Outdoors calendar
MEADOW RUN HIKE
Sunday, Oct. 2, 1-2:30 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Meadow Run Trailhead Parking Lot, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470
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. Wear sturdy shoes.
VOLUNTEER TRAIL DAY
Saturday, Oct. 15, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Meadow Run House, 124 Main St., Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Exact Location — Main Street across from the Slides Parking Lot
Meet with other park volunteers to clear trails and other projects within the park. Please bring appropriate clothing, lunch and drinking water.
Register to participate by emailing bawallace@pa.go.
HOMESCHOOL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM: LEAF IT UP TO ME
Thursday, Oct. 6, 1 p.m. Fee: $1
Mingo Creek Park, Shelter 6
What do you know about leaves? Why are they changing colors? We are “leafing” it up to you to find out. We will hike to find the brightest, most colorful leaves to use for a special craft! Dress appropriately for the weather.
Pre-registration is required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.
Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867
BECOMING A BACKPACKER FOR VETS
Saturday, Oct. 8
Laurel Ridge State Park, 1117 Jim Mountain Road, Rockwood, PA 15557
A two-day, one-night backpacking trip on the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail. This program is designed as an introduction to modern backpacking techniques. The trip will begin at Laurel Summit State Park and end at Seven Springs Resort.
We will be staying at the Route 31 Shelter Area overnight.
This trip includes guides, equipment, overnight accommodations, shuttle and meals.
To register, contact Kimberly Peck at 814-352-8649, kipeck@pa.gov.
ANNUAL YOUTH DAY
Saturday, Oct. 8
Fairbank Rod and Gun Club
Youths will shoot sporting-clay rifles and hunt pheasants. To be eligible youths must be between ages 12 and 15 and have a valid hunting license. They must wear a blaze orange hat and vest or jacket. Bring own shotgun. Shells will be provided. Breakfast will start about 6 a.m. To register, call Rich at 724-984-9641.
TROUT STOCKING DAY
The Marianna Outdoorsmen Association is holding its annual trout stocking and veterans fishing day on Oct. 15. Veterans and disabled people can attend the stocking, which begins in Ten Mile Creek in Marianna at 9 a.m. and go fishing. Food is being served at the association headquarters, 17 Magnolia Ave., until 1 p.m. The event is free.
TROUT FISHING DERBY
The Marianna Outdoorsmen Association is hosting a catch-and-release trout fishing derby and a pancake-and-sausage breakfast Oct. 16. Derby registration is 7:30-9:15 a.m. at the association headquarters, 17 Magnolia Ave., and the derby starts at 9:30 a.m. in Ten Mile Creek. Registration fees are different for association members and non-members. First-, second- and third-place prizes will be awarded for the most fish caught in the 16-and-younger and 17-and-older age groups. The breakfast is from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the association. Details: 724-986-5708.
FALL FOLIAGE HIKE
Sunday, Oct. 16, 10-11:30 a.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Sugarloaf Sledding Area Parking Lot, 124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Red, yellow, orange and brown, with a little green mixed in. Join a walk along the ridge of the Great Gorge to view the autumn colors and hike to Baughman Rock Scenic Overlook.
LEARN TO SHOOT
Saturday, Oct. 22 — Cost: $60
Rostraver’s Sportman & Conservation Club
559 Cedar Creek Rd. Belle Vernon, Pa. 15012
INSTRUCTOR: Augie Malekovich, NRA certified and second-place winner on the History Channel’s Top Shot
Send $20 deposit to above address to hold spot or call 724-872-4399
Pistols, ammunition and ear and eye protection supplied.
CACHE ME IF YOU CAN
Saturday, Nov. 12, 10 a.m.
Free.
Mingo Creek Park, Park Office
This is a great opportunity to discover geocaching and learn the basics. Search for hidden treasures (caches) in Mingo Creek Park using a handheld global positioning device (GPS). We will have a limited number of GPS units to utilize, but if you have a handheld device in which you can enter latitude and longitude coordinates or an equipped smartphone, feel free to bring it along with you.
Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.
Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867
SHOOTING, RIFLE, ARCHERY
Meet at the Rostraver Sportmen’s and Conservation Club every third Monday at 7:30 p.m.
Information: 724-872-4399 or rscal1973@yahoo.com.
FAIRBANK ROD AND GUN CLUB SPORTING CLAYS
Every Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Find us on Facebook for more information.
TRAP SHOOTING
Nixon Gun Club
Open to public. Wednesdays 6-10 p.m.
Information: 724-632-6810
SPORTING CLAYS AND FIVE-STAND
California Hill Gun Club
Open to the public 9 a.m.-noon Sundays.
Information: 724-938-3480
SUCCESSFUL TURKEY HUNTING
NOTE: Online registration only; must be at least age 11 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 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday) to request a printed version of our “Successful Turkey Hunting Student Manual.” The independent-study part of the training will take about six to eight 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 (8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday)to request a printed version of the manual.
The independent study portion of the course takes approximately six to eight 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 two- to three-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 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 age 11 years to attend class.
FAYETTE COUNTY – ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 — 8 a.m.-3 p.m.
Masontown Volunteer Fire Department
221 North Washington Street, Masontown 15461
Class Limit: 100
蘑菇视频(s): Shawn R. Barron 724-238-9523
WASHINGTON COUNTY – ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Tuesday, October 4, 2016 — 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Burgettstown Youth Center
1505 Main St., Burgettstown 15021
Class limit: 44
蘑菇视频(s): Richard McNemar 412-304-1907
Saturday, October 15, 2016 — 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Taylorstown Volunteer Fire Department
36 Main St., Taylorstown 15365
Class Limit: 200
蘑菇视频(s): Richard W. Joyce, WCO 724-238-8523
Saturday, October 15, 2016 — 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Paris Sportsmen’s Club
154 Devils Den Road, Burgettstown 15021
Class Limit: 65
蘑菇视频(s): John Sinnett 304-723-3182
WESTMORELAND COUNTY – ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY
Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016 — 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Shaner Sportsmen’s Club
146 Stewart Lane, Shaner 15642
Class limit: 45
蘑菇视频(s): Christine Kowalecki 724-872-8431
Sunday, Oct. 30, 2016 — 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Murrysville Gun Club
3751 Gun Club Rd., Murrysville 15668
Class limit: 55
蘑菇视频(s): Dale Emerick 412-580-1642
Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016 — 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Murrysville Gun Club
3751 Gun Club Rd., Murrysville 15668
Class limit: 55
蘑菇视频(s): Dale Emerick 412-580-1642
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
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct. 1-15 (6 daily, 18 in possession limit after first day).
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 15-Nov. 26; Dec. 12-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28 (6 daily, 18 possession).
RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 15-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 21 (2 daily, 6 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 1-15 (4 daily, 12 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 15-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28 (4 daily, 12 possession).
PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 8-15 (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. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 28 (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. 22-Nov. 26 (4 daily, 12 possession). (Closed in 5A, open in all other WMUs.)
HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26-31, in all WMUs (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 1-April 9, 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. 29-Nov. 5; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 1A and 2A – Oct. 29-Nov. 5 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D – Oct. 29-Nov. 12 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 2C and 4E- Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 24-26; WMU 5A – Nov. 3-5; WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 22, 2017. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 29-May 31, 2017.Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)