REGION

REGION
Youngstown memberwins Indigo Shoot
Hunting Valley Gun Club took first place in the 56th annual Indigo Shoot, a winter skeet tournament involving five northeast Ohio clubs. Shooters from Middlefield-based Hunting Valley broke 1,167 targets to win club honors, outdistancing Youngstown Country Club, which finished second with 1,132. Paul Jagnow, shooting for Youngstown, won the individual championship, beating runner-up Peter Balunek of Hunting Valley 240-239. Using a shotgun, each participant tries to break 250 targets, 50 at each club, over the last weekend of February and the first weekend of March. In the 56 years no one has broken a perfect 250, given the usually inclement weather and varied locations. Jagnow's winning score earned him a wood-duck trophy at the awards dinner at the Blue Canyon Restaurant in Twinsburg. As first-place club, Hunting Valley takes possession of the rotating Indigo Cup. The tournament began in 1950 as a challenge from the Mentor Harbor Yachting Club to Hunting Valley for a late-winter interclub shoot. Besides the originating clubs, Hunting and Mentor, the Indigo now includes Youngstown, Hawthorne Valley Skeet Club of Parkman and The Country Club of Pepper Pike. Skeet is shot on a semicircular field in rounds of 25 targets, including singles and doubles. It was started in 1928 as off-season practice for upland-bird hunting but has since become a sport in its own right, totally independent of hunting. Both local and statewide matches are held regularly in Ohio, and national championships in San Antonio every October.
Travel, outdoors show
CLEVELAND -- More than 700 exhibits dedicated to the great outdoors will be displayed at the 69th annual Cleveland Sport, Travel and Outdoor Show today through March 19 at the IX Center. Exhibits will highlight the latest products, information and trends from top outdoor manufacturers including rods, reels, lures, hunting gear, navigational devices, recreational vehicles and vacation information. Some of the best hunting and fishing experts will offer tips during various seminars and presentations on turkey calling, bow hunting and bass fishing. Tickets are $9.95 for adults, $4 for children ages 6-12 and children under 5 admitted free. Also there will be no charge for Scouts in uniform. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. March 11 and 18; 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 12; 3-9 p.m. March 13, 14, 16 and 17; noon to 9 p.m. March 15; and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 19. For more information, visit www.sportandtravel.com.
OHIO
Salt Fork repair project
COLUMBUS -- The multimillion-dollar repair project at Salt Fork Lake dam is nearing completion, and water in the 3,000-acre lake in Guernsey County will be allowed to rise to its normal level in the coming weeks. Recreation at the popular boating and fishing destination will resume as usual now that the dam's drainage system has been repaired, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Efforts to lower the lake level were initiated in March 2005, and the level was maintained at about 5 feet below normal to facilitate repairs on the dam. The repairs were necessary to replace a malfunctioning drainage system discovered in early 2005 in the quarter-mile-long earthen dam. Construction has now reached a point where normal lake levels will not affect further progress or the safety of the dam.
License renewal
COLUMBUS -- Anglers and hunters are reminded that it's time to buy fishing and hunting licenses for the 2006-07 season. New licenses are valid through Feb. 28, 2007. Hunters, especially though gearing up for spring wild turkey season, are reminded that licenses purchased now are also valid during the fall hunting season. Resident hunting and fishing licenses cost $19 each, and deer and turkey permits are an additional $24 apiece. Hunters age 17 and under and some Ohio senior citizens are eligible for discounts. A one-day fishing license is $11. Licenses may be purchased at vendor outlets across the state an online at ohiodnr.com.
Deer, turkey expo
COLUMBUS -- More than 350 entries are expected for the Ohio Trophy Deer Contest, which will be held during the 2006 Ohio Deer & amp; Turkey Expo on March 17-19 in the Bricker Building at the Ohio Expo Center, State Fairgrounds. The trophy contest entry fee is $15, which includes a three-day pass to the show. The awards presentation will be at 4 p.m. March 19 and all measuring and scoring will be conducted by members of the Buckeye Big Buck Club. Show hours are 2-9 p.m. March 17, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. March 18 and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 19. Tickets are $10 one-day for adults, $17 two-day for adults; children 6-11 will be admitted for $3, and children under 6 will be admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Admission will be free for qualified first-year hunters of any age. For information, call (800) 324-3337 or visit www.deerinfo.com.
PENNSYLVANIA
Bluebird workshop
SANDY LAKE, Pa. -- The 14th annual Bluebird/Purple Martin Workshop will be from 9 a.m. to noon today at the McKeever Environmental Learning Center. Harry Schmeider from the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania will be the guest speaker. The free program is open to the public. For more information, call (724) 376-1000.
Boating course
ESPYVILLE, Pa. -- A one-day course for powerboaters will be offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on May 13 at the North Shenango Community Center, state Route 285 between Pymatuning Lake and Conneaut Lake. Mandatory boater education is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, who will operate a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower in Ohio and 25 horsepower in Pennsylvania. Registration closes April 15 and preregistration is required. The class will run from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. For more information, call Brooks Wright at (440) 645-3567; Ed Straub at (330) 727-3005; Ray Calzo at (330) 799-8744; Jerry Crowe at (330) 534-1123; or George Davis at (330) 337-7742.