Read the latest Outdoor news HERE

Jerry has been bringing the outdoors to radio listeners for 17 years, 7 of those on WONE/WIZE. He is also doing time on TV for the "Sports of all Sorts" show on WCPO Channel 9 in Cincinnati for the last 11 years.
Jerry's passions are hunting and fishing, which he has over 40 years experience in both. He hunts waterfowl, upland, dove, deer, and turkey. And enjoys fishing all species of freshwater fish.
And if he's not outdoors hunting or fishing, you can usually catch him on the golf course.
Kevin Carstensen - Leech Lake walleye FLW winner 7/23
Tag Nobbe - Guide on Brookville Lake, IN. 7/21
Capt. Paul Pacholski & Sandy Bihn -
Controversy with Toledo power plant, daily fish kill 7/17
Scott Hale - Inland Waterways
Kevin Ford - Louisiana Sportsmen (Sportsman Channel) 7/16
Nate Laskiewicz - Lakes Region Fishing (Sportsman Channel) 7/7
Rich Carter - District 1 (Columbus area) 7/9
Jeff Graves - Pt. Clinton FLW walleye tour winner 7/10
Chad Smith - Acton Lake/Hueston Woods
Gene Stevens - Wild Wings Outdoor artist 6/30
Mike Arnold - Boarshead, EastFork Lake bait shop 7/2
D'Arcy Egan - Cleveland outdoor writer 6/23
G3 - Scott Turnage (Sportsman Channel) 6/25
Jim Morris - local Outdoor writer 6/26
Todd Haines
Luke Clausen - FLW Bass winner on Potomac
Capt. Bud Gehring - Western basin Lake Erie, charters 6/16
Brian Smith - Angling the Great Lakes (Sportsman Channel) 6/18
Brian Herrick - Savage Arms 6/19
Kim Bain~Moore - Breaking the Surface (Sportsman Channel)
Kim's other passion > Women's Bass League
John Cox - FLW winner at Red River
Black's Wing & Clay publications 6/9
Peter Mac Isaac - Best of Bull Run (Sportsman Channel) 6/11
Jacob Wheeler - Youngest BFL All American winner 6/12
David Lane - New chief of OH Div. of Wildlife
Cassandra Faulkner - Blue Book of Gun Values
Mike Arnold - Boarshead Bait Shop on East Fork Lake 6/2
Tim Brandt - Federal Ammo, Trapshooting in Sparta 6/4
Clifford Pirch - Lake Chickamauga FLW winner 6/5
Mike Reynolds - Turkey dude for Ohio
Bill from Spillway Party Supply, Bait & Tackle at Ceasar's Creek Lake
Jerry Berggren - In the Woods w/ Ron & Jerry (Sportsman Channel) 8/25
Woody Mueller - Bird Hunting America (Sportsman Channel) 8/27
Mike Arnold - East Fork Lake 8/28
Jacob Gray - OH Div. of Wildlife, Waterfowl Biologist
D'Arcy Egan - Cleveland outdoor writer 8/21
Todd Haines
Rudy - Dixie Marine 2012 Ranger preview
Billy Nicholas - Venice Fishing Lodge [Redfish] 8/11
Mike Avery Outdoors (Sportsman Channel) 8/13
Scott Conner 8/14
Bill Moore - Hot Trails
Anthony Padgett - Wild Wings artist 8/2
Julie Huber - FLW Outdoors 8/4
Brett Beatty - ODNR District 5 9/22
Andrew & Katie Howard - "Must Have Outdoors" Sportsman Channel 9/24
Jim Morris 9/25
Fishing roundtable: Scott Connor & Pete Ziehler (in-studio)
Billy Nichols - Venice Fishing Lodge 9/15
Chip Leer - FLW walleye tour TV host 9/17
Bill Moore - Hot Trails (Deer scent candle) 9/18
Mike Tonkovich - Ohio's Deer Commander
Bill Epeards - Record setting hunter
Jon Strawsburg - DU banquet 9/8
Linda Donaho - The American Huntress (Sportsman Channel) 9/10
Rich Carter - Div. 1 (Columbus) Alum Creek muskie count 9-11
Phil Hillman - Steelhead
Bud Gehring - Lake Erie update
