By Gary Ogle
gogle@wbcowqel.com

Summer is quickly drawing to a close and fall is right behind and that is the sportsman’s favorite time of year. One of the big reasons locally is that means it’s time for the annual Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club Family Field Day, this year on Sept. 26.

“This is the 17th year, said Peg Ballou, who along with her husband Sam and family own and operate the club on Klopfenstein Road near Sulphur Springs. “It’s our ‘give-back day.’”

Ballou said the event actually began in response to questions and controversies surrounding the mourning dove hunting bill that was then in the Ohio Legislature. What it has morphed into over the years is a little taste of the cornucopia of activities for sports men and women who simply enjoy the outdoors.

It is also the opportunity for people of all ages who think they might like to try hunting, fishing, camping, shooting, and other activities that draw people to the field.

“Family Field Day is a taste tester of a lot of outdoor activities,” Ballou said. “It give parents a chance to try things with their kids, network with organizations that offer support or education in those areas, and just let them come out and enjoy a day in the outdoors.”

Every year the Family Fun Day is just a little bit different. While there are typically the basic four seminars of archery, rifle range, fishing and shotgun, there are other seminars or displays for people to select from that offer an endless amount of information about all the whats, wheres, and how of various activities.

This year people can learn about trapping and the Ohio Division of Watercraft will also have a presentation on boating safety for those so inclined. Another opportunity will be specifically geared towards hunting water fowl and the National Wild Turkey Federation will give those who would like to the opportunity to shoot at still targets.

Information about fly tying along with bush camping and bush flying will also be made available. There will be lots of take-home items for both the experienced and novice sportsman.

And for those who learn best through a light-hearted approach, there will also be a skit by guest lecturer, Wanna B. Bright.

In addition to everything else, Family Field Day is a day geared for the family with children.

“The kids have to come with a parent or adult,” Ballou said. “Every year it is different. We have families who make it a priority.”

For the kids who are 12 and older, and have their hunting license which means they have already taken a hunter’s safety class, there is also a guided youth hunt for pheasants. That event is being sponsored by Kalmbach Foods and the club’s guides are volunteering their time.

The price is also family friendly at $5 per person and that includes a lunch of what Ballou jokingly refers to as road-kill stew – a meat and potatoes concoction made up of typical game meats. It really is a taste test for those who have never enjoyed the fruits of a hunt.

There is also food available for those who may have allergies or just don’t find the game food compatible with their palate.

Registration begins at 8 a.m. on the 26th, but Ballou strongly suggests that those interested pre-register which will allow them to get an accurate headcount for lunch.

Pre-registration can be done online at http://elkhornlakehuntclub.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/FFD-2015-INFO.pdf.

Activities and seminars will be from 9 a.m. through approximately 3:30 p.m. with the last round of activities starting at approximately 2:30. Each activity is scheduled for 45 minutes in length and those who attend can choose what they want a la carte.

The Elkhorn Lake Hunt Club is located at 4146 Klopfenstein Road.