Ohio buckshot 2014

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014

BUCKSH T OHIO

INSIDE:

Hot Products for 2014 Hunting as a Family Tree-stand Safety Taxidermy Tips Presented by:

2014 Ohio Hunting Guide

2

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, October 5, 2014

■

Vance outdoors

Vance Outdoors keeps it all in the family

BY CAROLYN DIX THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Vance Outdoors Inc., a sporting goods store specializing in guns and hunting gear, has sold guns for nearly a century.

Richard H. Vance started the business with his wife June in 1938 — originally as Clover Farms general store — and it has been family owned and operated ever since.

Over the years, the company started selling guns, and eventually that portion of the business took over.

Richard M. Vance, Richard H. Vance’s son, headed up Vance Outdoors for several years before passing it on to his own sons, Todd and Doug, who operate it today.

But despite several expansions, additional locations in Hebron and Obetz and new family members taking the helm, Vance Outdoors has always kept its original location on Cleveland Avenue on the northeast side of Columbus.

“I’ve been here my whole life. I was born on this corner,” Richard M. Vance said. “We lived above the store.”

His father’s primary focus was on grocery stores, Vance said. The store that started as a Clover Farms would eventually become a Foodtown, and then a Gateway.

But his dad always had a love for hunting, and Vance said they sold guns from day one.

“As a kid, I remember they hung guns in the meat department behind the meat counter,” he said.

Eventually — when guns started outselling groceries — they moved the guns to the front of the store and the produce to the back.

When his dad was ready to retire in the late 1970s and Vance was preparing to take over the family business, he said his dad asked him a very important question. Did he want to run a grocery store, or did he want to run a gun store?

OHIO

BUCKSH T 2014 Ohio Hunting Guide

Vice President Sales Abby Clark Special Sections Editor Rebecca Walters Special Sections Assistant Melanie Houser Ohio Buckshot is a publication of The Columbus Dispatch Advertising Department. For more information, call (614) 461-5000.

Photo by john knouff

Richard M. Vance, center, and his sons, Doug (left) and Todd (right). The company has been family owned and operated since 1938 and is going on its fourth generation of Vance family members now that Todd's son Ryan has started working for the business.

Vance said the decision was easy.

He started hunting when he was 11 years old. His parents had given him a .410 shotgun for Christmas.

“It was one of the biggest days of my life,” he said, a bit choked up. “I thought, ‘I am a man now.’”

Vance said he would come home from school, run outside and go hunting until dark. The whole area was farmland, he said. “Good hunting area.”

So, when faced with making a decision on the future of the business, Vance said he decided with his heart.

“I’d like (it) to be a gun store,” he told his father.

Vance and his father shut down the grocery store, and in January 1978 Vance Outdoors became a full-time sporting goods store.

Even though they no longer sell groceries, they still use the old meat coolers for storage.

Vance Outdoors has grown considerably from that one Columbus store, adding a law enforcement division, an Internet division, a marine division and a new store location in Hebron.

The company is building its third location in Obetz, a 56,000-squarefoot store with a 24-lane indoor shooting range.

Vance’s father passed the business on to him, and he has passed it on

As a kid, I remember they hung guns in the meat department behind the meat counter.

— Richard M. Vance to his children. “It’s really a family affair,” said Vance, whose wife Lana also works at the store.

Today, Todd is the president, and Doug is the vice president. But the family being involved in the business doesn’t stop there.

Richard’s daugher Kimm recently joined the law enforcement division.

Todd’s wife Regina works at Vance Outdoors in Hebron, and his son Ryan works in the Internet department. Ryan is the fourth generation of Vance family members to work in the family business.

Once the new Obetz location is complete, Todd Vance said there will be about 250 total employees at

Vance Outdoors.

While only some are members of the Vance family, assistant manager Rick Burns said they are all treated like family.

Before Burns was an employee, he was a customer.

“I shopped here,” he said. “I would shop here when it was a grocery store.” An avid hunter, Burns continued to be a loyal customer after Vance Outdoors became a sporting goods store.

After Burns retired, he took a job at Vance Outdoors. “I work here because I enjoy it,” he said.

So what is next for Vance Outdoors?

Todd Vance said that they are going to wait until they have completed the new Obetz location to “see how it goes” before deciding on the next steps.

He said it is possible they may one day expand to another location outside of Columbus, but that there are no current plans.

More than 35 years ago, Richard M. Vance made a decision about the future of his family business. He is still glad he chose to “be a gun store,” he said.

“I just always liked to hunt and shoot,” Vance said. “It’s my dream come true.”