Scott Turnage - G3 (Sportsman Channel) 9/1
Chad Grigsby - FLW winner at Kentucky Lake 9/3
D'Arcy Egan - Cleveland outdoor writer
Rayhon Nana - Pheasants Forever
Dan Stier - 2011 FLW walleye champion 10/22
Nathan Stricker - Upland biologist 10/23
Todd Haines
Larry Beckstein - Wild Wings artist 10/13
Dave Wolak - FLW winner @ Lake Champlain 10/8
Jacob Gray - Waterfowl biologist 10/09
Aaron Dynes - Ducks Unlimited
Scott Hale - Inland Waterways 9/29
Craig Foster - The Flyway Highway (Sportsman Channel) 10/1
Chad Smith - now the Naturalist for several state parks 10/3
Mike Reynolds - Grouse update
Dave Kohler - Dove update
Tom Loy - Sturgeon fishing on Lake St. Clair 12/3
Mike Hoblit - local used tackle symposium (see ad below) 11/24
Mike Reynolds - OH turkey expert
Jacob Gray - OH waterfowl biologist 11/26
John Coluccy - Ducks Unlimited DU 11/20
Chad Smith - Hueston Woods
Ron Van Gilder - Wild Wings artist 11/17
Jay Strangis - American Waterfowler 11/13
Sandy Bihn & Capt Paul Pacholski
Paul Elias - FLW Guntersville (Open) winner
Dan Morehead - 2011 EverStart champion, KY Lake 11/12
Chase Parsons - FLW Walleye win on Lake Oahe
Tim Brandt - Federal Ammo 11/6
Roy Kroll - DU 12/29
Rudy Carpenter - Dixie Marine, 2012 Triton/Ranger prev 12/31
Cassandra Faulkner - Blue Book of Guns 12/24
Mike Arnold - Boarshead @ East Fork Lake
Deb Walters - "New" fish biologist, District 5 12/11
Jim Morris
Chad Gay - FLW wrap-up and 2012 preview
Rich Carter - Div. 1 (Columbus) Alum Creek 12/1
Tom Loy - Sturgeon fishing on Lake St. Clair 12/3
Valeria Yost - Wild Wings artist 1/26
Bud Gehring - Lake Erie ice 1/28
Mike Hoblit - Local collectible tackle store
Todd Haines 1/29
Mike Tonkovich - Ohio's Deer Commander
Aaron Dyne - Ducks Unlimited 1/21
Chad Gay - FLW 2012 preview 1/22
Brandon Smith - Ohio Game Fishing
Mark Paulsen - Wilderness Athlete
Rich Carter - District 1 (Indian Lake) 1/5
Mike "Cowboy" Foree - Lake of the Ozarks guide 1/7
Tim Brandt - Federal Ammo 1/8
Phil Hillman - Steelhead
Rayhon Nana - Pheasants Forever
Nick Radabaugh - District 1 (Cols.
Toby Kvalevog - Leech Lake, MN guide 3/24
Phil Hillman - OH Steelhead expert
Dave Kohler - Divison of Wildlife, District 5
Randall Tharp - 1st FLW Bass winner of 2012, Lake Okeechobee 3/8
Chad Landrum - Go Fish Charters Idaho fishery 3/10
Mike Tonkovich - The Deer Commander 3/11
David Friedman - Coast Guard, soon to have a base at Caesar's Creek
Glenn Helgeland - Deer & Turkey expo, Columbus
Anthony Padgett - Wild Wings artist 3/1
Gary Sefton - Outdoorsman, to speak at the Cols. Deer & Turkey expo 3/4
Scott Conner - Riverman (northern waters) Great Miami pike
Mark Blauvelt - Riverman (southern miami valley)
Mike Knippenberg - Big Eyez Lake Erie charter 2/23
Scott Robinson - Snow Geese guide 2/25
Gildo Tori - DU wrap 2/26
Bryan Honnerlaw - Okeechobee Outfitters
James Miller - at the Deer & Turkey expo, puppy training for hunts.
John Leech - FLA Bass Fishing 2/16
Chad Smith - Ohio State Parks 2/9
Stephanie Samford - NRA 2/11
Shane Erdmann - Migrator Valley Outfitters 2/12
Billy Nicholas - Venice Fishing Lodge
Dave Sherman - OH Waterfowl specialist
Lee Harstad - Deadwood, South Dakota 2/2
Guy Tibbels - Lake Erie ice forecast 2/4
Nick Radabaugh - District 1 (Cols.)
