Ripple Outdoors Hunting and Fishing Podcasts

New summer camp gets kids outdoors.

This summer, Peterborough and area families have a new day camp option that is packed with more than enough activities and outdoor adventures to keep even the busiest kids happy.

Three sessions of day camps are being offered by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters as part of their award-winning Get Outdoors youth education and outreach program. The new O.F.A.H. | Mario Cortellucci Hunting & Fishing Heritage Centre, which just opened in April, will serve as the base camp. Children ages 6 and 7 will attend the August 9-11 session, 8 to 10 year olds are set for August 16-18 and youth from 11 to 13 years will have the last session, August 23-25. Trained O.F.A.H. staff and volunteers will supervise all activities.

“Get Outdoors summer day camps take full advantage of the terrific indoor and outdoor facilities available here at the heritage centre,” says Meribeth Stott, Conservation Education Liaison. “Campers will fish at the Shimano Pond right onsite, receive archery instruction, and the older campers will even canoe a section of the Otonabee River. In the process, we’re hoping to instill in them an interest and appreciation for fish and wildlife that lasts well beyond the summer.”

Day campers will take part in scavenger hunts, create themed crafts, and learn to recognize wildlife and their calls. Scheduled special guests include the K9 unit (conservation officers and their dogs), and for the younger campers, the Paddling Puppeteers. A BBQ and awards presentation will wrap up every session. The day camps are modeled after the O.F.A.H.’s highly successful overnight Get Outdoors summer leadership camps that take place in July near Huntsville. Registration for those camps filled in a matter of hours, despite the addition of a third session this year to try to meet the demand.

The cost is $75 per camper and a limited number of spots are available for each camp that will run 8:45 am – 4:00 pm daily. Each camper must be an active O.F.A.H. member, with memberships available for purchase at the time of registration. For more information or to register, call 705-748-6324 ext. 100, email info@hfhc.ca or visit www.hfhc.ca and click the Get Outdoors Day Camp link. Numbers are limited.

The O.F.A.H. Conservation Centre is situated just south of Highway 7/115, at 4601 Guthrie Drive off Bensfort Road, with the heritage centre driveway off McNamara Road. To learn more, visit www.hfhc.ca and click on the Get Outdoors Day Camp button.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 670 member clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nongovernment, nonprofit, conservation-based organization in Ontario. For more information, visit www.ofah.org.

Wild turkey season opens today

Permission to access private property and safety are hunters’ top priorities

Every spring, thousands of hunters take to the outdoors to participate in
the spring wild turkey hunt. This year, the season opens on April 26 and
runs until May 31 in many parts of southern Ontario. The Ontario Federation
of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) and the Ontario Conservation Officers
Association (OCOA) remind hunters heading out this spring to be safe and to
obtain permission to hunt on private property.

“Wild turkey season is eagerly anticipated by thousands of trained and
licensed men and women, and is growing in popularity, thanks in large part
to the generosity of landowners who grant hunters access to their private
property,” said O.F.A.H. Executive Director, Mike Reader. “The majority of
turkey hunting is done on private property, and responsible hunters seek
permission well in advance of the season, and while enjoying their time in
the field, hunt safely and respect the regulations.”

The eastern wild turkey, once completely removed from Ontario, has been
successfully reintroduced to the province thanks to the efforts of many
partners, including the O.F.A.H. and the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Southern Ontario wild turkey populations are now estimated to be between
70,000 and 100,000 birds and the numbers are increasing.

“Hunters require permission to hunt on private land, and in most of
southern Ontario it is illegal to shoot from or have a loaded firearm on
public roads or on the right-of-way,” said OCOA President, Dan VanExan.
“Our officers always investigate reports of trespassing and road hunting,
and we encourage those hunting responsibly to report illegal activity. This
will help keep everyone safe during the hunt.”

Anyone with information about a natural resources or public safety related
crime is encouraged to call the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources
violation reporting line at 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667), contact their local
CO directly, or call Crime Stoppers at 1800-222-TIPS (8477).

For more information about natural resources regulations and enforcement,
please visit the OCOA website at www.ocoa.ca, or contact your local
Conservation Officer. To view or download the 2010 MNR wild turkey
regulations, visit www.ontario.ca/hunting.

With over 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member
clubs, the O.F.A.H. is the largest nonprofit, charitable, fishing, hunting
and conservation-based organization in Ontario, and the voice of anglers
and hunters. Visit www.ofah.org for more information.

Instructors mark 50 years of hunter education in Ontario

Half century of mandatory training has made Ontario a safe place to hunt
In 1960, Ontario became the first province to make hunter training mandatory for all first time hunters. Since that time, well over one million people have successfully completed a hunter education course.

The Ontario Hunter Education Program, administered by the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) under agreement with the Ministry of Natural Resources, has become a model for other jurisdictions across North America to follow, and has demonstrated the value of hunter education in ensuring that hunting is a safe recreational activity. Statistically, hunting is safer than many recreational activities, including cycling, horseback riding, skating and golf.

“Hunter education instructors are doing a great job communicating that safety comes first,” said Dave Pind, O.F.A.H. Hunter Education Program Manager. “We congratulate the more than 300 instructors across the province for their efforts in delivering training to 17,000 students last year. Their dedication and professionalism ensure that new hunters know the importance of conducting themselves safely and responsibly.”

Over 100 Ontario hunter education instructors will gather in London on April 23 and 24 for their annual conference.

To learn more, or to locate a hunter education course in your area, visit www.ohep.net.

The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the largest fishing, hunting and conservation-based organization in Ontario, with more than 100,000 members, subscribers and supporters, and 660 member clubs. To learn more, visit www.ofah.org.

Hunting and Fishing State- of- the -Art Education Center opens in Peterborough.

The O.F.A.H / Mario Cortellucci Hunting and Fishing Heritage Centre located in Peterborough Ontario is a must stop destination for young kids and adults who enjoy learning about conservation, hunting and fishing.

Now open to the public for free until September this state-of-the-art educational centre will satisfy any curiosity about Ontario’s fish and wildlife species.

Kids will learn how conservation and Ontario’s hunting and fishing activities go hand in hand.

Program Facilitator Allyson Brown gave me a personal tour of the Heritage Centre during the media day luncheon.

The Shimano Sportsmen’s Aquarium will exhibit warm water fish species such as Largemouth Bass, Muskie, Pike, Walleye, and pan fish.

Wildlife display of North American wildlife will also help teach kids about the outdoors and wildlife. Everything from Deer, Moose, to Wild Turkeys and small mammals will be on display with interactive touch screens and full size mounts.

Summer hours of operation

April 16th- September 1st.

Mon-Sat 10am to 4pm

Sunday noon- 4pm.

Phone – 705-748-6324   ext 100

Web – www.hfhc.ca

O.F.A.H./Mario Cortellucci Hunting and Fishing Heritage Centre

A preview open house weekend is being held April 10 & 11, 10 am – 4 pm for the general public

Please be our guest  to the heritage centre venue before it opens officially to the public.
In this incredible facility – the Shimano Sportfish Aquarium, spectacular Canadian wildlife mounts set in breathtaking dioramas, interactive touch screen stations, the heritage cabin, record Ontario Fish Registry wall (amazing) and the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show Amphitheatre featuring BlueRay/HD, plus much more.

The heritage centre is sure to become a must-see destination for Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

For Additional Information:

Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters
4601 Guthrie Drive,

Peterborough, ON

K9J 8L5
Phone 705-748-6324 ext 270

Fax: 705-748-9577
www.ofah.org