Ohio State Park Fall Harvest and Halloween Events are picking up, too!

COLUMBUS, OH – As we welcomed the first week of autumn, highlights of color are beginning to speckle the canopies of Ohio’s woodlands as the weather begins to cool.

“Many maple and ash trees are welcoming us into this year’s fall color season,” said Casey Burdick, from the ODNR Division of Forestry.  “The maples are splashing yellows and reds near the edges of Ohio’s woodlands and in many other areas white ash trees are showing their deep red and purple while green ash trees are showing their vibrant golden yellow color.”

Ohioans and out of state visitors who are waiting for peak fall color are encouraged to head outside and enjoy the crisp fall days leading up to it. Ohio state parks and nature preserves are offering many family-friendly activities that all can enjoy. The burst of color at the onset of the season provides a perfect backdrop for hikers, bikers or horseback riders who make their way across the hundreds of miles of publicly accessible trails. The brilliance of fall color will add to the excitement of games of disc golf and golf, which can be played on beautiful, award-winning courses at several state parks. Anglers and boaters can also get priceless perspectives of amazing fall foliage as it reflects in the rippling water along miles of shoreline and waterways.

This coming weekend, check out one of the following events at one of your Ohio State Parks…

Fall Campout, Buck Creek (SW) – Oct. 1-3. Crafts, nature programs, games, contests, trick or treat & hayrides. (937) 322-5284

Harvest Days, Beaver Creek (NE) – Oct. 2-3 at the pioneer village & Gaston’s Mill. Craft displays & demonstrations of pioneer life, including the working grist mill. (330) 382-9227. Beaver Creek Wildlife Education Center open 10 AM-5 PM, duck race at 3 PM Sun. (330) 385-3091 orwww.beavercreekwildlife.org.

Halloween Campout, Grand Lake St. Marys (NW) – Oct. 1-3. Apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, hayrides, costume & campsite decorating. (419) 394-3611.

Apple Butter Festival, Hueston Woods (SW) – Oct. 2-3 at the pioneer farm. Arts, crafts & traditional apple butter making. (513) 524-4250.

Halloween Campout #1, East Harbor (NW) – Oct. 1-2. Scarecrow & decorated campsite contests, kids’ crafts and games, hayrides, haunted house, dance & bonfire. (419) 734-4424 ext. 2.

To find out more about these and other events, visit www.ohiodnr.com. The site will serve as a premier guide to Ohio’s fall color season. Its pages provide information for travelers who want to map a scenic road trip, adventurers who are refreshed and energized by the cool autumn weather, vacationers who seekplaces of solace to enjoy the changing seasons and even the students who need a resource for leaf collection projects. Ohioans and out-of-state visitors can also find information about fall foliage by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE or visiting www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.

Ohio’s 74 state parks, 21 state forests and 134 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to view fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:

COLOR CONDITION KEY: Changing – Still mostly green, less than 25 percent color. Near Peak – Significant color showing – anywhere from 30 to 60 percent color. Peak – Peak colors – as much as 85 percent showing. Fading – Fading from peak conditions and leaves falling to forest floor.

COLUMBUS, OH – Fall wild turkey hunting opens in 48 Ohio counties on Saturday, October 9, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife. The season continues through Sunday, November 28.

“Summer brood observation data are still being analyzed, but the 2010 hatch appeared to be a little better than last year,” said Wildlife Biologist Mike Reynolds. “Acorns appear to be abundant in much of eastern Ohio this year. Good acorn crops usually result in lower fall turkey harvests because flocks are widely scattered feeding on acorns in forested areas. Hunters who spend time scouting feeding areas will be more likely to locate flocks of birds this fall.”

Hunters harvested 2,180 wild turkeys during last year’s fall season. Reynolds added that Ohio’s current wild turkey population is around 230,000. 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.

Only one turkey of either sex may be taken during the entire fall season. A Fall Turkey Hunting Permit is required. Hours are ½ hour before sunrise to sunset from October 9 through November 28. 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.

