OHIO

OHIO
$3,619 awarded callers to state TIP line
A total $3,619 has been awarded to 16 persons who provided information to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife regarding wildlife violations. The awards are part of Ohio's Turn In A Poacher program.
More than 50 wildlife poachers were subsequently arrested and fined a total of $23,666 by Ohio courts.
Since its start 19 years ago, 834 callers to the toll-free T.I.P. hotline have been awarded $117,460 for providing information on wildlife violations. The information has led to the arrests of 1,476 poachers who were convicted of violating state wildlife laws. They paid a total of $498,180 in fines.
In cooperation with Ohio's National Wild Turkey Federation chapter, $675 was paid to four callers whose information led to the conviction of four wild turkey poachers.
Calls regarding wildlife violations can be placed anonymously at 1-800-POACHER (800-762-2437).
TRAP
Joe Pascoe featuredin ATA magazine
Joe Pascoe of New Castle, one of the area's best young trapshooters, is featured prominently in the November issue of Trap & amp; Field, the official magazine of the American Trapshooting Association, for a splendid showing at the Western Grand Open this year.
Pascoe, shooting in the men's category at the Western Grand for the first time, repeated as the handicap titilist. Pascoe's handicap title in 2001 was won in the junior category.
Pascoe shot one of four 99's and then won the title in one shootoff round smashing 25 straight birds.
The shoot was held in September in Reno, Nev.
FISHING
Line class record fish caught at Mosquito
The International Game Fish Association has announced approval of a new Ohio line class record on 12-pound test line.
The record flathead catfish weighed 20-pounds and was caught in Mosquito Reservoir on July 5 by Denise Teutsch of Cleveland. The previous record for that line class was 10 pounds.
For more information on other line class records contact Michael Myatt (mmyatt@igfa.com) or Doug Blodgett (dblodgett@igfa.com) at IGFA, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, Fla., 33004, (954) 927-2628.
PENNSYLVANIA
Refuge open to hunting
Hunting is permitted on the Erie National Wildlife Refuge through the end of Feb. 2003. Spring gobbler season opens from April 26 to May 24.
Areas of the refuge are open to deer, bear, turkey, rabbit, pheasant, squirrel, ruffed grouse, woodchuck, quail, crow, mourning dove, Canada goose, duck, coot, common snipe, and rails. Fox, coyote, and raccoon hunting require a refuge special use permit available for free at the headquarters/visitor center.
In addition, a 3/4-mile boardwalk on the Seneca Division of the refuge is available for hunters with disabilities. All other hunters are encouraged to hunt in other areas.