Outdoors calendar
FALL FOLIAGE HIKE
Sunday, October 4 at 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Sugarloaf Sledding Area Parking Lot 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Sugarloaf Road
Red, yellow, orange and brown, with a little green mixed in. Join us as we walk along the ridge of the Great Gorge to view the beautiful display of colors that autumn reveals. We will hike to our famous Baughman Rock Scenic Overlook.
MEADOW RUN TRAIL HIKE
Saturday, October 10 at 10 – 11:30a.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Meadow Run Trailhead Parking Lot 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Dinnerbell Road
The Meadow Run Trail has many geological features that create the back drop for its beauty. From large rock formations to water falls to majestic hemlocks, this trail is a must. The loop is about a 1.5 miles long. Please wear sturdy shoes.
KENTUCK LOOP HIKE
Sunday, October 18 at 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Tharp Knob Picnic Area 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Kentuck Road
This short 1 mile loop travels through a variety of habitats. Along the way we’ll admire the first signs of fall foliage and look at how plants change in preparation for winter. We’ll also see signs of an old homestead.
FRIENDS OF OHIOPYLE MONTHLY VOLUNTEER DAY
Saturday, October 17 at 9 a.m.
Ohiopyle State Park 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Every month (usually the first Saturday but check the calendar), the Friends of Ohiopyle head out for trail work, plantings, invasives attacks and other necessary and rewarding volunteer pursuits. Why not join them?
LEAF PEEPER HIKE
Saturday, October 17 at 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Forbes State Forest Route 30 East, Laughlintown, PA 15655
Exact Location
79掳40’37.026鈥砏 39掳51’30.984鈥砃
Come check out the beautiful autumn colors along the Chestnut Ridge on a 4 mile, out-and-back hike on the Pine Knob Trail. Learn about tree adaptations during the fall and find out what creates vibrant foliage.
Please register by contacting 724-238-1200 or rachristie@pa.gov
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, Oct. 25; and Sunday, Nov. 22. The Pennsylvania State Championship in on Sunday, April 26.
UNIONTOWN CHAPTER OF IZAAK WALTON LEAGUE
Uninotwn IWL dinner meeting at IWL Park in Farmington will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 20. For more information call 724-550-0615.
MOUNTAIN MYSTERIES
Friday, October 23 at 6 -8 p.m.
Forbes State Forest Route 30 East, Laughlintown, PA 15655
Exact Location
79掳10’34.298鈥砏 40掳7’6.036鈥砃
Myths, legends, oddities… come explore the unique stories that surround the Forbes at this family-friendly, campfire program. S’mores will be provided. Meet at the Laurel Summit Road parking lot, across from the warming hut.
nPlease register by contacting 724-238-1200 or rachristie@pa.gov
FAIRBANK ROD AND GUN CLUB YOUTH DAY
Our youth day will be on Oct 10 this year,. it is open to 50 kids from the ages of 12 to 15. They must have a hunter safety card and a hunting license. There will be breakfast about 6 AM a brief safety talk and the fun begins. Each child we shoot sporting clays, archery,Flintlocks and see a trapping demo and hunt pheasants over pointing dogs. Each hunter must bring proper blaze orange clothing and a shotgun, shell will be provided.
Please call Rich Kovacic at 724 785 3540 or cell 724-984-9641
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
Hutchinson Sportsman Club, Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; class limit 40; 蘑菇视频: Andrew Harvey (724) 238-9523.
Fairbank Rod and Gun Club, Sunday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; class limit 50; 蘑菇视频: John Hustosky (724) 438-3249.
North Union Twp. Recreational Center, Sunday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m.-3 p.m.; class limit 40; 蘑菇视频: John Hustosky (724) 438-3249.
WASHINGTON COUNTY
Burgettstown Youth Center, Tuesday, Oct. 6, 6-10 p.m.; class limit 40; 蘑菇视频: Walt Sarafin (724) 926-3640.
Gander Mountain, Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; class limit 50; 蘑菇视频: Rich Joyce (724) 238-9523.
