LOCAL

LOCAL
Safe boating course
AUSTINTOWN -- First United Methodist Church (Fellowship Hall), 6749 Mahoning Ave., will offer a safe boating course starting Jan. 18 for eight weekday evenings, from 7 to 9 p.m.
For more information about safe boating courses, contact the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary at rcalz@msn.com or call Ed Straub at (330) 727-3005, Ray Calzo at (330) 799-8744, George Davis at (330) 337-7742 or Brooks Wright at (440) 293-6241.
OHIO
Muzzleloader seasonset for late December
AKRON -- Ohio's deer hunters face the challenges of muzzleloader hunting Dec. 27-30, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
"Muzzleloader hunting is not for the faint of heart," explains Dan Kramer, wildlife management supervisor for Wildlife District Three. "The weather can be bitterly cold at this time of year. The snowy conditions are often preferred by hunters though because it can be easier to track deer."
Last year, hunters checked 27,749 deer during the statewide muzzleloader season.
So far this year, archery hunters have taken 41,859 deer during the first six weeks of the statewide archery season, which began Oct. 1 and continues through Jan. 31. The special youth season, held Nov. 19-20, resulted in young hunters bagging 8,722 deer. Hunters checked 116,855 deer during the statewide deer-gun season held Nov. 28 through Dec. 4. An additional 226 deer were taken during the early muzzleloader deer season held in October on the Shawnee, Salt Fork, and Wolf Creek wildlife areas.
Before the start of the hunting season, Ohio's deer population was estimated at 650,000. The Division of Wildlife expects as many as 200,000 hunters will hunt deer during the muzzleloader season.
Ohio deer hunters must possess the proper permits, and regardless of zone, method of taking or season, hunters may take only one antlered deer.
Legal hunting hours during the statewide muzzleloader deer season are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset. Deer must be checked by 8 p.m. on the day after harvest, except those killed on Dec. 30, which must be brought to a deer check station by 8 p.m. that day.
Ohio's small game, furbearer and waterfowl seasons will also be open during the muzzleloader season. During those overlapping four days, small game hunters and deer hunters must visibly wear a coat, jacket, vest or coveralls that are either solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange in color during the statewide muzzleloader deer season.
The white-tailed deer is the most popular game animal in Ohio, frequently pursued by generations of hunters. Deer hunting contributes an estimated $266 million to the state's economy each year and helps to support thousands of jobs. Venison is delicious and nutritious meat, low in fat and cholesterol. It is the No. 1 wild game served by hunters in Ohio. Deer hunters also contribute thousands of pounds of venison to organizations that help feed less-fortunate Ohio residents through special programs.
Additional hunting regulations and maps of deer zones are contained in the 2005-06 Ohio Hunting Regulations. This free publication is available where hunting licenses are sold and from the ODNR Division of Wildlife by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or on the Internet at ohiodnr.com/wildlife.
Ohioans encouragedto buy tree seedlings
COLUMBUS -- Landowners interested in planting Ohio Conservation Seedlings this spring are being encouraged by the Department of Natural Resources to place their orders now before new prices take effect on Jan. 1. More than 25 species of seedlings are still available from the Marietta State Tree Nursery, and range in price from 55 cents to $1.55.
The 1- to 2-year-old, bare-rooted tree seedlings will be "lifted" from the nursery bed and distributed in the spring. Available in groups of 25, a minimum total order of 100 trees is required.
The Division of Forestry, the largest producer of tree seedlings in Ohio, sells more than 3,000,000 trees each year. The seedlings are sold for reforestation, wildlife habitat development, erosion control, windbreaks and other conservation projects.
More than 50 varieties of trees are offered for purchase, including white pine, sweetgum, white oak, red oak, black walnut and bald cypress. Some species, such as sugar maple, hazelnut and sycamore, are in short supply and will sell out early. Check the ODNR Web site at ohiodnr.com/forestry for current availabilities.
For availability of various tree species and prices, or for a list of service forester office locations by county, contact the Division of Forestry toll free at 1-877-691-8733 or online at ohiodnr.com/forestry.