Outdoors calendar
BACKPACKING BASICS
Saturday, June 30 at 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Kentuck Campground Amphitheater
Backpacking can be a fun, challenging, and rewarding way to explore the outdoors and visit places that may only be accessible on foot. Join us to learn the basics needed to get started. We’ll discuss gear, food, trip planning, and how to responsibly live and travel in the backcountry.
BIKE THE RAILS
Saturday, June 30 at 8:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
We will meet at the Ramcat Put-in parking lot in Confluence and then bike 9 miles to Ohiopyle. Along the way, we will stop and explore some of the hidden secrets of the bike trail. A driver shuttle will be provided. You must have your own bike or you can rent one from an outfitter prior to meeting at Ramcat. Pre-registration is required by calling 724-329-0986 or email rbando@pa.gov.
KENTUCK TRAIL HIKE
Sunday, July 1 at 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Kentuck Campground 蘑菇视频 Station
This easy 2 mile hike will start at the 蘑菇视频 Station in the campground and follows along the ridge that overlooks the Great Gorge of the lower Youghiogheny River. There are two beautiful views that we will pass on our way to Tharp Knob picnic area. Driver shuttle will be provided.
VOLUNTEER TRAIL DAY
Saturday, July 7 at 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park
124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Join with other Park Volunteers to complete much needed trail work in the park. Please bring gloves and something to eat. 蘑菇视频 Barbara Wallace at bawallace@pa.gov if you plan to participate.
3D ARCHERY COURSE
TNT Shooting Grounds
407 Morris Hollow Rd, Smock, Pa 15480
Course has 30 targets at $10 and sporting clays
Open 7 days a week
Call 724-677-2609 for information.
SHOOTING, RIFLE, ARCHERY
Rostraver Sportsman and Conservation Association trap shoots every Thursday from 10 a.m. until last shooter and every Saturday from noon until last shooter.
Public welcome.
Located at 559 Cedar Creek Rd. Belle Vernon, Pa. Club meetings are the third Monday of every month at 7:30 p.m.
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. Sundays 6-10 p.m.
Information: 724-785-2311.
SPORTING CLAYS AND FIVE-STAND
California Hill Gun Club
Open to the public 9 a.m.-noon Sundays.
Information: 724-938-3480
HUNTER-TRAPPER EDUCATION COURSES
Saturday, July 14 — 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Franklin Grange
Franklin Grange
Rt. 218 South
Waynesburg, Pa. 15370
Instructor: Marvin Cumberledge 724-451-8481
Saturday, August 11 — 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Connellsville Sportsman’s Association
2490 Moyer Road
Connellsville, Pa. 15425
Instructor: Helen Bittorf 724-497-3079
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.
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.”
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.
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 bowhunter education.
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.
2017-18 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except on Sundays and during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.
STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 28-May 31, 2018. 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 28-May 12, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 14-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
2017-18 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. 21-Feb. 17, 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. 13-Feb. 7. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31, 2018. (3 daily, season limit of 10).
2017-18 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINKS and MUSKRATS: Nov. 18-Jan. 7. Unlimited.
COYOTES, FOXES, OPOSSUMS, RACCOONS, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 22-Feb. 18. No limit.
COYOTES and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 18. No limit. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
BEAVERS (Statewide): Dec. 26-March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
BOBCATS (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 16-Jan. 7.
One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
FISHERS (WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4D and 4E): Dec. 16-27. One fisher per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
RIVER OTTERS (WMUs 3C and 3D): Feb. 17-24, 2018. One river otter per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.
2017-18 FALCONRY SEASONS
SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, Sept. 1-March 31, 2018.
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 at a later date.)
No open season on other wild birds or mammals.