UNIQUE SOUTH-CENTRAL OHIO ROCK STRUCTURE IS PROBABLY THE
RESULT OF ANCIENT METEORITE STRIKING THE EARTH
COLUMBUS, OH -- Geologists have
concluded a meteorite struck
south-central Ohio millions of years
ago, forming a crater nearly 5 miles
in diameter at a point where Adams,
Highland and Pike counties come
together, according to a new report
published by the Ohio Department of
Natural Resources (ODNR).The
report concludes that the area,
named the Serpent Mound Disturbance
after the adjacent famous
prehistoric Native American effigy,
is the single most complex geologic
structure on the state's surface.
An investigative team made up of
geologists from the ODNR Division of
Geological Survey and the University
of Glasgow (Scotland) became
convinced of the meteorite theory
after studying deep rock and mineral
core samples collected at the site
in the 1970s, which revealed
features unique to impact craters.
The geologists also recognized
evidence of an impact crater in
geophysical surveys and remote
satellite imagery for the area.
Further analyses of the rock core
samples recovered at the site
indicated the meteorite impact
occurred during the Permian Period,
about 248 to 286 million years ago.
During that period, geologists
believe the modern-day continents
were fused together into a single
super-continent called Pangea, and
the area of present-day Ohio lay
just south of the equator.
The recently published report of
Investigation No. 146 on the Serpent
Mound Disturbance is titled:
Subsurface Geology of the Serpent
Mound Disturbance of Adams,
Highland, and Pike Counties, Ohio.
It is available from the ODNR
Division of Geological Survey for
$20 plus $1.35 tax and $4 postage.
To order the report and other
publications of the ODNR Division of
Geological Survey, contact: The
Geologic Records Center, Division of
Geological Survey, 4383 Fountain
Square Drive, Columbus, Ohio
43224-1362; 614-265-6576; e-mail:
geo.survey@dnr.state.oh.us
.
STATEWIDE OHIO PRIMITIVE DEER
HUNTING SEASON OPEN DECEMBER 27-30
COLUMBUS, OH -- Deer
hunters still have a great opportunity to take a whitetail by
participating in the statewide primitive deer season, December
27-30, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
Division of Wildlife.
A majority of hunters
will carry muzzleloading rifles, but may also legally use
muzzleloading shotguns, longbows and crossbows during the four-day
season. Last year, hunters checked 22,088 deer during the
statewide primitive season.
"Ohio hunters have
been taking advantage of a variety of deer hunting opportunities
this year - archery, the first-ever youth gun season, and the
popular deer-gun week - to pursue the state's number one game
animal," said Mike Tonkovich, a forest wildlife research biologist
for ODNR's Division of Wildlife. "We want to remind hunters that
the statewide primitive season provides them a great chance at
bagging a deer."
Archery hunters took
36,241 deer during the first six weeks of the statewide archery
season, which began October 4 and continues through January 31.
The first-ever youth season, November 22 and 23, saw young hunters
bag 5,208 deer. Hunters checked 116,004 deer during the statewide
deer gun season held December 1- 7. Another 177 deer were taken
during the special bucks-only primitive deer season held October
20-25 on the Shawnee, Salt Fork, and Wolf Creek wildlife areas.
Prior to hunting
season, Ohio's deer population was estimated at 681,000. The ODNR
Division of Wildlife expects as many as 160,000 hunters will hunt
deer during the primitive season.
Ohio is divided into
three primary deer hunting zones. A limit of one deer may be taken
in Zone A or Zone R. Hunters may take a second deer in Zone B by
purchasing an additional deer permit. Hunters may purchase up to
four urban deer permits to take antlerless deer within Ohio's five
urban deer zones.
Deer hunters must
possess the proper permits, and regardless of zone, method of
taking or season, hunters may take only one antlered deer.
Legal hunting hours
during the statewide primitive deer season are a half-hour before
sunrise to sunset. Deer must be checked by 8 p.m. of the day after
harvest, except those killed on December 30, which must be brought
to a deer check station by 8 p.m. that day.
Ohio's small game,
furbearer and waterfowl seasons also will be open during the
primitive season. Small game hunters and deer hunters must visibly
wear a coat, jacket, vest or coveralls that are either solid
hunter orange or camouflage hunter orange in color during the
statewide primitive deer season.
Deer hunting
contributes an estimated $266 million to Ohio's economy each year
and helps to support thousands of jobs. Deer hunters also
contribute thousands of pounds of venison to community-based
organizations that help feed less fortunate Ohio residents through
special programs such as Safari Club International's Sportsmen
Against Hunger program.
Additional hunting
regulations and maps of deer zones are contained in the
2003-2004 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest. This free
publication is available where hunting licenses are sold and from
the ODNR Division of Wildlife by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or on the
Internet at www.ohiodnr.com