â–

CROSSFIRE II SCOPE 2-7 x 32MM

$ #CF2-31003

CROSSFIRE II SCOPE 3-9 x 40MM

129

99

• Dead Hold BDC Reticle • Waterproof / Fogproof • MOA Turrents • VIP Warranty

$

149

#CF2-31007

99

• Dead Hold BDC Reticle • Waterproof / Fogproof • MOA Turrents • VIP Warranty

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, october 5, 2014

CROSSFIRE II SCOPE 4-12 x 44MM

$ #CF2-31015

169

99

• Dead Hold BDC Reticle • Waterproof / Fogproof • MOA Turrents • VIP Warranty

CROSSFIRE II RIFLESCOPE SERIES

&OHDU WRXJK DQG EULJKW WKH SRSXODU &URVV¿ UH ,, OLQH LV EXLOW WR H[FHHG WKH SHUIRUPDQFH VWDQGDUGV RI VLPLODUO\ SULFHG ULÀ HVFRSHV /RQJ H\H relief, a fast-focus eyepiece, fully multi-coated lenses and improved, UHVHWWDEOH 02$ WXUUHWV DUH KDOOPDUNV RI WKH VHULHV

KEY FEATURES

3

• 9,3 :DUUDQWO\ 9RUWH[ ZLOO UHSDLU RU UHSODFH WKH SURGXFW LQ WKH HYHQW LW EHFRPHV GDPDJHG RU GHIHFWLYH $EVROXWHO\ IUHH QR PDWWHU WKH FDXVH ,W GRHVQ¶W PDWWHU KRZ LW KDSSHQHG ZKRVH IDXOW LW ZDV RU ZKHUH \RX SXUFKDVHG LW ‡ 1HXWUDO SUHVVXUH QLWURJHQ SXUJLQJ JXDUDQWHHV ZDWHUSURR¿ QJ DQG IRJSURR¿ QJ WKDW ZLWKVWDQGV WKH HOHPHQWV DW DQ\ HOHYDWLRQ DQG GXULQJ WKH KDUVKHVW ZHDWKHU FRQGLWLRQV ‡ )XOO\ DQWL UHÀ HFWLYH PXOWL FRDWHG OHQV LQFUHDVHV OLJKW WUDQVPLVVLRQ

SALE PRICES GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 16TH, 2014

)DPLO\ 2ZQHG 6LQFH

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER! &/(9(/$1' $9( &2/80%86 2+

$/80 &5((. '5 2%(7= 2+ &20,1* 0,' 2&72%(5

$552:+($' %/9' +(%521 2+

DIAMONDBACK SCOPE 4-12 x 40MM

$ #DBK-04-BDC

STRIKEFIRE II RED DOT

19999

• Dead-Hold BDC Reticle • Waterproof / Fogproof • MOA Turrents • VIP Warranty

$ #SF-RG-501

17999 • Red / Green Dot • Waterproof • Includes Cantilever Mount, CR2 Battery

4

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, october 5, 2014

■

Take your best (buck) shot this season Hunting season is officially underway in Ohio Archery season is in full swing and gun season, youth gun season and muzzleloader season are right around the corner.

Last season, hunters harvested (killed) 191,459 deer in Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

There were 406,471 licensed hunters in the state in 2013, and 44,013 licensed youth hunters.

The very first resident hunting license in Ohio was sold in 1913 for $1, and 1949 holds the record for most hunting licenses sold — 736,381.

Hunters play an important role in Ohio, helping to control the deer population throughout the state, according to the ODNR. An uncontrolled deer population could result in crop devastation and driving hazards for Ohio residents.

But to maintain a “biologically sound” number of deer in the state, the ODNR carefully regulates harvest management, setting limits to the number of deer that can be harvested in each county.

As part of its efforts, the ODNR recently passed some new regulations for the 2014-2015 hunting season.

For the first time, hunters can use straight-walled cartridge rifles to hunt white-tailed deer during gun season and youth gun season. The ODNR website, ohiodnr.gov, lists the calibers allowed.

2014-2015 Ohio Hunting Seasons: Archery: Sept. 27–Feb. 1 Antlerless Deer Muzzleloader: Oct. 11–12 Youth Gun: Nov. 22–23 Gun: Dec. 1–7 Muzzleloader: Jan. 2–5 image thinkstock images.com

Deer hunters are also limited to loading no more than three shells in the chamber and magazine combined.

Hunters should note a change in muzzleloader season as well. It will be Friday through Monday this season. Previous seasons were Saturday through Tuesday.

Hunters can also use the mobilefriendly website ohiogamecheck.com to game check more conveniently this season. Tagging and checking every kill is required to legally own and transport a harvest.

On average, only about one-third of deer hunters in Ohio actually har-

vest a deer, according to the ODNR, and less than one percent of hunters harvest five or more deer.

Think you have a shot at harvesting a deer this year?

Be sure to check the ODNR website for a full list of rules, regulations and safety tips, and good luck.

Hunting brings families together

BY CAROLYN DIX THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH The thrill of the hunt. The beauty of Mother Nature. Dinner.

There are many reasons why Ohio’s hunters pick up their bows and guns and head outside in pursuit of the perfect buck.

For many hunters, however, it is all about family.

Hunting allows them to spend quality time together — unplugged from the outside world.

It is an opportunity for parents to share their passion for hunting with their children and to teach them how to hunt.

Kenny Hughes is a bow technician at Vance Outdoors in Columbus, and according to his co-workers, his skills are well known throughout the Midwest. Hunters travel from surrounding states just to have him work on their bows.

