1

During the spring of 2004,

I drove northwest from the

hills of southeast Ohio, to

the level grounds and town

of Archbold, Ohio to attend

my first Outdoor Writers of

Ohio conference. I made

the trip solo which provid-

ed ample time to think dur-

ing the four-hour drive.

Exactly what would I expe-

rience with this group of

writers and photographers?

Would this be a one-year

membership and then move

on? I walked through the

door of the hotel and con-

ference center to find a

table surrounded by smil-

ing faces and a most cordi-

al welcome. The man who

encouraged me to join

OWO, Chip Gross, was the

first to extend a handshake

and soon introduced me to

several of my soon-to-be,

great friends.

Over the past nine years as

an OWO member, I have-

n’t missed one conference.

Investing time with OWO

membership, it soon be-

came apparent to me that

this organization was built

and thrived on camaraderie

and the deep adoration for

the outdoors. Hook and

bullet writers, members of

state conservation agen-

cies, and naturalists work-

ing from the same slate,

although from different

angles, providing encour-

aging stories and photos

encouraging others to get

out there and explore. I

learned much from this

group of communicators,

as I was new to the free-

lance outdoor writing field.

As my membership roots

in OWO grew deeper, so

did the benefits of mem-

bership – networking with

publishers, supporting

members, and writers

across the country. These

benefits continue today and

with continued dedication

from the board, officers,

and membership, the future

of OWO looks just as

bright.

At this year’s conference

held on South Bass Island,

I again joined this great

group of communicators.

During this conference, I

was extended another

handshake. This greeting

was shared with outgoing,

OWO President, Tim

Snyder. The exchange of

friendship included the

passing of the OWO Presi-

dential Gavel – from Tim

to me. The organization

that consumed me nine

years ago as a greenhorn

journalist, is now my re-

sponsibility to some de-

gree. When I arrived home

post-conference, I un-

packed the car, including

the gavel. I studied the

gavel and the dozens of

past president’s signatures

that decorate it. As the gav-

el’s caretaker for the next

two years, I’m humbled

and excited at the same

time. Time to roll up my

sleeves and get to work,

and in two years, do as Tim

did – pass the gavel on to

the next president while

knowing I did the best I

could and OWO remains

healthy and an active stew-

Robert Loewendick President

President’s Message

By Robert Loewendick

OUTDOOR LORE

Spring 2013

Peoples Choice 2

Supporting Member Chairman’s Report

3

Conference Summary 4

Dawson Award 4

2012 Awards Program 5

Veterans Fishing Outing 8

Craft Improvement 10

Supporting Member Spotlight

11

Inside this issue:

Newsletter of the Outdoor Writers of Ohio

Contributing Writers

Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

Chip Gross

John Hageman

Robert Loewendik

Mike Mainhart

Ed Moody

Jim Morris

OWO by the Numbers 13

Reef Runner Release Conference Survey

14

15

Continued Pg. 2

2

PRESIDENT– Robert Loewendick VICE PRESIDENT - John Hageman SECRETARY-TREASURER - Guy Denny BOARD OF TRUSTEES Jeff Huxman Fred Snyder Mike Mainhart Jamey Graham Brenda Layman Scott Carpenter PAST PRESIDENT Tim Snyder

OWO

We foster the highest standards of journalistic skill and integrity among members, promote the wise use of natural resources, defend the environment against abuse, recognize the media as a public trust and dedi-cate ourselves to truth and conserva-tion without regard for personal gain.

www.outdoorwritersofohio.org

www.facebook.com/OutdoorWritersofOhio

President’s Message continued

ard of Ohio’s outdoors.

An open line of communications is as important to an organization’s health

as the cardiovascular system is to living things. I encourage each member

and supporting member to feel free to contact me (my contact information

is in the directory) with any opinions, suggestions, concerns, or com-

plaints. I seriously mean that – don’t hold back – let’s keep OWO healthy

with open arteries. Another manner to keep OWO strong is to build mem-

bership – both individual and supporting. Please be an active member and

be on the lookout for prospective members and when spotted, approach

and invite to join.

So here we go. I’m honored to be the point man for our group and the next

two years will be an enjoyable challenge. With each of you grabbing a

paddle and pulling your weight, there is no doubt the OWO ship will navi-

gate the waters with a true and stable course. I extend to each of you a wel-

coming handshake and look forward to our journey together.

2013 People’s Choice

Red Foxes: Shall We Dance

By Chip Gross

Chip received a Sony, NEX-F3 camera as the prize for winning the People’s

Choice photo contest at the 2013 Conference at Put-in-Bay. The photo is of a

pair of wild red foxes playing. He had been looking for a fox den to photograph

for years, and last year got lucky and found three.

3

The Outdoor Writers of Ohio (OWO) would like to thank all of our sponsors for making the Put-in-Bay conference a

great success. Several OWO sponsors stepped up to the plate with generous donations of money and auction items.

Through all your efforts we were able to raise enough money to secure the scholarship fund for distribution next spring.

