Ohio's Division of Wildlife proposes small-game seasons

The 2015-16, small-game hunting seasons recently were proposed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources-Division of Wildlife to the Ohio Wildlife Council.

The proposals are as follows: Sept. 1, squirrel and dove hunting; Oct. 24, 25 and 31 and Nov. 1., youth small-game hunting seasons statewide; Nov. 6, cottontail rabbit, ring-necked pheasant and bobwhite quail; Nov. 10, fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum and weasel hunting and trapping, Oct. 12 through Nov. 29, fall wild turkey; April 18 through May 15, spring wild turkey; and April 16 and 17, youth wild turkey.

These are not carved in stone, but usually the council goes along with the proposals. So hunters who like to plan ahead can make general plans.

A statewide hearing on the proposed rules will take place at 9 a.m. March 19 at the Division of Wildlife's District One, 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, OH 43215.

--On Dec. 20, a federal district court judge in Washington, D.C., struck down the delisting of wolves in the western Great Lakes region, and returned them to federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.

According to the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance Foundation, this move was not based upon the population of wolves, which has recovered in the area. Instead, U.S. District Court Judge Beryl A. Howard ruled that until wolves are re-established in their historic range, they cannot be considered recovered in Michigan, Minnesota or Wisconsin — no matter how large the populations in those states.

For nearly a decade, the foundation and its partners have led an attempt to delist recovered populations of wolves from the Endangered Species List and return them to management of individual states. The foundation intends to continue that fight.

--The Ohio Deer and Turkey Expo will take place March 13 through 15 at the Ohio Expo Center's Bricker Building in Columbus. This year's event will feature demonstrations including flint knapping, home defense, reloading and chainsaw carving.

There will be "ask the experts" seminars on subjects from firearms to archery and muzzleloading, contests for trophy deer, trail camera photos and a turkey calling contest, along with booths selling equipment, an air gun and archery range and door prizes. Full information is available by searching Ohio Deer & Turkey Expo via the Internet.

--Following the lead of the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate passed legislation making the federal duck stamp permanently available online. Sponsored by Sen. Roger Wicker, the bill now awaits President Obama's signature.

"Utilizing technology makes obtaining a duck stamp more efficient and cost effective for everyone," Wicker said. "In addition to the convenience it provides to sportsmen, this proposal is important to conservation efforts, helping preserve both our country's natural beauty and outdoor traditions.

For more information about the electronic duck stamp, visit www.ducks.org.

--Steelhead are plentiful in Lake Erie tributaries now and, whenever the streams aren't iced over, are being caught on spawn sacs, jig and maggot combinations, and hardware including spinners and small plugs.

Top places to catch these hard fighters include the Rocky River from the Emerald Necklace marina through the Cedar Point Pools; the Chagrin River from the soccer fields up through South Chagrin Reservation park; the Grand River from the St. Clair Street access up to the Harpersville Dam; and Conneaut Creek from Main Street to the state line.