CLUBS

CLUBS
DU chapter plans spring duck shoot for Gilboy fund
The Mahoning Valley Chapter of Ducks Unlimited will hold a spring duck shoot Saturday from 1 to 7 p.m. at the New Middletown Farmer's and Sportsman's Club, East Calla Road, New Middletown.
Proceeds from the turkey-shoot style event will go to benefit the chapter's Dan Gilboy Life Sponsorship Fund. The fund was set up to honor long-time DU and chapter member M. Daniel Gilboy, who died four years ago, with a goal of collecting $10,000 and establishing a wetland in his name. Gilboy was also an avid waterfowler who had a keen interest in wildlife and resources conservation.
Now in it's fourth year of collection, the Gilboy fund is at $7,500. Proceeds from Saturday's event and the annual fall DU banquet are expected to put the fund close or over the goal amount, chapter officers said, adding that dedication ceremonies are expected to be held in the spring of 2004.
Tickets are $25 and are available by calling (330) 533-09766, (330) 549-0883, or (330) 726-0626. There will be prizes, a buffet dinner, raffles, games and auctions.
OHIO
CCW hearing set
House Bill 12 (concealed carry weapons) has been added to the Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice's agenda for proponent testimony only on Wednesday at 9 a.m. in the North Hearing Room, Second Floor, Senate Building, Columbus.
Anyone wishing to testify at the hearing must register at (614-466-3780) at least 24 hours in advance of the hearing.
HB12 was approved by the Ohio House by a 69-28 margin on March 12 and was given it's first Senate hearing on April 30.
Marine grants awarded
About $550,000 in grants have been assigned to 30 Ohio law enforcement agencies for their boating safety and enforcement efforts on state waterways.
Area grant recipients include Mahoning County Sheriff's Office, $13,970; Portage County Sheriff's Office, $21,234; Summit County Sheriff's Office, $30,000; Trumbull County Sheriff's Office, $7,632.
BIRDING
Migratory event May 10
International Migratory Bird Day will be held Saturday, and will focus attention on the 350 species of migratory birds that travel every fall and spring between nesting grounds in North America to wintering areas in Mexico, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
The North American Migration Count, a coordinated volunteer survey that will be conducted in every county of Pennsylvania to develop a one day snapshot of the Commonwealth's bird-life at the height of spring migration. Persons interested in participating in the 2003 NAMC are encouraged to e-mail better@netcarrier.com.
Check for local events at http://birds.fws.gov/imbd/events.html
PENNSYLVANIA
Elk applications ready
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has begin accepting applications from those interested in being included in the public drawing for one of 100 elk hunting licenses to be made available for this fall's season. The public drawing is scheduled Sept. 27, and elk season is set for Nov. 10-15.
A $10 non-refundable fee must be submitted with the application. On-line applications must be accompanied by a credit card payment, and submitted by Sept. 12.
Forms submitted through the mail must be accompanied by a check or money order (do not send cash) for $10 made payable to "Pennsylvania Game Commission," and must be received in the Game Commission's post office box by Aug. 22.
Mail-in applications may be printed off the website, completed and mailed to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Elk License Application, P.O. Box 61890, Harrisburg, Pa., 17106-1890.
No game commission office will accept hand-delivered applications.