But when the weekend comes, Hughes enjoys spending quality time in the great outdoors with his 12-year-old twin grandsons. They camp, take out the pontoon boat and hunt for squirrels, rabbits and deer, he said.

Hunting, Hughes said, gives him time with his grandchildren away from life’s daily distractions.

“It made us so much closer,” he said. “We’ll go out from daylight to dark. They have patience.”

“Papaw,” as Hughes’ grandchildren call him, took his grandsons through the hunter’s safety course and bought each of them their first license. Last year, he took them out for youth gun hunting season.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, a two-day period is set aside each season for children 17 years old and younger to go out and hunt, with an accompanying nonhunting adult. This year’s youth gunhunting season is Nov. 22-23.

For many children, it is a chance to have their “first harvest” (first kill), a momentous occasion in the hunting world.

Young hunters can print out certificates from the ODNR website to mark the achievement.

The website also provides additional information about youth hunting seasons.

Hughes said that his grandsons were eagerly awaiting the start of this

I remember my first buck. It's the No. 1 most exciting thing that you experience.

— Brandon Rose

year’s bow-hunting season, and that they have been practicing.

“They’re going to make good hunters,” he proudly said.

Bryant Hatem, 26, is another Columbus-area hunter who enjoys hunting with his family. He and his younger brother have been hunting since they could walk.

He often hunts with his father and brother, but recently his mother started joining their hunting trips “to spend more time with us,” he said.

Hatem said they eat what they har-

vest, but that hunting is more than economical.

“It’s just nice to be out in the woods,” he said. “It’s more quality time with the family doing what we like to do.”

For Brandon Rose, the archery and hunting buyer at Vance Outdoors, hunting with his family gives him an opportunity to bond with his stepson Kevin. His favorite hunting memory is taking Kevin “for his first buck.”

“I remember my first buck. It’s the No. 1 most exciting thing that you experience,” he said. And that’s why he wanted to be a part of that experience with Kevin.

Another reason to go hunting as a family is to get the children involved, Rose said. “It could be a lifetime thing. It’s good for the future of hunters.”

Hunters love the hunt for many reasons. It can be an occasional hobby, a lifelong passion or a food source.

But ultimately for Rose, Hughes and Hatem, hunting is an activity that brings the family together.

“It’s all about the memories when it comes down to it,” Rose said.

■

5

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, october 5, 2014

AMERICAN WHITETAIL™ 12 GA. 2 3/4"

MAKE IT A KNOCK-DOWN, DRAG-OUT HUNT.® American Whitetail® 12 Gauge Slug 1223 fps

Designed for fully rifled barrels, Hornady ® American Whitetail® Slugs are loaded with 325-grain Hornady ® InterLock® bullets. A hollow point serrated design initiates rapid expansion upon impact, and a tough, lead alloy core is lethal out to 200+ yards. The rigid polycarbonate sabot ensures accuracy. The end result is an accurate delivery system for a tough shotgun slug capable of taking the biggest midwestern whitetails.

AMERICAN WHITETAIL® AMMO IS ALSO AVAILABLE IN: 243 Win

270 Win

7mm Rem Mag

308 Win

25-06 Rem

7mm-08 Rem

30-30 Win

30-06 Sprg

300 Win Mag

800.338.3220 | HORNADY.COM

AMERICAN WHITETAIL RIFLE AMMUNITION

10% OFF

OUR EVERYDAY LOW PRICES SALE PRICES GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 16TH, 2014

Opening day of deer season comes only once a year. Make sure you’re ready when the big one steps out and load-up with Hornady® American Whitetail® ammunition.

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER! 3723 CLEVELAND AVE COLUMBUS, OH 43224 614-471-7000

AMERICAN WHITETAIL SLUG 12 GAUGE

LEVEREVOLUTION RIFLE AMMO 45-70 OR 44 MAGNUM A hollow point serrated design initiates rapid expansion upon impact, and a tough, lead alloy core is lethal out to 200+ yards.

7

$

PER BOX

• 325 Grain • Interlock Hollow Point • 1825 FPS • 2 3/4” Length • 5 Shells Per Box

