REGION

REGION
Wildlife stamp unveiled
MENTOR -- The official release of the 2006 Ohio "Duck Stamp" limited edition print will be Jan. 27-28 at Gallery One with a one-man show and exhibit honoring artist Gregory Clair.
Clair, a northern Ohioan, has earned numerous honors, including a win in the Ohio program in 1991 for his painting of a lesser scaup.
Now in its 25th year, the Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp (commonly know as the Ohio Duck Stamp) design competition is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. More than 35,000 Ohio wetland stamps are purchased annually with proceeds helping to fund state wetland habitat restoration projects. For more information, call (800) 621-1141, or visit www.galleryone.com.
OHIO
Boating registration
COLUMBUS -- Ohio residents with watercraft registrations due to expire March 1 may update their paperwork online through the Ohio Department of National Resources online registration renewal system. The Web site is www.ohiodnr.com.
"It's a fast and easy process that continues to provide added convenience for Ohio boaters and ensures they are ready for the upcoming boating season," said Rick Barrera, manager of the Division of Watercraft's registration and titling section.
Last year, 5,890 watercraft registration renewals were completed through the online system, which can be accessed 24 hours each day through June 30.
Registrations are valid for three years, and fees are the same as last year. Ohio has more than 414,000 registered watercraft and ranks eighth nationally.
Address changes for boat owners may also be made through the online system. Watercraft registrations that are being renewed or newly issued must also include a valid 12-character hull identification number.
For more information, call the ODNR Division of Watercraft at (877) 426-2837.
Trapping tradition
Ohio is one of the nation's leaders in production of raw furs.
Fur trapping here can be traced back to the westward expansion of colonial America by early settlers. Many of these settlers made their living by harvesting furs and trading them for food or money.
The ambitious trappers and traders who realized the area's bountiful resource originally settled Ohio. Though fewer trappers today rely on furs as their sole source of income, the trapping tradition still remains strong.
People wanting to share in the 200-year-old trapping heritage need to purchase an Ohio hunting license and fur taker permit after completing a free trapper education course.
For more information on trapping and trapper education, contact the Division of Wildlife online at www.ohiodnr.com/wildlife or at (800) WILDLIFE.
Bluegill prime targetwhen ice fishing
Though winter is here, there's no better time to talk about fishing -- ice fishing.
A commonly sought-after fish under the ice is the bluegill sunfish, a 5-to-10-inch, disc-shaped panfish.
Bluegill occur in almost every body of water in the state and typically spawn in areas with many other nests areas called beds. Males select a nest area and each female then lays between 10,000 to 60,000 eggs, which the males guard. The eggs usually hatch in about five days.
Young bluegill eat primarily zooplankton or microscopic animals. Adults will also eat zooplankton, but they feed mainly on aquatic insects.
Bluegill are identified by their black ear flap, small mouth and varied, bluish body.
Before ice fishing, be sure to review basic safety rules and take a short fishing rod, tiny ice jigs or flies and wax worms for the best results.
Punderson offerswinter wonderland
When it comes to outdoor fun, Ohio is a state for all seasons -- even during these long months of snow and ice.
Punderson State Park in Geauga County offers winter outdoor fun.
Nestled within the snow belt of northeastern Ohio, Punderson is a playground for cold-weather enthusiasts who enjoy cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, sledding, ice skating and snowshoeing, not to mention ice fishing.
Six miles of snowshoe and cross-country ski trails wind through quiet woodlands. Ski equipment can be rented from a local ski shop in nearby Chesterland.
The park has a 125-yard lighted sledding hill where guests can ride toboggans, flexible flyers, discs and snowboards.
When the ground is frozen and the snow is deep, Punderson becomes a snowmobiler's delight, offering more than 4 miles of trails. Before loading up the snowmobile, call the park manager's office at (440) 564-2279 to ensure that conditions are right.
Punderson also hosts the annual Sled Dog Classic on Feb. 18-19. Mushers and their canine athletes from across the country and Canada race across a challenging course laid out on the state park golf course.
Ice skating and ice fishing are two additional winter sports that get a lot of attention at the park. The 100-acre Punderson Lake and two smaller lakes are open to both activities.
For more information about the park, call the park manager's office. Lodge and cottage reservations can be made by calling (800) 282-7275 or online at ohiodnr.com
Pennsylvania
Taxidermy exams
HARRISBURG -- Those interested in becoming a taxidermist in Pennsylvania have until March 15 to submit a completed application for the upcoming exams that will be conducted in Huntingdon, Pa.
Exam fees are $300 for an initial examination and $50 for any re-testing. Applications may be obtained from the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters by calling (717) 783-8164. All applications must be returned to the Game Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, Pa. 17110-9797.
After an application is received, individuals will be sent a letter containing the date and time to report for the exam, which is scheduled for the week of April 10, at the agency's Southcentral Region Office in Huntingdon.
The examination consists of three parts, including the presentation of five specimens prepared by the applicant within the past three years.
Required specimens for the general category permit include: an antlered white-tailed deer head, a small mammal, an upland game bird, a duck or other waterfowl and a fish. Birds must be mounted with feet and legs visible. All specimens must be representative of wildlife found in Pennsylvania.
The second phase of the testing process is a written examination on taxidermy methods and procedures. The third portion requires applicants to actually perform some part of the taxidermy process on a selected specimen. Passing scores must be attained on all three parts of the examination.
In Pennsylvania, state law also requires all people performing taxidermy work for others to have a permit issued by the game commission.
Game commission to meet
HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will meet Jan. 22-24 at the agency's Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81.
At 1 p.m. Jan. 22, the board will accept public comment on the proposed seasons and bag limits for 2006-07 and will give final approval to seasons and bag limits on Jan. 24.