WAYNEDALE WOODS AND WATERS

Are you wondering what to get that Hunting/Fishing Sports person/buddy/partner/spouse for Christmas? Get him/her a 2003 hunting and/or fishing license. If you get the combination hunting/fishing license you can save some money. Their old license will run out at midnight, February 28, 2003.

If anyone wants to give me a present of a new combination hunting/fishing license, then just put a signed blank check in the mail to me in care of THE WAYNEDALE NEWS and I’ll go buy it myself as soon as they are available at Wal-mart. I wonder what they will cost this coming year.

My 2002 resident Hunting and Fishing License cost $20.75 plus $9.25 for a Trout/Salmon stamp. By the way, my two deer license (1 for antlered deer and 1 for antlerless deer) cost $54.00 when I bought them over the Internet. I know, I know, for $54 + $20.75 + $9.25 (Total $84.00) I could have bought a lot of groceries. Add on another $146 for a non-resident hunting/fishing license in West Virginia (up to $230 total now) and you come up with a lot of money that would buy a lot more groceries.

Add on park entrance fees, gasoline to and from, camping fees, bait, price of a used shotgun, ammunition, fishing gear found in garage sales, and presents to keep the wife happy, then I can say that my three favorite recreational pastimes probably cost me, oh say, ah on the average of, uh, rounded off to the nearest number, somewhere in the vicinity of, hmmm, uh, about or around a little less than $2 per day for the whole year.

Now let’s compare that with what your average golfer, Komet Hockey fan, Wizards baseball fan, or race track roady spends per year and I think you’ll find hunting and fishing is a lot cheaper, unless of course you throw in a bass boat, inboard/outboard motor, trailer, and all the equipment, then maybe you’ll break even. Anyone want to dispute my figures?

I hope ya’ll have a Great Big Ol’ Merry Christmas and a Good Ol’ Safe and Happy New Year. Hope to see you out there in the woods or on the water. In the meantime, here’s to ya.

 

FROM FOX ISLAND

The Allen County Parks Department and The Fox Island Alliance are cosponsoring a workshop to prepare volunteer trail guides for winter hikes with school children. January 4, 2003 from 9am to 12noon, Fox Island will present WHERE DID THEY GO?, a program to find out how mammals, insects and other creatures survive when the weather turns cold. For more information, call 449-3180 or visit Fox Island at 7234 Yohne Road.

FOX ISLAND WINTER DAY CAMP

This year, Winter Day Camp will be held Thursday, December 26 and Friday, December 27 from 9am to 5pm each day. The cost is $30 per camper per day for those ages 6 to 11 years old. Winter break is a great time to spend at Fox Island. Whether there’s snow or not, they offer many fun activities that will keep you moving. This year they are offering two different theme days filled with activities, games, and crafts. Oh yeah, not to mention lunch and snack too! Cross-country skiing is always an experience for the campers this time of the year. This winter, come out, bring a friend, and enjoy the wonderful atmosphere Fox Island has to offer. The theme for December 26th is “Winter Olympics”. The theme for December 27th is becoming a “Winter Nature Detective”. Call Fox Island at 449-3180 for a registration form.

4-H WILDLIFE AND HUNTING SERIES

NEW in 2003, the Allen County 4-H will be working with Fox Island Nature Center to offer a Wildlife and Hunting series. This eight-week series is for youth in Grades 3-12. Parents are welcome and invited to attend with their child. The series will meet at the Fox Island Nature Center beginning on January 11 – March 1, 2003. They will meet from 3-5pm on Saturday afternoons. Cost for this program will be $20, which will cover entrance to Fox Island Nature Center and all supplies for the participants.

Topics to be covered will include: Introductions and Habitats; What do animals eat?; Adaptations and Observations; Animal ID, Tracks, and Observations; Wildlife Populations and Controls; Field Trip; Management and Careers; Wild Foods, Rap-Up. Flyers will be available late November- call the Extension Office to receive one – 260-481-6826. Registration will be on a first come first paid basis. There is a minimum number of 5, maximum number of 25 for their series.

4-H HUNTER SAFETY EDUCATION CLASS

Allen County 4-H will be hosting a Hunter Safety Education Class on two Saturdays – February 15 and 22, 2003. Participants must attend both days. This class is limited to 40 participants. This FREE class is co-sponsored by the Department of Natural Resources. The class will be from 8am to 3:30pm both days. It is open to adults and youth. Persons age 12 or younger must be accompanied by their parent or guardian. Participants must pre-register, call 481-6826. This class usually fills up very fast.

4-H SHOOTING SPORTS – Air Rifle Program

Beginning Tuesday, January 14, at the Hoagland Pavilion, Hoagland from 6:30pm to 8pm for 9 weeks. Dates for the program are: January 14,21,28, February 11,18,25 March 11,18,25. Program is limited to 12 participants and will be on a first paid basis. It is open to all youth in Grades 3-12. Cost for the program is $20. All equipment is provided. If you want to enroll in this program, please call the Extension Office to request the necessary paper work. This class will fill up fast.

4-H SHOOTING SPORTS – .22 Rifle Program

.22 Rifle begins Wednesday, January 8 at Concordia Lutheran High School Shooting Range. It will meet for 10 consecutive Wednesday evenings from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. This program is limited to 30 participants and will be on a first paid basis. It is open to all youth in Grades 5-12. Cost for the program is $20. All equipment is provided. If you want to enroll in this program, please call the Extension Office to request the necessary paperwork.