BOATING

BOATING
Education courses offered
Ohioans interested in taking a refresher boating safety course or those who need to comply with the state's mandatory boater education law can find check county-by-county for a course at the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com. Approved home study courses also are available.
Individuals born on or after Jan. 1, 1982 are required by Ohio law to complete a safety course before operating a powerboat with 10 horsepower or more.
Renew registration online
Watercraft may be titled in any Ohio county, regardless of the county where the buyer lives or where the boat was purchased. Additionally, boat registrations can conveniently be renewed online through June 30 via the ODNR Internet registration system at ohiodnr.com.
NRA
133rd annual meetings
The National Rifle Association will hold its 133rd Annual Meetings and Exhibits April 16- 20, at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.
On April 17, the NRA members banquet will be held, featuring a special keynote speaker to be announced later. The NRA Board of Directors will hold its regular business meeting on April 19 and 20.
NRA officials expect over 50,000 participants at the event. Hundreds of exhibits for hunters, competitive shooters, instructors, collectors and outdoor enthusiasts will be on display with other activities including an opening celebration, a special session on women's wear and wilderness gear, and the 5th Annual Great American Hunter's Game Calling Challenge.
Entrance is free to NRA members and their families by showing a membership card and receiving an admission sticker. Admission is also free to law enforcement, firefighters, military personnel and nationally recognized youth organizations (e.g., Boy Scouts of America) in uniform.
Non-members may enter the event by purchasing a $10 NRA Associate membership.
For more information visit www.nraam.org.
PENNSYLVANIA
PGC gives preliminary OKto '04-05 seasons, limits
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners has given preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2004-05, including expansion of when crossbows may be used; extended antlerless deer hunting opportunity in the urbanized area of Wildlife Management Unit 5D; expanded landowner eligibility for the Deer Management Assistance Program; more bear hunting opportunities in several WMUs; increased bobcat and elk hunting opportunities; and extended youth squirrel hunt.
If approved, crossbows could be used statewide for bear and elk and during any of the firearms deer seasons, including the regular two-week concurrent deer season, the early muzzleloader season and the late flintlock season. In addition, hunters in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D -- the most urbanized areas in the state -- crossbows would be legal during any established deer season.
The public may offer comment on these proposals between now and the next meeting of the PGC board April 19-20, at which time the board will set final seasons and bag limits for 2004-2005.
Further information is available at www.pgc.state.pa.us.
OHIO
Web-based park cottage reservations set Monday
Overnight visitors to Ohio State Park cottages can reserve a cottage up to a year in advance by logging onto ohiostateparks.org, as the final phase of Ohio's new online reservation system goes active at 7 a.m. on Monday.
The online reservation system for campgrounds was activated on Dec. 15. Through the Internet, individuals can make reservations 24 hours a day, seven days a week for more than 500 cottages in 16 parks, as well as 57 state park family campgrounds and getaway rentals.
The new online service includes a non-refundable $8 reservation fee. Cottage reservations require a deposit equal to the first night's stay. Cottage cancellations made at least 30 days in advance will receive a full refund of that deposit. Golden Buckeye and Passport America discounts remain valid under the new cottage reservation system. Payment can be made via MasterCard, Visa, Discover Card and American Express credit cards, or debit cards with the Visa or MasterCard logo.
All Ohio State Park cottages are fully furnished, including bedding, towels and cooking utensils. Many feature wood or gas-burning fireplaces, hot tubs, cable television and other amenities. Overnight fees vary from park to park, but generally range from $70 to $110 per night.
Reservations can be made by phone at the following parks:
(866) OHIOPARKS (644-6727) between 7 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily for both cottages and campsites at Mohican State Park in Ashland County, Buck Creek State Park in Clark County, Cowan Lake State Park in Clinton County, Dillon State Park in Muskingum County, Hocking Hills State Park in Hocking County, Lake Hope State Park in Vinton County, Mohican State Park in Ashland County, Pike Lake State Park in Pike County and Pymatuning State Park in Ashtabula County.
(800) AT-A-PARK for both cottages and resort lodges at Shawnee State Park in Scioto County, Burr Oak State Park in Morgan County, Hueston Woods State Park in Preble County, Maumee Bay State Park in Lucas County, Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County and Punderson State Park in Geauga County.
(877) 678-DEER for the cottages and resort lodge at Deer Creek State Park in Pickaway County.
Ice fishing report
At Mosquito Reservoir, activity is picking up. Causeway Bait and Tackle reports walleye, bluegill and crappie being hooked on the lake's north side around the island and south by cemetery. Fish are also being caught by the dam.
Vibes, Rappalas, small jigs with waxworms and maggots and Crazy Blades are some of the successful lures being used at Mosquito.
Rising water levels at Berlin Reservoir have produced some open water around the shore and prompts caution by ice anglers.
At Lake Erie, best fishing over the past week has been in the protected area west of South Bass Island between Green and Rattlesnake Islands. Results have been variable, but limits of walleye and occasional trophies have been landed.