BOATING

BOATING
Education program
The Mosquito Lake Power Squadron will host Boat Smart a boating safety course 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 18, 22, 23, 29, 30 and Nov. 6 at First Place Bank, Cortland.
All levels of boaters are encouraged to attend. The course will cover basic instruction from compass reading and charting to right-of-way regulations and rules of the "road."
There will be a textbook fee of $20. To pre-register call (330) 652-3859 or (330) 638-4734.
SKEET
Vintage shoot set
The Ohio Vintage Skeet Championships will be Oct. 11-13 at the Clinton County Farmers and Sportsmen's Association, 301 Batson Road in Wilmington, Ohio. The OSSA/NSSA sponsored shoot will offer 50 targets in either the .410 and/or .28 gauge on Oct. 11, 50 targets in .20 gauge and/or doubles on Oct. 12 and 100 .12 gauge on Oct. 13.
The 50-bird events are $25 and 100 target event is $50 ($40 if you pre-register). Call (513) 271-8332.
Vintage skeet shooting combines the excitement of skeet shooting with the tradition and appreciation of vintage craftsmanship. Using either "pump" or "side-by-side" shotguns, competitors shoot at clay targets thrown in the air at over 60 miles an hour. Trophies were awarded based on high score and Lewis Class.
FISHING
Steelhead seminar
The Backpackers Shop in Sheffield, Ohio, will host a steelhead seminar from 9 a.m. to noon Oct. 12 at the boat ramp pavilion in the Rocky River Reservation.
For information call (440) 934-5345 or (440) 835-0861.
HUNTING
Tree stands recalled
Bass Pro Shops is recalling tree stands made by Hunter's View Ltd. model number HVTS-400 (Bighorn Ram), HVTS-402 (Hoot Owl) or HVTS-500 (Timber Ghost). Please contact Hunter's View Ltd. directly at (888) 878-0440 immediately.
These models may contain a defective ratchet strap. Hunter's View will send you a replacement strap, exchange the stand for another, or issue a refund.
Disease precaution
Deer hunters in Indiana may be asked to donate the heads of their deers to be tested for chronic wasting disease.
"It's strictly voluntary," said Jon Marshall, a natural scientist who works for the state.
The disease has drawn concern among the general public, Marshall said, because of its similarity to a group of other diseases that includes the so-called "mad cow disease," which has been known to spread to humans.
Wildlife biologists will be stationed around the state to collect the heads of approximately 3,000 deer in a representative sample. Brain tissue will be removed from the heads and sent to testing laboratories.
OHIO
Bow season ready
Approximately 200,000 bowhunters are expected to participate in the statewide archery deer hunting season that opens Oct. 5, according to wildlife experts with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
During last year's four-month archery season, bowhunters harvested a record 41,526 deer, up 21 percent from 2000's record harvest of 34,340.
Crossbow hunters totaled 24,098 of last year's kill and vertical bow hunters took 17,428 deer. Overall, archers accounted for 25.1 percent of 165,124 deer taken during Ohio's combined 2001 archery, primitive, and gun seasons.
PENNSYLVANIA
Bow season set to open
Pennsylvania's bow season will open Oct. 5, and conclude Nov. 16. The six-week season will run concurrently at times with two other deer seasons.
Antler restriction regulations will vary throughout the state. In Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Crawford, Erie, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington and Westmoreland counties, hunters may shoot only bucks that have at least four points on one antler. In all other counties -- except in special regulations area counties -- hunters are limited to shooting bucks that have at least three points on one antler.
All hunters in the state's six special regulations area counties -- Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia -- may still harvest bucks that have at least one three-inch spike or an antler with two or more points. In addition, statewide, junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle, and Pennsylvania residents on active-duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, may still harvest bucks that have at least one three-inch spike or an antler with two or more points.
Goose blinds awarded
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has awarded 760 goose blinds for the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area for the 2002-2003 hunting seasons. The awards were made out of more than 9,000 applications received.
The first applicant drawn was Thomas Dill of Erie, the first woman was Marcia Klein of Natrona Heights, the first handicapped hunter was David Jacox of Butler and the first non-resident was Dale Perkins of Masury.
The area will open for all successful blind applicants from Nov. 15 to Dec. 21, Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
MISCELLANEOUS
MCS & amp;WD winners
Barbara Biery of North Benton and Carol Kozak of Poland were the 2002 winners of the Mahoning County Soil & amp; Conservation District's Second Annual Backyard Conservation District Contest.
Contestants were judged on their understanding and use of practical conservation measures.
The winners will receive a cost-share award of $500 each at the MCS & amp;WD banquet Nov. 14.
For information, call (330) 533-2231.
Fall fish sale slated
The Mahoning County Soil & amp; Water Conservation District is sponsoring its semi-annual Fall Fish Sale Oct. 24. Orders will be available for pickup from 3 to 4 p.m. in front of the education building at the Canfield Fairgrounds. Entry to the fairgrounds will be through the Ziegler gate. Deadline for placing orders is Oct. 22, and payment must accompany each order.
Species available for purchase include fingerling largemouth bass, channel catfish, bluegill, redear shellcrackers, perch, minnows, and white amur.
When picking up an order, buyers are asked to please bring the following: 5-8 gallons of pond water per 100 fish of each species; 5 gallons of water for every 2 white amur; 30-gallon trash can(s) lined with trash bags that can be tied shut; for less than 150 bass, bluegill, minnows, perch, shellcrackers or catfish, one container will be sufficient.
Order forms for the fish sale can be obtained from the Mahoning County Soil and Water Conservation office at (330) 533-2231 between 8 and 4:30 p.m.