Ohio’s gun hunters took fewer white-tailed deer this year than last year, but, really, who’s counting?

Time is beginning to run out. There are not many shopping days left until Christmas and when you consider so many gifts these days are bought on line, there has to be some time left for deliveries.

Although the archery season has been going on since late September, some Ohio hunters don’t get into deer hunting until the gun season begins. The first part of this year’s deer gun season begins Monday, Nov. 28 and ends Sunday, Dec. 4. This year’s bonus weekend will be Dec. 17-18.

They’re getting bigger and bigger. The new record is just four-tenths of a pound heavier than the old mark.

It’s that time of year when whitetail deer are more active in the woods and fields. “The rut” is a good time for hunters … but not so much for drivers.

Autumn is a popular season for the outdoors men and women – not too hot and not too cold. But it can be a dangerous time, especially if a person gets wet. The danger: hypothermia.

If you like to fish, are new to the area or just want to visit a place you’ve never tried, there are many options for anglers in southwest Ohio.

Each year, about this time, I like to look at the greatest fall fishing in Ohio. That can be found at Lake Erie.

Lake Erie is a hot spot for fall fishing, particularly for yellow perch and especially for this year. Hatches in recent years have been above average and that means the fishery is here for a long, long time.

If you would like to learn how to shoot – with a gun or a bow – you’re invited to take part in the 15th annual free Family Outdoor Skills Day at the Spring Valley gun/archery range south of Xenia.

August is here and if you plan to dove hunt, it’s time to prepare. Drawings for hunting spots on nearby Ohio wildlife areas are scheduled for Aug. 27.

It started out with a great honor, but when the week was over and all the gun smoke had cleared, there was quite a bit of glory to go along with it.

You’ll need a calm pond, cove in a lake or a slow-moving stream, but once you are right there in the water, you might never want to fish any other way.

It’s probably the most sought-after fish for eating, the yellow perch is probably the second most popular fishing target on Lake Erie (behind walleyes). In April, a Mentor resident tossed a shiner into the water and pulled up a record that had lasted more than three decades.

Paddle sports have been growing, with Ohio kayak and canoe registrations more than 130 percent higher over the past decade, up to 152,000 last year. And now Ohio is offering paddle sports events.

Once an endangered and somewhat rare species, the bald eagle has made a huge comeback, especially in Ohio. The national symbol is no longer on the federal or state endangered list, but is still protected by law.

Like most lakes, Erie has its ups and downs as far as fishing goes. Bad hatches mean difficult fishing down the line. But at the same time, a string of quality hatches can put a fishery on top … and that’s how it is right now for Lake Erie walleyes and yellow perch.

It’s been long-awaited. In fact, about 38 years. But at long last the state of Ohio is about to open a full-service marina at Caesar Creek State Park.

The Ohio Division of Wildlife estimates more than 65,000 hunters will be in the fields and woods beginning on April 18 for the beginning of the annual spring wild turkey season. It will run through May 15.

Time to break away, cure the cabin fever and get out to a good fishing hole. Here’s where you can usually find them … the key word there is “usually” because with fishing, you never know …