$

1999 44 MAG AMMO

4250 ALUM CREEK DR. OBETZ, OH 43207 COMING MID-OCTOBER

SST SHOTGUN SLUG 12 OR 20 GAUGE

BOX OF 20

• 255 Grain • Flex Tip Bullet • 1410 FPS • 993 FT/LBS Energy

$ 99

#86271

Family Owned Since 1938

#82747 #92782

20 GAUGE

9

$ 49

PER BOX

• 250 Grain • Flex Tip Bullet • 1800 FPS • 5 Shells Per Box

12 GAUGE

2999

9

45-70 AMMO

$ 49

BOX OF 20

• 325 Grain • Flex Tip Bullet • 2050 FPS • 3032 FT/LBS Energy

150 ARROWHEAD BLVD. HEBRON, OH 43025 740-928-3474

#86232 #8623

PER BOX

• 300 Grain • Flex Tip Bullet • 2000 FPS • 5 Shells Per Box

6

7

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, OCTOBER 5, 2014 ■

TRUBALL RIFLED SLUGS

2

TROPHY COPPER SABOT SLUGS

3

$ 99 - $ 99

AFTER $2 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE, LIMIT 5 BOXES PER CUSTOMER, VALID UNTIL 12/31/14

AFTER $5 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE, LIMIT 2 BOXES PER CUSTOMER, VALID UNTIL 12/31/14

PER BOX

TRS-32 TACTICAL RED DOT 1 x 32MM

20 ONLY

$

FINAL COST AFTER $25 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

#96701

22999

• 21” Blue Heavy Barrel • Wood Stock • AccuTrigger • 3-9x40mm Scope

MK II VARMINT THREADED 22 LR

$

FINAL COST AFTER $25 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

#28702

19999

• 16.5” Barrel • Blue Finish • Accu Trigger • Synthetic Stock

$ ONLY 8 AVAILABLE! #19482

$

FINAL COST AFTER $25 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

999

99

• 26” Barrel • Matte Finish • AccuStock / AccuTrigger • Detachable 5 RD Box Mag

17999

• 21” Barrel • AccuTrigger • Synthetic Stock • 3-9x40mm Scope

#26700 #26721

AXIS CENTERFIRE RIFLE 223, 243, 308 OR 22-250

$

FINAL COST AFTER $50 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

#19920 #19921 #22250 #19223

111 LONG RANGE HUNTER 338 LAPUA

MODEL MKII VARMINT 22 LR

MK II SPORTER COMBO 22 LR

MARK II BTV 22 LR

$

FINAL COST AFTER $25 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

20999

$

FINAL COST AFTER $25 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

#28700

299

99

$

SALE PRICES GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 16TH, 2014

Family Owned Since 1938

29999

MODEL 11/111 CENTERFIRE RIFLE COMBO

$

FINAL COST AFTER $75 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

150 ARROWHEAD BLVD. HEBRON, OH 43025 740-928-3474

• Matte Finish • 11 Position Rheostat • Flip-Open Covers • 5 MOA Red Dot Reticle

TROPHY RED DOT RIFLE / SHOTGUN / HANDGUN

$

20 ONLY

Power-Shok cartridges make a great affordable, all-around choice for medium to large-game. Find good quality, standard bullets in a variety of calibers, including less popular calibers. 20 Rounds Per Box.

BANNER RIFLESCOPE 3-9 x 40MM

7999

• Realtree AP Camo • Water/Fogproof • Rings Included • 6 MOA Red Dot Reticle

#730131APG

PER BOX

AFTER $2.50 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE, LIMIT 2 BOXES PER CUSTOMER, VALID UNTIL 12/31/14

$ #713948

7599

• Matte Finish • Water/Fogproof • DDB Multi-Coated Optics • Multi-X Reticle

$

2149 - $3749

$

PER BOX

AFTER $2.50 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE, LIMIT 2 BOXES PER CUSTOMER, VALID UNTIL 12/31/14

The need to come up with a bullet that is affordable, but can be counted on without fail was met by Fusion. No other bullet in its class is as tough, accurate or lethal. 20 Rounds Per Box.

TROPHY XLT 10 x 42 BINOCULARS

15 ONLY

#234211

$

14999

• Realtree AP Camo • Water/Fogproof • Fully Multi-Coated Optics • Dura-Grip Rubber

3699

PER BOX

IN STOCK ONLY, LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE

• 55 Grain • 100 Rounds Per Box • FMJ Bullet • 3240 FPS • 1008 FT/LBS #AE223BO

TROPHY XLT BONE COLLECTOR 8 x 42 BINOCULARS

15 ONLY

#234280C

$

13999

• Realtree Xtra Camo • Water/Fogproof • Fully Multi-Coated Optics • Dura-Grip Rubber

15999

• 22” Barrel • Accu Trigger • 3-9x40mm Weaver Scope • In Stock Calibers Only

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER! 3723 CLEVELAND AVE COLUMBUS, OH 43224 614-471-7000

10999

Trophy® Copper Sabot Slug is an all-copper slug that successfully achieves better accuracy, less drop, manageable recoil and consistent penetration and expansion. 5 Rounds Per Box.

1949 - $3349

AMERICAN EAGLE 223 REM

AXIS II CENTERFIRE RIFLE COMBO

• 21” Barrel • Blue Finish • Wood Laminate Stock • AccuTrigger

#28750

#AR731305

$

PER BOX

$

FUSION RIFLE CARTRIDGE

• 21” Heavy Barrel • Blue Finish • Accu Trigger • Synthetic Stock

FINAL COST AFTER $50 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

• 22” Barrel • Matte Finish • Synthetic Stock • Detachable Magazine

9

$ 99 - $ 99

7KH 7UX%DOO 5LÀ HG 6OXJ XVHV D VLPSOH SODVWLF EDOO between the wad and slug to force extremely accurate results. Upgrade your smoothbore without changing barrels. 5 Rounds Per Box.

