Turkey hunters have excellent first week

• Several areas to be checked out for fishing this summer
• Ohio to get $21 mill. for conservation uses
• Photo workshop to be held on Kelleys Island
• Charity shoot to be held Aug. 6

It’s been a good year so far for Buckeye turkey hunters. During the first week of the season, hunters checked in 8,629 gobblers, up from last year's first week total of 8,158. The season will remain open until May 15, and the last days can be the best as toms look avidly for any hens still unbred. The top county so far for birds bagged is Ashtabula where 261 toms were taken, followed by Muskingum with 242,  Meigs – 229, Washington – 222 and Monroe – 220. Remember, hunters are required to have a hunting license and a spring turkey hunting permit, and the spring season bag limit is two bearded turkeys.

Check out these areas for fishing

Anglers who like to catch really big sunfish should try their luck at northwestern Ohio’s Lake La Su An Wildlife Area. All lakes in the area will be open to fishing for 2016 except Lake Lavere. From May 6 through Aug. 1, the lakes will be open to fishing four days a week — Friday to Monday — and anglers can fish them from sunrise to sunset during the designated days. The sunfish bag limit will be 15 fish daily, with no more than five fish being eight-inches or larger. Largemouth bass will have an 18-inch minimum length limit, with a five-fish daily bag limit, and channel cats will have a two-fish daily bag limit. All bag limits are in effect area wide, which means that only one bag limit will be allowed each day, regardless of how many lakes an angler fishes.

Ohio to get $21 million for conservation uses

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced it will give $21 million to Ohio for conservation uses. The ODNR will receive the money, which will be invested in restoring and conserving Ohio’s fish and wildlife resources. Over the past several years, the funding has supported boating access, archery range renovations and fish hatchery enhancements. All of these projects have a significant impact on opportunities for fishing and hunting in Ohio. Just one of these enhancements will immediately benefit Ohio’s muskie fishermen, since it will allow the London State Fish Hatchery to improve facilities for muskellunge production.

Photo workshop to be held on Kelleys Island

Would-be nature photographers might be interested in the 6th Annual Kelleys Island photo workshop held this year on May 20-22. Sigma Pro photographer David Fitzsimmons will team up with naturalist-photographer Art Weber to teach photography of Sunrises, Sunsets, Cobbled Beaches, Rocky Coastlines, Late Spring Wildflowers and more. Registration includes lodging and meals. For more information, call Fitzsimmons Photography at 419-892-2900.

Charity shoot to be held Aug. 6

The Sportsmen’s Alliance, a national nonprofit organization that fights for sportsmen’s rights will host its 10th Annual Central Ohio Charity Shoot on Aug. 6 at the Cardinal Shooting Center near Marengo. All Sportsmen’s Alliance Sporting Clays Events are held under the organization’s 501(c)(3) foundations which makes contributions, donations and associated fees tax deductible. For details on the shoot, call 614-888-4868.

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.