More than 9,400 Deer Checked during Ohio's Two-Day Gun Hunting Season

COLUMBUS, OH - Hunters checked 9,447 white-tailed deer during Ohio’s 2015 two-day deer-gun hunting season, Dec. 28-29, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The last time Ohio held a two-day December deer-gun season was in 2012 with 14,365 deer harvested. That year, the season was held on a weekend and accounted for just more than 6 percent of the entire deer harvest. This year’s two-day season total is projected to account for slightly more than 5 percent of all deer harvested.  Hunters still have opportunities to pursue deer this winter. Muzzleloader season is Jan. 9-12, 2016, and archery season remains open through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016. Deer Management Goals The ODNR Division of Wildlife remains committed to properly managing Ohio’s deer populations. The goal of Ohio’s Deer Management Program is to provide a deer population that maximizes recreational opportunities, while minimizing conflicts with landowners and motorists. Until recently, deer populations in nearly all of Ohio’s counties were well above goal. In the last few years, through increased antlerless harvests, most counties are now at or near goal. Therefore, to help stabilize deer populations, bag limits were reduced, and antlerless permit use has been eliminated in most counties for the 2015-2016 season. The ODNR Division of Wildlife is in the process of revising Ohio’s population goals and is asking hunters that receive the survey to help by completing and returning their survey as soon as possible. Hunters for this year’s survey were randomly selected from the list of hunters who purchased a license and deer permit by Nov. 16. Landowner surveys have already been completed, and hunter surveys were mailed in early December. Public input is an important part of Ohio’s deer management program, and survey participants are asked to complete and return their surveys to ensure that hunters have a clear voice in helping to decide the direction of deer management in Ohio. Hunting Popularity Hunting is the best and most effective management tool for maintaining Ohio’s healthy deer population. Ohio ranks fifth nationally in resident hunters and 11th in the number of jobs associated with hunting-related industries. Hunting has a more than $853 million economic impact in Ohio through the sale of equipment, fuel, food, lodging and more, according to the National Shooting Sports Foundation’s Hunting in America: An Economic Force for Conservation publication. Find more information about deer hunting in the Ohio 2015-2016 Hunting and Trapping Regulations or at wildohio.gov. An updated deer harvest report is posted online each Wednesday atwildohio.gov/deerharvest. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website atohiodnr.gov. - 30 - Editor’s Note: A list of all white-tailed deer checked by hunters using firearms during the 2015 two-day deer-gun hunting season is shown below. The first number following the county’s name shows the harvest numbers for 2015, and the 2012 numbers are in parentheses. Adams: 209 (267); Allen: 21 (78); Ashland: 142 (234); Ashtabula: 305 (372); Athens: 212 (279); Auglaize: 38 (90); Belmont: 216 (387); Brown: 162 (220); Butler: 51 (101); Carroll: 211 (375); Champaign: 41 (77); Clark: 21(63); Clermont: 95 (182); Clinton: 37 (63); Columbiana: 196 (320); Coshocton: 349 (489); Crawford: 59 (102); Cuyahoga: 1 (6); Darke: 19 (66); Defiance: 74 (142); Delaware: 60 (102); Erie: 21 (41); Fairfield: 85 (169); Fayette: 10 (16); Franklin: 24 (26); Fulton: 16 (58); Gallia: 165 (230); Geauga: 77 (106); Greene: 21 (60); Guernsey: 263 (382); Hamilton: 21 (47); Hancock: 34 (77); Hardin: 53 (89); Harrison: 228 (390); Henry: 25 (64); Highland: 147 (239); Hocking: 203 (213); Holmes: 209 (286); Huron: 107 (195); Jackson: 194 (235); Jefferson: 169 (312); Knox: 236 (356); Lake: 21 (27); Lawrence: 147 (176); Licking: 236 (444); Logan: 86 (143); Lorain: 98 (181); Lucas: 10 (20); Madison: 26 (45); Mahoning: 107 (102); Marion: 55 (75); Medina: 83 (135); Meigs: 229 (259); Mercer: 18 (61); Miami: 37 (49); Monroe: 156 (203); Montgomery: 14 (23); Morgan: 181 (226); Morrow: 71 (133); Muskingum: 284 (474); Noble: 202 (235); Ottawa: 7 (9); Paulding: 34 (99); Perry: 181 (238); Pickaway: 38 (78); Pike: 140 (154); Portage: 88 (90); Preble: 29 (86); Putnam: 19 (47); Richland: 150 (194); Ross: 185 (214); Sandusky: 29 (54); Scioto: 164 (174); Seneca: 84 (139); Shelby: 34 (99); Stark: 124 (171); Summit: 26 (31); Trumbull: 166 (248); Tuscarawas: 296 (483); Union: 32 (81); Van Wert: 15 (64); Vinton: 201 (221); Warren: 44 (83); Washington: 210 (266); Wayne: 109 (115); Williams: 51 (123); Wood: 31 (70); Wyandot: 72 (117). Total: 9,447 (14,365). For more information, contact: John Windau, ODNR Division of Wildlife 614-265-6325 Stephanie Leis, ODNR Office of Communications 614-265-6860