MODEL 93 VARMINT COMBO 17 HMR

6

POWER-SHOK RIFLE CARTRIDGE

369

99

• 22” or 24” Barrel • Blue Finish • Accu-Trigger • 3-9x40mm Nikon Scope • In Stock Calibers Only

4250 ALUM CREEK DR. OBETZ, OH 43207 COMING MID-OCTOBER

RACK-N-ROLL RATTLING DEVICE

THE CLUB GROUND BLIND

#771

$

1799

• Re-Produces Buck Fights • Easy One-Handed Use • Quiet To Carry & Easy to Pack • Engineered Using Real Audio

BLOOD HUNTER HD OPTICAL FILTER LIGHT

#65100

$

9999

• New DuraMatte Fabric • New SS Hook Blind Windows • Dimensions: 48”x48”x65” • Dimensions: Max-View Window

BOTTLE NECK GRUNT CALL

#61107

$

5999

• 600 Lumen CREE XM LEDs • 2 Power Settings • Works on all terrains • Flat Handle For Comfort Carry

ORIGINAL CAN CALL WITH GRIP RINGS

#770

$

1499

• Compact, 1 Reed Deer Grunt • Mid-tone, Deep, and Roars • Soft, All-Rubber Design • Lanyard

#7062

6

$ 99 • Re-Produces Estrus Bleats • Works Pre Rut, Rut & Post • TRUE GRIP Technology • Raised Thumb Hole Locator

NEW OBETZ LOCATION OPENING MID-OCTOBER AT 56,000 SQUARE FEET, IT’S OUR BIGGEST STORE YET & BOASTS A 24-LANE, STATE-OF-THE-ART SHOOTING RANGE. IN ADDITION, CENTRAL OHIO’S BEST SELECTION OF FIREARMS, AMMUNITION, AND SUPPLIES.

SALE PRICES GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 16TH, 2014

Family Owned Since 1938

8

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, october 5, 2014

Hunting 101 Quick Fact No. 1 Target practice Take a shot at hunting before obtaining your hunter’s license.

Apprentice hunting licenses allow new hunters, both youths and adults, to be in the hunt and learn the ins and outs of hunting in Ohio prior to getting a hunter’s license. A hunter’s education course is not required to get an apprentice license.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife, apprentices must be accompanied by a licensed adult 21 years old or older. The licensed adult can only accompany up to two apprentice license holders at a time.

Apprentice license holders interested in obtaining a regular hunting license will need to take a hunter’s education course.

For more information, visit wildohio.gov.

Source: ODNR

Be in the know before you go legged ticks on a hunt of their own — for people, dogs

QUICK FACT No. 3 Be a bad host

Warning — hunting season is rife with ticks. The best way to avoid contracting potentially harmful illnesses like Lyme disease is to be aware that ticks are out there.

“American dog ticks, blacklegged ticks and lone star ticks can all pose a threat to outdoorsmen and women during hunting season,” according to the ODNR. American dog ticks and lone star ticks are not active September through March, but during fall hunting seasons and warmer winter days, the ODNR said to be aware of adult black-

and deer.

It is important to note that adult black-legged ticks do not affect deer, and you cannot contract Lyme disease by eating venison.

Source: ODNR

QUICK FACT No. 4 Here’s a TIP Help keep Ohio safe by bucking illegal hunting. The Turn In a Poacher program (TIP) gives the public the opportunity to report on wildlife violations.

If you see a wildlife violation, you can report it confidentially by filling out a form on the ODNR’s Division of Wildlife webpage or by calling the TIP toll-free hotline, 1-800-POACHER. Source: ODNR

QUICK FACT No. 2 Stand firm

According to a tree-stand survey conducted by Deer & Deer Hunting, almost 90 percent of all hunters use elevated stands while hunting. While they may offer an advantage, they can also be dangerous when certain safety precautions are not followed.

According to the Ohio DNR, almost one in three hunters will fall from a tree stand during their hunting career.

To stay safe, the Treestand Manufacturers Association (TMA) outlined tree-stand safety guidelines: • Always wear a FallArrest System (FAS)/fullbody harness, including when you are ascending to and descending from the tree stand. Single-strap belts and chest harnesses are no longer preferred harness choices.

• Read any warning labels and instructions provided by the manufacturer before using the tree stand each season, and never exceed the weight limit specified. Only use the fullbody harness as described by the manufacturer.

• Inspect your tree stand and harness for signs of damage and wear before each use.

• Practice in your full-

■

QUICK FACT No. 5 Reap the harvest Deer hunters have a unique opportunity to help feed Ohio’s hungry by donating the deer they harvest.

The ODNR recommended three charitable organizations: 1 – Farmers and Hunters Feeding the Hungry (FHFH) Hunters can donate venison for free through this national organization. Visit fhfh.org to locate an Ohio chapter and find local processors in your area.

2 – Whitetails Unlimited Local chapters donate venison to those in need. Visit whitetailsunlimited. com to find an Ohio chapter.

3 – Sportsmen Against Hunger Visit Sportsmen Against Hunger on the Safari Club International website, safariclubfoundation.org, to donate to local Ohio food pantries. They accept venison during deer hunting season.

QUICK FACT No. 6 See and be seen

Image courtesy cabela’s

body harness in the presence of an adult to become comfortable in it.