OWO is proud of our sponsorship base of nearly 70 supporting members. We look forward to working with you

throughout the year. Your help and support will make 2013 another successful year. It was great to meet with the spon-

sors who attended the conference and we encourage everyone to attend next year’s conference in Athens.

Contributing Vendors

Al Szuch Bait

Boardwalk’s Upper Deck Restaurant

Bob Adamov, Novelist, Tan Lines

Fish Bowl Bar

Frosty Bar

Grand Islander Hotel

Heineman Winery

Island Transportation

Kayak the Bay, Inc.

Lake Erie Chapter Black Swamp Conservancy

Lake Erie Islands Historical Center

Lake Erie Islands State Parks

Lake Erie Nature and Wildlife Center

Niagara Event Center

Ohio Sea Grant

Perry’s Victory and International Peace Me-

morial

Put-in-Bay Family Fun Center

Put-in-Bay Taxi

Put-in-Bay Winery/Doller Mansion

Tibbel’s Marina Fishing Charters

Special Thanks for Services

at the 2013 Conference

Lake County Metroparks, Tote Bags

Lake Erie Charter Boat Association

Metro Parks of Toledo

Miller Boat Line Thank You!

Ashtabula County CVB

Athens CVB

First Energy Nuclear Operating Corp.

Hart Productions

Jet Express

Johnson Outdoors/Old Town

Lake Erie Shores & Islands

Ohio Division of Wildlife

Monetary Donations

Pheasants Forever: Erie-Ottawa-Sandusky County Chapter

Pheasants Forever: State Council

Put-in-Bay Chamber of Commerce

Tamron

Toyota

U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance

Western Basin Sportfishing Assoc.

AUCTION DONATIONS

Athens CVB

B’n’M Poles

Black Powder Inc

Boat US

Bushnell

Cabela’s

Energizer

Freedom Group Family of Companies

Geauga CVB

Howard Communications

Jann’s Netcraft

Laymans

Leupold

National Wild Turkey Federation

Navionics

Ohio Division of Wildlife

Old Town/ Johnson Outdoors

Pure Fishing/ Blue Heron Communications

Reef Runner

Sony/ People’s Choice Prize

Tamron

US Sportsmen’s Alliance

Venture-TRiegn-Lens pen/Bear & Son

Visit Lorain

Yozuri

Supporting Member Chair’s Message

By Mike Mainhart

4

2013 Conference Summary

I would like to thank the 34 members,

10 supporting members, 15 spouses,

11 assistants, 10 speakers and 5 guests

who attended the 74th OWO Annual

Conference. We were able to enjoy

exceptional weather, lots of activities

and each other’s company for a long

weekend at Put-in-Bay.

The majority of tours went on as

planned as we were there for essen-

tially the opening weekend of the

year for the island. Even though I

underestimated the logistics of get-

ting from the hotel to the conference

center, thanks to Heather Fraelich,

Lorain Co. CVB’s excellent job as

shuttle bus driver, all of us survived

to write another day.

Even though the logistics of shipping

things to the Island create higher costs

than most places in Ohio, it appears

that after all bills are paid, OWO will

clear over $1,000.

This would not have been possible if

not for the heroic effort of Mike Main-

hart, Supporting Member Chairman,

who was able to retain most of the

supporting members and cultivate

some new ones. Several of them

stepped up and sponsored meals,

gave a kayak, guns, rod/reel combos,

prints and more to support our schol-

arship funding efforts through the

auctions and raffle.

Congratulations to those who partici-

pated during the auction and bought

the items and/or raffle tickets. You

got a good deal on the supporting

member donated items and contribut-

ed to re-stock the scholarships.

Thanks goes to the Lake Erie Charter

Boat Association, Western Basin

Sportfishing Association, Al Szuch

Bait and Tibbel’s Marina Walk-On

Charters for providing fishing out-

ings for those who signed up.

Island restaurants which served ex-

cellent meals at excellent rates in-

cluded the Fish Bowl, The Board-

walk Upper Deck, Frosty Bar and the

(OSU) Gibraltar Island Cafeteria.

The Grand Islander Hotel proved to

be pretty inflexible when it came to

room rates, but were able to match

meal selections to our budget at their

Niagara Conference Center and do-

nated the hospitality room and

provided drinks at cost.

Other island businesses who de-

serve special recognition for their

support include the Put-in-Bay

Chamber of Commerce, Miller

Boat Line, Island Transportation

(Bus), Put-in-Bay Taxi, Jet Ex-

press, Lake Erie Island State

Parks, Heineman Winery/Crystal

Cave, Put-in-Bay Winery/Doller

House, Lake Erie Islands Histori-

cal Society Museum, Island Herit-

age Re-Sale Shop and Lake Erie

Island Nature and Wildlife Center,

Put-in-Bay Family Fun Center

(Perry’s Cave, Butterfly House,

Gem Mining and War of 18 Holes

Mini-Golf), Perry’s Monument,

the Ohio State University’s Stone

Laboratory and the Ohio Division

of Wildlife/Ohio Sea Grant

Aquatic Visitor Center.

