Today, a new law on guns in national parks takes effect. The law repeals a National Park Service rule that has long prohibited Americans from lawfully possessing firearms in national parks for self-defense.

The new law, passed last spring by an overwhelming bipartisan vote in the U.S. Senate, will allow people to possess, carry and transport firearms in national parks, in accordance with state law.

However, many details remain to be worked out. Reports indicate that National Park Service officials are debating issues such as the definition of “federal facilities,” where firearms will remain prohibited under a different federal law.

NPS officials are expected to issue further information as today approached, and some parks have already published information on their new policies.

Because state laws vary greatly, before you visit a national park, you should check the park’s Web site or call the park headquarters for more information.



Wildlife open houses

Don’t forget Wildlife Open Houses will be held on Saturday, March 6 in each of the state's five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. These events are open to the public and public participation is encouraged.

The open houses are held to provide the public an opportunity to discuss wildlife-related issues with state wildlife officials. Anyone interested in providing input and participating in Ohio’s professional wildlife management process is welcome. Fish and wildlife biologists along with law enforcement officers will be on hand to answer questions and receive comments.

For directions to the open houses, call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com on the Internet or call Northeast Ohio, Wildlife District Three Office, 912 Portage Lakes Drive, Akron, (330) 644-2293



Bald eagle babies

Ohio's bald eagle nesting season is underway with at least two eagle pairs already incubating eggs, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

An eagle pair in Huron County began sitting on eggs Feb. 1. Another pair in Ashtabula County began incubation on Feb. 5. Wildlife biologists anticipate the Huron County eggs will hatch sometime on or around March 7.

During the recently completed aerial mid-winter survey of bald eagles, biologists observed 121 birds throughout the state. Eagles are continuing to expand their range around the state, establishing nesting territories in central and southern Ohio.

"Thanks to good management and the support of Ohioans who purchased bald eagle license plates and contributed to the Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species tax check-off, these majestic birds are once again thriving in our state," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Ohio's bald eagle population grew from only four nesting pairs along the southwestern Lake Erie shore 31 years ago, to a record 215 eagle nests in 2009. In 2009, 197 eaglets were produced from 113 nests.

The Division of Wildlife staff and a dedicated group of trained volunteers monitor existing nests during the season and continue to look for nests that may as yet be undiscovered.

Anyone who observes eagles building a new nest should contact the county wildlife officer, a wildlife district office, 1-800-WILDLIFE or wildohio.com. Individuals are reminded that state and federal laws protect bald eagles and their nest sites. Any type of disturbance around a nest could cause the birds to abandon the site or discourage them from using the nest in the future.

Bald eagles range over great distances until mature enough to breed at 3 to 4 years of age. They usually return to nest within 100 miles of where they were raised. Although eagles generally keep the same mate, if one of the pair should die the other will find another mate. An eagle's life span in the wild is about 15 to 20 years.

Bald eagles build huge nests in the tops of tall trees near water, often reusing the nest year after year. Nests may reach 10 feet in diameter and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds. Eagles lay two to three eggs once a year. The eggs hatch in about 35 days.

The young will fly within three months, but remain under the care of the adults for another seven to 10 weeks. Immature eagles are mottled brown in color and do not acquire their signature white head and tail feathers until age 5 or 6.

The Division of Wildlife initiated the state's bald eagle restoration program in 1979. The program is partially funded by donations to the state income tax check-off for Wildlife Diversity and Endangered Species. Contributions to the fund can be made by checking line 25Con the 1040 or line 18C on the1040 EZ 2009 state income tax forms. Donations can also be made via the Internet at www.wildohio.com.

The program is also funded by the sale of Ohio conservation license plates, including the bald eagle and cardinal plates. The license plates can be purchased through a deputy registrar license outlet, on the Internet at OPLATES.com, or by calling the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles at 1-888-PLATES3.



