Two organizations are working to provide an outlet for extra deer hunters may not need to feed their own families this hunting season. Both groups are working to provide venison to area soup kitchens to help feed people in need.
People donating meat are not responsible for processing costs.
In Seneca County, hunters who want to donate their deer should take them to Schumm's Butcher Shop, 4675 N. TR 69. Call ahead at (419) 937-2762. Coordinator Jim Davis said Seneca County Farm Bureau and other local entities formed their own group called Sportsmen, Landowners and Processors Feeding the Hungry of Seneca County, or SLAPFTH. Deer can be dropped off and left at no charge and without much paperwork. Call Davis for more information at (419) 937-7014.
Another group taking deer donations is Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry. In Crawford County, call Rick Houseburg at (419) 566-3104 or e-mail elkhunter692000@yahoo.com. In Wood County, call Allen Dunlap at (419) 466-4143 or e-mail adunlap@buckeye-express.com, or Arthur Dunlap at (419) 360-4080 or e-mail pendragun1@aol.com.
Fishing instructors wanted
Spaces are available for adults, groups or conservation clubs who want to become certified fishing instructors and take kids fishing. A free workshop is scheduled 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife District 2 office in Findlay.
Passport to Fishing is a one-day instructor training program that qualifies individuals to become Division of Wildlife certified fishing instructors, similar to a hunter education instructor. The program was developed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and adopted by the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation. Workshops teach volunteers the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program with a fishing event. Instructors go back to their communities, with a written curriculum and training aids, to teach youngsters and beginning anglers the basics of fishing. Resources available include grants, equipment, brochures and training. To register, call (800) WILDLIFE (945-3543) or visit www.wildohio.com.
Magee Marsh trapping
The Division of Wildlife is inviting interested trappers to bid on the opportunity to trap Magee Marsh Wildlife Area for this season. There are eight units available and each unit is to be bid separately. A public bid opening is to take place Tuesday at the check station at Magee Marsh Wildlife Area, 13229 W. SR 2, Oak Harbor, OH 43449. Interested bidders may enter their bids in person or mail them. Bids must be received before 3 p.m.
Gun raffle Oct. 17
Tiffin-Seneca Izaak Walton's ninth annual gun raffle and fish fry is planned for 5:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at the club house, 3570 N. River Road. There are to be 10-15 guns to win. Advance tickets are available at Car Town Marine on North SR 53 and Westgate Barbers for $15 each or $25 for two. Ticket price includes the multi-gun raffle and the fish fry. Winners need not be present.
SWCD in the classroom
Beth Diesch, education specialist with Seneca Soil and Water Conservation District, is available to provide classroom programs at area schools. For a list of programs she can provide, call (419) 447-7073.
Park programs
Seneca
This month's book reading from "A Sand County Almanac" is planned for 2 p.m. Tuesday at Garlo preserve. The group plans to discuss lessons learned from Aldo Leopold, father of wildlife management, through his writings. No previous reading is required. People who attend five sessions receive a copy of the book. The program is co-sponsored by the Seneca County Park District and the Seneca County chapter of Pheasants Forever.
Also Tuesday, preschoolers can paint gourds during a 6:30 p.m. program at Garlo nature center. Children ages 3-5 can learn about the life cycle of gourds and paint one for an autumn arrangement.
A Nature Walk Bird Talk is planned for 8 a.m. Oct. 17 at Garlo preserve. Linda Rose of the Seneca County Park District invites hikers to take along binoculars and field guides and walk the trails looking and listening for the sights and sounds of nature. The walk lasts about 1 1/2 hours and qualifies for the walking stick program. No registration is needed.
At noon the same day, the Seneca park district is hosting a canoe float on the Sandusky River, beginning at Howard Collier State Nature Preserve. Canoes, paddles and adult life jackets are provided for the three-mile, two-hour float.
An open house is planned for 1-4 p.m. Oct. 18 at Forrest Nature Preserve. The afternoon features hiking, exploring and wagon tours through the preserve's fall scenery, along with free refreshments provided by the Friends of Seneca County Park District. The preserve's address is 701 E. CR 6, and can be found just west of TR 151 and east of SR 231 in Eden Township.
A toddler program about pumpkins is scheduled for 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Steyer Nature Preserve. Children ages 12-36 months can provide their own pumpkin to decorate after they search for the great pumpkin on the trail.
Rose is planning a fall foliage hike 4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Steyer Nature Preserve. She invites people to spend about 1 1/2 hours hiking. The hike qualifies for the walking stick program. No registrationis needed.
To register for Seneca County Park District programs, call Rose at (419) 435-3915 or e-mail scpd_programs@yahoo.com.
Sandusky
The Sandusky County Park District is hosting a fall bird banding program 8 a.m. Saturday and Oct. 17 at Creek Bend Farm. Registration is required by calling (419) 334-4495 or (888) 200-5577.
The Sandusky County parks photo contest deadline is Thursday. Photos must be submitted to the park office or Dumminger Photography. Photos are to be displayed 3-7 p.m. Oct. 16 and 10 a.m.-noon Oct. 17 in the multipurpose room of the Fremont Community Recreation Complex, Fremont. For contest rules and description of the five nature and outdoor categories, call (419) 334-4495 or visit www.sanduskycountyparks.com.
A Saturday Stargazing evening is planned for sunset Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 at Wolf Creek Park Campground. All ages are welcome to view the night sky with telescopes set up by Sandusky Valley Amateur Astronomers. Or visitors can take along their own binoculars and telescopes and their astronomy questions answered.
Hancock
The Hancock Park District is seeking input for its Oakwoods Nature Preserve master plan update.
The nature preserve has grown since it was donated to the Hancock Park District in the 1980s and updated plans are being created. The public is invited to view preliminary plans at an open house at the Richard S. "Doc" Phillips Discovery Center 1-4 p.m. Oct. 18. For more information, call (419) 425-PARK (7275) or visit www.HancockParks.com.
Also during the open house, visitors can learn more about the largest mammal found in Ohio, the black bear. Black back fur is to be on display and information is to be available.
Meetings and reminders:
* Saturday, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Harvest Fest Farmers Market and Enchanted Trails candy hike, Miller Conservation Farm, TR 138, (419) 447-7073.
* Wednesday, 7 p.m., Seneca County Park District board meeting, conference room, RTA Building, downtown, preceded at 6 p.m. by Friends of the Seneca County Park District meeting, (419) 447-8091.
Vicki Johnson reports on outdoors and agriculture news for The A-T. Contact her at outdoors@advertiser-tribune.com.