Capt. Paul Pacholski - Lake Erie charter 3/22
Toby Kvalevog - Leech Lake, MN guide 3/24
Jim Morris - Local writer 3/25
Phil Hillman - OH Steelhead expert
Dave Kohler - Divison of Wildlife, District 5
Randall Tharp - 1st FLW Bass winner of 2012, Lake Okeechobee 3/8
Chad Landrum - Go Fish Charters Idaho fishery 3/10
Mike Tonkovich - The Deer Commander 3/11
David Friedman - Coast Guard, soon to have a base at Caesar's Creek
Glenn Helgeland - Deer & Turkey expo, Columbus
Anthony Padgett - Wild Wings artist 3/1
Gary Sefton - Outdoorsman, to speak at the Cols. Deer & Turkey expo 3/4
Scott Conner - Riverman (northern waters) Great Miami pike
Mark Blauvelt - Riverman (southern miami valley)
Steve Quinn - In Fishermen legend
John Duwel - Stictly Bass
Mike Knippenberg - Big Eyez Lake Erie charter 2/23
Scott Robinson - Snow Geese guide 2/25
Gildo Tori - DU wrap 2/26
Bryan Honnerlaw - Okeechobee Outfitters
James Miller - at the Deer & Turkey expo, puppy training for hunts.
John Leech - FLA Bass Fishing 2/16
Chad Smith - Ohio State Parks 2/9
Stephanie Samford - NRA 2/11
Shane Erdmann - Migrator Valley Outfitters 2/12
Billy Nicholas - Venice Fishing Lodge
Dave Sherman - OH Waterfowl specialist
Lee Harstad - Deadwood, South Dakota 2/2
Guy Tibbels - Lake Erie ice forecast 2/4
Chad Smith 4/29
Pete Ziehler - NAPRA
Jim Morris - local Outdoor writer
Mike Teach - Great Miami Riverman
Brian Goldick - new ODNR District 5 supervisor
Bud Gehring - Lake Erie charter Capt. 4/26
Mike Reynolds - Biologist & Ohio's top Turkey expert 4/22
Greg Abbas - Away Outdoors
Josh Bradley - Gander Mtn. Hunting & Archery supervisor 4/12
Chip Lear - FLW Walleye tour 4/14
Skip Markland - Nat'l Wild Turkey Federation 4/15
Bill Epeards - Mossy Oak, adventures
Tim Brandt - Federal
Ernie Calandrelli - Quaker Boy
Jim Seymour - Osceola Turkey Hunts 4/5
Joel Vasek - The Walleye Tamer 4/7
D'Arcy Egan - Cleveland outdoor writer 3/29
Neal Ramsey - Hamilton County Parks District 3/31
Tag Nobbe - Brookville Lake (IN.) guide 4/1
Mike Walters & Son - The Crappie Guys
Jim Morris - Local outdoor writer 5/27
Justin Lucas - FLW Bass, Potomac 2nd place
Guy Tibbels - Lake Erie Marina & Charter
Connie Fuller - SnagProof (frog) Lures 5/24
David Maass - Wild Wings artist 5/17 PODCAST
Mike Arnold - Boarshead store @ East Fork Lake 5/19
Scott Hale - Inland Waterway's Mgr. for Ohio
Kevin McQuoid - FLW Lake Erie winner
Nick Radabaugh - District 1 (Cols. area lakes)
Cassandra Faulkner - Blue Book of Gun Values 5/10
Eric Olson - FLW Walleye on Miss. river at Red Wing 5/12
Dana Barton - Ducks Unlimited 75th Anniv. 5/13
David Dudley - FLW Beaver Lake winner
Curt Rogers - Trophy Country
Will Fowler - Frogg Toggs outerwear and wading gear 5/3
Steve Gramins - Black's Wing n Clay 5/5
Hilary Dyer - Outdoor magazines
Corey Allen - TN muskie, brown trout guide
TBA - Archery guest
Mike Arnold - Boarshead, East Fork lake (Batavia)
Guy Tibbels - Tibbels Marina, Lake Erie(Marblehead)
Bill Wagner - Hawg Tied tackle 9/13
Dale Fisher - Iowa Pheasant hunts 9/15
Jim Hayes - Safari Club 9/16
Bill Epeards - Worldwide hunter, Mossy Oak
Jacob Wheeler - FLW winner 9/9
Pete Ziehler - NAPRA "Wade Wars"
