The winner of the 2010 National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament was Maysville (6-12) High School for the fourth consecutive year, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The state tournament was held March 5 in Columbus in conjunction with the Arnold Sports Festival, the ongoing fitness tournament developed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger addressed the archery participants and their fans during the awards ceremony.

“This year’s state tournament was quite a success in many regards,” said Kevin Dixon, shooting sports coordinator for the Division of Wildlife, which coordinates NASP for Ohio. “The state tournament drew more than 1,000 student archers with 34 of the 45 Ohio teams qualifying for the NASP national tournament in May.”

Tyler Finley (Maysville MS) was the top overall male archer. Both Tyler and Kelsey received full, two-year scholarships to Hocking College in Nelsonville. The top male and female archers were determined by a shoot-off between the top three boys and top three girls from each of three divisions—elementary, middle and high school.

This year’s Spirit Award, which usually is given in recognition of a team’s enthusiasm and support of fellow archers in the tournament, was to Kelsey Taylor of Morgan High School. Kelsey was involved in a serious automobile accident just weeks prior to the tournament. Her determination and dedication led to an overall female archer award for the second year in a row.

A total of 1,034 student archers from 45 teams from across the state competed. Each competitor could score a maximum of 300 points by shooting arrows as close to the center of a target as possible.

Awards were given for both teams and individuals who competed well in the elementary, middle, and high school divisions. Thirty-four Ohio teams received qualifying scores, making them eligible to participate in the NASP National Invitational Tournament scheduled for May 7-8 in Kentucky.

The NASP is used to teach target archery right in the school gym. The curriculum covers archery, safety, equipment, technique, concentration skills and self-improvement. For more information on the program, visit www.ohionasp.com.



Input important

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife invites the public to comment on the agency’s strategic planning document.

The public is encouraged to review the draft document and provide comments via an online survey. Comments will be accepted until June 1. The current draft document and survey is available online at wildohio.com.

The 2010 plan is the division’s fourth strategic planning document, which is a long-range, broad plan. It will guide the division in meeting its mission of conserving and improving fish and wildlife and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.

Public input on the draft Strategic Plan will be reviewed and considered by the Division of Wildlife’s Executive Planning Group.



It’s turkey time!

It’s almost here, the countdown is on. We’re less than a month away from Ohio’s Spring Turkey season, April 17-18 2010 Youth “Only” while the regular season opens on April 19 and goes to May 16. Also, you need to remember a spring turkey permit is required in addition to a hunting license. The limit is two bearded turkeys per hunter per spring season. Only one bearded turkey may be taken per day. Hunting hours are a half hour before sunrise to noon from April 19 to May 20. From May 3 to May 16, hunting hours end at sunset. Only shotguns (including muzzleloading shotguns) using shot, crossbows, and longbows are permitted. Hunters wishing to take a second wild turkey during the spring season must purchase a second permit.

Now that you have the low down on the upcoming season lets get into some areas that may help a few of you bag that elusive spring monarch, Let’s start with the most important thing you need to hunt turkey, you’re shotgun.



The right gun

The level of sophistication in firearms available to the turkey hunter has followed the same path as turkey calls. As more hunters have joined the sport, manufacturers have responded to their needs by making shotguns with features ideally matched to the turkey woods. Here are a few tips for making sure you have the right gun for the job this spring.

Make sure the shotgun fits you.

There is no sure way to determine gun fit other than seeing a firearms expert but in lieu of that you might try this. Put the butt of the shotgun in the bend of your shooting arm elbow. Then reach up with your shooting hand and make sure your trigger finger can easily reach the trigger. If you have to stretch you finger to reach the trigger the stock is too long for you. Ideally you finger should engage the trigger at a 90 degree angle and the middle of the finger, between the tip and the first joint, should be placed on the trigger to facilitate proper trigger pull. If not you may want to consider having a gunsmith trim the stock for you. If you perform this process and find that your reach is too long you can purchase after market recoil pad that will make the reach a little longer.

Also, to ensure that your gun fits, pull the gun to your shoulder (with the muzzle pointed in a safe direction, of course) and ask yourself the following questions. Does it swing into place without extra movement or effort? Does the weight feel comfortable? Try adjusting the placement of your forward hand. Can you hold the shotgun steady for a given amount of time? Can you comfortably carry the shotgun for long distances? You should be able to answer “yes” to all of these questions. All these variables play a role in determining gun fit for turkey hunting.



Is bigger better?

With the new, high-powered turkey loads and chokes available, 20-gauge shotguns have become very popular for use in the spring turkey woods. Better advice than simply purchasing the largest gauge or load size would be to ensure appropriate length, weight and recoil for the person doing the shooting.



Pattern, pattern...

Take the time to shoot the shotgun with different loads, shot sizes and even choke constrictions when possible. Most shotguns come with several choke options and the aftermarket chokes have shown great success in increasing pattern performance down range.

