Feb 27, 2005 By Rod Schoener 4 min read

Bowhunters! Are you tired of being cooped up? Centerville Sportsmen have the answer, as they are starting their annual 3-D bowhunter shoots today.

A roving start will be in place from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., so get out and limber up.

Persons wanting more information can call the club at 724-377-2838.

The remainder of the schedule is March 13; April 3; April 24; May 22, June 5 (United Bowhunters Shoot); June 26; July 24; Aug. 28 and Sept. 25.

DEER CONFERENCE: Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania have organized a series of deer conferences at various locations throughout the state.

All hunters are urged to attend. The objective is to discuss the state of deer management in Pennsylvania.

Syndicated columnist Jim Slinsky, who column appears in Saturday’s editions of the Herald-Standard, will be the speaker.

Slinsky will take questions from the floor regarding deer management, forestry practices, predator problems, the Commissioner system and pending hunting license fee increases.

Slinsky is scheduled to appear locally at 7 p.m. Sunday, April 10 the New Stanton Fire Company, Main Street New Stanton.

Admission is free.

GUN SAFE RAFFLE: If you like shooting sporting clays and would like to have a gun safe in which to keep you valuable firearms, the Greater Pittsburgh Area Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society has a tantalizing offer.

They are selling raffle tickets on three guns safes for $50. Only 200 tickets will be sold, and along with each ticket there is a complimentary round of 50 sporting clays at Nemacolin Woodlands Shooting Academy, plus other discount certificates.

The first prize safe will include $1,000 cash, the second prize safe a Tri-Star Silver Hunter 20-Gauge over/under shotgun and the third prize is another safe.

All safes are Bridger models by Browning and hold eight to 16 guns.

Winners will be drawn at the chapter’s banquet Thursday, April 7 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

Safes will be delivered to winners within a 100-mile radius of Pittsburgh.

For chances on the safe or more information contact Michelle Benedict at 412-262-4044.

SHOOT FOR THE HUNGRY: Hunters Sharing the Harvest will hold their inaugural Shoot for the Hungry sporting clays event Sunday, April 3 at Nemacolin Woodlands Shooting Academy.

Participants will be grouped in teams of four. Entry fee is $120 per shooter, which includes 100 targets, 100 shot shells and lunch, which will be catered by Nemacolin Woodlands Resort.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. There are warm-up with a fun start and extreme challenge at 9 on the 5 stand.

The shoot begins at 10, and the grand shoot-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.

There will also be a silent auction and souvenirs presented.

The world’s best long bird shot, Cam Mele, will give shooting tips to all participants.

All proceeds benefit Hunters Sharing the Harvest’s statewide venison donation program

For more information on the shoot or station sponsorship opportunities, call 724-454-8840.

FRIENDS OF THE NRA BANQUET: Fayette County Friends of the NRA Committee will hold their inaugural Friends of the NRA Banquet, Tuesday, March 8 at the Uniontown Holiday Inn.

Banquet guests will enjoy an excellent meal, exciting auctions and special raffles for NRA commemorative firearms and NRA exclusive merchandise, plus they help to raise funds to support NRA programs like firearms safety and education, shooting range development, youth programs and more.

Millions of dollars are raised through these events. Most of the money stays in Pennsylvania.

Last year part of the proceeds went to fund youth field day events, youth conservation camps, junior shooting programs and many safety related programs dedicated to the future of the shooting sports.

Support of these programs has allowed thousands of children to experience the thrill of the shooting sports and how to handle firearms safely.

Last year the NRA helped 600 organizations in Pennsylvania.

For tickets or additional information contact Dean Smith at 724-929-4189.

TROUT UNLIMITED BANQUET REMINDER: Since the trout stocking trucks are rolling, you may want to get more involved in the sport by joining Trout Unlimited.

A perfect opportunity is by attend the Chestnut Ridge Chapters’ annual fund-raising dinner Saturday, March 12 at Becker’s Shadyside Inn in Uniontown.

In addition to the usual quality prizes, including fine art prints, hunting and fishing gear, camping equipment and more, 10 top quality fly rods will be awarded as prizes in commemoration of 10 successful years of coldwater conservation in Fayette County.

Tickets are $30 per person.

For tickets or more information contact Eugene Gordon at 724-277-8688 or Tom Shetterly at 724-483-8654.