Rich Carter - Div. 1
Jon Strawsburg - Ducks Unlimited
Billy Nichols - Venice Fishing Lodge, Isaac aftermath-recovery
Jim Rataczak - Wild Wings artist
D'Arcy Egan - Cleveland outdoor writer
Aaron Dyne - OH DU
Tag Nobbe - Bookville Lake (IN.) guide
Brian Goldick - new ODNR District 5 supervisor
Wayne Colson - Wild Wings, 3D Lenticular prints
Steve Gramins - Black's Fly Fishing
John Campbell - FLW walleye winner @ Oahe 7/19
Darwin Sumner - Red Lake, MN. Reservation Lake & Casino 7/21
Rick Unger (President of the Lake Erie Charter Boat Assoc) & Andy Buchsbaum (Healing Waters) - Concerning the Asian Carp 7/22
Dietmar Grimm - Trout Unlimited
Julie Huber- FLW Cup preview
InStudio Dayton rivermen; Scott Conner, Mike Teach & Mark Blavelt
Theophile Bourgeois - New Orleans Fishing charter 7/5
Guy Tibbels- Tibbels Marina. Lake Erie charter
Cherie Serrano - Wild Wings artist 6/28
Kim Bain-Moore - Lady Bass Anglers Assoc. 6/30
Josh Fleming - NWTurkey Federation 6/21
Keith Wils - Walleye's Choice, charter on Lake Michigan 6/23
Jim Morris 6/24
Mike Reynolds
Brian Goldick - new ODNR District 5 supervisor
Paul Pacholski - Pres. of Lake Erie Charter Assoc.6/14
Tag Nobbe - Brookville Lake (IN.) guide 6/16
John Duwel - Strictly Bass 6/17
Dave Lefebre - FLW KY Lake winner
Pete Ziehler - NAPRA
Jon Fugate - Bow fisher, tackle/archery shop PODCAST
Steve Quinn ~ In-Fisherman 6/9
Mike Teach - Miami Valley riverman, targeting Smallies 6/10 PODCAST
Frank Campbell - Niagra Charter
Sandy Bihn - Lake Erie Waterkeepers Assoc.
Dale Bishop - Key West FLA guide, Bonefish etc. 6/2 PODCAST
Cassandra Faulkner - Blue Book of Guns
Connie Fuller - SnagProof
Nate Herman - Trophy Bluegill (an In~Fisherman Adventure)
Julie Huber - FLW season wrapup
Russ Terry - DU mid~season update
Sandy Bihn - Waterkeepers 11/29
Phil Marks - Strike King 12/1
Brett Beatty - Wildlife Administrator, District 5 11/25
Nick Jamison - Becoming an Outdoors Women
Tim Brandt - Federal ammo
Michael Sieve - Wild Wings artist 11/15
Bill Wagner - Hawg-Tied Tackle (available at Eagle Creek Marine on Poe Ave) 11/16
Koby Krieger - FLW Everstart champion 2012 11/18
Danny Plautz - FLW Walleye champion 2012
Rich Carter - OH Division of Fishing
Mike Arnold - Boarshead, East Fork lake 11/8
Mark Colburn - Virginia duck guide 11/10
Randy Green - NWTF 11/11
Mike Tonkovich - Deer Commander
Mike Choate - Eagle Creek Marine(on Poe Ave)
Scott Connor - Great Miami Riverman
D'Arcy Egan - Cleveland outdoor writer
Stephanie Samford - NRA spokeswoman (Outdoor-friendly candidates)
Matt Misicka - more election info (gun rights)
Tom Moen - Wild Wings artist 10/25
Kurt Schultz - Wisconsin Musky guide 10/27
Phil Marks - FLW Bass winner on Rayburn
Chad Smith - Acton Lake, Hueston Woods 10/18
Charlie Grossenburg - South Dakota's wild pheasants 10/20
Scott Hale - Inland Waterways 10/21
Rayhon Nana - Pheasants Forever
Blake Nick - FLW Bass 3rd place at Wheeler
Bud Gehring - Lake Erie charter 10/11
Michael Irving - Waterfowl preview 10/13
Brian Herrick - Savage Arms 10/21
Dr. Amanda Staudt - Drought expert for NWF
Barb Crown - The Hunting Report
Mike Tonkovich - State of Ohio's top deer expert
