The Xenia Gazette recently published a story noting that Governor-Elect Ted Strickland is using the remaining time in 2006 preparing to take office in January, and that a Greene County local (and Buckeye Firearms Association region Leader) is contributing to the transition.

From the story:

Strickland-Fisher transition teams have been set up to evaluate current policy in 14 areas from education to health and human services, ethics and government efficiency.

...Jamestown resident and outdoorsman Larry Moore was selected as an advisor to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources transition team. Moore represented the political action group Buckeye Firearms Association. The advisors were interviewed Wednesday and Thursday of last week.

"I was honored to be asked to provide input to Governor-elect Strickland's ODNR transition team," Moore said. "...I applaud their team for taking the initiative to seek input from a wide range of organizations and individuals. That is what government for the people and involvement of 'we the people' means."

Click on 'Read More' for the entire story.

By Chad D. Baus

Count me among the more than ten thousand Ohioans who took to the field for deer-gun season for the first time this year using an Ohio Apprentice Hunting License. And count me among those who are already planning to make many trips back in my life!

I didn't grow up hunting, or shooting. When I was introduced to shooting by my late father-in-law, who suffered from Parkinson's disease, he was already too ill to spend all day afield. I learned pistols, and have enjoyed the occasional time in front of a trap house, and up to now that has been as far as it went.

Two weeks ago, a friend of mine offered to take me out during the extra weekend that was added to deer-gun season this year. A shotgun I purchased several years ago came with a slug barrel, but I had never even put it on the gun. So the Saturday before the big day, we went out and put a few rounds through it while sighting in the scope, and then I went to buy my Apprentice license and deer tag, along with assorted other items like gloves and a hunter-orange hat.

Then it was time to wait. Fortunately I had a busy week to keep my mind off of it, but I will admit to having trouble sleeping the night before. I was awake an hour before my alarm went off, and got there so early I had to wait about 30 minutes for my buddy Wes to show up.

We got set up about a half-hour before the weekend season officially opened, on the edge of a woods behind a makeshift blind of camouflage burlap stretched across some brush. It was colder than the forecast had predicted, and a heavy mist had settled over the cornfield in front of us.

It was only about 8:00 when they appeared out of the mist - nine in all. At first we thought they were all does. The herd stopped while still out of range. It was impressive to see their breath in the cold morning air. I've seen plenty of deer from my car, but to be out in the open air with them was something altogether different. The herd didn't keep coming north toward us, but headed to the east. We had another hunting partner at that end of the field, so hoped that maybe they'd get close enough to him. Again, they stopped short, and doubled back. This time they were on a track to pass by us in range.

It was then that we saw them - two bucks moving together amidst the does.

Click on 'Read More' for the entire story.

Buckeye Firearm Association's web site is seeing an amazing growth in visitors and new articles are being posted several times a week.

This week's "Friday Flashback" is....

The Last Lesson

By Chad D. Baus

As many are aware, my history as a shooter and grassroots firearms activist begins not in Ohio, but in Tennessee. I lived in Nashville from 1994 - 2000, met my wife and married there. It was her father who introduced me to the shooting sports.

Many have also heard about my father-in-law's experience with an attempted carjacking, an incident which convinced me that it would be irresponsible for me not to obtain a Tennessee Handgun Carry License as part of my responsibility to protect my family.

Returning to Ohio in 2001 to join my family business, I immediately went looking for others who were trying to get a concealed carry law passed in Ohio and formed this political action committee with Jim Irvine and Mary Friscone in 2002.

A long-time sufferer of Parkinson's disease, my father-in-law died suddenly three weeks ago yesterday. While it would be tempting to use this space to eulogize what this target shooter, hunter and sportsman meant to me, I will instead pass on still more lessons I have learned, thanks to him.

Click on 'Read More' for the entire commentary.