TRAP

TRAP
Three win state awards
Three area trap shooters brought home awards from the recent 2003 State Trap Shoot held at the American Trapshooting Association facility in Vandalia, Ohio.
Winners and awards were: Doubles, class C winner, Flip Jendre, Youngstown, 95; Class D, runner-up, Richard E. Collins, Garrettsville, 87, and, Director's cup winner, Dale C. Bertuzzi, Warren, 199.
Club's rookie, novicedivisions win state titles
The Knox Township Sportsman's Club Rookie and Senior High School Novice divisions won championships at the 2003 State Trap Shoot held in Vandalia recently.
Members of the Rookies championship team (fifth grade and younger) Tommy Baker, Dillon Yendrich, Nick Girard, John Sinkovich and Taylor Moore were awarded the State Scholastic Clay Target Program Champion- Rookie.
Members of the Senior High Novice championship team (ninth to 12th grade) , Andy Clutter, Jake Grano, Angela Girard, Wesley DePalmo and Jack Henderson, won State Scholastic Clay Target Program Champion-Senior Novice.
The top three teams from the state go to the National Championships at the Grand American held in August at the ATA's Vandalia facility, where they compete for $1,000 each in scholarships.
Coaching the teams were Fred Baker and Pat Greiner of Alliance.
The state shoot attracted 45 teams of all experience levels with 221 participants.
The local rookie and novice teams participate in the Scholastic Clay Target Program for elementary, junior and high school-age youth and is operated by the National Shooting Sports Foundation and the American Trapshooting Association.
OHIO
hWis. artist wins Ohio wetlands stamp contest
Artwork of tundra swans in flight by Robert Metropulos of Minocqua, Wisconsin won first place at this year's Ohio Wetlands Habitat Stamp design competition, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Metropulos' painting will appear on the Ohio wetlands stamp for the fall of 2004.
Waterfowl hunters, stamp collectors, and those interested in conserving wetland habitat purchase more than 35,000 wetlands stamps every year. Proceeds from the sale of these stamps help to fund vital wetland habitat restoration projects in Ohio. Such habitats are important to numerous resident wildlife species, including trumpeter swans, wetland birds, and amphibians, as well as many migratory species of ducks, shorebirds, and other birds that pass through Ohio each spring and fall. Metropulos' entry was selected from a field of 29 entries of original paintings submitted by artists in 19 states, including eight from Ohio. The competition was held at the annual Ducks Unlimited convention on June 21 in Toledo.
Bald eagle numberscontinue to climb
For the 15th consecutive year, Ohio's bald eagle population has set a record number for breeding pairs, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
Current reports from wildlife observers show that so far this year 105 young eagles have been observed fledging from 59 nests in 29 counties. In addition, 12 new nests have been identified in 10 counties.
Most eagle nests in Ohio are located along the shores of Lake Erie, but some are well inland. Last year, 107 eaglets fledged from 58 nests in Ohio.
The ODNR Division of Wildlife's work with bald eagles is funded through the sale of the bald eagle license plate. Proceeds from the sale of this plate are devoted to acquisition of land, management, and study of the bald eagle. To purchase the bald eagle license plates, contact your local deputy registrar or call the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at (888)-PLATES3.
Deer hunt for the disabled scheduled for Nov. 7-9
Approximately 40 outdoor enthusiasts with special disabilities will have the opportunity to hunt deer, participate in field activities and create lasting memories and friendships this fall during Ohio's second annual "Wheelin' Sportsmen" deer hunt. The event, scheduled for Nov. 7-9 on AEP Recreation lands in Morgan County, is a joint effort between the National Wild Turkey Federation, American Electric Power and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
Those interested in participating in the program are encouraged to contact AEP's Dave Dingey at (740) 962-1205 or Gary Kaster at (740) 962-1200 by Aug. 31.
Interested applicants can also mail their name, address, and phone number to "Wheelin' Sportsmen & quot;, American Electric Power, 59 West Main Street, McConnelsville, OH 43756. The 40 available openings will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and successful applicants will be notified in early September.
The NWTF-developed program is open to applicants with any type of physically challenging disability. Each disabled hunter will be paired with an experienced guide who will offer whatever assistance may be needed in the field. Guides and hunters must have a valid Ohio hunting license and a special deer permit.
The special program is dedicated to providing all people with disabilities the opportunity to enjoy the great outdoors.
Approximately 50 million individuals in the United States have some type of disability. Unfortunately, their opportunities to participate in outdoor activities are often limited. Each Wheelin' Sportsmen event is designed to promote education, good health, character, sportsmanship, recreation, self-esteem and disability awareness.
The Wheelin' Sportsmen NWTF program was created by a merger between the NWTF and the Alabama-based Wheelin' Sportsmen of America. The program strives to assist disabled persons interested in shooting, hunting, fishing, archery and other outdoor activities.
American Electric Power offers more than 30,000 acres of reclaimed land in southern Ohio for public recreation at no charge. ReCreation Land offers the public access to more than 350 lakes and ponds and nearly 380 campsites, some equipped with bathrooms, drinking water, picnic shelters and other amenities.