Scot Storm - Wild Wings artist 1/31
Chad Smith - OH state parks 2/2
Bud Gehring (Lake Erie) & PF - Pheasants Forever 1/24
Craig Plowman - Trophies Africa 1/26
Tim Brandt - Federal 1/27
Mark Smith - Camp Ronoda
Angie Nelson - Brainerd Ice wrapup
Evan English - Olde English Outfitters (2nd amendment) 1/17
Dave Williamson - River Valley Long Beards (NWTF) 1/18
Brian Goldich - District 5 1/20
Capt. Hank Cocain - Sturgeon General charter (Ontario King Salmon)
Jim Morris
Mike Hoblit - Vintage tackle event (see ad this page) store 1/10
Mike Arnold - Boarshead on East Fork Lake 1/12
John Bacarella - Sportsmen's Direct 1/13
Bill Hutting - Sportsman Lodge (MO)
Brian Herrick - Savage Arms
Angie Nelson - $150,000 (MN) Ice Fishing tourney PODCAST 1/3
Capt. Peg Van Vleet - Lake Erie charter (from Huber Heights) 1/5
Tag Nobbe - Brookville trout 1/6
Mike Tonkovich - Deer Commander
Steve Quinn - Warm water bass trips
Ron Spomer - Chasing spring turkey & Optics 2/25
Aaron Dyne - Ducks Unlimited (DU-OH) 2/27
Byron Ferguson - Archery trick shot 2/28
Billy Nicholas - Venice (FLA) fishing Lodge
Tag Nobbe - Brookville guide
Larry Wise - Archery Coach 2/21
Stephanie Samford - NRA
Bill Hoover - Deer & Turkey expo 2/23
Brian Goldick - District 5, trout releases 2/24
Sandy Bihn - Waterkeepers
Jim Morris - local writer
Mike Faw - HiTech clothing & footwear
Greg Keaton - Deer & Turkey Expo 2/14
Steve Pollick - Toledo Blade outdoor writer (retired) 2/16
Capt. Paul Pacholski - Lake Erie charter guide 2/17
Mike Tonkovich - OH Deer expert, controversial 2013 rules
Karen Butler - Shoot Like a Girl
Frank Szollosi - Nat'l Wildlife Federation 2/7
Mike Knippenberg - Big Eyez charters2/9
Marty Lundquist - Fish biologist for District 1 2/10
Bill Brassard - Nat'l Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF)
Mike Hoblit - Local pre-owned tackle shop
Chad Smith - OH state parks update 3/30
Brian Goldick - ODNR District 5 3/23
Bud Gehring - Lake Erie charter Capt.
John Harrison - Mississippi Crappie
Dave Henderson - Award winning rifleman, hunter, writer 3/7
Judy & Glenn Helgeland - Food plots for Deer & Turkey 3/9
Glenn Helgeland - preview of event 3/10
Rich Carter (state guy) - Spring fishing from Erie to OH river
John Hayes - Outdoor writer Pittsburgh Post Gazette
Jody Witzky - Dayton Sportsman show PODCAST
Steve McCadams - KY Lake SITE 4/25
Mike Hartley - Gander Mtn. 4/27
Deb Walters - ODNR 4/28
Casey Martin - FLW Reality show PODCAST
Mike Choate - Eagle Creek Marine (on Poe Ave)
Jim Morris
Mike Arnold - Boarshead in Batavia 4/18
Tim Brandt - Federal ammo 4/19
Mike Reynolds - state turkey guy 4/21
Jim Hayes - Safari Club International
Jim Casper - Wild Wings
Bill Epeards - legendary hunter, Mossy Oak prostaff
Scott Conner - OGF
Mike Teach - FB
Pete Ziehler - NAPRA
Scott Webb - WEBS
Jonathan Schaefer
Drew Benton - FLW tour, Okeechobee winner 4/7 PODCAST
Gildo Tori - Ducks Unlimited snow goose
Phil Marks - Strike King
Ernie Calendrelli - Quaker Boy Turkey calls PODCAST 4/4
Guy Tibbels - Tibbels Marina Lake Erie charter 4/6
Watch Sportsman Channel programming on Time Warner Cable,
Channel 331.
GUEST'S WHO'VE STIFFED US!
