toledoblade.com --

MOGADORE, Ohio - The two candidates for governor of Ohio are offering the state's hunters, anglers, and other outdoorsmen much the same in terms of support.

And while Republican Ken Blackwell clearly is an experienced shooter and sometime gamebird hunter, his Democrat opponent, Ted Strickland, draws on his rural Scioto County roots and unflagging support as a lawmaker of outdoors and firearms issues.

Both men appeared at the Goodyear Hunting and Fishing Club here on the southeast edge of Akron at a candidates' night sponsored by the Ohio Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs. The organization represents clubs in 19 northeast counties.

Each touted his continuing support for firearms ownership and pro-gun issues, including passage of House Bill 347, which would streamline the state's complicated concealed firearms carry law.

Mr. Blackwell said he "wholeheartedly supports " the proposed buyout of the remaining commercial fisheries on Lake Erie, adding, "I think the charter boat and sport fishing are growth industries.''

Mr. Strickland, apparently for the first time, followed suit. He said he would support the buyout, which is proposed in House Bill 609 and the companion Senate Bill 351, as long as it fairly treats "those whose livelihoods are being affected.''

In the end, "both men have our interests or agendas at heart,'' stated Bruce Knodel, a federation member who served as program moderator. Whoever wins the right to occupy the governor's office, he added, "sportsmen ... of the state of Ohio have scored a victory.''

In an interview, "I'm an outdoor enthusiast and firearms owner,'' Mr. Blackwell stated. He said that he regularly uses his shotguns on clay-target ranges, shooting skeet, trap, and Sporting Clays games.

He went on to list the models and gauges of his shotguns, and during the open forum also acknowledged he owns and shoots a .45 pistol and a target pistol. He also hunts both doves and pheasants, saying, "I've enjoyed both.''

The Republican said that he also is a fan of whitewater rafting in Colorado and West Virginia, the latter being the home state of his wife, Rosa.

He made a point of stating he is a member in the Ohio Gun Collectors Association and a life member of the National Rifle Association.

Though he grew up in the city in Cincinnati, Mr. Blackwell said that his experiences with Boy Scout Troop 75 and the YMCA there introduced him to outdoor sports.

Mr. Strickland, on the other hand, said in an interview that he currently owns no firearms. But he later told his audience that as a youth he enjoyed hunting squirrels, rabbits, and raccoons. He said while he has not hunted in recent years, his brothers own firearms collections and he intends to qualify for a state concealed carry handgun permit.

"I grew up in the country on Duck Run - the same road Roy Rogers grew up on," Mr. Strickland said.

Among other things, Mr. Strickland stresses his A rating, throughout his political career, from the National Rifle Association. Wayne LaPierre, the NRA's executive director, participated in a political fund-raiser for one of his campaigns.

"I will continue to be a strong supporter of the sportsmen and women of Ohio,'' he said. He added that he opposes any siphoning off of hunting and fishing license money for "other purposes.''

Contact Steve Pollick at:
spollick@theblade.com
or 419-724-6068.

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