Paris Sportsmen’s Club, Saturday, Oct. 10, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 75; 蘑菇视频: John Sinnett (304) 723-3182.
Long Branch Sportsmen’s Club, Saturday, Oct. 31, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 40; 蘑菇视频: Chris Bergman (724) 238-9523.
WESTMORELAND COUNTY
Murrysville District Sportsmen’s Club, Sunday, Oct. 4, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; class limit 55; 蘑菇视频: Dale Emerick (412) 580-1642.
Shaner Sportsmen’s Club, Sunday, Oct. 11, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; class limit 45; 蘑菇视频: Christine Kowalecki (724) 872-8431.
Mount Pleasant Armory, Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 60; 蘑菇视频: Matt Thomas (724) 244-0127.
Murrysville District Sportsmen’s Club, Sunday, Oct. 18, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; class limit 55; 蘑菇视频: Dale Emerick (412) 580-1642.
Irwin Sportsmen’s Assn., Sunday, Oct. 18, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.; class limit 40; 蘑菇视频: Joseph Kelly (412) 558-9571.
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.
CABLE RESTRAINT CERTIFICATION
This is a one-day certification class for any person desiring to complete the Mandatory Cable Restraint Program. Being certified allows for the use of cable restraint devices to trap certain furbearing animals.
Certification is required by regulation for any trapper using cable restraint devices to capture foxes and coyotes in Pennsylvania. Register for these classes at www.pgc.state.pa.us.
HUNTING SEASONS
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct. 10-16 (6 daily, 18 in possession limit after first day).
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 17-Nov. 28; Dec. 14-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (6 daily, 18 possession).
RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 17-Nov. 28, Dec. 14-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 23 (2 daily, 6 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 10-17 (4 daily, 12 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 24-Nov. 28, Dec. 14-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (4 daily, 12 possession).
PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 10-17 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.
PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 24-Nov. 28, Dec. 14-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 29 (2 daily, 6 in possession). There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.
BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 24-Nov. 28 (4 daily, 12 possession). (Closed in 5A, Open in all other WMUs.)
HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26-Jan.1, in all WMUs except WMUs 3B, 3C and 3D, where season will run from Dec. 26-29 (1 daily, 3 possession).
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. (3 daily, season limit of 10).
CROWS: July 3-April 10, 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.
WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMU 1B – Oct. 31-Nov. 7 and Nov. 26-28; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 31-Nov. 20 and Nov. 26-28; WMUs 1A, 2A, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B and 4D- Oct. 31-Nov. 14 and Nov. 26-28; WMUs 2C, 4C and 4E – Oct. 31-Nov. 20 and Nov. 26-28.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 23, 2016. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 30-May 31, 2016. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From April 30-May 14, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 16-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Archery: Nov. 16-20. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 21-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2C, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 2-5. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 30-Dec. 12. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 19-Nov. 14. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) muzzleloader: Oct. 17-24. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) special firearms: Oct. 22-24, for junior and senior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty military.
ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 2-7. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 9-14. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven’t harvested an elk by Nov. 8, in designated areas.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 19- Nov. 28 and Dec. 26-Jan. 23, 2016. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. One antlered deer per hunting license year.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 3-Nov. 14 and Dec. 26-Jan. 9. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 30-Dec. 12. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E: Nov. 30-Dec. 4. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period.)
DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E: Dec. 5-12. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 22-24. Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Youth Permit Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 17-24. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 9. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 23. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS: (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties): Dec. 26-Jan. 23. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
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.
2015-16 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.
RACCOONS and FOXES: Oct. 24-Feb. 20, unlimited.
OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 16-Feb. 9. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
TROUT STOCKINGS
The Fish and Boat Commission no longer lists the number of trout to be stocked.
Dunbar Creek (confluence with Glade), Oct. 2 (brook, brown)
Dunlap Creek Lake, Oct. 1 (rainbow)
Meadow Run (bridge on Dinner Bell Road), Oct. 1 (rainbow)
Virgin Run Creek, Oct. 2 (rainbow)
Youghiogheny River, Sept. 4 (rainbow)