SPORTS

Youths can earn special hunting privileges

Dick Martin

Youngsters interested in hunting wild turkeys this spring should attend a special drawing March 19 at the Lake La Su An Wildlife Area headquarters in northwestern Ohio.

Youths 17 and younger can participate in the drawing, which will be held at the Lake headquarters, 09-455 County Road R., Pioneer, Ohio. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. and will continue until the drawing at 10 a.m. Youth hunters must possess a 2016-17 hunting license to register, but are not required to be present to register. Adults may register a youngster by presenting the youth's hunting license. Successful applicants will select an available section of their choice for a three-, four-, or five-day permit for the youth and spring wild turkey seasons. For more information, call the lake headquarters at 419-485-9092.

Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)

Jobs available with ODNR for summer

Need a job this summer? Readers interested in seasonal employment and love working outdoors can attend a job fair being held at multiple sites across the state by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 20.

Interested applicants will be given information on vacancies and how to apply for seasonal positions at each job fair for state park and watercraft job openings. Most positions require a valid driver's license and ability to work weekend hours as needed.  Available positions include natural resource specialists, lifeguards and naturalist aides as well as landscape and trail maintenance. For more information regarding the job fairs, call 614-265-6561.

Senate bill with hunting provisions approved

Recently, the U.S Senate's Environmental and Public Works Committee approved a bill containing some of the top priorities of the hunting and fishing community, according to the Sportsmen's Alliance. S.B. 659 includes a key provision directing the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to remove gray wolves from the Endangered Species List. The amendment returns wolves to state management. The committee also rejected an attempt that would have stripped language preventing the EPA from regulating lead in ammunition. Ammunition for hunting is already regulated at the state level and by the Fish and Wildlife Service where appropriate. According to the Sportsmen's Alliance, Sen. Barbara Boxer tried to remove language allowing polar bear trophies that were taken prior to their listing on the Endangered Species List from being brought into the U.S. The amendment was rejected.

Learn how to deal with Canada geese

Canada geese are becoming a real problem around Ohio, especially for golf courses and farm pond owners who don't like to walk in their droppings. The Division of Wildlife is offering a free public program from 6 to 8 p.m. Feb. 24 for people who want to learn more about conflict management with Canada geese. The program will take place at the Division of Wildlife District One Headquarters at 1500 Dublin Road, Columbus, 43215. The program is best suited for ages 16 and up, and is free to all, but pre-registration is required. Contact the Division at 614-644-3925 or email Gary.Comer@dnr.state.oh.us to register.

Reader email

An email from a reader had a solution to the problem of squirrels emptying his bird feeders.  He had a double "shepherd's crook" that his bird feeders hang on, and tried everything from shields to greasing the poles. Finally, he hung a simple mouse trap from a wire attached where the two crooks are welded together. He let the trap hang about 2 feet off the ground and set it. He never saw a squirrel get snapped, but had to reset it a few times, and the squirrels learned fast. They didn't bother his bird feeders again.

Dick Martin is a retired biology teacher who has been writing outdoor columns for 30 years.  You can reach him at richmart@neo.rr.com.