Ohio Sportsman Survey - Ohio Deer Rifle

What's the difference between .44 magnum revolver and .44 lever-action rifle? One is a legal weapon for hunting deer in Ohio during the firearms season and the rifle isn't. The Buckeye Firearms Association has set out to change this. However you feel about it, go take the survey now.
I'm personally for it. As a kid I often wondered about slipping a .41 magnum cartridge into my .410. Of course I never did, but there was little doubt in my mind that the straight-walled .41 magnum would be a more effective load than a .410 slug. And the thought of carrying a snappy lever-action rifle to a deer stand seems much more like the traditional deer hunting that the rest of the country knows rather than lugging the 870. Even if it's not a 30/30.
From a safety standpoint it doesn't seem as though these cartridges pose a dramatic increase in range, which was the reason for the original shotgun and muzzleloader restriction. Indiana has already made the change, the only state bordering Ohio that had a rifle ban. As long as the ODNR can keep up with and enforce, I am for it.
Photo from www.gunblast.com

Feels Right - Franchi

The only Franchi I've ever held is the AL-48. But I love this commercial. It stops me every time. It captures a lot of favorite moments for me. If (when) I'm in the market for a double they will sure get a look.

Sundance West Eva Diva; Oct 15, 1998 - Dec. 10, 2011

Our first bird dog made every single outing an adventure, and in a good way. Every single time. We couldn't have asked for more, although as a first-timer in Ohio with limited funds, I'm sure we never saw anywhere near her full potential. But you'd never know it to watch her. NAVHDA NA Prize II (a story in itself). She always hunted hard no matter what and was always happily ready to go. 

Right out of the box, she had the goods.

Sundance German Shorthair Pointers

Eva's litter:
Doc vd Westwind MH x Sundance Elishaba whelped 10/15/98 (6 males, 5 females)

Earned NAVHDA Breeders Award. What a group. 

Sire - Doc vd Westwind 

Dam - Sundance Elishaba 
NA Prize I "Liz"

Colorado Elk Hunting

Following up on the roadless rule being upheld, Colorado created an excellent big game brochure. Obviously too late to plan a hunt for 2011 for eastern hunters. But as one of the few states with over the counter elk tags, it could be a great option for the do it yourself hunter.

Hope for Roadless Areas

Field and Stream reports that "On October 20th the U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule." This is great news for all average outdoorsmen everywhere. While the focus of the debate was extensively in the west, areas affected stretched from coast to coast. You can see a map of roadless areas here. I'd love to hunt elk out west and a public land do-it-yourself hunt is probably the only way I could ever make it happen. The idea that I could go there, put the miles in and have success, or at least a truly wild experience, gives me hope. Much more likely is an NE deer hunt. The way these guys track deer
has always been appealing. So thanks U.S. Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals, for hope.

Ohio's Minnesota

Minnesota might well be the "land of 10,000 lakes" full of outdoor opportunities. But SE Ohio has it's own, albeit smaller version. Call it a "1,000 Lakes" and you wouldn't be too far off. It is the American Electric Power company public areas in Eastern and Southeastern Ohio.

All you need is a free lifetime permit and a valid hunting license to access nearly 90,000 acres of land. That's a lot to cover. Combined with Wayne National Forest and state lands nearby and there is abundant opportunity for the average outdoorsman. There's enough that if you work to get away from the roads you'll likely avoid most of the crowds, especially during the week. At least outside of deer gun season. Just make sure to check the most recent AEP maps before venturing out to make sure to don't venture on to private property. You won't likely see any moose. But you won't have to wear snow shoes either.


For more information, call American Electric Power at (740) 962-1205.

Buckeye Sportsman Radio

If you read much about outdoors in Ohio, you'll soon run into the author Dan Armitage. He's one of the best in the buckeye state, not just hook and bullet stuff, but all types of outdoor writing. But you might not have known that he also hosts a weekly outdoor radio show that is also available as a free podcast on his Buckeye Sportsman web site. It's a new favorite of mine and definitely worth a listen.