• Have a plan before each hunt, and be sure to make others aware of your plans. If possible, hunt with another person. There is safety in numbers.

• Have a rescue plan in place in case of any accidents. Always carry emergency signal devices like a signal flare or cell phone.

• Choose your tree wisely. You want a live, straight tree that meets the size limits recommended by the tree-stand manufacturer. Never use a leaning

tree, and do not leave a tree stand up for more than two weeks.

• Use a haul line to bring items up to your tree stand.

Never carry anything in your hands or on your back when you climb.

• Know your limits, and never hurry. Take your time climbing, and make movements of no more than 10-12 inches at a time.

• Never use homemade tree stands. Only use tree stands and harnesses that meet the standards of the TMA. Source: Treestand Manufacturers Association

Wearing hunter orange is not just an important safety tip for hunting — it is the law — and the ODNR said that it applies to both private and public land.

Wearing the hunter orange makes you visible to other hunters in the area so that you can avoid potentially fatal accidents.

Hunters must be visibly wearing a solid hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange vest, coat, jacket or coveralls at all times during the deergun, youth deer-gun, antlerless muzzleloader and muzzleloader seasons from a half hour before sunrise to half hour after sunset. Hunter orange is not required for hunting waterfowl.

Source: ODNR

Photo by john knouff

QUICK FACT No. 7 Tag It Congrats on harvesting a deer. The next step is to tag it, a requirement to legally own and transport the deer. The good news is that the process is simple and straightforward.

The ODNR shared what every hunter must do immediately following a kill: • Make a game tag with the hunter’s name, date, time and county of kill.

• Attach the completed game tag to the deer at the place where it fell.

• Fill in the deer permit with the date, time and county of kill.

Hunters must then complete the game-check process to report a kill, which they can do with any licensed agent, by calling (877) TAG-ITOH or by visiting the mobile-friendly website ohiogamecheck.com.

Hunters must complete the game-check and tagging process by 12 p.m. the day after the kill.

If the deer is killed on the last day of a season, then it must be checked in by 11:30 p.m. on the day of the kill.

Source: ODNR

Information compiled by carolyn dix

â–

M&P BODYGUARD 380 PISTOL 380 ACP

$

31999

• 2.75� Barrel • Black Slide • Polymer Frame • 6 Round Magazine (2)

#109381

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, october 5, 2014

RECEIVE 50 ROUNDS OF WINCHESTER 380 SILVERTIP W/ PURCHASE, A $40 VALUE, FOR ONLY 1¢ SALE PRICES GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 16TH, 2014

Combining popular M&P characteristics with existing BODYGUARD features, the Family Owned Since 1938 new M&P BG380 offers consumers a uniquely engineered, lightweight self-defense SLVWRO 7KH 0 3 %* SLVWRO EHQH¿ WV IURP QHZ ¿ VK VFDOH VHUUDWLRQV RQ WKH UHDU RI WKH THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER! slide for ease of use and includes two magazines.The lightweight sub-compact pistol features a 2 ž inch barrel, which contributes to an overall length of 5 Ÿ inches and 3723 CLEVELAND AVE 4250 ALUM CREEK DR. 150 ARROWHEAD BLVD. an unloaded weight of only 11.85 ounces. Also sports a rapid second-strike capability, COLUMBUS, OH 43224 OBETZ, OH 43207 HEBRON, OH 43025 thumb safety, take-down lever and stainless steel drift adjustable sights.

614-471-7000 COMING MID-OCTOBER 740-928-3474

M&P SHIELD PISTOL 40 S&W

$ #180020

37999

• 3.1� Barrel • Black Melonite Slide • Polymer Frame • 6 & 7 RD Magazines

9

M&P 22 COMPACT PISTOL 22 LR RECEIVE 50 ROUNDS OF WINCHESTER HOLLOW POINT W/ PURCHASE, A $50 VALUE, FOR ONLY 1¢

6PLWK :HVVRQÂśV QHZ 0 3 6+,(/'ÂŒ LV D VOLP FRQFHDODEOH OLJKWZHLJKW VWULNHU Âż UHG SRO\PHU SLVWRO )URP WKH SLVWROÂśV HDVLO\ FRQFHDOHG RQH LQFK SURÂż OH WR LWV RSWLPL]HG 18-degree grip angle, the M&P SHIELD offers professional-grade features that provide consumers with simple operation and reliable performance. For fast tracking and smooth target acquisition, the M&P SHIELD is standard with a 5.3-inch sight radius and has been enhanced with a short, consistent trigger pull measuring 6.5 pounds.