Please reward our supporting

members and sponsors by giving

them some ink-then send them a

copy of your work to let them

know that their investment in

OWO pays off!

ByJohn Hageman

2013 Bruce Dawson Award, A Success By Jim Morris

The annual Bruce Dawson Award for

2013 was a huge success. Not only did

the winners - Birds in Flight - come to

the OWO conference at Put-In-Bay to

accept their award, but they brought a

hawk and a screech owl with them.

They stole the show.

I would like to thank everyone who

supported the Dawson award by pur-

chasing grab bags, buying the live auc-

tion items and making donations. After

the $500 award and plaque we actually

finished a little ahead.

One thing I should have mentioned at

the banquet is that Terri Dawson

makes a generous contribution to the

award each year.

It is not too soon for OWO members to

be thinking about nominations for the

2014 Dawson award. If you need

guidelines, contact me at

jmorris99@frontier.com. The deadline

for nominations will be Feb. 1, 2014 Heather Merritt From Birds-in Flight accepts the Bruce Dawson Award at OWO’s conference at Put-in-Bay

Photo by Mike Mainhart

5

Thanks to all members, supporting members, and sponsors that participated in this year’s awards competition. If you

didn’t enter this year, please consider doing so next year.

The judges for this year’s competition included members of the Michigan Outdoor Writers Association and profession-

al photographer, Walter Shockley based in McClellanville, South Carolina.

The Michigan writers and editors were a challenge to work with. I had to explain over and over, how to perform their

judging tasks. But I should expect that from those from the state up north. No, I’m kidding – they were great to work

with. Our members’ work impressed the Michigan scribes and it was soon evident that we OWOers have solid com-

rades up there. Those comrades also send an open invitation to all OWOers to join them on a Michigan adventure soon.

1. OUTSTANDING MEDIA ACHIEVEMENT – There are no first, second, or third place winners. Awards are given

for excellent accomplishments in outdoor communications. Any work in the field of outdoors communication is accept-

ed. Examples of eligible work include books, slide shows, PowerPoint presentations, exhibits, websites, etc.

Steve Maslowski Wings On The Water

Chip Gross Poachers Were My Prey

Tom Cross 2012 Adams County Visitor’s and Community Guide

Matt Markey The Outdoors Page – The Toledo Blade

PRINT CATEGORIES

2. BEST MAGAZINE ARTICLE

A single story about an outdoors topic.

Third place: Travis R. Hunt – Hello…I’m whispering because I’m hunting

Second place: John Hageman – What’s a Fisherman to do When Algae Blooms are Present

First place: Tom Cross – Leaf Peeping

Judges comments: Interesting subjects and presented in easy to read formats. Great job Ohio writers!

3. BEST NEWSPAPER COLUMN

An entry consists of four columns to be judged as a body of work.

Third place: Larry Moore – Xenia Daily Gazette

Second place: Jeffrey Frischkorn – Ohio Outdoor News

First place: Matt Markey – The Toledo Blade

Judges comments: Good writing and great range. Gutsy articles handled well. These writers could write well about a

stone in the driveway!

4. BEST NEWSPAPER ARTICLE

A single story about an outdoors topic

Third place: Mike Mainhart – Coast Guard

Second place: Jane Beathard – Ohio Antique Boat Restorer Brings History To Life

First place: Matt Markey – Ohio Hunters Trek Over Onetime Shawnee Land

Judges comments: Excellent coverage of important topics. Informative and encouraged to read the next article from

these writers.

2012 OWO Awards Program

Continued page 6

6

5. BEST NEWSPAPER SPECIAL SECTION OR SERIES

Two or more stories about a single topic, published together as a package or as a scheduled series

Third place: Tom Cross – People’s Defender Hunter’s Guide

Second place: Jeffrey Frischkorn – Massive Rocky River Fish Kill

First place: Matt Markey – Everglades series

6. WILL HARBAUM AWARD – BEST TRAVEL ARTICLE

A single newspaper or magazine story about a destination or travel-related topic

Third place: Paul Liikala – Honeymoon Trout

Second place: Mike Mainhart – Don’t Take Lake Erie For Granted

First place: Hazel Freeman – Whats New at the Wilds

7. BEST HOW-TO ARTICLE

An article published in a newspaper, magazine, or on the Internet that explains how to improve an outdoor skill

Third place: John Hageman – Make Your Own Worm Harnesses

Second place: Paul Liikala – Steelhead In The Creeks

First place: John Hageman – From field To Freezer – Elementary Deer Handling And Processing

8. ATZENHOEFER AWARD – ENVIRONMENTAL WRITING

For writing about an environmental topic in any medium

Third place: Jeffrey Frischkorn – Agencies Charged To Preserve, Rehabilitate Open Space

Second place: Jeffrey Frischkorn – Keep Drugs From Ruining Our Natural Environment

First place: Matt Markey – Borer On Deck

9. BEST INTERNET ARTICLE

A single article published on the Internet

Third place: Jane Beathard – DNR Surveying Ohio River Anglers With Creel Clerks

Second place: Jeffrey Frischkorn – Brave New World With Drone Aircraft In Hunters and Anglers Future

First place: Jeffery Frischkorn – The Remarkable Life and Times of a Fast-draw, Six Shooting Friend

Judges comments: Several entries bylines were still visible – rules states they should not. Some subjects a bit boring but

the writing was enough to keep me reading.

PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORIES

10. BLACK AND WHITE PHOTO

Black and white photo depicting an outdoors topic

Only one entry so no competition for this category and no award presented

11. BEST COLOR PHOTO

Color photo depicting an outdoors topic

Third place: Larry Moore – Horse Power

Second place: Mike Mainhart – Misty Morning Barn

First place: Mike Mainhart – The Color of Steel Continued page 7

Awards Program Continued

7

12. KARL MASLOWSKI AWARD – BEST COLOR NATURE PHOTO

Color photo in which nature is the subject

Third place: Mike Mainhart – Color in Flight

Second place: John Hageman – Still Squirrel proof – American Chestnut Hull

First place: Mike Mainhart – Turtles

13. BEST GROUP OR SERIES OF PHOTOS

Two or more photos, color or black and white, published together and depicting an outdoors topic

Third place: Larry Moore – Kincaid Fish Hatchery

Second place: Mike Mainhart – Plugging Into Steel

First place: Mike Mainhart – Ice Panfish

14. BEST CONFERENCE PHOTO

Open to all OWO members, spouses, and supporting members. Photos must be of the previous year’s conference. One

overall winner will be chosen and will be presented a voucher for a free OWO Conference registration fee (excluding

lodging) to the following year’s conference.

Winner: John Hageman – Fred Snyder Takes Aim

15. BEN DOEPEL MEMORIAL CONTEST

Best vertical photo to be used for the following year’s OWO Directory

Winner: Celeste Baumgartner – Kayak Sundown

16. PEOPLE’S CHOICE PHOTO

All submitted photos from all photography categories will be automatically entered and placed on display during the

OWO Annual Conference. Votes are cast by anyone viewing the display. The winner receives a prize from category

sponsor. This year’s sponsor is Sony and Dodd Camera, with additional support from Tamron. A Sony camera is the

prize.

Winner: Chip Gross – Red Foxes: Shall We Dance

17. OPEN PHOTO CLASS

All members, and only members, are eligible to enter any photo that has NOT been published previously. This open

class is intended to encourage members to share an impressive photo and photography talents

Winner: Chip Gross – Red Foxes: Shall We Dance

18. BEST TV SHOW OR VIDEO PROJECT

Open to television shows and other video work. Entries may consist of one complete show or a composite of best clips

from several shows

No entries this year

19. BEST RADIO SHOW

Entries consist of one complete show or a composite of best clips from several shows

Only one entry received this year, but is receiving special recognition

Larry Claypool – Ohio Valley Outdoors Radio Show Continued pg. 8

Awards Program Continued

8

Awards Program Continued

20. SUPPORTING MEMBER ACHIENVEMENT AWARD

Entries include, press releases, website, video, display ads, or print productions

Tamron: How-to Travel Photography: Scenes and Nature DVD

Lorain County Visitors Bureau: Back Roads and Beaches Map

Veterans Day at Meander Creek Reservoir

By Paul Liikala

The alarm started its annoying buzz. I

looked at the clock, and it was 5:00

a.m. Why in the world did I let Mike

Mainhart talk me into helping him on

a Saturday morning? Grumbling all

the way to the kitchen, I started a pot

of coffee. After the second cup,

grouchiness slowly seeped out of my

system. After all, this was a worth-

while idea. We were going to take a

group of wounded veterans fishing.

At 8:15 a.m., we arrived at Meander

Creek Reservoir. This is a water

source for the Mahoning Valley.

Mike and a crew from the Mahoning

Valley Sanitary District had already

set up a canopy and tables. Bass Pro

had sent 20 rods and reels that Mike

rigged for fishing.

The weather was cooperating, and it

promised to be a beautiful day. Vol-

unteers from the Division of Wildlife,

Mahoning Valley Sanitary District,

the Outdoor Writers of Ohio, and

members from veterans’ organizations

were there to help our heroes. Some

had been wounded while protecting

our country. At first the fish couldn’t

make out what all the commotion was

about. After all this reservoir is off

limits to public access. Maybe the

fish were being a bit shy around

strangers. Eventually hoops and hol-

lers were heard and smiles appeared

on the veterans’ faces. The fish were

becoming friendly.

What this event meant to the veterans

could be captured in several stories.

Bob was fishing under a tree, and the

fish were not cooperating. One of the

volunteers rigged up a second rod with

a lively night crawler. He flipped it

towards a huge bass that ignored pre-

vious baits tossed to it. Maybe, it was

heeding its mother’s advice of not tak-

ing baits from strangers.

Anyways, the largemouth broke her

mother’s rule and inhaled the irresisti-

ble crawler. Bob’s fishing rod bowed

under the strain of a big fish. He

cranked the reel’s handle hard. A

monster bass exploded out of the wa-

ter. It shook its massive head and spit

out the hook.