Casey Weismantel - Aberdeen Co~op
Mark Rose - FLW winner on Pickwick Lake
__________________________________________
DIVISION OF WILDLIFE - Ohio
(937) 372-9261 District 5
TURN ON A FRIEND - WORD OF MOUTH IS THE BEST!! IF YOU PICK UP STATIC TUNING US IN, CLICK ON OUR 'Listen Live' BUTTON (top left corner) TO HEAR US CRYSTAL CLEAR, WORLDWIDE.
Thursday 6/13
Teri Bichsel - Cardinal trapshooting SITE OH shoot is next week
Saturday
Bill Bale - Lake Michigan guides SITE "'Winningest' Team"
Sunday #414
Brent Ehrler - FLW winner @ Hartwell SITE
Mike Reynolds - OH Div of Wildlife (Turkey) SITE
Jason Christie - TBA
LAST WEEK
Bink's guide service - Arkansas SITE 6/6
Jerry Beach - Apache Bowhunters SITE 6/8
Julie Huber - FLW SITE 6/9
Sandy Bihn - Waterkeepers SITE
Tim Poe - Thunder Lures SITE
For all inquiries to the Outdoor Connection please email the show's producer, using this address > mattking@clearchannel.com
UPCOMING SHOWS
Christian Schrader - Nat'l D.U. season wrapup
TBA - Portland Creek, Newfoundland
Bill from Spillway Party Supply, Bait & Tackle at Ceasar's Creek Lake
JERRY'S GUESTS IN THE PAST MONTH:
Steve Gramins - Black's SITE 5/30
Mark Susinno - Wild Wings (fish) artist SITE 6/1
Kurt Schultz - Wisconsin muskie guide SITE 6/2
Scott Hale - OH Inland Fisheries
D'Arcy Egan - Cleveland outdoor writer SITE
Cassandra Faulkner - Blue Book of Gun Values SITE 5/9
Josh Fleming - Natl Wild Turkey Federation SITE 5/11
Paul Pacholski - Lake Erie charter capt. 5/12
Mike Walters - Crappie master
Jon Fugate - Hard Nocks Archery & Anglers Bait/tackle
Mark Cahlik & Bud Gehring - Lake Erie charters SITE 5/16
Capt. Hank - Lake Ontario charters SITE 5/18
Brett Preuett & Paul Clark - College FLW Nat'l champs SITE 5/19
Mike Brech - Hamilton County lakes SITE
Mike Arnold - Boarshead
Dave Kohler - ODNR
Marty Lundquist - Fish Biologist, District 1 5/2
Skip Markland - Turkey, regional director 5/4
Bryan Hunnerlaw - Okeechobee Outfitters 5/5
Phil Hillman - OH wildlife, Steelhead
David Kohler - state dude
1. Cabela's has tagged fish - You catch 'em and win awesome prizes including a Ranger Z boat, Chevy Silverado and maybe $1Million. Must register before fish is caught HERE Ends 7/7/2013
2. Great gun giveaway. Enter HERE monthly.
3. $500 in outdoor gear from Altrec HERE Enter monthly
4. Enter monthly for a chance to win sunglasses from Costa! HERE
5. Ducks Unlimited on FaceBook to win.
6. Prizes rotate to include a Hawke Riflescope, or a Bushnell range finder MSRP $249 Simply send your name in an email to huntersrights@nrahq.org with "Gift Giveaway" in the subject line.
7. Weekly prizes of Mark Melnyk polarized sunglasses, value $139. Grand Prize of a Guided Giveaway thanks to SunDog eyewear. Enter HERE Ends 7/18/2013
8. Savage Arms on their FaceBook page
9. Legend boats on FaceBook be entered into monthly rod giveaway.
10. Uplanders' May prize is a Browning belted game bag HERE
11. Gander Mtn. pro-staffer Dean Rojas' 2013 Skeeter boat valued at $70,000. 18+ enter in store or HERE once until 9/2.
12. Each WEEK you have a chance to win 1 of 5 EOTech holographic sight. Then at the end of 2013 they'll giveaway a $10,000 Grand prize. Just 'Like' their Facebook page to signup HERE
COLUMBUS, OHIO (AP) _ STATE WILDLIFE OFFICIALS HAVE SHOT DOWN THE LATEST PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE DEER-HUNTING SEASON IN OHIO.
