DaytonDailyNews.com

Last week, an employee of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources pointed out an effort that was being made by the Division of Wildlife to try to recruit more kids to fishing.

The effort doesn't stop there.

On Saturday, May 10, ODNR kicked off a campaign called "Explore the Outdoors," a statewide campaign that encourages young people to connect with nature.

If a child completes eight of the following 10 activities this summer, he or she gets a certificate from the governor and other rewards:

1. Camp under the stars, 2. Spot a bird, 3. Hike or bike a trail, 4. Paddle downstream, 5. Catch a fish, 6. Get caught up in a clean-up, 7. Learn from a naturalist, 8. Explore a wetland, 9. Discover a nature center and 10. Swim with a buddy.

A guide has been published that explains each activity. You can download it at

exploretheoutdoorsohio.com.

The Gander Mountain stores are backing the Ohio program. Meanwhile, Bass Pro Shops is involved in a national program called Go Outdoors. From May 17-26, Bass Pro is offering kids and adults incentives "to get off their couches and go enjoy the great outdoors."

Events include a video game trade-in, outdoor skill demonstrations and interactive booths and displays at each store, including the Cincinnati location. For information, Google: "National Go Outdoors Event," enter the site, click on the "choose a store" pull-down menu and click on Cincinnati.

While having more people active in the outdoors certainly is good for the sale of outdoor products, it's also good to see these merchants support a cause that benefits so many.

Consider these facts from Bass Pro:

• According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Web site (fws.gov), Americans — especially kids — spend less time playing outdoors than any preceding generation.

• Kids spend an average of 6½ hours a day with television, computers and video games and are six times more likely to play a video game than ride a bike.

• Of all the major recreational activities in 2006, bicycling suffered the worst in declining participant numbers (down 13.3 percent from last year) according to the National Sporting Goods Association.

• Stress, depression, obesity and low self-esteem among children are on the rise.

Expensive trip

Five men were convicted in Portsmouth Municipal Court last week on 38 counts of overbagging striped and hybrid striped bass from the Ohio River.

The five were ordered to pay a total of $2,695 in fines, restitution and court costs.

The case came from an April 27 complaint to Scioto County wildlife officer Brad Turner, for alleged overbagging at Greenup Dam. Regulations state that striped, hybrid striped, white and yellow bass have a daily bag limit of 30 fish, with no more than four fish over 15 inches. Several of the overbagged fish exceeded the 15-inch limit, with some weighing up to 8½ pounds.

Safety checks

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer boat safety examinations at the Wellman Meadows ramp at Caesar Creek Lake from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18.

All inspections are free and no infractions are reported. Boats that pass inspection can display a safe-boating sticker. For information, call (937) 748-0661.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2409 or jmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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