Outdoors calendar
UNIONTOWN BEAGLE CLUB
The Uniontown Beagle Club’s trials first trial begins at 7 a.m. with the bench show at 10:30 a.m. and the second trial at 11 a.m. Trial dates are: Sunday, March 22; Sunday, May 24; Sunday, Sept. 27; Sunday, Oct. 25; and Sunday, Nov. 22. The Pennsylvania State Championship in on Sunday, April 26.
INTRODUCTION TO SNOWSHOEING AND CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING
Saturday, March 21 at 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, PO Box 105, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
If you have always wanted to try snowshoeing or cross country skiing this is your chance. We will meet at the new Falls Area Visitor’s Center in Ohiopyle. From there we will gear up and head out. There will be instruction and help with skiing. This program is free but pre-registration is required. To register contact Barbara Wallace at 724-329-0986 or email bawallace@pa.gove
WOODCOCK WEEKEND
Friday, March 20 and 21 at 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Laurel Hill State Park 1454 Laurel Hill Park Road, Somerset, PA 15501-5629
The weird and wild mating dance of the American Woodcock is an amazing site to see. Take a short hike to observe this courtship display up close.
March 20: Meet at the Camp Run Parking Area in Forbes State Forest
March 21: Meet at the Laurel Hill State Park Office
CAL U OUTDOOR BASH AND GAME DINNER
Cal U’s student chapter of The Wildlife Society will host its 18th annual Outdoor Bash and Wild Game Dinner at 6 p.m. March 21 at the Richeyville Volunteer Fire Hall in Richeyville, Pa. Doors open at 5 p.m.
In cooperation with the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the National Wild Turkey Federation Local #1, the chapter will offer a variety of game dishes, such as deer, elk, bear, pheasant, rabbit, wild turkey, duck and goose, alligator, steelhead and more.
Ticket price is $15 in advance or $20 at the door.
CHESTNUT RIDGE FUNDRAISING BANQUET
The Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its 20th Annual Fundraising Banquet Saturday, March 21 at the Uniontown Park Inn (formerly the Holiday Inn). The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 and dinner at 7. This year’s new dinner menu includes a choice of Beef Burgundy, Lemon Pepper Tilapia or Chicken Picatta. Included will be raffles for wildlife prints, hunting and fishing equipment and much more. Seating is limited. For tickets contact Eugene Gordon at 724-277-8688.
SPORTING CLAY SHOOTS
The Fairbank Rod & Gun Club will hold sporting clay shoots every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
SUCCESSFUL TURKEY HUNTING
NOTE: Online registration only; must be at least 11 years old to register. Prior to attending, you should complete the independent study part of this program online.
If you don’t want to study online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015 (M-F from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) to request a printed version of our Successful Turkey Hunting!
Student Manual. The independent-study part of the training will take about 6 to 8 hours to complete.
SUCCESSFUL FURTAKING
Prior to attending the one-day class, all students must complete the independent study part of the training by clicking on the link “Successful Furtaking! Student Manual” on the website at www.pgc.state.pa.us. If not online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at (717) 787-7015 (M-F, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) to request a printed version of the manual. The independent study portion of the course takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete.
SUCCESSFUL BOWHUNTER-ED CLASSES
NOTE: All the online Pennsylvania Bowhunter Education Course must be completed before registering for Successful Bowhunting. The online bowhunter education course (Pennsylvania Bowhunter Education Course) and Successful Bowhunting field day to complete the requirements for Pennsylvania bowhunter education.
Online registration only.
HUNTER-TRAPPER INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSE
NOTE: Must be 11 years old to register. Students must attend the 2-3 hour class to be tested and certified.
Students must study entire course content on own online, taking about 8-10 hours to complete.
HUNTER-TRAPPER ED CLASSES
NOTE: All hunter-trapper education students must now register online.
To register go to the Game Commission’s website at http://www.pgc.state.pa.us and look for Hunter-Trapper Education.
Click on the photo and it will open the link to the registration page. The instructions on how to register are easy to follow. Must be 11 years old to attend class.
FAYETTE COUNTY
South Connellsville Rod & Gun Club, Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 65; For more information, contact Ron Brooks.
Indian Creek Valley Sportsmen’s Association, Saturday, March 21, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.; class limit 50; For more information, contact Greg Grimm at (724) 455-2452.
Fairhope Rod and Gun Club, Saturday, April 4, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; class limit 50; For more information, contact William Curcio at (724) 989-4678.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Paris Sportsman Club, Saturday, March 21, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 75; For more information, contact John Sinnett at (304) 723-3182.
McDonald’s Sportsmens Association, Saturday, April 25, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 80; For more information, contact Curtis Reese at (412) 431-8916.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY
White Oak Rod & Gun Club, Saturday, March 14, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 50; For more information, contact Dennis Marcelli at (724) 523-5552.
Mount Pleasant Armory, Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 60; For more information, contact Matt Thomas at (724) 244-0127.
SUCCESSFUL FURTAKING
Prior to attending the one-day class, all students must complete the independent study part of the training by clicking on the link “Successful Furtaking! Student Manual” on the website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.
If not online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at (717) 787-7015 (M-F, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.) to request a printed version of the manual. The independent study portion of the course takes approximately 6-8 hours to complete.
SUCCESSFUL BOWHUNTER-ED CLASSES
NOTE: All the online Pennsylvania Bowhunter Education Course must be completed before registering for Successful Bowhunting.
The online bowhunter education course (Pennsylvania Bowhunter Education Course) and Successful Bowhunting field day to complete the requirements for Pennsylvania bowhunter education. Online registration only.
HUNTING SEASONS
A partial listing of 2014-2015 seasons and daily bag limits:
WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except on Sundays and during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.
PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31, except during overlap with the regular firearms deer season. Daily limit of three, season limit of 10.
CROWS: July 4-April 5, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.
STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.
EURASIAN COLLARED DOVE: Season dates shall run concurrently with mourning dove season. Shall be counted as part of the aggregate daily limits for mourning dove season.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 25, 2015. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): May 2-30, 2015. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From May 2-16, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 18-30, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except on Sundays and during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.
2014-15 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS
COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange.
During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.
OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.
2014-15 TRAPPING SEASONS
BEAVERS (Statewide): Dec. 26-March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
2014-15 FALCONRY SEASONS
SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARES, RINGNECK PHEASANTS (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31.
Daily and Field Possession limits vary. (Migratory game bird seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in accordance with federal regulations in August.)
No open season on other wild birds or mammals.
Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons to be established in accordance with federal regulations this summer.
TROUT STOCKINGS
The Fish and Boat Commission no longer lists the number of trout to be stocked.