Talking politics, slobs, fishing and hunting opportunities and other outdoor related items while dealing with the “dogs days” of summer …
Continuing on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) saga and trying to undermine the Division of Wildlife (DOW), John Agner, vice the president of the League of Ohio Sportsmen, related the ODNR thinks the average sportsmen do not care what happens to the DOW.
He said he had spoken recently with Keith Daniels, president of the Ohio State Trappers Assn. (OSTA), who was at a recent meeting of various outdoor organizations with the ODNR. Daniels related the ODNR is still being very uncooperative, and not very responsive to questions. He added the ODNR continues to take the stand that there are not enough sportsmen to worry about and they don’t have to listen to sportsmen. He said it has been stated the coalition of state organizations do not represent the sportsmen.
In the recent Buckeye Firearms Assn. newsletter, outdoor writer and hunter education instructor Larry Moore, stated in an article, “Starting with 1985 and forward until March 2011 at the beginning of the Kasich/Zehringer administration only 5 people served as chief. This provided a steady professional, and largely non-political, leadership over a long period of time. Ray Petering was the fifth chief for the division under the Kasich Administration since 2011. Several people have served as acting chief during this time but the list clearly reflects the volatility when compared with other recent administrations. The Zehringer era includes: Vicki Mountz – acting chief (March to May 2011); David Lane – chief (May to November 2011); Scott Zody – chief (Nov 2011 to September 2015); Sue Howard – acting chief (October to November 2016); and Ray Petering – chief (November 2015 – July 2017.”
In November of 2011, Steve Pollick, now retired outdoor columnist at the Toldeo Blade, questioned what kind of appointments were going on in the DOW.
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For the second time in recent years, a concerned reader has emailed me about what is going on with certain fishermen. His first letter was about littering. His most recent writing was about wasting fish.
This angler fishes the Limaland reservoirs. What disgusted him happened at Williams Reservoir in late July. He indicated he nearly stepped on about 30 bluegills when he arrived at the facility. Someone not only threw those on the ground, but he said about the same number of fish, including some in the 12-15-inch range, were tossed on the rocks near where he was fishing.
Tossing those fish back in the water – practicing catch-and-release – would have allowed someone else to catch them again. He also cited cans, bottles and trash lying all around the reservoir. He wondered what kind of people have no respect for nature and the outdoors?
This gentleman would like to take his grand kids fishing, but said the fun of catching a fish is reduced by those who litter and leave fish lying around.
I’ve said this for almost 4 decades now. People like this are slobs. They have very little commonsense and little respect for our environment. And they certainly do not practice the angler’s code of ethics. Unfortunately, people like this rarely change. Unfortunately, their kind seems to be growing.
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Indian Lake State Park is among 16 state parks that will hold a lottery on Aug. 19 for hunters wishing to construct a blind to hunt ducks and geese this waterfowl hunting season
Interested applicants must appear in person at a participating state park office with proof of a 2017 Ohio hunting license, Ohio wetlands habitat stamp endorsement in the applicant’s name and a signed 2017 federal duck stamp. Applicants under the age of 18 are encouraged to have a parent or legal guardian present to sign the permit contract, and the applicants must provide the required license and stamps. Each hunter can apply for only one duck blind permit, and no one can apply or draw for another person. There is a $50 non-refundable permit fee for the state park lottery winners. For more information, contact the park office at 937-843-2717. The park is located at 12774 Ohio 235 N
in Lakeview.
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Registration deadline for a free basics of dove hunting workshop on Aug. 22 offered in Southwest Ohio is Aug. 21.
The workshop begins at 6 p.m. at the Spring Valley Wildlife Area Range, which is located just south of Xenia at 3450 Houston Road in Waynesville.
Topics to be covered by DOW personnel include identification, habitat, equipment, techniques, and regulations. After the discussion participants will be able to shoot trap at the Spring Valley Wildlife Area Range. Equipment will be supplied.
Since space is limited, pre-registration is required. Contact Brittany at 937-372-9261 or by e-mail at [email protected].
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The drawing deadline for a pair of fly fishing clinics to be held at the Castalia State Fish Hatchery, located off Ohio 269 near Castalia, is Aug. 13. One of the clinics will be for beginning fly anglers while the other if for mobility-impaired fly anglers. Submission for a lottery to attend each clinic must be postmarked by Aug. 13.
Sessions will be held on Fridays from Sept. 1 through Oct. 6, with the exception of Sept. 8 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. or 1 p.m.-5 p.m. for the regular fly fishing clinics. There are 100 slots available for this program. Sessions for the mobility mobility-impaired clinic on Sept. 8 at from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-5 p.m. There are 10 permits available for each session.
To apply, applicants must submit a postcard listing their name, address and customer ID number, and phone number. Only one postcard per applicant is allowed and no duplicates may be submitted. Postcards should be sent to: ODNR Division of Wildlife District Two, 952 Lima Ave., Findlay 45840, Attention: Mobility Impaired Fly Fishing Clinics or Beginner Fly Fishing Clinics. Successful applicants will receive a letter with additional details. Successful mobility-impaired applicants must bring a non-fishing attendant.
In addition to fly-fishing instruction by DOW staff and volunteers, attendees will be able to test their newly acquired skills by fishing for rainbow trout found in Cold Creek
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We all are vulnerable to thefts from a vehicle, outdoor types included.
Hunters were victims in 23 different incidents in northwest Ohio during the 2015-16 and 2016-17 seasons. A Henry County Grand Jury indicted Edward Polansky Jr., 26, of Holland and Rodney Polansky, 32, of Toledo in late July for their involvement in multiple vehicle break-ins targeting hunters. The incidents took place in Henry, Fulton, Williams and Lucas counties.
Both men were charged with engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, possession of criminal tools and, failure to comply with order or signal of a police officer.
Items reported stolen included several shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows, a handgun and numerous other hunting related items.
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