National Hunting and Fishing Day

By Larry S. Moore

National Hunting and Fishing Day is September 22nd. This is an annual celebration of our hunting and fishing heritage as set by Congress. It provides a day for celebrating our freedoms to hunt and fish, as well as the Second Amendment. Whether you are a hunter, fisherman, trapper or shooter take some time this special day to think about that heritage. Even better would be to take some time to take a new shooter, young or old to the range. See below for some events around Ohio that celebrate our heritage on September 22.

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Jeff Foxworthy is the National Honorary Chairman for 2007. Perhaps many ladies might agree with Foxworthy's wife about hunting. "It just drives my wife crazy', laughs Foxworthy, "She goes, 'We get invited to the Oscars. You turn that down. We get invited to the Grammy's. You turn that down. But you never turn down a hunting or fishing trip." There are more than sixty-four million hunters and anglers in the United States. Join them and celebrate our heritage on National Hunting and Fishing Day. Foxworthy concluded, "Without question, sharing hunting and fishing time with my family had a profound impact on my life, and undoubtedly shaped and molded the person I am today."

I will be sharing our heritage at the Family Range Open House Day at the Spring Valley Wildlife Area in Greene County. I've volunteered as an Ohio Hunter Education Instructor for this event for many years. I always take some time to think about my father who first took me shooting at the old, and rather crude ranges by today's standards, at Spring Valley. A few years ago the annual range open house became special as my son, Trent, joined me for the day in his first year as a hunter education instructor. This year will once again be special for our family. My daughter, Tiffany, will be joining her brother and me at the range. Tiffany just completed her training the Division of Wildlife District 5 Hunter Education Academy earlier this year. It will be my first opportunity to instruct with her. I hope you have as much fun sharing our hunting and shooting heritage as my family!

For more information on National Hunting and Fishing Day go to the National Hunting and Fishing Day website at www.nhfday.org.

Some events happening around Ohio:

DISTRICT 5 – SOUTHWEST OHIO

The Ohio Division of Wildlife is having the annual Family Open House Day at the Spring Valley Ranges. The ranges are located on Houston Road off Roxanna-New Burlington Road just south of Spring Valley. The range open house is for anyone who wishes to learn basic safety and try shooting firearms or archery. The open house event starts at noon and will last until approximately 5:00 PM. Participants are offered the opportunity to shoot shotguns, .22 rifles, muzzle loading rifles and archery. All firearms, ammunition, eye and ear protection is provided. There is no charge for the event. Experienced hunter education instructors and Division of Wildlife personnel provide instruction and range safety. This is a great opportunity to introduce a new person to the shooting sports. Adults and youth are encouraged to attend. A parent or guardian must accompany youth. For more information contact the Spring Valley Wildlife Area at 937-488-3115 or District 5 Xenia at 372-5639.

Deer Hunters Open Season Kick-Off!

Deer Hunters Open Season Kick-Off begins at 11:00 AM and will run through 4:00 PM at the AHOP grounds at 356 Home Avenue, Xenia.

Headlining and highlighting the day will be Richard English who is bringing several of his live big bucks for show. English will also have some fawns at the event, which offers an outstanding opportunity to get pictures with his deer. English will reveal some little known facts about deer that can only come from years of raising and living with his deer.

There will be vendors with displays. Gander Mountain archery will be on-site with their pro-staff. Local archery builder, Lakota Industries, will have their championship pro-staff shooters on hand. Additionally, Lakota Industries will be giving away a bow, valued at over $500, to some lucky attendee. Top US Bowhunting Association shooter and Lakota pro, Dean Lacey will be on hand to answer questions. The Christian Bowhunters Association will be on hand to share their message and offer free camouflaged Bibles.

AHOP host Brent Williamson, an International Bow Organization (IBO) world-class shooter is hosting the event. Williamson stressed, "I hope everyone bring their bow to the event. The day is open to the pubic and everything is absolutely free with no strings attached. There will be food and lots of door prizes. The prize donations and sponsorships continue to roll in for the event. We have non-hunting type prizes for the youth. We are offering a free 3-D target competition for those interested in shooting the course. Normally hunters have to travel to Cincinnati or Columbus to a sport show or deer clinic to get the opportunity to talk with and get tips from the pros. We are assembling a top-notch line-up of the finest pros to be in Xenia. With free food and kids events, I hope the entire family will take a short drive to AHOP for what we hope will become an annual extravaganza in Xenia."

Additionally, Farmers Feeding the Hungry will have a booth to answer questions regarding the donation of venison to feed needy families. Old Town Butcher Shop will also be at the event and will give away a free deer processing as one of the prizes. Bring the family and enjoy the fellowship of AHOP and deer hunting. No matter whether you are an archer, gun-hunter, novice or experienced deer hunter there will be something of interest for everyone.

Contact Brent Williamson at 937-361-7328 for more information.

DISTRICT 4 – ATHENS SOUTHEAST OHIO

There is a JAKES youth event in Morgan County, contact Dave Dingey at 740-962-1205 for information.

There is JAKES youth event in Muskingum County at Tri-Valley Wildlife Area, contact the area headquarters (740-454-8296) for information. The JAKES event includes fishing, shooting shotgun and archery at this particular event.

Scioto Trails State Park in Ross County will host a Heritage Festival with archery shooting as the highlight. Call (740) 887-4818 for more information.

The Rardon Deer Festival (http://www.rardendeerfest.com/festival/) also takes place in Scioto County during the National Hunting & Fishing Day weekend.

It’s a busy day!

Susan Matthews
Ohio Division of Wildlife
360 East State Street
Athens, Ohio 45701
740.589.9941 office

DISTRICT 3 – NE OHIO – AKRON

The Leetonia Sportsmen's Club in Columbiana County is hosting a huge event with about 600 attendees. There are numerous stations going on all over the club grounds and Division personnel will be at 3 or 4 of them. The kids get free lunch, t-shirt and door prizes. Several different clubs in Columbiana including the Federation of Conservation Clubs provide volunteer workers and funding. Contact the Division of Wildlife District 3 Offices at 330-644-2293 for more information.

Harrison County event is being held at Clendening Lake Boy Scout camp (Fort Steubenville) off of 799 at 8am to 4pm. Tom Bower is the contact for more information at 740-598-4377

Geauga County: Weslaco Sportsmen's Club. Hambden Township is hosting an event on 9/22 from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Archery, air guns, fishing, trap shooting, dog-retrieving demo, raffles & more. All equipment & lunch provided. All events adult supervised. Thanks to ODOW & Whitetails Unlimited [Western Reserve Chapter] for making it possible. Contact Mike Schaffer 440-974-1692 for more information.

Medina County: The 2nd Annual “A Day Outdoors” event at Hill ‘n Dale, Saturday, September 22 from 2pm to 9pm. Last year’s event was great fun and this year’s events should be no different. The purpose of the event is to bring families together for a fun day to enjoy some outdoor events and get exposed to the shooting sports. There will be introductory sporting clays clinics for those ages 11 and up including special clinics just for women and kids. For the children under 11 (with parental supervision), they will have the opportunity to shoot .22 rifles. For those experienced shooters, the sporting clays course will be open for your use. Fishing will be available throughout the day and a balloon clown will be visiting us to create balloon animals for the kids. The evening will conclude with a pig roast (burgers and dogs also available), adult beverages and live music by Steve Madewell.

Contact District 3 Offices at 330-644-2293 for more information.