Bob’s mouth was agape as his right

hand cupped his heart. Fearing a heart

attack, several people rushed to his

side.

“Are you all right,” they asked anx-

iously?

“Yes,” he said. “Biggest fish I ever

saw.”

For the next minute or two, he just

stared at the place where the big one

got away.

Another gentleman was fishing in a

wheelchair and hooked a nice pump-

kinseed. As he reeled it in, the panfish

got caught in some weeds. After un-

tangling it I showed him the fish’s

brilliant colors.

He said, “That’s the first fish that I

have caught in 30 years.”

His face was all aglow with excite-

ment. However, that day he caught

eight panfish and said the same thing

each time he landed one. Such is the

ravages of Alzheimer’s. However,

eight times that day he experienced

the thrills of catching a new fish.

In the direct sunlight, sat two veterans

in wheel chairs. One had been in the

82nd Airborne in World War II. By

noon it was hot. However, when

asked if they wanted to move from the

blazing sun into the shade, the Air-

borne veteran said, “No, I want to sit

in the sunshine all day. When I go

back, I will sit in my room and won’t

be able to fish in the sun.”

The other veteran nodded his head in

agreement. When a scrumptious

lunch was served, they kept fishing

while eating their meal.

Continued Page 9

9

Veterans Fishing Outing continued

When it was time to go, each veteran

asked if they could keep their fishing

pole. Mike Mainhart said, “Of

course.”

Smiling with their proud possessions

each veteran got on the bus with their

fishing rods and canvas bags of good-

ies.

Oh yes, there is credence in the phrase

that little things make a difference.

One of the veterans had found a jig on

the ground and caught a big bass with

it. The fish had been released un-

harmed. As he got ready to board the

bus, he asked Mike if he could keep

the jig.

Mike said yes and asked, “What are

you going to do with it?”

“Put it on my wall,” was his answer.

A big thank you needs to given to

Mike Mainhart for thinking of and or-

ganizing this wonderful event. He

spent untold hours putting all the piec-

es together. This effort was very evi-

dent because it all ran like clockwork.

The veterans were touched by all the

effort given forth and vowed to be

back next year. We hope all of them

will be able to make it.

Bob said he wanted another chance at

catching his Moby Bass. Hopefully,

this effort showed the veterans how

we appreciated all that they did to pre-

serve our country’s freedoms.

Next, year I’m going to be there with a

smile on my face, even when the alarm

rings at 5:00 a.m.

Some of the companies that helped

make this event a success were – Aus-

tintown Comfort Inn, the Mahoning

Valley Sanitary District, Niles Table &

Chair Rental, King’s Sanitary Ser-

vices, Bass Pro, Causeway Sporting

Goods, Roscoe’s Poultry, and

Lakeside Sport Shop.

A special thanks goes out to the fol-

lowing participants and volunteers –

Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home,

Gillette Nursing Home, Ohio Division

of Wildlife – District 3, Outdoor Writ-

ers of Ohio, Mahoning Valley Sanitary

District and veteran volunteers - Bob

Marino, Ralph Cartino, Robert

Mowery, and photographer, Greg

Wedin.

This letter was received from Shepherd of the Valley Nursing Home

May 22nd , 2013

Mr. Robert Loewendick 8670 West Pike

Hopewell, Ohio 43746

Dear Mr. Loewendick,

On behalf of my Veterans and staff, I want to personally thank you for thinking of

Shepherd of the Valley and allowing us to participate in the Veterans Fishing Day at

Meander Reservoir. Given the fact I was an active participant, I can attest to the fact the

event was well organized and my residents had a wonderful time. A special thank you is

in order for Mike Mainhart who without his direction, I fear the day would not have

been as grand. I was particularly impressed by the fact that some of the volunteers

drove from as far as Cincinnati in order to spend the day with us.

Once again, I want to thank you for a wonderful day!! I hope we will have the oppor-

tunity to do it again next year.

Federick F. Mattix Jr.

Associate Director, Shepherd of the Valley—Niles

Photos by Mike Mainhart

10

Deer hunters who are writers or writ-

ers who pursue the majestic whitetail

deer of Ohio's great outdoors can

increase their financial income

throughout the various seasons by

presenting interesting and informa-

tive how-to, when to and why to

seminars.

I have presented seminars for over

two decades titled; “Sense and Non-

sense about Deer Scents”, “Turkey

Talk 101” and “Pursuing Coyotes”.

These seminars were inspired by

attending seminars presented by pro-

fessional representatives of scent

manufacturers and turkey call manu-

facturers.

After attending a good number of

these seminars I realized that the

presenters were speaking way above

the novices and youngsters in the

audience. Using that knowledge, I

formulated seminars to reach out to

youngsters and novices. Experienced

pursuers of wildlife often discover a

trick or two that they can utilize to

increase their success rates as well.

My favorite seminar has to be the

“Sense and Non-Sense about Deer

Scents” because of the youngsters'

reactions to scents they have the op-

portunity to handle and smell.