THE CHANGE, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE SECOND ONE THIS SPRING, PROPOSED ADDING TWO DAYS OF OPEN GUN AND BOW-HUNTING IN EARLY JANUARY, FOLLOWED BY THREE DAYS OF MUZZLELOADER HUNTING.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH (HTTP://BIT.LY/15PNEI8 ) REPORTS THAT MEMBERS OF THE OHIO WILDLIFE COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY VOTED 4-3 TO REJECT THE CHANGES, WITH MEMBERS ACCUSING THE OHIO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE OF TRYING TO PUSH A REPUBLICAN AGENDA.
REPUBLICANS IN THE LEGISLATURE WERE OUTRAGED AT CHANGES EARLIER THIS SPRING THAT ELIMINATED TWO HUNTING WEEKENDS IN DECEMBER, REPLACING THEM WITH TWO MUZZLELOADER-ONLY DATES IN OCTOBER. NEARLY 30 LEGISLATORS SIGNED A LETTER IN OPPOSITION. THEY ARGUED THAT THE SHIFT TO AN EARLIER DEER SEASON REDUCED OPPORTUNITIES FOR HUNTERS.
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TRAVERSE CITY, MICH. (AP) _ A DECADES-OLD EFFORT TO NURSE THE BATTERED GREAT LAKES TO HEALTH HAS MADE PROGRESS TOWARD REDUCING TOXIC POLLUTION AND SLAMMING THE DOOR ON INVASIVE SPECIES, BUT THE FRESHWATER SEAS CONTINUE TO FACE SERIOUS THREATS, A U.S.-CANADIAN AGENCY SAID TUESDAY.
THE INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION, WHICH ADVISES BOTH NATIONS ON ISSUES AFFECTING SHARED WATERWAYS, SAID THEIR GOVERNMENTS HAD COMPILED A MIXED RECORD IN RESTORING THE GREAT LAKES, WHICH FOR MUCH OF THE 20TH CENTURY WERE FOULED BY INDUSTRIAL AND HOUSEHOLD SEWAGE AND OVERRUN WITH EXOTIC FISH AND MUSSELS.
LEVELS OF SOME TOXINS HAVE DROPPED, ALTHOUGH THE RATE OF DECLINE HAS SLOWED AND NEW CHEMICALS HAVE TURNED UP, THE COMMISSION SAID. ALGAE BLOOMS WERE REDUCED DRAMATICALLY, ONLY TO STAGE A FRUSTRATING COMEBACK IN RECENT YEARS. RISING SURFACE TEMPERATURES AND SHRINKING WINTER ICE COVER ARE CONTRIBUTING TO LOWER WATER LEVELS, SUGGESTING THAT THE LAKES' ECOLOGY MAY BE LINKED INCREASINGLY TO CLIMATE CHANGE.
THE COMMISSION HAS PROVIDED REGULAR PROGRESS REPORTS SINCE THE U.S. AND CANADA SIGNED THE GREAT LAKES WATER QUALITY AGREEMENT IN 1972, WHEN THE SYSTEM CONTAINING ONE-FIFTH OF THE WORLD'S FRESH WATER WAS NOTORIOUSLY DIRTY AND LAKE ERIE WAS WIDELY DESCRIBED AS BIOLOGICALLY DEAD.
THE LATEST REPORT CARD FOCUSES ON THE PERIOD SINCE 1987, WHEN THE PACT WAS UPDATED WITH AN EMPHASIS ON REDUCING TOXINS AND CLEANING UP 43 HIGHLY CONTAMINATED AREAS. THE TWO NATIONS SIGNED ANOTHER VERSION LAST YEAR.
``WE'VE PROVED THAT WHEN WE PUT OUR MINDS TO IT, WE CAN CLEAN UP THE LAKES,'' SAID LANA POLLACK, CHAIRWOMAN OF THE U.S. DELEGATION TO THE COMMISSION. ``WHEN WE TAKE OUR EYE OFF THE BALL, WE GO BACKWARD.'' THE ANALYSIS IS BASED ON A VARIETY OF CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL AND PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS USED TO MEASURE THE LAKES' WELL-BEING.