Deer muzzleloader season this weekend

 Hunters checked 9,447 white-tailed deer during Ohio's 2015 two-day deer-gun hunting season, Dec. 28-29, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The last time Ohio held a two-day December deer-gun season was in 2012 with 14,365 deer harvested. That year, the season was held on a weekend and accounted for just more than 6 percent of the entire deer harvest. This year's two-day season total is projected to account for slightly more than 5 percent of all deer harvested.  

Hunters still have opportunities to pursue deer this winter. Muzzleloader season is Jan. 9-12, 2016, and archery season remains open through Sunday, Feb. 7, 2016.

Farm Futures top 12 blogs

Take the time to check these out!!!

http://farmprogress.com/story-farm-futures-top-12-agriculture2015-8-135676

ECOFA meeting next week

DOVER, OHIO - At the January 6, 2016, 7:00 PM meeting of the East Central Ohio Forestry Association (ECOFA)we will have, Michael Witt a versatile local, regional and national award winning photographer.  His work has been published in brochures, books, calendars, outdoor magazines, and on the Internet.
Michael conducts workshops, seminars, make presentations to nature and photo groups, plus teaches nature and creative photography courses.
He is the author, photographer, and publisher of a nature photo book about the Jackson Bog State Nature Preserve, Stark County's only State Nature Preserve--and that is the subject of Wednesday's program: THE JACKSON BOG: A PHOTOGRAPHERS PERSPECTIVE.

ECOFA is an organization of persons interested in improving their woodlands and in forestry-related topics.  The public is cordially invited to attend the free meetings which are held monthly at the Dover Library, 525  North Walnut St. Dover, Ohio

First Ohio bear trapped and collared

An adult male black bear was radio collared Nov. 14 in Vinton County by Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife biologists. This is the first black bear radio collared in Ohio, and was the first step for ODNR Division of Wildlife biologists to determine details of black bear demography, density, distribution, and rate of population growth in Ohio.

Because of its age and size, biologists believe this bear to be a resident bear. Vinton County has long been a hot spot for bear activity and was believed to have a resident bear population. The GPS collar deployed on this bear will provide 2 locations per day for up to five years. The data will allow biologists to analyze the bear’s movement, home range size and habitat use. In addition, if it is indeed a resident bear, a female bear will be present within the home range. This will allow biologists to concentrate their efforts to trap and radio collar a female, so biologists can document reproduction and population growth.

The bear was trapped on private land where staff from United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services were removing feral hogs with the cooperation of the landowner. The bear had been photographed feeding on hog bait several times in September, and a culvert trap was deployed at the site in October. 

ODNR Division of Wildlife staff anesthetized the bear to measure, weigh and radio collar it. The bear was not completely anesthetized by the drugs, so specific measurements and the extraction of a tooth for aging were not possible. However, Al LeCount, retired Arizona Game and Fish bear biologist, estimated the bear’s weight at 250-275 lbs. and its age at least three and a half years old. 

Before settlement black bears were found throughout Ohio. However, unregulated hunting and extensive deforestation during the mid-1800s lead to a sizable decrease in the number of bears residing within Ohio, and by the 1850s black bears had vanished from the landscape. As black bear populations began to increase in neighboring states, bears have started to make their way back into Ohio. 

Black bears are now listed as a state endangered species in Ohio, and are primarily found in south-central and southeastern Ohio. Ohio’s bear population is estimated to be anywhere from 50-100 individual bears. In 2014, there were 135 documented sightings involving an estimated 88 individual black bears. The majority of bears in Ohio weigh between 125-250 pounds, and are juvenile male bears searching for new habitat.

ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov.