Additional details regarding fall wild turkey hunting and safety information can be found in Publication 85, Ohio Hunting and Trapping Regulations or online at wildohio.com.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

COLUMBUS, OH – The lake level at Lake Milton State Park will be dropped in the coming weeks to allow construction of new docks, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The draw down will begin October 1 and should be complete by December 1.

Draw down is an annual activity at Lake Milton to protect private docks from ice damage, but it will start earlier this year because of construction activities. Lowering the water level will allow for the installation of new docks, which will be located at the north end of the beach area and adjacent to the amphitheater.

The construction of  24 new courtesy docks is scheduled to be complete for the 2011 season. Lake Milton already has 100 docks for seasonal rental; the new docks will be for short-term courtesy use only. The cost of the project is being funded by a $355,000 grant from ODNR’s Division of Watercraft.

Lake Milton is a 2,691-acre state park that, in addition to boating, features a variety of day-use amenities including fishing, hiking and swimming. In the winter months, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling are available. The park’s extensive trail system has been funded and constructed by a community-based volunteer friends group and the new large amphitheater was built by a second non-profit group.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

COLUMBUS, OH – More than 15,000 ring-necked pheasants will be released on 28 public hunting areas across the state this fall, as part of a seasonal effort by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife to enhance hunting opportunities for this popular game bird.

Ring-necked pheasants will be released on the evenings (after shooting hours) of October 22 and 29 in anticipation of the weekend’s small-game season for youth hunters. Releases will also take place on the evenings of November 4 and 12.  The final release of the fall is scheduled for the evening of Wednesday, November 24, to increase pheasant hunting opportunities during the Thanksgiving weekend.

Although not listed in the 2010-2011 hunting regulations, pheasants will be released for the youth hunts on October 22 and 29 on Ringneck Ridge and TiffinRiver wildlife areas.  Hunters interested in hunting the Ringneck Ridge Area inSandusky County will require a free permit from the Sandusky County Park District. For more information regarding the issuance of these free hunting permits, contact the Sandusky County Park Office at (419) 334-4495 or the Sandusky County Park District Ranger Office at (419) 637-2900.

Pheasant hunting season opens Friday, November 5 and remains open throughJanuary 9, 2011, with a daily bag limit of two rooster (male) birds. Statewide hunting hours are sunrise to sunset.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

COLUMBUS, OHIO—Alum treatment will begin Thursday, September 23 and be completed by late Friday, September 24 at demonstration areas around Grand Lake St. Marys, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).

The alum will be applied in liquid form using a boat-mounted system by Sweetwater Technology of Aitkin, Minn. The demonstration project will be supervised by Tetra Tech, a consultant for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Prior to the treatment, curtains have been erected in six areas including the West Bank Marina, Otterbein channels, Harmons channel, the 4-H camp channel and the West Beach area. Boaters are asked to avoid the curtained areas until November 1 when the demonstration project is expected to be complete.

This week’s demonstration project, which covers about 45 acres, will help determine the effectiveness of alum as a means to inactivate phosphorus in the lake water. The information gathered by this demonstration will be used to determine whether a whole-lake treatment is appropriate, as well as decide the dosing requirements. If effective, it will buy time for longer term projects throughout the watershed and in the lake to permanently improve water quality.

This project is financed in part through a grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Environmental Protection Agency, under the provisions of Section 319(h) of the Clean Water Act.

Your First Ohio Fall Color Update, Ohio Fall Festival Calendar and More! Enjoy and don’t forget to Tweet!

COLUMBUS, OH – As the calendar ushers in the autumn season, Ohio’s woodlands are beginning their beautiful transformation as their canopies change from lush green to warm shades of gold, orange and red. Peak color is still a few weeks away for most of the state.

“Most parts of the Buckeye State are starting to notice the first hints of fall color as vivid yellow and gold leaves begin to appear, along with a scattering of red and orange ones,” said Casey Burdick, from the ODNR Division of Forestry.  “Buckeye trees have lost there yellow leaves a little early this year because they are found in lower lying areas and are slightly stressed by the drought we have had this summer.  But it is a good year for finding the Buckeye nuts on the ground.”

