By Jim Shepherd

"Use a scalpel, not a buzz saw," was advice offered to Congress yesterday during Supreme Court arguments regarding the Federal Depiction of Animal Cruelty Statute.

The ten year old law was written to outlaw "crush videos" -dominatrix videos in which women crushed small animals with bare feet or stiletto heels, but opponents argue the law is drawn so broadly as to negatively impact everything from investigations into animal cruelty to television shows featuring hunting.

In fact, conviction of Virginia filmmaker Robert Stevens for a series of videos depicting pit bulls in fights and other activities is the reason the case is before the high court.

Stevens was prosecuted under the statute, convicted and sentenced to more than three years in prison. In an appeal, Stevens argued the law was too-broad and violated his constitutional right of free speech. A federal appeals court agreed, overturning the conviction and his three-year sentence.

The Obama administration appealed that decision, and is asking the court to reverse that lower-court decision and find in favor of the statute.

COLUMBUS, OH – Fall wild turkey hunting opens in 48 Ohio counties on Saturday, October 10, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The season continues through Sunday, November 29.

"Summer brood observations suggest a below average wild turkey hatch this year" said wildlife biologist Mike Reynolds. "In addition, acorn crops were highly variable across Ohio this fall. In areas with poor acorn production, hunters may have more success locating turkeys around agricultural fields rather than on hardwood ridges."

Hunters harvested 2,139 wild turkeys during last year's fall season. Reynolds added that Ohio's current wild turkey population is around 200,000. He anticipates as many as 20,000 people, not counting private landowners hunting on their own property, will enjoy Ohio's fall wild turkey season.

Defiance and Williams counties will be open to fall turkey hunting for the first time this season.

Only one turkey of either sex may be taken during the entire fall season. A Fall Turkey Hunting Permit is required. Hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to sunset from October 10 through November 29. Shotguns, using shot, crossbows and longbows are permitted. Turkeys must be checked in the county where taken by 8 p.m. on the day the bird is shot.

The ODNR Division of Wildlife advises turkey hunters to wear hunter orange clothing when entering, leaving or moving through hunting areas in order to remain visible to others.