$ #108390

34999

• 3.55� Barrel • Black Finish • Adjustable Sights • 10 Round Magazine

#MAKEFUNFUNNER Why? Because it’s made of fun. S&W shrunk the full size M&PŽ by 15% and replaced it with pure awesome. Yep. It’s molded right in there alongside the premium features and M&P’s hand-hugging grip. Sure all of that fun is hard to see, but don’t worry. Whether you’re shooting a tin can or hitting a full can of soda, you can make fun funner with an M&PŽ 22 Compact. BUY A NEW M&P 22 COMPACT PISTOL -

RECEIVE A BOX OF AMMO AFTER REBATE

10

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | october 5, 2014

■

All geared up Hot hunting and camping products for 2014

1. Fully loaded

The Marlin 1895gs Guide Gun .45-70 Government Lever-Action Rifle is now legal for deer

5. Don’t be seen in this

hunting in Ohio. The Ohio Wildlife Council passed a new regulation for the 2014 hunting season that allows straight-walled cartridge rifles for deer hunting. This rifle packs all the punch needed to harvest big game but only weighs 7 pounds. It features an 18.5-inch barrel and stainless steel to avoid corrosion.

Find it: vanceoutdoors.com $749.99

Cabela’s ColorPhase attire changes colors based on the ambient air temperature, ensuring hunters stay camouflaged under any The leaves conditions. change Cooler air colors! brings out more of the browns, while warmer air changes those browns to green. The Zonz Woodlands pattern is ideal for the Ohio area.

Find it: cabelas.com $19.99-$79.99

2. Bullet list

6. Pitch it

Hornady .45-70 Government 325 gr FTX LEVERevolution (middle) and Hornady 44 Mag 225 gr 25 gr FTX LEVERevolution (right) are helping bring the “old-school” rifle back, and with the passing of the new law, hunters will be able to use straightwalled cartridge rifles again. This ammunition travels faster than flat-point loads and features flex-tip technology. The Federal Premium .460 Smith & Wesson is a top choice for handgun hunting enthusiasts.

Find it: vanceoutdoors.com (left to right) $69.99, $34.99, $22.99

3. Sharp shooter The Thompson Center SW/ Encore Endeavor 209SST/AP .50-caliber rifle has been legal for years, but this model remains a popular one for hunters interested in muzzle-loading rifles. It features a 28-inch stainless-steel fluted barrel and a Realtree AP camouflage finish.

Antlerless muzzleloader season is Oct. 11-12, and muzzleloader season is Jan. 2-5.

Find it: vanceoutdoors.com $899.99

Hunters need a reliable tent that keeps them safe from the elements year-round, and Cabela’s Instinct 3-Person Tent does just that. The tent can stand up to wind tunnels and heavy snowfall, and it has a water- and fire-resistant coating. The tent is super lightweight, making it easy to carry, and it is also available as a two-person tent.

Find it: cabelas.com $349.99

Who says camping food has to be bland? The stowable Spice Missile certainly disagrees, making camping cuisine downright delicious. The Spice Missile is one of the GSI Folding Camp Utensils, products that make cooking while camping easy. The Spice Missile has three secure compartments with waterproof caps to let you season your food to taste.

Find it: cabelas.com $11.99

10. Breathe easy

The North Face Terra 65 Pack has made the traditional backpack more backpacker-friendly.

Hikers will appreciate the vertical channel that provides better ventilation (read: less sweat).

The Opti-Fit suspension system allows backpackers of any height to adjust the straps so that the weight sits how and where you want.

Find it: cabelas.com $179

7. Lie down

Whether you are in a tent or on the ground, you will sleep easy in the Kelty IGNITE DriDown 20°F Sleeping Bag — the down has a special coating that keeps it warmer and drier than traditional down. In fact, it can stay dry up to seven times longer than regular down and dries 33 percent faster. The sleeping bag is perfect for hiking, coming in at a little more than 2 lbs.

Find it: cabelas.com, $219.95-$239.95

4. Properly outfitted Cabela’s Instinct Reliant Whitetail System is comprised of four layers of clothing, designed for all of the elements. Each layer is engineered to keep hunters warm and dry, maximizing mobility under any weather conditions while minimizing noise. Layers range from the base for warmer weather to the outer layer designed for snow and wind.

Find it: cabelas.com $29.99-$329.99

9. The spice of life

8. Clean and clear

Never go thirsty again with the Camelbak All Clear Microbiological UV Water Purifier. This water purifier makes any water clean and drinkable, no matter where you are. It uses ultraviolet light to render the bacteria and viruses in the water inactive, and the entire .75-liter bottle can be purified in 60 seconds.

Find it: cabelas.com $99.99

Are you looking for ways to bring home the big bucks this deer season? With archery already underway and gun season right around the bend, it is time to start preparing for the hunt. The good news is that technology and new hunting laws in Ohio are giving deer hunters more options than ever.

These are some of the hottest products available in the world of hunting and camping, and though they may not guarantee a kill, they are a great place to start.

Information compiled by Carolyn Dix Photos by john knouff

■

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, october 5, 2014

Taxidermy: For a trophy heads and tails above the rest

BY CAROLYN DIX THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Bringing home a hunting trophy is not quite the same as bringing home a trophy for another sport.

For starters, you have to skin it.

Forget small figurines to commemorate a big win. In the hunting world, your trophy is the animal you harvest — or kill.

Taxidermy is the art of preserving and mounting these trophies in a lifelike form, and it is how hunters keep memories from the hunt.