When these seminars were first pre-

sented, the costs of the items dis-

cussed and given were my costs. I

discussed the seminars with factory

reps of several companies; they sug-

gested that I write to them detailing

information about the seminars.

They wanted to know the number of

and ages of attendees and asked for

photos. I asked if the companies

would be willing to supply samples

of the items discussed in the semi-

nars. Since that time, three companies

have been more than generous.

To keep youngsters and novices inter-

ested, awake, and clamoring for

more, encourage them to participate

in the seminar whether it's about hav-

ing conversations with turkeys, call-

ing to coyotes or the use of attractant

scents or scent eliminators for hunt-

ing coyotes and deer.

Bottles of various scents are opened.

Volunteers carry them through the

audience so the attendees can smell

them. This in itself creates a lot of

interesting reactions, especially from

youngsters and their moms.

One “trick” I use to get girls interest-

ed and involved is to ask non-hunters

in the audience to raise their hands,

then I point out that when grocery

shopping with their moms, when they

are asked to go get an item - they go

HUNTING for the item. We're all

hunters in different aspects of every-

day life.

When presenting seminars in sports

stores, be sure to mention and display

items they sell.

The smallest item I ever “sold” this

way was a whistle for a youngster

new to the woods and hunting to

carry in case he ever got lost.

The most expensive was a cam-

ouflaged single shot shotgun for

a youngster to carry while tur-

key hunting. During a discus-

sion with the youngsters' par-

ents, I explained that in over 30

years of talking to turkeys, a

second shot was needed only on

one occasion – and that was be-

cause the 30-something year old

hunter refused to fire anything

but #2 shot. Evidently he read

too many hunting in Texas arti-

cles. The second shot - with my

shotgun loaded with # 7 pellets

nearly decapitated the bird.

The best advice I have to offer is

to know your audience, the

game, and the showcased prod-

ucts. This knowledge will help

you to present seminars that are

interesting and enjoyable for

everybody.

Last year, I reached out to more

than 700 youngsters and parents

through my seminars.

This craft improvement article

was inspired by reading Dan

Armitage's article concerning

how he developed his paddle

sport event geared toward teach-

ing youngsters the many enjoy-

ments and challenges found in

kayaking

Thanks, Dan....

Craft Improvement By Ed Moody

11

From the beautiful landscapes unlike anywhere in Ohio, two state parks, scenic drives, wildlife at every turn, geology,

and cultural history, Loudonville is an outdoor paradise.

Mohican State Park

A remnant of the last glacier that covered Loudonville 12,000 years, Mohican State Park and Forest preserve the

ancient past for all to enjoy today. The glacial meltwaters caved the sandstone bedrock to expose huge outcroppings and

steep cliffs. Today these cliffs form Clear Fork Gorge, 300 feet deep and more than 1,000 feet wide. Mohican State

Park, which surrounds the Gorge, in turn is surrounded Mohican State Park Forest. The forest contains a diversity of

plant and animal live.

The ridge tops contains white, red and black oaks, red maple and white pine. The middle slopes see beech, ash

and tulip with hemlock and yellow birch on lower slopes. Bottomlands contain sycamore, buckeye, hawthorn, willow,

and dogwood. The Gorge may has as many as 15 different ferns, including the rare walking fern. The Gorge Overlook

provides two vantage points to enjoy the view. During the fall, the Overlook provides a "birds eye view" of the diversity

of tree species, each coming to full color at different times throughout October.

The area is also home to a variety of wildlife. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources reports Mohican sup-

ports raccoon, beaver, white-tail deer, skunk, opossum and red fox. Reptiles such as the box turtle, black rat snake, and

the poisonous copperhead are also present in the area. Dusky salamanders, American toads and the gray tree frog are

examples of local amphibians. Wild turkey can be found in the Forest and there is also an occasional sighting of bald

eagles. During the spring and summer, the Gorge may support more than 15 species of nesting warblers.

With 45 miles of hiking trails, it is easy for visitors to enjoy the flora and fauna on foot. The Lyons Falls Trail

to Pleasant Hill Lake Dam is a popular and rugged hike starting at the Covered Bridge parking lot. The two-mile trail

takes hikers through a forest of coniferous and deciduous trees, ferns, and other plant life to Big Lyons Falls and Little

Lyons Falls. The trail ends at Pleasant Hill Lake dam, where views of the lake and Clear Fork Gorge, 300 feet below,

are spectacular. Take the stairs down to the dam and follow the Clear Fork River back to the covered bridge.

Fishing and More

The Clear Fork Gorge River is also a popular fishing area. It is especially noted for fly fishing for brown trout.

Smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, carp, crappie, catfish, perch and bluegill are also abundant.

Pleasant Hill Lake is a fishing hotbed too, with good catches of crappie in the spring and smallmouth bass and

saugeye throughout the year. Mornings and evenings are best. There are several access spots to fish from shore, as well

as a lengthy pier near the ramps.

