Family-Outdoors

COLUMBUS, OH –  Crisp fall air and brilliant fall foliage signal the start of Ohio’s world-class hunting seasons and family traditions that can be carried on for generations. Ohio’s young hunters have many opportunities to learn and improve their outdoors skills during several special youth hunting seasons, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). “Ohio offers great hunting opportunities for sportsmen and women of all ages,” said ODNR Director James Zehringer. “Our youth hunts provide parents a chance to share with their children the excitement of their first hunt.” Waterfowl : Hunters age 15 and younger may hunt waterfowl statewide on Oct. 5-6, and they must be accompanied by a non-hunting adult 18 years or older (no more than two youths per adult). More details regarding waterfowl zones, bag limits and licensing requirements can be found in the 2013-2014 Ohio Waterfowl Hunting Seasons publication and on the  2013-2014 Waterfowl Hunting Seasons p...

Some bag limits change and new opportunities for open water duck hunting MADISON – Hunters looking forward to the opening of Wisconsin’s 2013 duck season in the North and the Mississippi River zones on Sept. 21 should find good numbers of ducks, according to Department of Natural Resources officials. “Although a few areas have been seeing lowering water levels, Wisconsin waterfowl hunters should have a good season,” said Kent Van Horn, DNR migratory game bird ecologist. “Continental breeding surveys that have been ongoing for 58 years reported near record numbers of ducks this spring. However, even with excellent continental breeding indications, local water levels and scouting will be the most important factors when pursuing ducks this fall.” Many of the ducks harvested in Wisconsin come from birds that breed in the state’s wetlands. The four most abundant ducks in Wisconsin’s fall hunting harvest are mallards, wood ducks, green-winged teal, and blue-winged teal, Van Horn s...

Michigan News The Michigan DNR reminds hunters that waterfowl applications are available through Aug. 28th.  Applications are available here . Results will be available at this same page on Sept. 17th. Minnesota News The USFWS has reported that the Minnesota DNR found a fungus dangerous to bats at Soudan Underground Mine State Park and Forestville/Mystery Cave State Park.  While perhaps not one of the more commonly appealing species, bats are a vital part of the ecosystem. The fungus is known to cause white-nose syndrome, a disease that has afflicted bats in many areas nationwide, often causing death. If you are interested in learning a bit more about upland bird hunting and are near enough to Rosemount, you might consider attending a clinic at the Dakota County Gun Club (Sept. 14th, 1-5 PM).  The signup details are here . South Dakota News The SD Game, Fish, and Parks Dept. has finalized the 2013 waterfowl season.  The details as reported in thei...

PIERRE, S.D. – Anglers targeting walleye on one of South Dakota’s most popular walleye fisheries will be met with new walleye regulations in 2013. In response to a large number of smaller walleyes produced during the last few years and low food availability stemming from the 2011 flood, anglers are now allowed a daily limit of eight walleye. No more than four may be 15 inches in length or longer and the daily limit may include no more than one 20 inches or longer. The possession limit for Lake Oahe is 24 per angler. If you are fishing Oahe and another water during the same day, the first four walleye you keep count as your standard, statewide daily limit. You can’t keep walleye from another water if you have already kept four or more walleyes from Lake Oahe that day. Any walleye caught and kept that day, in addition to your standard statewide four-fish limit, must be from Lake Oahe. Anglers may have up to 24 walleyes from Lake Oahe, in possession, taken according to the daily li...

North Dakota’s two-day youth waterfowl season is Sept. 15-16. Legally licensed resident and nonresident youth waterfowl hunters age 15 and younger can hunt ducks, geese, coots and mergansers statewide. The daily bag limit and species restrictions for the youth season are the same as for regular duck and goose seasons. Resident and qualifying nonresident youth waterfowl hunters must possess a general game and habitat license and a fishing, hunting and furbearer certificate. Nonresidents from states that do not provide a reciprocal licensing agreement for North Dakota residents must purchase the entire nonresident waterfowl license package. In addition, all youth hunters must be Harvest Information Program certified, and youth ages 12 and older need to have passed a certified hunter education course. Hunters age 15 and younger do not need a federal duck stamp. Hunters who purchase a license through the North Dakota Game and Fish Department can easily get...

(Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Seasons Season 1: April 16-19 Season 2: April 20-24 Season 3: April 25-May 1 Season 4: May 2-20 Resident Archery-only Licenses: April 16-May 20 Licenses Hunters may have up to two spring turkey licenses, of which, one must be Season 4. Bag Limit One bearded or male wild turkey for each valid license and transportation tag issued to the hunter. Shooting Hours One-half hour before sunrise to sunset Safety Tips •                     Spring foliage is well ahead of schedule. It will be more difficult to identify or see turkeys  and  other hunters.  Be 100 percent certain of the target before pulling the trigger.  Never shoot at sound or movement; assume that every sound is made by another hunter.  Once you pull the trigger, you can never take that shot back. •        ...