Prior to the start of hunting season, many hunters head to the range, set up a turkey target at 40 yards, pull the trigger and are satisfied that their pattern is more than adequate. So they put their shotgun back in its case until opening morning. But I say, “Not so fast.” I can't tell you how many birds I've seen missed, not because a hunter was shooting at a bird at the limit of his range, but because it was too close. That's right, too close.

With today's choke tube offerings and tight-patterning turkey loads, the shot that covers a pie plate at 30 or 40 yards can be smaller than your fist at just 10 or 15 yards. Shoot a little to the right or the left of a gobbler's head and all you're going to see is flapping wings and tail feathers as that ol' tom takes flight.

Be ready for any approach by a wary longbeard this spring. Know how your gun patterns at 10, 20, 30 and 40 yards by practicing on targets at those ranges before the season. Then, you'll be prepared to take the proper shot.



To camo or not?

Camouflage is another consideration in choosing a firearm this spring. We all know that turkeys have keen eyesight and getting a shotgun with functional camouflage could give you that added advantage. Remember though it will add to the cost so beware you may have to compensate momma by buying her some sort of new bobble or two.



The best for last

The best advice for making sure that you have the best shotgun this season is to know the limitations of your firearm. Patterning, experimenting with different loads and chokes and practicing real hunting situations on the range will help you learn when to shoot and when the shot may be risky. If using a 20 gauge, you may need to be within 25 yards of your target for your shot.

The same distance could be used as a rule of thumb for very young hunters. Making sure you are aware of the capabilities of the hunter, as well as the firearm, can be the difference between success and disappointment.

Remember, the ultimate goal is a quick clean harvest not a wounded bird flopping around or flying off to give up the ghost under some brush pile undetected by you the hunter.



The end result

The fact of the matter is… you probably have the right shotgun for harvesting that trophy gobbler this spring. It may just require some experimentation and practice to determine the optimal choke constriction, load, shot size and distance.

If you are in the market for something new, just about every manufacturer is now producing shotguns made specifically for turkey hunters. They all perform well; however, all the considerations above must be considered before carrying one on a hunt.



Education classes

For those of you wishing to get into the turkey hunting arena remember all first time hunters need to take a Hunter Education course.

The Division of Wildlife offers three types of certification courses: instructor-led training, home-study courses, and proficiency testing for those 18 and older.

While hunter education is a vital part of becoming an Ohio hunter, new hunters also have the option of hunting with an apprentice hunting license before taking a hunter education course.

Instructor-led courses last about 8-12 hours, and take place in a classroom environment. Home-study lets you work at your own pace, but may take more time (a 3- to 4-hour classroom training and completion session is required). Proficiency testing is only for those with previous knowledge of hunting and firearms. For more information on what type of course may be right for you call 1-800-945-3543. Below is a list of the current instructor led courses going on in Ashtabula County before the turkey season starts:

n Conneaut, Conneaut Fish & Game Club, March 2. Preregister Number: 1-800-945-3543, M/F, 8 a.m-5 p.m.

n Ashtabula, Ashtabula Rod & Gun Club March 31 & April 3. Preregister Number: 992-7596 ask for Paul.

n Conneaut, Amboy Rifle Club, April 3, 2010, Pre-Register Number: 1-800-945-3543 M/F, 8 a.m-5 p.m.

n Kingsville, Home Study, April 10. Preregister Number: 1-800-945-3543, M/F, 8 a.m. -5 p.m.



Bow madness

You, know what guys and gals just because deer season is over doesn’t mean you should hang up you bow till the end of the summer. Heck some of you may even try hammering that big ol’ bird with your stick and string for that matter. So what do you do to stay in tune, go 3D’ing.

My good friend and bowyer, Jim Retallick, at Sports Junction has just informed me that his 3D archery course, located at 2239 Claymill Drive in Harpersfield, is now open for the 2010 season. His hours to the public are from day light to dusk seven days a week and the cost is $10 to go through the 30-target course. By the way, Jim has all Rinehart targets.

If you’re interested in practicing on a steady basis,sign up for the league shoots. Jim’s leagues last for nine weeks and consist of two-man teams. The cost for that is $70 per person or $140 per team. There is no set day or time you have to shoot, just shoot once a week, record your scores and turn them in accordingly.



My call

Spring is in the air and the crowned heads of the forest are starting to gobble up a storm. Some of us have been cooped up for way too long now.

It’s time to get back at it. Go turkey scouting; shoot some 3D, how about some steelhead fishing. I hear the smelt are stacked 10 deep in Conneaut.

Just get out there and get some fresh air. Spring is the worlds awakening and rebirth of all that is in Mother Nature. Get out there and witness it with all its wonder and beauty no matter how you do it.

And remember, pass it on or it will surely pass on.



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