Charles Mill Lake near Mifflin is a popular fishing site. The tail waters below the dam yield great catches of

saugeye, particularly in early spring and fall. More shore anglers seek the lake’s large population of channel catfish that

patrol the shorelines at dusk. The lake offers excellent catches of largemouth bass and crappie, too.

Mohican State Park Forest is likewise popular with hunters. Deer hunting is especially celebrated. In addition,

mushrooms grow in abundance there. And don't forget cross country skiing, horseback riding bridle trails, and Ohio's

most popular 24.5-mile mountain trail.

Speed enthusiasts may want to take in a trip on the Tree Frog Canopy Tours zip line. Throughout the zip guides

give a nature tour. It is particularly memorable in the fall.

Rivers and Lakes Too

Supporting Member Spotlight Loudonville, Outdoor Paradise

Continued Pg. 12

12

With six area canoe liveries and the two lakes, Loudonville has even more outdoors to enjoy. In 2006,

32 miles of the Mohican River were designed as an Ohio Scenic River. The lower section of the Clear Fork and

the Mohican Rivers consists of a lush forested river valley and clean, flowing water that provides valuable habi-

tats for numerous plants and animals. Rent a canoe or kayak from a local livery or bring your own craft and

head upstream north of Perrysville and enjoy the river habitat through all the way to Greer. Last year 27.5 miles

of the Mohican River was designated an Ohio Water Trail.

The Pleasant Hill and Charles Mills lakes offer a variety of water experiences. The lakes do host engine

-powered craft, but they provide many out-of-the-way places along numerous coves to enjoy the wildlife. Bring

your own craft or rent one at the marinas.

Lots to Offer

Loudonville is an outdoors paradise. From simple hiking to bird watching, fishing, hunting, plant, boat-

ing, enjoying the huge, rocky terrain and more, the area has a lot of outdoors concentrated in a small area. Lo-

cated east of Mansfield, Loudonville is midway between Cleveland and Columbus. So it is easily accessible to

many throughout the Buckeye state.

For more information about Loudonville call the Mohican-Loudonville Visitors Bureau at 877-2MOHICAN toll-

free or visit their web page at www.DiscoverMohican.com.

Loudonville continued

Help Wanted

By Jim Stratton

We are very happy to be a new supporting member of

OWO. We provide on-demand naturalist programming

and storytelling services anywhere in Ohio.

We are looking for naturalists, storytellers and living

history presenters who might be interested in helping

out. Please feel free to pass this along or let me know

if it sounds like something you'd like to know more

about. Contact us at 614-264-1272 or 740-77-2579.

I'm looking for writers who wish to see some of their

material published. I run Great Lakes Bow Hunt-

ers.com ( A hobby gone wild). I'm in need of fresh

ideas/ stories but resources are limited or non existent

at this time.

Contact Joseph Nighswonger

Founder www.Great Lakes Bow Hunters.com

P.O. Box 407

Hamburg,MI 48139

e-mail: joe@greatlakesbowhunters.com

Great Lakes Bow Hunters

13

OWO By the Numbers By Jeffrey L. Frischkorn

If anyone asks whether those who cover the outdoors beat are seen as a bunch of aging graybeards or genteel ladies the

typical answer is “oh, yeah; very much so.”

This reaction is perhaps best seen within the nucleus of the outdoors media itself.

Which not only got me to thinking but also reaching for the all-new Outdoor Writers of Ohio directory. Inside are post-

ed the to-date names of the organization's 84 (my count) individual members.

As a lover of all things statistics, I gleaned the pages and groomed a bunch of figures that may or may not settle once

and for all the fireside debate on the age status of outdoors communicators.

First and foremost it must be stated that statistics are remarkable things for both good and evil. Viewed from different

angles statistics can, and often do, project different realities.

And while two plus two always will equal four, so does three plus one, as well as four plus zero.

Consequently, the final outcome may prove itself of less value than the numbers employed to get one there.

Case in point: My latest issue of “Guns & Ammo” magazine arrived the other day. Great publication and usually very

informative,

Still, on page 12 G&A's editors created “The best states for gun owners in 2013.”

Using a predetermined set of five criteria of their own choosing, the editors then created a 1-to-10 weighed score. Fur-

ther refined, the states became subsets of supposed like-gun-laws.

Those states marked red became gun-owner friendly, those states tinted white are apparently neutral while states shad-

ed blue become anti-gun ownership. So while it is obvious that Texas and Florida are gun-owner friendly, California

and New York are not. As for Ohio, G&A places our state in the same blue-colored bracket as that occupied by the

likes of California and New York.

All of which goes to illustrate that while statistics are good sources of protein they also can be poor choices without all

of the other important argumentative nutrients.

Okay, so where were we anyway? Oh, yes, OWO and membership statistics.

I began by tabulating the years of membership as listed for each posted individual. For shame, however, I found five

members who listed no longevity with the organization. For analysis purposes those members were not included while

those members who joined this calendar year were awarded the statistically relevant “zero.”