Most ODNR facilities are reporting that less than 25 percent of the trees have changed color this week. However, Burdick noted that most of the spotty color is ash and maples, which are showing dark purples and reds, especially in urban areas, where the trees may be slightly stress due to drought. Cooler nights should enhance the onset of good fall color and add more variety to the landscape in coming weeks.

The scenic landscape is a special invitation to head outdoors. Some will choose to take part in outdoor traditions such as dove or squirrel hunting while others will enjoy seasonal campouts and events at Ohio state parks and nature preserves. And for the avid hunters, don’t forget that archery season for deer starts Saturday, September 25.

This coming weekend, check out one of the following events at one of your Ohio State Parks…

Fall Harvest Fest, Burr Oak (SE), Sept. 24-26 at the lodge.  Arts, crafts and entertainment.  740-767-2112

Frontier Days, Scioto Trail (SE), Sept. 24-26 at the Caldwell Lake campground.  Heritage themed activities and old fashioned treats.  740-887-4818

Fall Festival, Indian Lake (NW) – Sept. 24-26. Crafts, games, square dancing, pony rides, archery & a hot air balloon lift-off. 937-843-2717 or 937-843-3553.

Fall Campout, Pymatuning (NE) – Sept. 24-26. Campsite decorating, kids’ activities, boat rides & a potluck dinner. 440-293-6684.

Scary Tales, Findley (NE) – Sept. 25, 7PM at Picnic Point. Spooky stories & campfire treats. 440-647-5749.

Fall Festival, Kelleys Island (NW) – Sept. 25 at the campground. Pumpkin carving, chili dinner & a bonfire. 419-746-2546.

Ohio Heritage Days, Malabar Farm (NE) – Sept. 25-26, 10-4 PM daily. 75 traditional crafters, antique tractors & living history. 35th annual event. 419-892-2784.

Paw-Paw Hike, Caesar Creek (SW) – Sept. 26, 2 pm at the nature center to car pool to the great paw-paw patch.  For more information, call 513-897-2437

To find out more about these and other events, visit www.ohiodnr.com. The site will serve as a premier guide to Ohio’s fall color season. Its pages provide information for travelers who want to map a scenic road trip,adventurers who are refreshed and energized by the cool autumn weather, vacationers who seek places of solace to enjoy the changing seasons and even the students who need a resource for leaf collection projects. Ohioans and out-of-state visitors can also find information about fall foliage by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE or visiting www.discoverohio.com/autumnadventures.

Ohio’s 74 state parks, 21 state forests and 134 state nature preserves provide excellent locations to view fall foliage. Here are the most current reports from selected locations:

COLOR CONDITION KEY: Changing – Still mostly green, less than 25 percent color. Near Peak – Significant color showing – anywhere from 30 to 60 percent color. Peak – Peak colors – as much as 85 percent showing. Fading – Fading from peak conditions and leaves falling to forest floor.

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Rainbow Trout to be Released in Ohio Waterways

COLUMBUS, OH – Approximately 25,000 rainbow trout, measuring 10- to 13-inches in length, will be released into 25 Ohio waterways this October, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

“This annual stocking provides excellent opportunities for anglers to continue fishing through the fall all across Ohio,” said Elmer Heyob, hatcheries program administrator with the Division of Wildlife.
The catchable trout stocking program targets small inland waters, including state and community park lakes, as well as other easy-access lakes throughout the state. Anglers age 16 and older must have an Ohio fishing license. Fishing licenses can be purchased online at wildohio.com and at any of the many license vendors around the state. Ohio residents who were born on or before December 31, 1937 may obtain a free license from any license vendor or from the division’s Web site.
The 2010 annual resident fishing license costs $19 and is valid through February 28, 2011. A one-day fishing license may be purchased for $11. The one-day license may also be redeemed for credit toward purchase of an annual fishing license during the same license year.
Additional information about fall trout releases is available from Division of Wildlife district offices in Akron, Athens, Columbus, Findlay, and Xenia; or by calling toll free 1-800-WILDLIFE.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

