Ohio State Parks Reminds Visitors to ‘SwimSafe!’ this Summer

Posted by admin on July 3, 2009

Adults reminded to ‘keep an eye on the kids’ around water

COLUMBUS, OH – As Ohioans prepare the celebrate the 4th of July weekend, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Recreation reminds adult visitors to keep an eye on children in their charge when they go swimming. This is the focus of the SwimSafe! beach safety program.

“Safety is an important part of a successful family outing in our state parks,” said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. “Our SwimSafe! program is a reminder that in addition to packing lotions, beach toys and snacks, parents and adult guardians should take a high level of awareness along on any beach outing.”

To fully enjoy a safe visit at a park beach, follow these SwimSafe! tips:

• Keep a close eye on young children while they are in the water;
• Lakes are not swimming pools, the water is murky and you may not see where it becomes deeper, so exercise caution;
• Bring a cell phone to make an emergency call if necessary. Check before swimming that there is cell phone service in that location;
• Swim only in designated areas at the beach and the lake;
• Use the buddy system and designate one member of your party to remain on the beach to keep watch on the others while they are swimming;
• Enjoy the fun that water offers, but take regular breaks and relax on the beach;
• Alcohol and swimming do not mix. Leave these types of beverages at home when you come to the beach;
• It can’t be said enough, keep an eye on the kids!

Ohio State Parks offer 80 beaches on 47 inland lakes in addition to 9 beaches on Lake Erie. There are also 17 swimming pools in the state park system. Last year, almost 4.3 million people visited state park beaches and pools across Ohio.

Children who swim at Ohio State Parks with their families this summer can receive credit towards the ODNR Explore the Outdoors Swim with a Buddy activity. Explore the Outdoors is a hands-on family program that gives Ohio children the opportunity to reunite with nature, improve their physical and emotional health and discover the rewards of becoming environmental stewards. Program information and downloadable activity guides can be found at www.exploretheoutdoorsohio.com.

Ohio State Parks are operated by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Parks and Recreation. ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

BALD EAGLES NESTING IN 49 COUNTIES OF PENNSYLVANIA

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Just 20 years after the last eaglets were brought into Pennsylvania from Canada, bald eagles have recorded remarkable nesting successes here, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials. And, with the Fourth of July just around the corner, the opportunity for Pennsylvanians to see a bald eagle in the wild continues to increase, thanks to the recent completion of a bald eagle nest viewing platform on State Game Land 180 in Pike County.

“The story of the bald eagle’s recovery is living proof that responsible natural resource management and conservation make Pennsylvania a better place to live and ensure wildlife will be around for future generations to enjoy,” explained Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “As our nation’s symbol, the bald eagle’s presence is essential in America’s outdoors. They immediately add a touch of true wilderness to any area they inhabit, whether it’s on the shoreline of Philadelphia or a remote stretch of one of the Commonwealth’s river systems.

“With the banning of DDT in 1972, as well as the ensuing environmental clean up efforts launched in the 1970s, the stage was set for bald eagles to recover on their own. However, there is no doubt that the Game Commission’s reintroduction efforts from 1983 through 1989 helped the bald eagle population grow exponentially, from just three known nests in Crawford County in 1983, to nearly 180 nests in 49 of the state’s 67 counties this year.”

At the present time, there are at least 170 known nests, including 36 new nests statewide.  Also, for the first time in the agency’s annual survey, Clinton and Mifflin counties were added to the list of counties hosting bald eagle nests.  In June of 2008, Game Commission biologists estimated Pennsylvania had 140 known nests in 47 counties. The final nest count turned out to be 156.

PROPER BALD EAGLE NEST VIEWING ETIQUETTE ENCOURAGED
While viewing nesting bald eagles is a thrilling experience, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials encourage caution because human disturbances can cause adult eagles to abandon their nests and young.  Also, anyone charged with disturbing a bald eagle nest can be charged by federal and state wildlife officials.

For more information on these two articles, as well as a series of photos of bald eagles, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission – State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=176809

Boating Safety for July 4th

Posted by admin on July 2, 2009

COLUMBUS, OH - The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft encourages boaters to enjoy fireworks shows and to stay sober and boat safely on the July 4th holiday weekend, which represents among the busiest boating weekends of the year.

Accidents happen quickly on the water and often come with no warning, which makes staying alert, staying sober and keeping a proper lookout for swimmers, objects in the water and other boaters a top priority. Properly wearing a life jacket also saves lives.

Here are some basic safety tips to follow anytime while boating and enjoying fireworks shows while on the water:

• Stay sober. Boat operators, like motorists, are considered legally impaired and may be arrested if their blood alcohol content is .08 or greater.
• Stay alert. Drug usage also poses safety risks for boaters, especially when drugs are abused in combination with alcohol.
• Keep a proper lookout. Operator inattention and failing to keep a proper lookout while operating a boat, especially at night, are among the leading causes of boating-related accidents.
• Enjoy fireworks from a safe distance to the shore and in proximity to other boats on the water. Be sure your navigation lights are in proper working order.
• Swim safe. Some boating-related fatalities result from swimming accidents. Boaters should always properly wear a life jacket while boating and while swimming in combination with their boating activities.
• Stay weather-wise. Capsizing incidents can occur when boats become overloaded and when they become swamped. Sometimes this is due to poor boating conditions such as high winds and choppy waters. Keep alert to all weather forecasts.

