Fur starting to fly as trapping, hunting seasons open
11/11/2003Furbearers, the animals sought for their pelts, became fair game yesterday for hunters and trappers in Ohio.
Last year Ohio had 98 licensed raw fur dealers and 28,905 licensed fur takers.
Hunting and trapping for fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk, and weasel will be allowed through Jan. 31 statewide. Trapping for mink and muskrat is open through Feb. 29, also statewide.
In addition, raccoon, mink, and muskrat trapping will be extended through March 15 in Ottawa, Sandusky, and Erie counties, and Lucas County east of the Maumee River.
The beaver trapping season opens Dec. 26 statewide, except in the northeast - north of I-76 and east of I-77 - where it opens Jan. 10. The season closes statewide on Feb. 29.
No daily bag limits or hour-restrictions are set on furbearers, with the exception of the statewide gun-deer hunting season Dec. 1 through 7. A fur-taker permit is required in addition to a hunting license to hunt or trap furbearers.
River otters, removed from the endangered species list last year, still are totally protected and may not be taken. Otters accidentally trapped must be released unharmed, or turned over to the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
The Ohio State Trappers Association and the state wildlife division have published a guide on how to recognize otter sign and how to use otter avoidance techniques when trapping for beaver. It can be ordered by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.
wTrapping privileges on the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge complex will be offered for bid Monday.
The refuge trapping season for muskrat, mink, fox, skunk, and opossum opens Monday and runs through March 15. Prospective trappers can view refuge units Thursday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Viewing permits and bid applications are available at the refuge office at 14000 West State Rt. 2, Oak Harbor. Bids are due by 2 p.m. Monday, when they will be opened.
Four units are available for youth trappers ages 10 through 17, with units to be awarded by lottery. A young trapper must be accompanied by an adult. The refuge can be called at 419-898-0014.
wBoating professionals are scheduled to meet tomorrow through Friday at Maumee Bay State Park for a statewide conference hosted by the Ohio Division of Watercraft.
The conference, a biannual event, is meant to explore issues, trends and forecasts in recreational boating, resource management and public safety, division chief Ken Alvey said.
wA proposal to allow dove hunting in Michigan has been approved by the state s House of Representatives 64-44 and now goes on to the state senate.
DATEBOOK
Today through Thursday -Public trap, skeet, 5-Stand Sporting Clays, and indoor pistol shooting, 2 to 9 p.m., Toledo Trap & Skeet Club, 3150 State Rt. 295, Berkey; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; call the club, 419-829-5101.
Tonight - Fremont Chapter, Izaak Walton League of America, 7 p.m., Sandusky County Road 170 just north of Ohio Turnpike Exit 6/91; also, tomorrow, .22 rifle shoot, basement, 9 a.m.; also, Thursday, basement shoot, 6 p.m.; also, Saturday, military rifle and pistol shoot, 9 a.m., trapshoot 1 p.m.; call Mel Balduf, 419-334-3095.
Tonight - Public trapshoot, 6 to 10 p.m., Dundee Sportsmen s Club, 2300 Plank Rd., Dundee, Mich., repeats Thursday 9 a.m. to noon and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; call the club, 734-529-3581.
Tonight - Public trap and skeet shooting, 6 to 11 p.m., Camp Perry Shooting Club, Camp Perry, State Rt. 2 west of Port Clinton, repeats Thursday 6 to 11 p.m. and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.; call the club, 419-635-2682.
Tomorrow - Public trapshoot, 6 p.m., Elmore Conservation Club, Portage River Road South, just west of State Rt. 590; call Richard Gremling, 419-729-9518.
Tomorrow - North Branch Boys Fly Fishing Club, social hour and dinner 6:30 p.m., program 7:30 p.m., Toledo Sailing Club, Walbridge Park; program, Brian Fleschig, Mad River Outfitters, Columbus, on fly fishing for carp.
Thursday - Trap and skeet shooting, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Monroe Rod and Gun Club, 6280 Lighthouse Rd., Monroe, Mich.; call Jim Warren, 734-243-9774.
Thursday - Trapshoot, 6 p.m., Sandusky County Sportsmen s Club, State Rt. 600 east of Gibsonburg.
Thursday - Public trapshoot, 6 to 9 p.m., Ottawa County Conservation League, Martin-Moline Road, Martin; call Bob Reinbolt, 419-855-8409; also, Sunday, turkey shoot, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Thursday - Public trapshoot, 7 to 10 p.m. Progressive Fishing Association, 8050 Schadel Rd., Whitehouse; call Mike Adcock, 419-897-8446.
Thursday - Nature program for ages 6 to 8, 4 p.m., Oak Openings Preserve Metropark; call for reservations, 419-535-3057, extension 101; also, Friday, volunteer naturalist walk-leader training, 9:30 a.m. to noon, Secor Metropark, Nature Photography Center, repeats Saturday, 1 to 3:30 p.m.; also, Saturday, volunteers to clean up former home site, 10 a.m. to noon, Oak Openings, Buehner Center, also, Sunday, star watch, 7 p.m., Oak Openings, Girdham and Reed roads, with clear skies.