A youth fishing derby and several types of shooting sports are the focus of National Hunting and Fishing Day Sept. 26 hosted by Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton.
The fishing derby starts at 9 a.m. and youths can start registering at 8:30. You should provide your own poles. Prizes are to be awarded.
Lunch is available for a fee.
After lunch, youths can try their hand at archery and shooting clay birds. Bows, shotguns and hearing protection are provided by the club.
The local event is part of a nationwide celebration established by Congress in 1971 to recognize hunters and anglers for their leadership in fish and wildlife conservation.
The day is for youths ages 17 and younger who are accompanied by an adult. The Izaak Walton grounds are at 3570 N. River Road (CR 33).
For more information, call Don Hunter, (419) 937-2066.
Archery season opens soon
About 300,000 bowhunters are expected to participate in the statewide archery deer hunting season that opens Sept. 26, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
During last year's four-month archery season, bowhunters harvested 85,856 deer, an increase of 9 percent from the previous year. Crossbow hunters took a record 46,480 of that number and longbow hunters took a record 39,376 deer. Overall, archers accounted for nearly 34 percent of 252,017 deer taken during Ohio's combined 2008-09 archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons.
Again this year, hunters who purchase an Ohio hunting license and $24 deer permit will be eligible to buy the $15 antlerless deer permit, which is valid Sept. 26-Nov. 29 in zones A and B and through Dec. 6 in zone C. The $15 antlerless permit may be purchased only until Nov. 29.
ODNR wants hunters to take more does again this season using the reduced-priced antlerless deer permit and donate any extra venison to the needy. The DOW is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry to help pay for processing donated venison. Hunters who donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as funding for the effort lasts.
More information about this program can be found online atwww.fhfh.org.
The statewide archery season remains open through Feb. 7, 2010, including the week of deer-gun season Nov. 30-Dec. 6. Deer-gun hunters will also be able to enjoy an additional weekend of hunting Dec. 19-20.
Archers may hunt one half-hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, except during the statewide gun, youth and muzzleloader seasons when they are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Archers hunting during the statewide gun, youth or muzzleloader seasons must meet the hunter orange requirements of those seasons.
To hunt deer, hunters must possess a deer permit in addition to a valid hunting license. State law allows hunters to take one antlered buck per year, regardless the type of deer season, deer permit or weapon used for deer hunting.
The 2009-10 hunting licenses aren't printed on weatherproof paper. Sportsmen and women should protect their licenses and permits from the elements by carrying them in a protective pouch or wallet.
A detailed listing of deer hunting rules is contained in the 2009-10 Ohio Hunting Regulations that is available where licenses are sold, or may be viewed online atwildohio.com.
Seeking farm markets
In conjunction with Harvest Fest Oct. 10 at Miller Conservation Farm, Seneca Soil and Water Conservation District is hosting a farmer's market. Organizers are reserving spots for interested vendors.
Festivalhours are 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. at the farm, 5670 E. TR 138. Vendors may sell agriculture products produced on their farms, home-baked goods and handmade crafts. A $10 fee to Miller Farm reserves a 10-foot by 10-foot space. Spots are being filled first come, first served.
The festival is to include activities throughout the afternoon, including a candy hunt, pony rides, fishing derby, archery, kids' games, local performances, and food such as homemade soups, sandwiches and pies.
To reserve a spot, call (419) 447-7073.
Heidelberg pow-wow
An American Indian cultural celebration is planned for 6:30-8:30 p.m. Saturday at Heidelberg University.
The mini pow-wow is meant to educate and celebrate. Drums are provided by SouthEastern WaterSpider andJamie Oxendine of the Black Swamp InterTribal Foundation plans tospeak about American Indian culture.
The event is to include dancing demonstrations and instructions. For more information, e-mail April Beisaw via abeisaw@heidelberg.edu.
Equestrian poker run
An horseback poker run is planned Sept. 27 at the new equestrian parking lot at Garlo Heritage Nature Preserve. The event benefits the Seneca County Park District and the equestrian team. Prizes are to be awarded.
The event is hosted by Tiffin University Equestrian Team.
Registration starts at noon and the run starts at 1 p.m.
The area is on SR 19, south of Bloomville.
Scrap metal collection
Seneca County residents can take their old appliances and scrap metal to the Agriculture Service Center, 3140 S. SR 100, 9 a.m.-noon Sept. 26 for recycling.
Sponsored by the Ottawa-Sandusky-Seneca Joint Solid Waste Management District, items to be accepted include washing machines, dryers, ovens, stoves, hot water heaters, refrigerators, freezers, microwaves, dehumidifiers, furnaces, air conditioners, water fountains and similar items.
Other items made of steel such as grills, lawn mowers and propane tanks also will be accepted.
Televisions, computers and electronics can not be accepted at this collection.
