gun Club. Admission $4, vendor tables $25. Buy, sell & trade. Free appraisals, free parking. GPS address 6225 Quarry Road, Lowellville, OH. For info. call Bill at 330-506-9194. Outdoor 3-D Archery - April 16; May 21; June 18; July 8-9, ASA Qualifier; July 1; Aug. 20; Sept. 17 at Mosquito Bowmen Archery Club, 2535 McCleary Jacoby Rd., Cortland, OH
March 2017
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. Children’s Free Fishing Day - May 6 at Beaver Creek State Park (Columbiana County, OH) Mill Pond by Friends of Beaver Creek State Park. Rods and reels available (15 & under). Volunteers will assist young anglers. See Facebook page; Friends of Beaver Creek State Park. Walleye Madness Tournaments May 7 at Salt Fork Lake; May 21 at Mosquito Lake; June 24 at Lake ErieGeneva and August 19 at Lake ErieConneaut. 100% payback, no membership fees. $150 entry fee. Visit www.walleyemadness.net for entry deadlines and registration forms or call 580-765-2319. Trader’s Day Swap Meet & Gun Show - May 20 at Trumbull County Rod & Gun Club. Buy, sell, trade your hunting and fishing equipment, firearms, other outdoor sports gear and more. 50/50 & gun raffles. Tables (indoor or outdoor) are $15. For info. call Jason Chamberlain at 330-307-0552.
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