Boating safety tips and other boating program information is available online at www.ohiodnr.com.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

New Doe License Process for Pennsylvania Hunters

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HARRISBURG – With full implementation of the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS), Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today reminded hunters that county treasurers will begin accepting antlerless deer license applications three weeks earlier than in past years.  Applications from resident hunters will be accepted by county treasurers starting Monday, July 13; nonresidents on Monday, July 27.

For the 2009-10 license year, antlerless deer license fees are the same as they have been since 1999.  However, there is a 70-cent transaction fee attached to the purchase of each license and permit, which is paid directly to Automated License Systems, the Nashville-based company that runs PALS.  This transaction fee, which already applies to each Pennsylvania fishing license and permit sold by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission through PALS, means that residents will need to write checks made payable to “County Treasurer” for $6.70, and nonresidents for $26.70.

By state law, antlerless deer licenses will continue to be sold only by county treasurers, so hunters will need to prepare and mail separate applications for antlerless deer licenses. A listing of all county treasurer addresses can be found on page 48 of the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is provided free to each license buyer.

Roe noted that hunters must use the new pink envelopes, which are provided to each license buyer by the issuing agents, and that the previously used yellow envelopes should be thrown away. For those who order licenses via the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), a new Digest and two pink envelopes will be included in the package, along with the licenses, which will arrive in seven to 10 business days from the date of order.

“As county treasurers will be set up with PALS, hunters will be able to submit an application to any county treasurer, and the application will list the hunter’s first three choices, in order of preference, for a specific Wildlife Management Unit antlerless deer license,” Roe said. “If an applicant’s first choice of WMU has exhausted its allocation of antlerless deer licenses, the county treasurer will move to the second preference – and third, if necessary.

“This new process will nearly eliminate the chance that a hunter will not be able to receive at least one antlerless deer license during the processing of regular antlerless deer licenses.”

Also, Roe said that the early start to the antlerless deer license application process will help ensure that county treasurers will be able to mail antlerless deer licenses back to hunters prior to the opening of the archery season.  The first such season opens with the antlerless archery season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D on Sept. 19.  The opening date of the general statewide archery deer season is Oct. 3.

Under the new timeline, residents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on July 13; nonresidents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on July 27.  After this, residents and nonresidents will apply for the first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 3, and residents and nonresidents will apply for the second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 17.

County treasurers will have to mail regular and first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than Sept. 14, and second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than the Sept. 28.

Beginning August 3, for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D only, there is no limit to the number of unsold antlerless deer license applications an individual can submit until the allocations are exhausted.  This must be done by mail only, and there is a limit of three applications per pink envelope.

Beginning Aug. 24, county treasurers will begin accepting applications over-the-counter for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, and may immediately issue antlerless deer licenses.  Hunters may apply over-the-counter to county treasurers for any other WMU with antlerless license allocations on Nov. 2.

Roe noted that, this year, in conjunction with the move to PALS, the Game Commission will roll out a new online reporting system for antlered and antlerless deer, as well as fall turkey and spring gobbler. Postage-paid report cards still will be available in the Digest, but the agency is encouraging hunters to report online to save on the cost of postage and data entry.

“Reporting online also will ensure your harvest data will not be lost in the mail,” Roe said. “So report online and the agency will be able to direct its limited resources to other important wildlife conservation work. Thanks in advance for helping to improve harvest data collection!”

Roe noted that antlerless deer licenses, as well as general hunting licenses, still will need to be displayed by hunters.

Explore the Outdoors in Ohio this July

Posted by admin on June 30, 2009

Young Ohioans Will Enjoy Summer Fun at Explore the Outdoors Events Ohio families encouraged to take part in Explore activities to Celebrate Park and Recreation Month

COLUMBUS, OH – Beautiful summer weather is here and it’s time to be outdoors. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), through the Explore the Outdoors program, is providing parents and children with a variety of family-oriented events to help Ohioans jumpstart healthy outdoor lifestyles.
Explore the Outdoors is an exciting, hands-on family program that gives Ohio children the opportunity to reunite with nature, improve their physical and emotional health and discover the rewards of becoming environmental stewards.

Through the program, ODNR provides Ohio parents, grade school teachers, youth leaders and outdoor educators with an easy activity guide to lead Ohio’s young people into the outdoors and an
interactive online resource, www.exploretheoutdoorsohio.com, which families can use to find exciting outdoor events.

In July, which is National Park and Recreation Month, special Explore the Outdoors events will continue to be posted on the Explore the Outdoors web site. Upcoming events (through July 12) are listed here:

7/2/09
9 to 11 a.m.
James H. Kelley Preserve
Village of Canal Winchester
Splash in a Stream
7/4/09
Sandcastle Building Contest
Noon to 2:30 p.m.
Portage Lakes State Park
ODNR
Swim with a Buddy

7/4/09

Kids’ Endangered Species Festival
Kiser Lake State Park
ODNR
Learn from a Naturalist

7/4/09
Lake Erie beach Treasure Hunt
5 p.m.
Maumee Bay State Park
ODNR
Swim with a Buddy

7/5/09
T-shirt Art
2 – 4 p.m.
Highbanks Metro Park
Franklin County Metro Park
Learn from a Naturalist
Meet at Nature Center

7/6/09
Lightning Bug Night Hike
9 p.m.
Pickerington Ponds
Franklin County Metro Park
Learn from a Naturalist
Meet at Glacier Knoll Picnic Area

7/9/09
Hike a Trail
9 to 11 a.m.
Chestnut Ridge Metro Park
Village of Canal Winchester
Hike or Bike a Trail
7/9/09
Fishing Program
1:00 to 2:30 p.m.
Slate Run

Franklin County Metro Park

Catch a Fish Learn from a Naturalist

Explore the Outdoors Program: