Outdoors calendar
VOLUNTEER TRAIL DAY
Saturday, March 5 at 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, 180 Main Street 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Meet with other park volunteers to do trail maintenance and other projects at the park. Please dress to work, and bring lunch and water. Pre-register with bawallace@pa.gov
NATIONAL WILD TURKEY FEDERATION BANQUET
The Friendship Hill Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its 15th annual banquet on Friday, March 11 at the Fayette County Fairgrounds Fiddler Building starting at 6 p.m. For more information contact Ed Stanish Jr. at 724-437-9310 or Ira Chrise at 412 691-3246 or John Stone at 724-562-6509.
TROUT UNLIMITED BANQUET
The Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host its 21st annual fund-raising banquet Saturday, March 12 at the Park Inn by Radisson (formerly the Holiday Inn) in Uniontown.
The evening begins with cocktails at 5:30 pm followed by dinner at 7. This year’s new dinner menu offers the choices of Beef Burgundy, Lemon Pepper Tilapia or Chicken Picatta.
The cost is $40 per person.
An exciting evening is planned, including raffles for wildlife prints, hunting and fishing equipment and camping equipment plus high quality fly fishing tackle and gear. Proceeds benefit the many environmental projects of Trout Unlimited. For tickets or more information, contact Eugene Gorgon at 724-277-8688.
CROSS COUNTRY SKIING
Saturday, March 12 at 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Ohiopyle State Park Visitor’s Center 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Have you always wanted to try cross country skiing? Here is your chance.
We will head up to Sugarloaf and give a quick lesson then set participants loose on the trails. Space for this program is extremely limited and registration is required by emailing bawallace@pa.gov.
ANNUAL TREE SALE
The Fayette County Conservation District Seedling and Fruit Tree Sale is underway. Tree seedlings, fruit trees, and nest boxes are all available again this year. There is no limit to the number of items you can purchase.
Order forms and payments must be received by March 18th, 2016 at the Fayette County Conservation District office: 10 Nickman Plaza, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456. The pick-up dates are Friday April 1, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, April 2nd from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Fayette County Fairgrounds.
FLY TYING CLASSES
Dunbar Sportsmen’s Club is hosting beginner fly tying classes. The classes begin at 6 pm. starting Monday, Feb. 22 and will run for several weeks.
Costs are minimal.
All necessary materials are provided.
For more information call Pete at 724-439-2507 or John at 724-277-4258 after 5 pm.
SNOW SHOE LOANER PROGRAM
Every day — December through March 31 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Ohiopyle State Park Visitor’s Center 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Always wanted to try snowshoeing? Here is your chance. We will loan you our snowshoes for the day. Pick up at the new Visitor’s Center between 9:00am-noon and return by 2:00pm that same day. Call ahead for a reservation at 724-329-8591 or email bawallace@pa.gov
MUD ON THE MOUNTAIN
Mud on the Mountain, to be held at Seven Springs Resort on Saturday May 7, offers athletes a chance to get down and dirty atop the beautiful Laurel Highlands. The seven mile mud run course winds its way up, down and through some of the most challenging terrain in Pennsylvania. You must be at least 18 years of age to participate. Event Registration closes May 5, or when all spots are filled. We suggest early registration. There will be NO on-site event registration the day of the event. There are heats that go out every 15 minutes beginning at 8 a.m. There are 300 people in each heat. A limited number of time slots are available. Be sure to register early to ensure your spot. When you register you pick the time you wish to run. People have asked about being in the same heat with their friends. We recommend registering early and together. There are no prizes, just bragging rights and camaraderie with the runners in your heat. Each participant receives a wicking shirt and medal when they finish. For more information please check our FAQs page. After pushing your body to its limits, you will need to celebrate your accomplishments and unwind. Stick around after the event for the Recovery Party at the Foggy Goggle! Trade battle stories with your comrades, show off your battle wounds and enjoy the cold beverages, the Recovery Buffet, and live entertainment.
Website: mudonthemountain.com
TRAP SHOOTING
Nixon Gun Club
Open to public. Wednesdays 6-10 p.m.
Call 724-632-6810 for more info.
SPORTING CLAYS AND FIVE-STAND
California Hill Gun Club
Open to the public Sundays 9 a.m. – 12 noon
Call 724-938-3480 for info.
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 – ON LINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Saturday, March 26 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: South Connellsville Rod and Gun Club
First Street, Connellsville 15425
Class limit: 65
蘑菇视频(s): Andrew Harvey 724-238-9523
Saturday, April 2 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Fairhope Rod and Gun Club
1397 Fayette Avenue, Belle Vernon 15012
Class limit: 50
蘑菇视频(s): William Curcio 724-989-4678
WASHINGTON COUNTY – ON LINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Saturday, April 23, 2016 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Long Branch Sportsman’s Club
45 Sphar Road, Long Branch 15423
Class limit: 30
蘑菇视频(s): Chris Bergman 724-238-9523
WESTMORELAND COUNTY – ON LINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Saturday, March 19, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: White Oak Rod & Gun Club
600 Skellytown Road, N Huntingdon 15642
Class limit: 50
蘑菇视频(s): Dennis Marcelli 724-523-5552
Saturday, April 2, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Rostraver Sportsmen’s
559 Cedar Creek Road, Belle Vernon 15012
Class limit: 35
蘑菇视频(s): Michael Tetteris 724-238-9523
Saturday, April 2, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Mount Pleasant Armory
2239 School Street, Mt. Pleasant 15666
Class limit: 60
蘑菇视频(s): Matt Thomas 724-244-0127
Sunday, April 3, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Irwin Sportsmen
Sandy Hill Road, Irwin 15642
Class limit: 40
蘑菇视频(s): Joseph Kelly 724-744-1730
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.
HUNTING SEASONS
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.
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.
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.
OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.