Ohio Valley Outdoors - March 2008 Newsletter

Volume II, Number 3, March 2008

Ohio Spring Turkey Hunting Season Opens Monday, April 21

Special youth-only hunt set for Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20

COLUMBUS, OH - Spring wild turkey hunting opens in all 88 Ohio counties on Monday, April 21, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. The season continues through Sunday, May 18.

"Based on brood observations, hunters can expect statewide harvest numbers that are similar or slightly higher than last year," said ODNR wildlife biologist Mike Reynolds.

Hunters harvested 17,005 wild turkeys during last year's spring season.

Reynolds added that Ohio's current wild turkey population is around 185,000. He anticipates as many as 85,000 people, not counting private landowners hunting on their own property, will enjoy Ohio's increasingly popular spring wild turkey season.

A special youth-only turkey hunt for those age 17 and younger will be held on Saturday and Sunday, April 19-20. Young hunters must have their hunting licenses and spring wild turkey permits in order to participate and must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years of age or older. The young hunter's turkey season is open statewide with the exception of Lake LaSuAn State Wildlife Area in Williams County. Legal hunting hours are a half-hour before sunrise to sunset each day during the two-day youth season.

The wild turkey is Ohio's largest game bird. It stands 3 to 4 feet tall and may weigh up to 27 pounds. Legal hunting hours for the regular spring season are one-half hour before sunrise until noon. Hunters are required to have a hunting license and a spring turkey-hunting permit and can take one bearded turkey per day. A second spring turkey permit can be purchased, allowing hunters to take a limit of two bearded wild turkeys.

Shotguns using shot, longbows and crossbows may be used to hunt wild turkeys. It is unlawful to hunt turkeys over bait, to use a live decoy or electronic calling device, or to shoot a wild turkey while it is in a tree. A wild turkey must be properly tagged and taken to an official check station by 2 p.m. on the day it is harvested.

The 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.

Information Courtesy of Ohio DNR.

22 Caliber Fun Shoot

Ohio Valley Outdoors continues the weekly 22 handgun fun shoot on Wednesdays at 6PM. Come join us for some friendly competition with your 22 caliber pistol or revolver. Cost is $5 for range members and $7 for non-members.

Each participant will be timed while shooting down 6 targets in a gallery style setup. Prizes will be awarded for the fastest single round and the fastest overall. We will continue shooting rounds until the range closes. Total number of rounds will be based on number of participants.

No registration is required. Please stop by or call (740) 654-1956 for more information.

Firearms Training

Concealed Carry Training

Our next classes are scheduled for March 1, March 15, and March 29. Call or stop by now to register, class size is limited. Cost for the Course is $149.99 and includes all necessary equipment. For more information, visit our web site at www.ovoutdoors.com and click on Training.

Women's Introduction to Handguns

Ohio Valley Outdoors is now offering an introduction to handguns course specifically tailored for the new female shooter who is interested in learning more about the sport of handgun shooting.

This course will be held on the last Thursday of each month, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM. Each class is limited to 10 participants to ensure personal attention. The 2 hour course will include classroom and range time and will cover the basics of pistol and revolver design, safety standards, principals of shooting, and live fire time. Bring your own handgun or we can provide one for you.

Cost: $39.99 with your handgun, $49.99 with use of a range gun

Next scheduled class is Thursday, March 27.

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