Katelyn McGuinness will have a good story to tell about her summer vacation when she goes back to school this fall.

She used her hunting skills to win the United Kennel Club Youth National Championship.

McGuinness, who will be a sophomore at Pymatuning Valley High School, took the title in the UKC Coonhounds division on July 24 at the tenth annual championships in Madison, North Carolina.

“It didn’t sink in until this morning when I saw (my picture) on the Web site,” said McGuinness, whose victory qualifies her for next year’s national championship.

McGuinness competed against 66 hunters from all over the United States. She earned the trip to the national event by winning a qualifying night hunt in Jefferson on June 6. Competitors are judged on a variety of things including when the dog strikes and trees a raccoon.

“You have to know the dog’s bark. You can tell they sound different,” McGuinness said.

The hunt goes late into the night, wrapping up around 3:30 a.m.

“I was just so excited at that point, it didn’t matter,” she said.

The 15-year-old from Andover has been hunting for about three years. She hunts with her stepfather, Tony Smith.

“I’m extremely proud of her. It’s a great accomplishment,” Smith said. “You have to know what the dog’s doing in order to score points. If you are wrong, you can lose points.”

“I’m very proud of how Katelyn stayed composed and won a championship where almost all of the competitors are boys,” said Katelyn’s mother, Michelle Smith.

Katelyn has been working with the dog, Banker, for about a year. The dog is owned by Larry Proulx and Jason Eddins. Dog owners frequently find skilled hunters to use their dogs to gain recognition for breeding the dog later.

“You have to know your dog really well, and she spent a lot of time with Banker,” Tony Smith said.

McGuinness says she plans to keep hunting.

“I’d like to continue,” she said. “I’ve got two more years of youth hunts.

“Down the road, who knows?”



Youth opportunities

Youth dove hunting will be permitted on portions of the Mosquito Creek Wildlife Refuge by permit for the 2010-11 season. Access to this portion of the property is restricted to permit-only hunting. The refuge is not open to the public otherwise.

Dove hunting will be available for youth hunters ages 17 and younger on a special youth hunting dove field located on the waterfowl refuge. Starting September 1st, self-serve applications and permits will be available at the area headquarters daily. A map of the area will be posted and a drop box for applications will be provided. A maximum of two youths and one adult may hunt per permit. Hunters must follow all hunting rules and regulations for the season according to the 2010-11 Ohio Hunting Digest and Early Migratory Bird Dates (publication #298).

The Mosquito Creek Wildlife Area Headquarters is located at 8303 North Park Avenue in North Bloomfield (one mile south of State Route 87). Contact the headquarters at 685-4776.



Getting ready

Normally, I get started with my deer hunting / archery writings around the first of September but this year, I’ve decided to start early in hopes of convincing myself and maybe some of you into getting ready early instead of waiting until the last minute as I sometimes often do. Now let’s start this season off with a couple of quick archery tips.



Paper tune

Whether you use fixed-blade or mechanical broadheads, tuning your bow will make your arrows fly better. If you have access to a paper tuning device, by all means use it. A paper-tuned bow will shoot almost any broadhead with minimal, if any, adjustment.

If you can't use a paper tuner, shoot your arrows with a broadhead identical to one you'll be using in the woods. If you're still hitting the kill zone, pat yourself on the back and get ready to hunt. If your broadhead-equipped arrows group differently from your field points, however, you have several options.



Enlist a helper

If the difference is only slight and the arrows are grouping well, just adjust your sight pins until you're back in the bull's eye. If you see a big difference and/or the arrows are not grouping well, it's a good idea to make some tuning adjustments. If you can't see your arrows well as they fly, have a friend stand just behind you to watch your arrow as you shoot.



Check arrow flight

If the arrow is porpoising (tailing left and right) on its way to the target, you'll need to move your rest in or out until you get clean arrow flight. If the arrow wobbles up and down on its way to the target, you need to move the nocking point OR adjust the rest up or down. Once your arrows are flying smoothly, adjust your sight pins and you should be all set.



Squaring it up

Something to keep in mind as you make bow adjustments is that most things on your bow should look normal and fairly “square.” In other words, when looking at your bow from behind, nock an arrow and check to see that it looks straight as it protrudes from the bow. Next look at it from the side. Your arrow should come off the string at just over 90 degrees (slightly nock high) and can even look perfectly square if you're shooting a string loop.



Hit or miss

While there's no doubt that tuning for broadheads is a pain, it's one of those essential chores that many bowhunters skip. Those same hunters often end up paying the price with a miss...or worse.



Shorten the length

Most bow experts agree that the most common mistake bowhunters make in setting up their bows is selecting a draw length that is too long.

The benefit of a long draw length is that you get more energy and speed from your bow. The drawback is that it is more difficult to maintain good form when stretching to achieve a longer draw. You'll also notice “draw creep” (a tendency for your anchor point to drift forward) when shooting at the top end of your natural draw length, especially on longer holds.



Cut it short

When selecting your draw length, take anywhere from a half-inch to a full inch off the measured recommended length. This is especially important if you plan to use a release aid, and it is vital if you add a string loop. There's nothing wrong with shooting with your elbow slightly bent, and you'll be less likely to hit your sleeve or arm. More importantly, you'll have an easier time bringing your bow back to true full draw for every shot.

Try it, you’ll like it.



Datebook

The Maple Country Chapter of NWTF cordially invites you to attend their 16th Annual Hunting Heritage Banquet. The location is: The EOUV Club at 8636 Pekin Road Novelty, Ohio. The date: Sept. 9, . Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner Served at 7:00pm. Single Ticket price is $70.00 which includes dinner, open bar, NWTF membership, ticket for the door guns and door prizes. A couples ticket costs $100.00 and includes one single ticket package and an additional dinner and open bar. A Jakes ticket cost is $30.0and includes dinner and JAKES membership. Sponsor Ticket are $290.00 and Sponsor Couples Ticket: $320.00 Table Pricing is $750.00 and includes ten (10) Single Ticket packages and $300.00 in General Raffle tickets to the Table Chair. Early Bird Special, Purchase your tickets before August 15 and receive an additional ticket for an early bird only raffle. You can purchase tickets on line at www.maplecountrynwtf.com or contact Matt McDermott at 34-9606, Don Rauch at 759-8735, Bill Trump at 983-7231or Adam Hollobaugh at 313-7406.

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