As we pass through life it seems that we all are blessed to meet a handful of people who truly make a difference. To many of us, Lila Koston was one of those people.

On Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 12:45 p.m., Lila Koston the beloved and undisputed “Boss Hen” of the Grand River Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and all of Ashtabula County for that matter passed away.

After a long battle with several illnesses Lila finally succumbed to a bout with pneumonia which put her in St Joseph’s Hospital in Warren Ohio where she passed on. She was surrounded by her family and one special friend, Bill Nelson, when her time finally came due.

Lila touched so many people during her time on this earth I wouldn’t know where to start to tell her tale. I do know this though; when it came to anything outdoors Lila was all for it and on it right now.

Being and integral part of the Grand River Chapter of The National Wild Turkey Federation she organized the first National Wild Turkey Women In The Outdoors event in Ashtabula County and ran it for many years winning countless state and national awards while setting attendance record that are still unmatched by any other chapter. NWTF wise she was also involved in their youth program, JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship).

From there she tackled their first Wheeling Sportsmen event involving the handicapped in the outdoors sports. Needless to say the Turkey Federation and turkey hunting were a passion with Lila.

So much so that she was nationally recognized in 2004 for her efforts and received their coveted “Annie Oakley Award” for female volunteer of the year. Not stopping there she helped with the first ever NRA Women on Target held in Ashtabula County at Orwell Gun Club. She also served on several banquet committees helping to raise funds and awareness for the outdoor and shooting sports.

All the while, Lila managed to operate her own taxidermy business, “Moutin’ Momma’s Taxidermy,” winning countless awards for her fish while also being heavily involved with several of the conservation clubs in the county. She was a member and past officer for Orwell Gun Club along with being their representative to the Ashtabula County Wildlife Conservation League and a member of Crooked Creek Conservation Club. I’m sure there were others but they escape me at this time so I apologize to any clubs or organization that I may have missed, it isn’t intentional.

Some of you may be wondering how I know so much about Lila. She was not only one of our dearest friends she was our mentor. Lila took us, Janie and me, as well as Camp Camo under her wing early on in our inception. She drug us by the hand to any and every meeting or club she could and introduced us to the movers and shakers.

She helped us put together events that raised awareness as to what we were doing. She got us involved and then some. Each and every committee Lila was on we were right there by her side along with many, many other people who’s life she had touched and became a guru to, she was definitely a charismatic lady.

A few friends responded to me when I sent out a mass email notifying everyone of her passing that kind of says it all. “The world is definitely a sadder place today because of Lila’s passing.” Another said, “Rest in peace, Lila... You will be sorely missed,” and by Bill Nelson her taxidermy mentor and close friend, “She will be missed by all of us in the outdoor world who were fortunate enough to know her.” My final epitaph to Lila’s passing, “We are all better people for having known her.”

Remember, just as Lila did and would want us all to do, pass it on or it will surely pass on.



Fishing outlook good

I get occasional complaints about not doing any fishing articles but as most of you know I am not a fisherman thus limited space is devoted to it in my writings. But in an effort to keep you Dennison’s of the deep somewhat informed here’s a blip I received from the DNR regarding this year’s fishing outlook on Lake Erie and its surrounding waters.

Lake Erie anglers should experience another year of diverse fishing opportunities during 2011, according to biologists with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

“When you consider the variety of species and sizes of fish that are available to Ohio anglers, we are optimistic about Lake Erie fishing prospects this year,” said Roger Knight, Lake Erie fisheries program manager for the Division of Wildlife. “Weather is always the wild card on Lake Erie, but anglers who take advantage of seasonal fishing opportunities have good odds at catching walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, white bass, and steelhead, often in combination during many trips.”

Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch fisheries are managed through an interagency quota system that involves Ontario, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio jurisdictions. Each jurisdiction regulates their catches to comply with their agency’s quotas and minimize the risk of over-fishing these species. Quotas for the upcoming fishing season are determined through consensus agreement by these jurisdictions through the Lake Erie Committee of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, which were just recently announced for 2011.



Bag limits

Ohio’s walleye and yellow perch bag limits were set after the March 25, 2011, LEC quota announcement, and will go into effect May 1, 2011. As a result of the 2011 quota allocation, the walleye bag limit will be four from March 1, 2012 to April 30, 2012 and six from May 1, 2011 to Feb. 29, 2012. A 15-inch minimum size limit is in effect during the entire season. The daily bag limit for walleye remains four fish per person during April 2011. As a result of the 2011 quota allocation, the yellow perch bag limit will be 30 perch per angler in all Ohio waters from May 1, 2011 to April 30, 2012. There is no minimum size limit on yellow perch. Lake Erie anglers can find walleye and yellow perch bag limit information at ODNR offices, in special publications at bait and tackle shops, and on the Web at wildohio.com.

Lake Erie anglers have great access to fishing in the Western and Central basins due to the numerous public boat ramps, private marinas, and shoreline access areas. Anglers also benefit from having access to the largest charter boat fleet on the Great Lakes.



Walleye

Ohio walleye anglers will catch fish mostly from the 2007 and 2003 hatches, with some contributions from the 2001, 2005, 2006, and 2008 hatches. Walleye from the moderate 2007 hatch will range from 17-22 inches long and will complement the larger 22- to 28-inch fish from the strong 2003 hatch as the major contributors to the Ohio catch. Fish from the fair 2005 hatch should be in the 20- to 25-inch range.

