(Editor’s note: Jack Spaulding is temporarily not authoring this column, as he is recovering from illness. We expect him to be back on the job sometime in the coming weeks; in the meantime, this column will be a collation of outdoors, hunting, fishing and related briefs that are in line with Jack’s usual slate of topics.)

 

National Fishing and Boating Week kicks off summer with family-friendly events, activities and ways to cast a line and hit the open water from June 3-11. The Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF) and its Take Me Fishing campaign invites families to get outside and find a fishing hole or boating spot.

National Fishing and Boating Week includes the following opportunities:

•Free Fishing Days 2017 – Most states offer free fishing days for everyone to fish on public bodies of water without a fishing license. With several taking place during National Fishing and Boating Week, these are perfect opportunities for beginners to try fishing for the first time.

•Fish Personality Quiz – Are you a feisty rainbow trout or a mysteriously alluring walleye? Starting June 5, discover your inner fish by taking our interactive Fish Personality Quiz and entering for a chance to win prizes like a trip to Yellowstone National Park and gift cards from Sierra Trading Post to help get outfitted.

•#FirstCatch – Create and capture moments fishing and boating, then share them with others online using #FirstCatch. As Take Me Fishing’s initiative to help anglers come together and revel in the joys of fishing and boating, #FirstCatch encourages anglers to share their first fishing and boating memories – first catch of the day, first fish of the season or even the first catch of a lifetime.

•2017 Best Family-Friendly Places to Boat and Fish – A collection of publicly accessible gems sourced from celebrities such as country music star Luke Bryan and professional football player Alejandro

“Big Al” Villanueva, as well as professional anglers and industry experts.

“Fishing is the second most popular outdoor activity among adults and by providing events and resources during National Fishing and Boating Week, we hope everyone from curious beginners to experienced anglers and boaters will feel inspired to get out on the water,” said RBFF President and CEO, Frank Peterson.

“It’s already been a great year for fishing and boating, with big growth in participation among young people, and we want to keep that momentum going and reach our goal of 60 million anglers by 2021.”

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) is offering boating and boating education opportunities to help celebrate June as Ohio Goes Boating Month by the 132nd Ohio General Assembly. The House Bill 84 designation lighlights Ohio’s thriving boating and tourism industry.

In an effort to bring attention to the many boating opportunities the state’s lakes and beaches offer, legislators in both the House and Senate passed House Bill 84 on April 26, highlighting the importance of the Ohio’s boating industry, which creates $3.6 billion in economic benefits. According to committee testimony, the western basin of Lake Erie has the third largest concentration of boats in the United States. The bill also strives to increase awareness for ensuring that Lake Erie, and all of Ohio’s waterways, remain clean, protected and healthy.

House Bill 84 promotes the variety of activities for Ohioans on the water at state parks, marinas and yacht clubs. Boating activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, stand-up paddleboarding and power boating, also encourages Ohioans to vacation in the state, which boosts local economies along Ohio’s shorelines. In June, the ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft provides a variety of boating and boating education activities. Visit the ODNR website at ohiodnr.gov for details.

Outdoor recreation enthusiasts from all over Indiana are dusting off their gear to embrace the natural resources of the Hoosier state this summer.

For those who want to learn how to make the outdoors a major part of summer fun, head to Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis on June 10-11 for the Ford Hoosier Outdoor Experience (Ford ODX). And it won’t cost a penny.

The Ford ODX offers the chance for young and old to learn and try dozens of outdoor activities under the watchful eye of experts. Fishing, horseback riding, disc golf, archery, crossbow, shotgun and mountain biking are just a few.

The largest free outdoor event in the state, the last Ford ODX was in September 2015. That was the sixth annual. Each prior year’s event was also in September. This year’s date is intentionally closer to the start of the traditional outdoor recreation season. The early-June date gives you plenty of follow-up time to keep doing the activities you liked and develop them as hobbies.

As in previous years, parking, entry and all activities are free to participants of all ages, and all equipment is provided. The DNR requests that you register in advance at HoosierOutdoorExperience. com to participate but advance registration is not required.

 

The same website is also the source to learn about other activities offered, check for updates, and get tips on how to make the most of your Experience. The Ford ODX is presented by Central Indiana Ford Dealers, the DNR, and the Indiana Natural Resources Foundation to get more people involved in outdoor recreation. For more information, visit dnr.IN.gov

Applications will soon be accepted for controlled deer and waterfowl hunts on selected areas during the 2017-18 season, according to the ODNR. The application period opened June 1 and runs through Monday, July 31.

These special hunts are on selected areas to provide additional opportunities for Ohio’s hunting enthusiasts. All applicants, youth and adult, must possess a 2017-18 Ohio hunting license and meet the age requirements in order to apply for a controlled hunt.

Hunters can apply for controlled hunts by completing the application process online using Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System at wildohio.gov. There is a non-refundable application fee of $3 per hunt.

Hunters will be randomly drawn from submitted applications. Successful applicants will be notified and provided additional hunt information by mail and email. Applicants are encouraged to visit Ohio’s Wildlife Licensing System online to view the status of their application and, if selected, print their controlled hunt permit.

More specific information about hunt dates and locations, including opportunities dedicated to youth, women and mobility-impaired hunters, can be found at wildohio.gov on the “Controlled Hunts” page.