IT SAYS CONCENTRATIONS OF MOST CHEMICALS OBSERVED IN KEY SPECIES SUCH AS HERRING GULLS, WALLEYE AND MUSSELS HAVE DECLINED, ALTHOUGH THE DROP-OFFS OCCURRED MOSTLY BETWEEN 1987 AND 2000. BUT LEVELS OF NEWLY ARRIVED CHEMICALS _ INCLUDING THOSE USED AS FLAME RETARDANTS _ ROSE DURING THE SAME PERIOD. MERCURY LEVELS HAVE REMAINED STABLE OR RISEN IN POPULAR SPORT FISH, AND CONSUMPTION ADVISORIES REMAIN IN EFFECT ACROSS THE REGION.
A CRACKDOWN ON PHOSPHORUS IN LAUNDRY DETERGENT AND UPGRADES TO WASTEWATER TREATMENT SYSTEMS HELPED REIN IN RUNAWAY ALGAE DURING THE 1980S AND 1990S. BUT STEPPED-UP LEVELS OF A PARTICULAR TYPE OF PHOSPHORUS, CAUSED LARGELY BY FERTILIZER RUNOFF FROM FARMLANDS, HAVE CAUSED A SHARP UPTICK IN HARMFUL BLOOMS ON LAKE ERIE AND PARTS OF THE OTHER LAKES.
``I'M STARTING TO SEE ALGAE IN PLACES I'VE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE,'' POLLACK SAID, DESCRIBING IT AS ONE PROBLEM THAT THE GREAT LAKES REGION CAN SOLVE ON ITS OWN _ IN CONTRAST TO ISSUES SUCH AS CLIMATE CHANGE AND ATMOSPHERIC DEPOSITS OF MERCURY, WHICH WOULD REQUIRE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION.
ONE OF THE MOST SERIOUS CHALLENGES DURING THE 25 YEARS COVERED BY THE NEW REPORT WAS A FLOOD OF INVASIVE SPECIES SUCH AS ZEBRA AND QUAGGA MUSSELS, MOST OF WHICH ARRIVED IN BALLAST WATER DUMPED INTO GREAT LAKES HARBORS BY OCEANGOING VESSELS. THE MUSSELS ARE BLAMED FOR CLOGGING WATER INTAKE PIPES AND UNRAVELING FOOD WEBS.
BUT NO INVADERS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE HITCHHIKED TO THE LAKES IN BALLAST TANKS SINCE 2006, AS BOTH NATIONS HAVE IMPOSED TOUGHER STANDARDS FOR WATER DISPOSAL AND TREATMENT. THE U.S. HAS ALLOCATED MORE THAN $1 BILLION TO AN OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PROGRAM CALLED THE GREAT LAKES RESTORATION INITIATIVE. IT'S DESIGNED TO ACCELERATE CLEANUPS OF TOXIC HOT SPOTS AND PREVENT ATTACKS BY NEW INVADERS, INCLUDING THE FEARED ASIAN CARP.
``TIGHT BUDGETS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE BORDER MEAN THAT COOPERATION AND COORDINATION OF CLEANUP EFFORTS ARE EVEN MORE IMPORTANT,'' SAID JOE COMUZZI, CHAIRMAN OF THE CANADIAN DELEGATION TO THE COMMISSION.
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FRENCHTOSWN TOWNSHIP, MICH. (AP) _ THE U.S. COAST GUARD SAYS A SEARCH CREW HAS FOUND THE BODIES OF TWO DETROIT-AREA MEN WHO DISAPPEARED AFTER GOING FISHING IN EASTERN LAKE ERIE.
THE COAST GUARD SAYS 54-YEAR-OLD GODFRIED MCKINNEY OF SOUTHFIELD AND 64-YEAR-OLD KENDRICK COVINGTON OF DETROIT HEADED OUT FROM MONROE ON WEDNESDAY TO GO FISHING IN A 14-FOOT BOAT. THEY WERE DUE BACK THAT NIGHT AND REPORTED MISSING AFTER THEY DIDN'T RETURN.
THE COAST GUARD SAYS A U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION BOAT FOUND THE MEN'S BODIES ABOUT 10:50 A.M. THURSDAY ABOUT 7 MILES OFF-SHORE FROM DTE ENERGY CO.'S FERMI 2 NUCLEAR PLANT. THE SITE IS NEAR MONROE IN MONROE COUNTY'S FRENCHTOWN TOWNSHIP.
THOSE INVOLVED IN THE SEARCH INCLUDED A COAST GUARD HELICOPTER FROM DETROIT AND A COAST GUARD BOAT FROM TOLEDO, OHIO.