Fast-growing fish from the 2008 cohort will begin to contribute to the fishery. Large walleye from strong hatches in the mid-1990s still persist in the population, providing “Fish Ohio” award (greater than 28 inches) opportunities.

“Fish from the 2007 hatch grew faster than expected last year and showed up prominently in our fishery in 2010, and they should dominate the Western Basin catch this summer,” Knight said. “The 2003 hatch is still out there, and it will likely contribute many fish in the Central Basin fisheries, particularly as the waters warm up and large fish migrate eastward to cooler waters.”



Yellow perch

Perch anglers should encounter fish ranging from 7- to 13-inches from the 2007, 2008, 2005, and 2003 hatches in this year’s fishery. Lake wide, yellow perch numbers should be similar to levels observed in 2010 in the Western and Central basins. Small fish from the weaker 2009 hatch are not expected to contribute much to the fishery.

“Overall, we expect to have good perch fishing in 2011, with the largest fish coming from the eastern part of the Central Basin,” Knight said.



Smallmouth bass

Smallmouth bass fishing in 2011 is expected to be fair. Although bass abundance remains below desired levels, those caught should be of excellent size (15 to 22 inches, weighing 2 to 6 pounds). Some small fish may be encountered from recent good hatches and must be released as quickly as possible. Bass fishing is best in areas with good bottom structure, which is available across much of the entire Ohio near-shore area.

A closed season remains in effect from May 1 through June 24, 2011, during which all black bass (smallmouth and largemouth) must be immediately released. Beginning June 25, 2011, the daily bag limit for bass will remain at five fish, with a 14-inch minimum length limit.



Steelhead

Steelhead anglers should enjoy another year of good fishing in Ohio’s Lake Erie open waters and in tributaries throughout the fall, winter, and spring months. Peak summer steelhead action on Lake Erie can be found offshore from June through August between Vermilion and Conneaut, with catches measuring 17 to 29 inches.

Most Lake Erie anglers troll for steelhead in deep waters using spoons with dipsy divers or downriggers until fish move close to shore in the fall. The daily bag limit remains at five fish per person from May 16 to Aug. 31, 2011, and two fish per angler between Sept. 1, 2011 and May 15, 2012, with a 12-inch minimum size limit throughout the year.



White bass

White bass will continue to provide excellent seasonal fishing opportunities in the Maumee and Sandusky rivers and in the open lake. The catch will be dominated by hatches from 2007 and 2008, which will include 13- to 16-inch fish.

The moderate 2009 and strong 2010 hatches should contribute many 10- to 14-inch fish to the fishery. Anglers should focus on major Western Basin tributaries during May and June and near-shore areas of the open lake during summer months. There is no daily bag or size limit on white bass.



Weather watch

Anglers are reminded that fishing conditions on Lake Erie can change hourly and adjustments are often necessary to improve success. Anglers should take into account factors such as water temperature, cloud cover, water clarity, boat traffic, wave action, structures, currents, and the amount of baitfish in the area. Anglers are also reminded to carefully monitor Lake Erie weather and to seek safe harbor before storms approach.



Turkey talk

Estimating when a gobbler is within range is easy, if you practice. Range estimation is a skill that must be learned through repetitive practice. A lot of novice turkey hunters do their homework practice calling, pattern their guns and outfit themselves in full camo only to go afield without a skill that is equally as important.



Range estimation

It has been proven in military field tests that the average person estimates range with a probable error of 30 percent. If the average untrained person has a 30 percent error handicap it’s a pretty sure bet that a lot of turkey hunters go afield ill prepared.

Borrowing a method from the bow hunting fraternity is the simplest way to accurately judge distance. Several range-finding devices are available to help you estimate distance. When a gobbler is coming to your call is obviously not the time to try out a range finder.

Find various landmarks, trees, rocks, etc., to note distance when you first set up. By the time a tom strolls within range you should be ready to shoot rather than squinting through a peephole. If you go the route of using a range finder, don’t make the mistake of trying it out for the first time the morning you go turkey hunting. A little practice at home will go a long way toward success later.



Partner up

There’s another method that works well if you don’t choose to use a range finder. Have a partner place a turkey decoy at an unknown distance in the woods, sit down and guess the yardage then have your partner verify it with a range finder. Vary the terrain, lighting conditions, thickness or lack of brush to offer true hunting situations.

Remember to sit down to estimate range because things look deceptively different from different heights. Take turns at this game and your range estimation will dramatically improve. Several NWTF chapters have incorporated this game into their JAKES (Juniors Acquiring Knowledge, Ethics and Sportsmanship) youth events with a lot of success.



More benefits

Accurate range estimation could help you in another way as well. I’ve found that there’s a threshold at about 25 to 30 yards where mistakes, usually hunter movement, seem to be more critical than when a gobbler is beyond this distance. When a bird walks into this “hyper zone” practically any hunter movement can spell disaster.

On several occasions, I’ve watched birds within gun range, but beyond 25 yards, hesitate when they see something they don’t like and often calm back down if they don’t see something to confirm their fears. Inside 25 yards, a gobbler’s best judgment is full retreat if he becomes suspicious. This isn’t a hard and fast rule, but it’s something to consider when afield.



My call

Every party of hunters has lost a member at some time and the party goes on, but it is never quite the same. One of the party takes the lost members place in the natural hierarchy of the group, and sooner or later another comes in to fill the void, but the old hunter is still missed. In Lila’s case I know she will be missed but I don’t think anyone can fill the void.

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