Wild game dinner

There will be a Wild Game dinner Hosted by the men of Peoples Church, 300 S. Ridge E., Geneva on Friday. The festivities will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a pre-meal seminar. The guest speaker will be Charles J. Alsheimer the award winning outdoor writer, nature photographer, lecturer and white tail consultant. Dinner will be served at 6 p.m. Enjoy a variety of fare including venison, wild turkey, fish, elk and alligator, accompanied by potatoes and gravy, vegetables, rolls, pie and beverage. There will be great door prize drawings and special children’s prizes will also be drawn!

Any business or organization donating prizes will be given credit at the dinner. If you would like to contribute any items, please contact the office at 466-2020 or Quality Imaging at 466-2077. This is not a fundraiser, after expenses, remaining money will go to our Mission Trip Fund. The suggested donation is $15.

For information and tickets, contact the church office or Quality Imaging.



The best for last

With deer season being over this will be my last harvest story for the 2009-10 season. I received this message from a good friend way back in December during gun season. I was going to put it in as part of my normal writings but decided it was too precious to be concealed during the normal season.

Accordingly, I saved the best for last. It may not be a big buck story, but if it doesn’t warm the cockles of your heart then you must be the Grinch who stole deer season!



Stan’s the man

Hi Dale & Janie,



Hope you are well and are having lots of fun chasing deer around for each other. You know my dad has a bad heart. He is not allowed to lift anything over 10 pounds for the rest of his life. I tease him and tell him his shotgun is 11 pounds so he can't hunt. We all laugh when he tells me a few choice words!

Even though he can't climb tree's, bust brush, or walk miles, his heart is still out there and every year he plan's on coming out to visit Tammy & I with the vision of getting THE BIG ONE.

Still tryin’

My neighbor Jose made a spot for him right behind our houses. It's a pretty short, easy trail to walk that ends up at a chair looking down into a valley. He spent the first three days in that chair peering, watching, and anticipating. Nothing! I came home from work Thursday at 3:30 to find him relaxing and watching TV.. he told me that was Tammy's orders. The full moon was the day before and a cold front was moving in and I had a good feeling that today would be a good day!

He suited up and headed in the direction of the chair, it was 4 p.m. At 4:20 ,Tammy & I hear the thundering roar of his 16 gauge and looked at each other with big eyes. All I told her was I'll go check on Pop's. I threw on my orange vest & hat and headed his way. As I approached my Dad he was standing there starring down in the valley. When he turned to look at me he was smiling and pointing to something in the distance. He said, “I dropped it were it stood! I aimed right in the middle of its neck.”

As I made my journey down the valley I thought to myself this is a wonderful thing. After I approached Dad’s deer I looked up at him, he was about 60 yards up and he looked small. Now you both know Pops is not small, just the perspective of the angle left me in awe of his shot.

The button buck was of nice size, had a black chest and a bright white ring around its nose. What an absolute beautiful deer!! As I was preparing to field dress it I heard up the hill, “Where did I hit it?” I looked and to my amazement, right through the middle of his neck and no scope! The deer never knew what hit and died instantly on the spot.

Back at the house after checking it in and hanging i, I asked my father, “Dad, how you feeling?” He said, “GREAT! It reminded me of when I was in Korea fighting *@%!”



John



My call

What a wonderful story. I’ve known John for many years and his father as well. John and his father are both two of the most ethical sportsmen I know. At this time of life, he’s 71 and still tryin’ to make it happen, and considering his physical condition, I cannot think of anyone other than my own father I would rather see harvest a deer, no matter what size, sex or how big the rack is.

I’ve always said the trophy is in the eye of the beholder and I’m sure this deer to Stan (Stanley A. Kosiba) is almost as good and “Da Thirty Pointer.”

Way to go ,Stan and John... you know what Pops loves more than the deer you helped him get — you, my friend, for being the kind of son who gives him something to hang on to and look forward to.

God bless you both!

Remember, pass it on or it will surely pass on.



Sunderlin is a freelance writer from Geneva. Reach him at djss@roadrunner.com.