Annual Family Outdoor Day Slated for May 3

REEDSVILLE – The third-annual Family Outdoor Day will be held Sunday, May 3 from 1-5 p.m. at Forked Run State Park, located along state Route 124 between Long Bottom and Reedsville.

Activities will include a BB gun range, archery ranges, retrieving dog demonstration, trapping information, fishing, boating safety, fish identification classes and other outdoor fun. All activities are free. The event is geared primarily towards children, but adults will have a good time too.

Over the past two years, approximately 1,100 youngsters and their parents have participated in Family Outdoor Day.

The event is sponsored by the Meigs County Active Conservationists Teamed Together (ACTT), which is a consortium of local sportsmen’s clubs and other agencies. ACTT members include: Chester Bow Hunter’s Club, Forked Run Sportsman’s Club, Meigs County Beagle Club, Meigs County Ikes, Meigs County Fish and Game Club, Shade River Coon Hunters Club, Pomeroy Gun Club, Racine Gun Club, Big Bend Beagle Club, Appalachian Valley Chapter North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association (NAVHDA), Friends of Forked Run, Meigs SWCD, Whitetails Unlimited Buffington Island Chapter. Other partners include the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife and Ohio State Parks.

There will be free refreshments provided by the ACTT group and other sponsors.

Participants are encouraged to bring their own fishing pole and gear (bait will be provided). A limited amount of “loaner” poles will be available to borrow. No fishing license is required for the day for Ohio residents due to the May 2-3 free fishing days.

Participants may also have an opportunity to win a Marlin Model 1895-GBL .45-70 rifle that is now legal for use in Ohio’s deer gun season. The winner of the contest will be announced at the close of that day, and proceeds will benefit the ACTT group and other activities.

For more information contact Wildlife Officer Chris Gilkey at 740-589-9988.