Hunting, fishing for women promoted

I am delighted to see steadily increasing numbers of women are getting into what so many of us klutzes used to believe was reserved for males only: fishing, hunting and target shooting with pistols or archery equipment.

Why not think of including the gentler sex? For married fellows, few things will cement a relationship better than a day spent together outdoors. For example, my wife is a devoted angler and nothing pleases me more than to see the joy and excitement on her face when she hooks a fish.

If there are women who would like to join in on the fun, the Rockville chapter of the Izaak Walton League will play host to a “women only” day May 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. filled with outdoor activities, outdoor education and expert instruction. It is sponsored by the Rockville Ikes, the Maryland DNR and other partnering organizations.

Workshops will include archery, fishing, shotgun use, trap shooting, pistol shooting, women’s self-defense and nature photography. No previous experience is needed. Breakfast, lunch and snacks throughout the day will be provided.

The Izaak Walton League members are urging women to ditch old “you-know-who,” then invite their friends and come out to enjoy a day designed for only them. The event is open to members and nonmembers, but registration is required. To register or get more information, contact Theresa Daly at TheresaADaly1@aol.com or call 301/916-9681.

Trout chapter fundraiser — Seneca Valley Trout Unlimited is inviting the public to its barbecue, auction and fundraiser May 31 from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Your support will benefit chapter projects like children’s fishing clinics, stream improvement work and more.

The fundraiser will be at the Lois Green-Sligo Izaak Walton League pavilion in Gaithersburg. Advance tickets: $20 a person ($35, couple; $10 for 12 and younger). At the door: $30 ($50, couple; $15 for 12 and younger).

Enjoy Famous Dave’s barbecue, get into a spin or fly-casting competition, watch fly-tying and take part in live and silent auctions. For advance ticket sales, call Doug Campbell at 301/762-5965 or Stan Oaks at 301/916-8141. General information: senecavalleytu.org.

New Ocean City fishing reef — Fishermen who flock to Ocean City’s offshore waters soon will have a greatly enhanced Jackspot reef to drop their lines over, thanks to 44 decommissioned, stainless steel New York subway cars that are to be deposited at the Jackspot, 21 nautical miles southeast of the Ocean City Inlet. More such reefing activity is planned by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources in the future.

A new Beretta over/under — From its Accokeek, Md., plant, Beretta, one of the world’s oldest firearms manufacturers, announces its latest generation of shotguns — the SV10 Perennia. This new over/under features a patented quick take-down stock and a unique recoil reduction mechanism that it says will reduce felt recoil by up to 70 percent. It is available in 12-gauge with 26-inch or 28-inch barrels.

The company says the shotgun has a new internal Optima-Bore High Performance profile that improves patterning. The suggested retail price of the SV10 Perennia field sporting version runs between $3,250 and $3,650. Go to berettausa.com for more information.

Attract a hummingbird — The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Joe Kosack says it’s easy to attract hummingbirds to your backyard. Special feeders, perfectly mixed nectars and precision feeder placement are not that crucial because hummingbirds are not finicky.

“As a rule, if you set the table for hummingbirds, they will come,” Kosack says.

He points out that the commonly seen ruby-throated hummingbirds in these parts aren’t timid. If they can find a feeder filled with a commercial nectar mix or sugar water, they’re happy. It doesn’t hurt to have flower beds to draw the little hummingbird’s attention, but a feeder is the best way.

As far as plants are concerned, think of red salvia, coral bells, trumpet vine, honeysuckle, gladiolus, jasmine, begonias or scarlet morning glory. Hanging fuchsias, morning glory, petunias and trumpet-creeper also work. Color is the key, so catch their eye with vibrant reds, oranges and yellows, even pinks and purples.

• Look for Gene Mueller’s Outdoors column Sunday and Wednesday and his Fishing Report on Thursday, only in The Washington Times. E-mail: gmueller@washingtontimes.com.