In addition to metal, the collection is taking printer cartridges and tennis shoes.They should be kept separate from one another and dry.
Shoes are to be recycled by Nike Inc. into such products as running tracks, playground surfaces and subflooring for hard courts.
For more information, call (888) 850-7224 or visit www.recycleoss.org.
Camp Glen events
Camp Glen is hosting a scrapbook retreat Sept. 25-27. The fee is $100 for the weekend, which includes meals, snacks, lodging and door prizes, along with a "grab bag" with supplies.
Camp Glen also is hosting a fall colors canoe tour on the Sandusky River 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Oct. 24.
Cost is $5 per person and lunch is included.
Ducks Unlimited banquet
The Seneca County chapter of Ducks Unlimited is planning its annual fundraising banquet for 6 p.m. Oct. 1 at Mohawk Golf Club. Ticket prices have been reduced to $50 this year and dinner is to be a buffet.
A featured items is the Seneca County DU commemorative shotgun. People who purchase tickets by Tuesday are eligible for a free chance on a 9-mm handgun.
To order tickets, call (419) 447-9002 or mail a check to Ducks Unlimited, 25 Willow Court, Tiffin OH 44883.
Miller Farm work day
A work day is planned at Miller Conservation Farm 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Oct. 3. Lunch is provided for volunteers.The rain date is Oct. 5.
For more information, call Ann Keefe, wildlife specialist with Seneca Soil and Water Conservation District, at (419) 447-7073.
Magee Marsh road closed
The Magee Marsh Wildlife Area road is to be closed to traffic Monday and Tuesday. The area to be closed starts at the entrance on SR 2 and continues to the beach parking lots to allow for necessary road repairs and resurfacing work.
Access to the Sportsmen's Migratory Bird Center and all trails will be closed during the repair work.
Fall foliage on its way
The relatively dry summer has created the opportunity for a great fall foliage season, which could peak during mid-October in northern Ohio and late October in southern parts of the state.
ODNR says a slight drought throughout northern Ohio may push back the bright palette of color that will spread across the state woodlands this fall. September's weather is a key factor in the quality of the color. Sunny days with cool nights, minus an early frost, will make for a "stunning" fall foliage season. Consistent rainfall will also help October color to peak at its best.
Poison ivy, Virginia creeper and buckeye trees start the fall display at the of this month with bright reds and golds.
To help people plan seasonal outings and enjoy fall color from Ohio's 100-plus tree species, ODNR plans to post weekly fall color updates at its Web site. Reports begin Sept. 21 and run through the first weekend in November.
Park programs
Young Adventurers ages 6-12 can learn leaf identification during a 5 p.m. program Oct. 1 at Tiffin University Nature Preserve. To register for the Seneca County Park District program, call Linda Rose at (419) 435-3915 or e-mail scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
The Hancock Park District is hosting an astronomy program with Millstream Astronomy Club 8 p.m. Sunday at Shelter 5 at Riverbend Recreation Area. Club member Mason Nims plans to discuss the inner planets of the solar system. He plans to explore the orbits of those planets and how they interact with each other. Weather permitting, there will be stargazing after the program.
Riverbend Recreation Area is near 16618 TR 208, off SR 568 to TR 241 east of Findlay.
Canoe with eagles and the Sandusky County Park District Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sept. 30. Participants are to meet at 4 p.m. at the park office and travel to the launch site. Registration with a partner at least 12 years old is required. Canoes are provided.
A "YoYo Quilting" program is set for 10:30 a.m.-noon Thursday at White Star Park Log Cabin. Participants should take along scrap material, scissors and thread. They can learn the technique of yoyo quilting and create some yoyos.
A wagon ride tour is planned for 2-3 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Thursday on the North Coast Inland Trail, Fremont to Lindsey. Participants should meet at the parking lot on Walter Avenue to enjoy the sights along the newest section of the bike trail. Travel from Fremont to Lindsey and back.
Saturday stargazing is planned at sunset Sept. 26 at Wolf Creek Park Campground. All ages are welcome to view the night sky with telescopes set up by Sandusky Valley Amateur Astronomers. Or participants can take their own binoculars, telescopes and questions about astronomy.
To register or for more information on Sandusky County Park District programs, call (419) 334-4495 or (888) 200-5577.
Reminders
* Saturday and Sunday, Tiffin Park and Recreation Department is hosting the Heritage Festival at Hedges-Boyer Park, along with a Seneca Kruisers car show on Sunday.
* Sunday, 1 p.m., Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton steel plate shoot for .22-caliber handguns and pistols, Dave Wagner, (419) 447-6068.
* Monday, 4:30 p.m., Seneca County Park District canoe float, (419) 435-3915, scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
* Wednesday, 5:30 p.m., "Magical Monarchs" preschool program for ages 3-5 with an adult companion,(419) 435-3915, scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
Vicki Johnson can be reached at