COLUMBUS, OH – Approximately 300,000 bowhunters, representing more than half of all Ohioans who hunt deer, are expected to participate in the statewide archery deer hunting season that opens September 25, according the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.
During last year’s four-month archery season, bowhunters killed 91,546 deer, an increase of 7 percent from the previous year. Crossbow hunters took a record 49,065 of that number and longbow hunters took a record 42,481 deer. Overall, archers accounted for nearly 35 percent of 261,260 deer taken during Ohio’s combined 2009-10 archery, muzzleloader and gun seasons.
Licking County led the state in both the vertical bow and crossbow harvest. Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Harrison and Guernsey rounded out the top five counties in crossbow harvest, while Coshocton, Tuscarawas, Knox and Holmes completed the list of top five counties in vertical bow harvest.

From all indications, Ohio’s statewide deer herd grew slightly in 2009, and a modest increase is likely in 2010. The Division of Wildlife remains committed to reducing populations where needed. Through a combination of both regulatory and programmatic changes, progress towards reducing locally abundant herds can be expected.
First and foremost among these changes are hunters’ deer permit purchase options. All deer hunters are required to have a valid Ohio hunting license.  However, new this year, hunters will not be required to purchase a $24 deer permit in order to obtain the $15 antlerless deer permit, which is valid September 25 through November 28. The $15 antlerless deer permit will be valid through December 5 in Zone C only. However, the $15 antlerless permit may be purchased only until November 28, 2010.

According to Mike Tonkovich, deer project leader, the change was made for several reasons.  First and foremost, the majority of Ohio’s deer hunters purchase only a single deer permit each year, which means that most did not have the option of buying the reduced cost permit. Giving hunters the option of purchasing either the $24 either-sex permit or $15 antlerless permit should promote additional antlerless harvest. The $15 antlerless permit can be used for antlerless deer only. Further, money saved by not being required to buy a $24 either-sex permit can be used to purchase a second $15 antlerless permit.

Ohio’s HuntOhioFarms.com, an Internet-based program linking farmers experiencing deer crop damage with hunters looking for places to hunt, will expand to all of Deer Zone C this year. More information of this program can be found at huntohiofarms.com

Ohio hunters are also encouraged to kill more does again this season using the reduced-priced antlerless deer permit to help the needy in their area. The Division of Wildlife is collaborating with Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) to help pay for the processing of donated venison. Hunters who donate their deer to a food bank are not required to pay the processing cost as long as funding for the effort lasts. More information about this program can be found online at www.fhfh.org. Through the efforts of FHFH and Ohio sportsmen, more than 2,000 antlerless deer were donated to food pantries across Ohio in 2009, more than twice the number in 2008.

After November 28, archery hunters must use a deer permit for antlerless deer. Using the $15 antlerless deer permit, hunters can take one additional antlerless deer in Zone A, up to two additional in Zone B, and up to three additional in Zone C. The antlerless deer permits will also be valid for Division of Wildlife controlled deer hunts and for hunting deer in urban units.
This year’s statewide archery season remains open from September 25 through February 6, 2011, including the week of deer-gun season November 29 through December 5. Deer-gun hunters will also be able to enjoy an additional weekend of hunting December 18 and 19. Archers may hunt one half-hour before sunrise to one half-hour after sunset, except during the statewide gun, youth and muzzleloader seasons when they are one half-hour before sunrise to sunset. Archers hunting during the statewide gun, youth or muzzleloader seasons must meet the hunter orange requirements of those seasons.

To hunt deer in Ohio, hunters must possess a deer permit in addition to a valid hunting license. State law allows hunters to take only one antlered buck per year, regardless the type of deer season, deer permit or weapon used for deer hunting.

A detailed listing of deer hunting rules is contained in the 2010-2011 Ohio Hunting Regulations that is available where licenses are sold, or may be viewed online at wildohio.com.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.