OHIO

OHIO
Hunting rules open house set March 7 statewide
Open houses for the public to view and comment on hunting rules and regulations as proposed for 2004-2005 will be held on March 7 from noon until 3 p.m. in each of the Ohio's five wildlife districts. These forums will provide public opportunities to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials.
Directions to the meetings can be obtained by calling (800) WILDLIFE.
A statewide hearing on the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m. on March 11, at the wildlife division's District One office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus.
After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules and season dates April 7.
Shooting range permitchanges for 2004-2005
There are a few changes for those seeking shooting range permits in 2004-2005:
UThe $10 annual Range Permit (w/proof of a hunt/fish license) was eliminated.
UThe $25 annual Range Permit (no hunt/fish license) was also eliminated.
UIn the place of both, there will be one, $24 annual range permit for everyone.
UThe annual range permits will now be valid March 1 through the last day of February, just like hunting/fishing licenses.
UThe daily permit was raised from $3 to $5.
The section on Shooting Ranges in the new 2003-04 Hunting regulations book has the current charges printed, so that means that the annual and day use permit charges will remain the same until March 1, when they increase according to the schedule indicated above.
Range participants shout note that 2003 annual range permits will be valid until March 1.
Diversity conference
Some of Ohio's smaller and less-conspicuous creatures will be in the spotlight during the 2004 Ohio Wildlife Diversity Conference, set for March 10 at the Aladdin Shrine Center, 3850 Stelzer Road, in Columbus. This year's conference, "Good Things Come in Small Packages," is open to the public and is sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
The keynote speaker will be renowned lepidopterist Eric Metzler, who recently discovered and named a new species of moth in Ohio. Metzler will open the conference with a discussion of this unique and previously unrecognized species. Other conference topics include aquatic insects, Ohio's spiders, bats, salamanders, and brook trout.
Call (800) WILDLIFE to register or obtain a conference brochure. Or visit the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com for more information. Early registration discounts apply until Feb. 20. Registrations will also be accepted on March 10.
CORRECTION
Cabin Fever event
The Newton Falls Sportsman's Club will host the second annual Cabin Fever Night Out at 6 p.m. Friday at Sorento's Banquet Room, 2488 Parkman Road N. W., Warren. Tickets are $25 per person or $40 per couple.
A previously released notice contained the incorrect date.
BOATING
Renew registration online
With the click of a mouse, Ohioans can easily renew their watercraft registrations through an online registration system at ohiodnr.com, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.
"It's a fast and easy registration renewal process that provides added convenience for Ohio boaters and ensures they are ready for the upcoming boating season," said Rick Barrera, manager of the ODNR Division of Watercraft's registration and titling section.
The ODNR Division of Watercraft introduced the online registration system in 2001 to improve customer service. Last year, a total of 4,134 watercraft registration renewals were completed through the online system, which can be accessed 24 hours a day through June 30.
Approximately 130,000 renewal notices have been mailed to watercraft owners whose current registrations expire March 1. Registrations are valid for a period of three years. Ohio has about 415,000 registered watercraft and ranks among the top 10 states nationally in the number of watercraft registered. Address changes for boat owners can be made through the online system. Incorrect or out-of-date boat information must be corrected through a watercraft registration agent.
A listing of watercraft registration agents is available at ohiodnr.com or by calling the ODNR Division of Watercraft toll-free at 877-4BOATER (877-426-2837).
PENNSYLVANIA
Late winter trout stocking
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will stock more than 60,000 trout as part of its Late Winter Adult Trout Stocking Program, delivering fish to 53 waters across 35 different counties
The stockings will continue through the month of February.
Anglers should take note of the newly revised schedule, available in the "Fishing" section of the PFBC Web site at www.fish.state.pa.us. The current schedule contains nearly two dozen date changes from the original schedule published in the spring of 2003.
CLUBS
Indoor BB/pellet gun shoot
Hidden Valley Sportsmen's Club will be open to members and the public for indoor BB and pellet gun shooting Feb. 6 and 13 starting at 7 p.m. Ranges include 11 yards (NRA regulation), 20 yards and 30 yards with silhouette and papertargets.
Safety rules will be covered before shooting and safety glasses will be required. The club has safety glasses and a few bb/pellet guns available. Youths under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a guardian. For anyone interested in joining an indoor shooting league, a sign-up sheet will be posted in the club.