Spring stroll

money and effort than in the past.

Without the contributions of sportsmen and sportswomen, whose numbers likely will decrease as baby boomers age, conservation efforts almost surely will take a hit without an influx of licenses, permit and equipment buyers who pay much of the freight, the chief said.

The alliance and its allies point to areas of concern in a division budget that has stayed around $60 million for years despite significant upward pressure on costs. The consequence has been a deterioration of services, the alliance said. Based on the annual sale of about 800,000 resident fishing licenses and about 400,000 resident hunting licenses, a $3 increase would increase revenues by about $3.6 million.

Additionally, a projected $100 increase in license/permit costs for the 40,000 nonresident deer hunters would raise another $4 million. Ohio currently charges $149, easily the lowest fee for nonresident deer hunters among destination states for whitetail hunting. The average nonresident fees for the nine top destination states are $393, led by Texas at $630.

Parting shots

Hatchery-raised rainbow trout measuring 10 to 13 inches are scheduled to be released into Antrim Lake in Columbus and Blue Limestone Park in Delaware on Friday by Ohio Division of Wildlife personnel. Releases are scheduled April 29 at Sunbury Upground Reservoir No. 1 and Ashley Upground Reservoir. The daily trout limit is five. … The Cabela’s National Walleye Tour kicks off its season Wednesday with a two-day event on Lake Erie out of Huron. For details, visit nationalwalleyetour.com.

[BROOKE LAVALLEY/DISPATCH] Kathy Jenkins walks her quarter horse L.T. at a boarding facility outside of Johnstown on March 29. She was letting him eat some of the fresh spring grass that was growing by the roadside.