What my drugstore-bought calculator and I have determined is that the average tenure in OWO is 16.1 years. The sta-

tistics extracted from the directory further notes that of the 79 members with posted OWO longevity, 26 have tenure in

excess of 25 years, of which 19 indicate membership of at least 30 or more years.

If we stopped here a reader might (and probably rightfully, would) conclude that, yes, OWO (largely) consists of

(mostly) old men and women who give dirt a run for its money in the age ledger.

What we also see from the same membership breakdown is that of the 79 folks with listed tenure, 36 have belonged to

OWO for 10 years or less, of which 24 have seen their names posted for five or fewer years.

Plus, the new directory points to a nice handful of newborns with no more than one year of wearing OWO swaddling

clothes.

So, in the final stitching together of what all of this means is “I'm not not entirely sure." But that statement allows me

some wiggle room, and here I will shimmy with the best of statisticians.

It seems clear that while, yes, an average tenure of slightly more than 16 years does appear old, a further examination

hints at the prospect of how that figure is at least somewhat driven by a small base of some remarkably seasoned senior

members.

Continued Pg. 14

14

OWO By the Numbers continued

We must therefore give at least a little credence to the other end of the statistical yardstick. And that end points toward a

robust interest on the part of a younger OWO clientele. As does, by the way, of the tenure of OWO's current leadership.

Herein lies additional evidence that for OWO's next spring conference Geritol need not be made available in the hospi-

tality room.

The tenure of the current slate of board members ranges from three years to 29 years, of which just three of the 10 offi-

cials have 25 or more years of membership while five have eight years or less of OWO tenure.

The bottom line then may very well be summed up thus: Not only did those who joined OWO around the time of the last

Ice Age deserve the organization’s attention so do those who are still savoring the milk of youth.

After all, we are in this game together regardless of how the rest of the world views us as journalists.

Directory Update

Mark Allen Faulhaber is now employed by the Morgan County Herald, as News Editor.

contact information:Morgan County Herald, 89 W. Main St., McConnelsville, Ohio 43756

Phone 740.962.3377, FAX 740.962.6861, Email mfaulhaber@mchnews.com, http://www.mchnews.com/

Reef Runner Announces Release of Mini-Rip

Reef Runner, creator of the original banana bait, announces the release of its all-new Reef Runner Mini-Rip. This pint

-sized lure measures 3 inches from bill to tail, with a 2 ¼- inch body. And while it gives up a few inches to the original

800 Series Reef Runner, the Mini-Rip still swims with the same erratic, side-to-side “hunting” action that ranks this clas-

sic lure series among the all-time winningest hard baits on the professional walleye tournament circuits.

The new Mini-Rip has the same arched-back profile and spoon-shaped bill as the existing Reef Runner deep divers.

Sticking to this proven profile, company founder and Mini-Rip designer Scott Stecher was able to create a miniature ba-

nana bait that can still dive 12 feet deep unassisted. This makes it a versatile lure for trolling for walleyes, crappie and

steelhead, or even for casting to shallow bass, walleyes and trout.

Now when pressured fish refuse a full-size crankbait, or when fish are keyed on immature or naturally small baitfish,

anglers can troll down to them easily with a crankbait that matches the hatch.

Sometimes the fish wants an entire Hershey’s bar, but sometimes they only want a Hershey’s Kiss,” jokes Stecher. “This

is the perfect lure for when fish shy away from full-sized crankbaits and you need to finesse them into biting but want a

lure that can still be trolled deep without adding a heavy weight.”

The Mini-Rip will initially be available in 30 of Reef Runner’s popular high-gloss chip-proof finishes, including the hit

series of Bare Naked finishes, which will have clear plastic bodies with holographic foil inserts. Retail price will be ap-

proximately $6.39 to $6.89. Visit ReefRunner.com for more information.

15

Conference Survey

Over the years, OWO’s annual conference has been the organization’s highlight event each year. The conferences

are excellent opportunities for networking with fellow journalists, supporting members, and local attractions of the

conference location. Attendance of the conferences fluctuates for several reasons. The following survey will provide

the OWO Officers and the Conference Chairperson, hints as to how to improve the conferences and in turn, improve

attendance.

Please email or mail your completed survey to: Robert Loewendick, 8670 West Pike, Hopewell, Ohio 43746,

or, at robert@robertoutdoors.com.

Deadline for survey answers is June 30, 2013. Members are not required to include his or her name on the survey.

What is the primary reason you do, or do not, attend OWO conferences?

What is your opinion of shortening the conference to only two days?

What type of lodging do you prefer and what price do you consider too high?

What activities do you prefer during conferences? Seminars or tours?

Do you prefer more free time or more planned events during conference?

How far are you willing to travel to attend a conference?

What type of activities would you like to see more of? Less of?

What type of locations do you prefer? Lakes, forests, rivers, etc.?

If the banquet and award ceremony was held on Friday evening, instead of Saturday evening, would that

fit your schedule better?

Please share any thoughts regarding the conference that is not asked above, in the space below:

16

July 10—Fish Ohio Day

July 21- Summer Board Meeting– Guy Denny’s Place

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