BIRDING

BIRDING
Migration event
"Wings Over Mill Creek" is a migration celebration dedicated to one the most important and spectacular events in the life of a migratory bird -- the journey between summer and winter homes.
The event is May 14 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lake Newport wetlands in Mill Creek MetroParks (West Newport Drive off Sheban). The celebration is sponsored by Audubon Society/Mahoning Valley and Mill Creek MetroParks.
Events will include: bird walks on the hour from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Kid's Nature Walks, 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., live birds of prey programs at 10 a.m.. and 1 p.m., invasive plants education, plant walk at noon, Ohio Ornithological Society and children's activities.
For additional information, call the Audubon Voice Mailbox (330) 783-6287.
FISHING
'Free Fishing Days'today and Sunday
Ohioans are encouraged to take advantage of "Free Fishing Days" on today and Sunday to experience the great fishing Ohio has to offer. For those two days only, anglers may fish in any of the state's public waters without having to buy a fishing license.
During the rest of the year, anglers age 16 and older are required to have a valid fishing license to take fish, frogs or turtles from Ohio waters. Fishing licenses are available at bait and tackle stores, outdoor outfitters, major department stores and on the Internet at ohiodnr.com.
An Ohio fishing license costs $19 a year for residents. Ohio residents born on or before Dec. 31, 1937, can obtain a free fishing license at any license vendor. Residents born on or after Jan. 1, 1938, are eligible to obtain a reduced-cost senior fishing license for $10. A one-day fishing license is also available for $11, an amount that can be applied toward the cost of an annual fishing license.
Ohio's "Free Fishing Days" were established in 1993 to promote fishing by allowing Ohioans to experience the sport before buying a license. The offer is open to Ohio residents, and extends to all public waters, including Lake Erie and the Ohio River. An estimated 1.5 million people fish each year in Ohio.
Fly clinic set
The McKeever Environmental Learning Center will host a Fly Fishing Clinic with George Daniel on May 21 and 22.
Daniel began fly fishing when he was 6 years old in Potter County, Pa. Years later, he moved to Lock Haven where he became friends with legendary Joe Humphreys, which turned into a longtime apprenticeship.
Daniel logs over 200 days each year on local and regional trout streams. He recently captured the casting crown at the Northeast Fly Fishing Masters held at Lake Placid, N.Y., and was honored as the top caster. He is certified by the Federation of Fly Fishers as a casting instructor and is a member of St. Croix's Pro Staff.
The Fly Fishing Clinic includes: casting sessions; tactics and techniques for catching trout; water temperature, leader design; dry and wet flies, nymphs, streamers; fishing with Daniel on a local stream.
Cost is $115. The clinic includes meals, lodging, Friday night presentation, social gathering with Daniel and clinic. Registration is limited to 15 participants.
To register, call the McKeever Center at (724) 376-1000 or E-mail at info@mckeever.org.
Cabela's joins GNWC National Sponsorship
Team Cabela's, the world's foremost outfitter and the largest mail order, retail and Internet outfitter in the world, recently joined the Grand National Walleye Cup's growing list of national sponsors.
Cabela's will sponsor the Big Fish Award at all of the 36 tournaments across the seven-region circuit.
Major national sponsors for the GNWC now include Skeeter Boats, Yamaha Outboards, Lowrance Electronics, YoNet Folding Nets by AMFYOYO, Aqua-VU, Aqua Innovations, Cabela's and UpNorthOutdoors.com.
OHIO
New boating officers
Five individuals have been assigned to waterway patrol units across the state, following their recent commissions as state watercraft officers.
The five new officers and their assignments are: Jack Manley of Pickerington (Buckeye Lake); Don Siler of Vandalia (Springfield); Jim O'Brien of Perrysburg (Wapakoneta); Bryan Scott Bailey of Wheelersburg (Portsmouth); and Doug McLaughlin of Portsmouth (Portsmouth).
All five graduated with honors from a special training program sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft. A recent graduation ceremony was held at the Division of Watercraft office located at Alum Creek State Park near Delaware.
The new appointments bring to 62 the number of watercraft officers patrolling Ohio's waterways and providing boating safety education programs. The patrol officers are based at 10 Division of Watercraft district offices and six remote field offices across the state.
TRAP
Knox Twp. match results
Results of the May 1 Knox Township Sportsmans Club registered trap shoot:
Top high scores
Doubles: Fred Baker, 95, Al Cope, 94, Norm Anderson, 91
Singles: Bernie Manderine, 99, C.D. Jones lll, 98, Fred Baker, 98, Ralph Henderson, 98, Gary Barrows, 97, Bill Wheeler, 97, Al Cope, 97
Handicap: Bev Mowry, 95, Jim Fiddler, 93, Dave Mowry, 93, Tom Baker, 92, Todd Loar, 92, Robert Bombalicki, 92.
SKEET
ColorMatrix Open set
Beginning Friday and lasting the entire weekend through May 15, the Sportsmen's Shooting Center at 6501 State St. N.E., Canton, will be hosting John Haugh's ColorMatrix Open Skeet Championships.
This will be the largest registered (sanctioned by the National Skeet Shooting Association and the Ohio State Skeet Association) skeet shooting tournament in the entire state in over 25 years.
The prize money this year includes a special $2000 Ladies Event, the largest purse in the country strictly for women shooters. With nearly 1/5 of the shooters entered being women it means that the competition amongst the best ladies in the country will be fierce.
The Doubles Event starts the tournament on Friday followed by the 12 Gauge Event and the 28 Gauge Event on May 14 and the 20 Gauge Event and the .410 Bore Event on May 15.
For further information please call Shoot Manager Jim Murphy at (330) 705-6001 or contact Publicity Chairman Ralph Arnold at (330) 499-0030 or ohioskeet@neo.rr.com.
ENVIRONMENT
Banquet planned
The Alliance for Watershed Action and Riparian Easements is celebrating five years of watershed work and great partnerships with a banquet at the A La Cart in Canfield on May 19. Social hour begins at 5:30 p.m. with a buffet at 6:15 p.m. Tickets can be purchased through Mahoning County Soil and Water District at a cost of $12 per person.
Ralph Ramey will provide a slide-illustrated program "Canoeing Ohio's Rivers and Streams." Ramey is a naturalist, photographer and an author of three books about hiking in Ohio.
For more information, or to purchase a ticket, contact Deborah Solak, MSWCD at (330) 531-2231.
CLUBS
Youth day Aug. 6
Mahoning Sportsmen Association's Youth Field Day for youth'sz ages 6-18 will be Aug. 6.
There will be coaching and equipment provided for .22 rifles, .22 pistols, shotguns, trap shoots, muzzeloaders, archery, paint ball guns, canoe races, fishing contests, free food and drinks, T-shirts and door prizes.
The event will be at the MSA's Crystal Lake site, 5 miles east of Poland on U.S. 224 and then 1.5 miles south of 224 at the state line marker to Hillsville, Pa.
Pre-register after June 21. Call the Pennsylvania Game Commission at (814) 432-3187.
Fish fry Friday
The Lowellville Rod & amp; Gun Club will host its spring fish fry Friday.
Carry-out meals will be served from 3 to 5 p.m. and sit-down dinners from 6:30 - 9 p.m.
A $10 donation is required, and all beverages are free.