Environmental Benefits of Christmas Trees

Your Tree Has Uses After The Holiday Season Too
RECYCLE YOUR TREE!
 Christmas trees are biodegradable- the trunk and branches can be chipped and used as mulch for gardens, or used on paths to help prevent erosion. The mulch provides a protective barrier for the roots of other plants and vegetation while preventing weeds from growing. The mulch then decomposes, providing the nutrients plants need to thrive.
 Some communities use Christmas trees to make effective sand and soil erosion barriers, especially at beaches and on stream beds.
 Sunk into private fish ponds trees make excellent refuge and feeding areas, and good habitat for fish.
 Christmas trees can be used to make bird feeders, adding color excitement to the winter garden. Utilize orange slices, suet, bread and seed to attract the birds. Try rolling pinecones in peanut butter and then birdseed, and hanging these from the branches.  Birds will come for the food and stay for the shelter in the branches.
 Use needles for making aromatic stuffing for sachets.
 Remove and use branches as garden mulch.
 Tree recycling provides a tangible and real completion of the recycle circle. So, real Christmas trees are a good choice for your community, the environment, and your family.

Important:
 Never burn your Christmas tree in a fireplace or wood stove. Burning the tree may contribute to creosote buildup in chimneys.
 Towns/cities can provide curbside pickup and deliver trees to a chipping site. Chipped material can then be recycled as mulch, allowed to compost for municipal or residents use, and/or made available for sale (Chipping trees creates a recycled product that can be used as a mulch for walkways, flower beds &/or other ground cover uses- composted chips provide an excellent soil amendment when used as part of a total waste composting program).

Researchers map U.S. bee loss hot spots

The first national study to map U.S. wild bees suggests they're disappearing in many of the country's most important farmlands--including California's Central Valley, the Midwest's Corn Belt, and the Mississippi River valley.

Read rest of article   HERE

Top 10 reasons Santa could be a farmer

10. He takes care of the needs of the world.

9. He covers a lot of ground in a hurry when the pressure is on.

8. He’s used to getting in and out of tight places.

7. His wife is an excellent cook.

6. He could stand to lose a few pounds (see reason #7).

5. He’s good with kids.


4. He works outside, even in bad weather.

3. He knows how to get by with the same equipment season after season.

2. He’s good with livestock.

1. He works all year, just to give his stuff away.

Merry Christmas! 

Trees to Textbooks

ODNR:  The sale of timber from state forests this year will provide more than $2 million for schools and other local governments, the Department of Natural Resources reports.  The funding, which goes to 15 rural entities, was announced by ODNR Director James Zerhringer during a "Trees to Textbooks" event at Central Elementary School in McArthur. The agency said the total was an increase over last year's distribution of about $1.765 million.

Bill Heading to President

A measure from Sen. Portman and cosponsored by Sen. Brown to protect Lake Erie and other resources from microbeads is now headed to the President for signing.  The bill targets harmful effects of microbeads, which can be found in products such as soaps. The plastic particles then wash down the drain and are discharged into lakes and rivers where they can be detrimental to wildlife that ingest them.  A study from the State University of New York determined that Lake Erie has about 46,000 particles of plastic per square kilometer. That's much higher than the 6,000-8,000 ratio over the same area in lakes Superior and Huron and the 17,000 particles per square kilometer in Lake Michigan.
"Plastic microbeads are devastating to wildlife and human health, and I'm pleased our bill will now be law so we can phase them out in a way that's fair to Ohio companies and keeps them on a level playing field with their competitors," Sen. Portman said in a statement. "Lake Erie is not only a precious natural resource, but also essential for Ohio jobs and tourism and our bill takes appropriate steps to protect this important asset for Ohio."

Sen. Brown also applauded its passage.  "Ohio's waterways, like Lake Erie, are an important source of food and we must protect their wildlife from the threat of synthetic microbeads," Sen. Brown said. "By banning microbeads, we can help ensure that the food Ohioans' eat is free from toxic chemicals."

2016 Ag Fair Schedule now available

Follow this link for the 2016 fair schedule
http://www.agri.ohio.gov/public_docs/news/2015/2016%20Chronological%20Fair%20Schedule.pdf

ODNR Oil & Gas report

Shale Production: Production in Ohio's oil and natural gas wells this year has already surpassed that of 2014, the Department of Natural Resources recently announced.  During 2015's third quarter, Ohio's horizontal shale wells produced more than 5.6 million barrels of oil and 245.7 Mcf of natural gas, according to ODNR figures released this month.  That means Q3 2015 production included 15.7 million barrels of oil - an 111% increase over Q3 2014 - and 651 million Mcf of gas - a 126% increase over Q3 2014.  Ohio wells produced 15 million barrels of oil and 512.9 Mcf of gas in all of 2014.  "Quarterly production continues to set new records as horizontal shale well production totals have increased by more than 100 percent from 2014's third quarter totals," according to ODNR's release. "Additionally, Ohio's horizontal shale wells have produced more oil and gas in the first nine months of this year than all of Ohio's wells produced in 2014."  The department found 1,134 wells in Ohio - 1,087 of which produced results. Forty-seven others had no output since they are awaiting pipeline infrastructure, ODNR said.