News Briefs 7-2006

New Ohio State Record Fish Certified

A new Ohio state record Tiger Muskie has been certified by the Outdoor Writers of Ohio State Record Fish Committee on May 16, 2006
Matt Amedeo, from Akron, has caught a new state record Tiger Muskie weighing 31.64 pounds from Turkeyfoot Lake, part of the Portage Lakes near Akron, on April 28. Amedeo’s catch was 47 inches in length. The fish was caught using a Berkley Power Crawl while bass fishing.
The Amedeo’s new record catch replaces Ronald Kotch’s previous state record Tiger Muskie that weighed 31.5 pounds, and was also caught from Turkeyfoot Lake, April 22, 1999.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife District Three Fisheries Supervisor, Phil Hillman identified Amedeo’s catch. Hillman also noted that Turkeyfoot Lake has not been stocked with tiger muskies since 1985, thereby making the record fish at least 21 years old.

Spring Gobbler Hunters Reminded To Report Harvest

Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management Director Calvin W. DuBrock today reminded successful spring gobbler hunters to submit their harvest report card, as required by law. If hunters can’t find one of the pre-addressed and postage paid harvest report cards that came with their license, they can use the harvest report card found on page 33 of the Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations to report their kill.
DuBrock also noted that reporting is mandatory for the 8,045 individuals who received one of the special spring gobbler hunting licenses, which provided holders the privilege to harvest a second spring gobbler, regardless of whether they took a second spring gobbler. All special spring gobbler license holders are to use the report card provided to them with the special license.
DuBrock encouraged any spring gobbler hunters who harvested a spring gobbler with a leg band to contact the toll-free telephone number listed on the band to report a harvest or recovery of the banded bird. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), Penn State University and National Band and Tag Co., along with wildlife officials in Ohio and New York, have joined forces to conduct a four-year study to estimate the harvest rates of spring gobblers in each of the three states.
“Hunters who report their wild turkey or deer harvests are helping wildlife managers make more informed decisions when recommending seasons and bag limits and other conservation measures,” DuBrock said. “If all hunters who harvested a turkey or deer would send in their harvest report card, as required by law, harvest estimates wouldn’t be necessary.”

WV Lifetime Hunting and Fishing License Fees Increase

Effective April 11, 2006 , the fees for lifetime West Virginia hunting, trapping and fishing licenses will increase, according to Frank Jezioro, Director of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. As passed by the state legislature, the fees were established at 23 times the fee for the equivalent annual license or stamp.
The new lifetime combination hunting, trapping and fishing license (ABL) will increase from $570 to $760. The new lifetime hunting and trapping license ( AL ) will increase from $425 to $760. The new lifetime fishing license (BL) will increase from $325 to $530. The new lifetime trout fishing license (OL) will increase from $150 to $230.
“Increases in the base resident annual licenses were approved last year for the first time since 1989, so the lifetime license fees were raised accordingly,” said Jezioro. “The costs of everything from fish food to gasoline to equipment have gone up during that time. Both the lifetime and annual license fee increases were made to keep up with increased costs of the high quality wildlife management and law enforcement that West Virginia outdoor sportsmen demand. ”
Funds from the lifetime licenses, which were created in 1987, are placed into the Wildlife Endowment Fund. By law, only the interest earned annually from the Fund’s principal can be spent.
Infant lifetime licenses, which are set at half the price of the adult lifetime license, must be purchased before the recipient’s second birthday.