“It doesn’t have to be a big trophy to look nice and classic on the wall,” said Zoran Saveski, owner of Highpoint Taxidermy, a taxidermy studio in Thornville.

The trophy can be from a first harvest or just a hunting trip with the family that you want to remember, he said.

The first step is to find a reputable taxidermist. “Always do your research. See how long they’ve been

in business,” Saveski said. “Go to their shop and check out their work. People are going to like different styles.”

The key is to bring the animal to a taxidermist as soon as possible. If the animal cannot be brought in immediately, it needs to be frozen, he said.

You should also get the animal skinned prior to taking it to the taxidermist, said Rob Cunningham, owner of Rob’s Taxidermy and Skull Cleaning in

11

Trumpeter swan

White-tailed deer

Heath, although some taxidermists skin as well.

A deer, for example, could be brought to a local butcher who will skin it and process the meat for you, he said.

The taxidermist then sends the skin to a tannery. Tanning preserves the skin and fur of the animal.

When the taxidermist receives the skin from the tannery, he places it on a mannequin of the specific type of animal harvested, Cunningham said.

According to Saveski, the entire process takes about eight to 10 months.

Hunters then can choose the type of mount they want, Saveski said.

“There is the European mount, which is just the skull with the antlers,” Cunningham said. “There are shoulder mounts, half-body mounts and full-body mounts.”

A hunter also decides the details, such as open- or closed-mouthed as well as which direction the trophy faces, he said.

“You might already have a trophy facing left and want one facing right,” Cunningham said. He added that the type of mount chosen might depend on the amount of space a person has for the trophy.

When done correctly, a trophy should last forever, he said. But there are ways to help keep up appearances.

He recommended vacuuming the fur and wiping the eyes with a glass cleaner. He also said to avoid hanging a trophy near a wood-burning stove, as this causes the trophy to dry out and crack.

A hunter may bring home a trophy from a hunt, but taxidermy is what gives the hunter a memory that lasts a lifetime.

The thrill of the hunting trip Black Bear

Wild turkey

Photos by John Knouff Mounts shown are from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Hunters can find plenty of white-tailed deer in Ohio, but for those looking to step up their game and hunt different species, a hunting trip may be just the ticket.

Highpoint Taxidermy in Thornville coordinates hunting trips across the United States and around the world, frequently planning trips to exotic locations like Africa.

These trips provide hunters with the unique opportunity to hunt everything from antelope and mule deer to mountain lions, black bears and moose, said Zoran Saveski, owner of Highpoint Taxidermy.

Highpoint makes the trip easy for hunters, coordinating the airfare, accommodations and meals.

The company plans how to hunt the animals and handle transporting them home, Saveski said.

Need another reason to go?

During a recent trip to Alaska, Saveski said someone in his group harvested a grizzly bear that was more than 10 feet tall — the sixth largest kill ever in Alaska.

— Carolyn Dix

12

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH | Special Advertising Section | SUNDAY, october 5, 2014

VENTURE BOLT ACTION CENTERFIRE RIFLE

$

FINAL COST AFTER $75 FACTORY MAIL-IN REBATE:

IMPACT INLINE MUZZLELOADER 3-9x40 COMBO

32999

• Blued Finish • Adjustable Trigger • Guaranteed MOA Accuracy • Synthetic Stock w/Hogue Panels

■

50 CALIBER #6689

$

TRIUMPH INLINE MUZZLELOADER 3-9x40 COMBO

31999

• Weather Shield Finish • Realtree Camo Stock • 26” Barrel • Adjustable Fiber Optic Sights

50 CALIBER

$

39999 • Blue Finish • Synthetic Stock • Speed Breech XT • Toggle Locking Action

#8503

THREE LOCATIONS TO SERVE YOU BETTER!

SALE PRICES GOOD THROUGH OCTOBER 16TH, 2014

Family Owned Since 1938

3723 CLEVELAND AVE COLUMBUS, OH 43224 614-471-7000

PROSTAFF RIFLESCOPE 3-9 x 40MM

PROSTAFF RIFLESCOPE 4-12 x 40MM

$179.95 INSTANT SAVINGS: -20.00

FINAL COST:

Instant Savings Expires November 16, 2014

#6722

$

FINAL COST:

Instant Savings Expires November 16, 2014

#6729

$

$359.95 -40.00

INSTANT SAVINGS:

19995

• BDC Reticle • Extremely Bright Sight Picture • Speed Breech XT • Water / Fog / Shockproof

150 ARROWHEAD BLVD. HEBRON, OH 43025 740-928-3474 PROSTAFF 5 RIFLESCOPE 3.5-14 x 40MM

$219.95 INSTANT SAVINGS: -20.00

15995

• BDC Reticle • Fully Multi-Coated Optics • Instant Zero Reset Turrents • Water / Fog / Shockproof

4250 ALUM CREEK DR. OBETZ, OH 43207 COMING MID-OCTOBER

FINAL COST:

Instant Savings Expires November 16, 2014

#6741

$

31995

• BDC Reticle • Fully Multi-Coated Optics • Instant Zero Reset Turrents • Water / Fog / Shockproof