OHIO

OHIO
Hunter education
LOWELLVILLE -- A hunter education course will be offered Aug. 12-13 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lowellville Rod & amp; Gun Club. Both sessions are mandatory.
Pre-registration is required. Nick Visingardi is the instructor. For more information, call (330) 536-8537.
Natural Resources Parkat upcoming fair
COLUMBUS -- The eight-acre Natural Resources Park at the upcoming Ohio State Fair will again put the best of Ohio's natural world on display for fairgoers. This year's fair runs from Wednesday through Aug. 13 at the Ohio Expo Center in Columbus.
A cool, green oasis that offers shade trees, waterfalls, picnic groves and a variety of educational and recreational activities, the Natural Resources Park at the southeast corner of the Expo Center is a fair favorite. Managed by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, park attractions include a walk-through butterfly garden, a popular kids fishing pond, Ohio wildlife displays, log-rolling lumberjacks and other live entertainment, as well as a 15-foot animated Smokey Bear who greets visitors by name.
The park's 500-seat amphitheater stage is newly renovated this year and will provide the backdrop for a variety of acts from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily. This year's entertainment includes the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, featuring Sandy Mae, the log-rolling Jack Russell terrier; Columbus Zoo animals; retriever dog demonstrations on the weekends, "Kids and Boating" interactive boating safety programs, along with musical and educational activities.
The kids fishing pond has been improved this year and is fully stocked with catfish and bluegills. Children age 14 and younger may fish daily from 11:30 a.m. through late afternoon. All poles and tackle are provided by the ODNR Division of Wildlife. The division also offers hands-on demonstrations of outdoors skills, including a laser-shot simulator and archery range.
A new Outdoor Adventure Center, located in the heart of the park, will contain a variety of displays, allowing fair visitors to plan their recreational activities for every season of the year.
Deadline extended
COLUMBUS -- Ohio boaters now have until Sept. 30 to renew their watercraft registrations electronically via the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Web site at ohiodnr.com.
"We have registered this year more than 9,000 Ohio watercraft through the e-renewal system, extending this registration option improves our scope of customer services," said Rick Barrera, registration and titling manager for the ODNR Division of Watercraft.
That number represents nearly twice as many e-renewals than were made last year when a total of 5,890 watercraft registration renewals were processed through the ODNR Web site. This year, kayaks and canoes may be renewed electronically for the first time.
While address changes for watercraft owners can be made through the online system, incorrect or outdated registration information must be corrected in person through a watercraft registration agent.
All new and renewed watercraft registrations must include a valid 12-character hull identification number. Boat owners also may call the ODNR Division of Watercraft toll-free at 877-4BOATER (877-426-2837) for more information.
PENNSYLVANIA
Youth field day planned
NEW CASTLE -- Pennsylvania is blessed with a rich outdoor heritage, and youth field days have become a well-established local event throughout the state.
Lawrence County will hold its youth field day Aug. 5 at Coachmen's Club in New Castle. There is no charge for attending, but pre-registration is required.
For more information, call (814) 432-3187 after 6 p.m. to register.
Penns Woods event
RIMERSBURG -- The Penns Woods Pointing Dog Trainers will hold its fall hunt test Aug. 12-13 at the Oak Ridge Pointing Dog Club training grounds.
There will be two continuous courses, one for juniors and one for master and senior dogs. The annual pig and turkey roast will be conducted after Saturday's events. A small food fee will be charged for non-club members. Campsites are available.
For more information, call Linda Reutzel at (724) 744-3825 or e-mail her at lindaeirhart@prudentialpreferred.com. You can also visit the club's Web site at www.pwpointingdogs.org.