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Outdoors calendar

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VOLUNTEER TRAIL DAY

Saturday, April 7 at 9 a.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. Contact Barbara Wallace at bawallace@pa.gov if you plan to participate.

HOMESCHOOL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM: OH DEER

Thursday, April 12, 1 p.m. — Mingo Creek Park — Shelter 6

Ages 5-11 No fee.

Good habitat is a crucial part of wildlife survival. Students will learn essential components of a habitat, limiting factors that contribute to fluctuations in wildlife populations, and that nature is never in balance, but is constantly changing. Students will portray deer and habitat components to see how organisms are continuously affected by elements of their environment.

Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.

Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867.

INTERNATIONAL FLY-FISHING FILM FESTIVAL

Washington Elks Lodge; 138 E. Maiden St. Washington, Pa. 15301

Friday, April 13, 6 p.m. Doors open 5:30 p.m.

Tickets are $15, available at www.washcofilmfest.com

Proceeds benefit Chestnut Ridge Chapter, Trout Unlimited

SPRING WILDFLOWER HIKE

Saturday, April 21 at 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ohiopyle State Park, Cucumber Falls Parking Lot

The Great Gorge Trail is alive with nature’s adornment after a long winter sleep. Many plants and flowers bloom to mark the beginning of spring. In celebration of Earth Day, we will identify them and talk about their many uses according to various folklore. This short hike is on one of Pennsylvania’s best wildflower areas (the Great Gorge Trail). Many of spring’s most beautiful citizens will be on display. Bring a camera.

SPRING WILDFLOWER WALK

Tuesday, April 24, 6:30 p.m. — Mingo Creek Park — Hemlock Trail

Join local herbalist Jen Dalke for a leisurely walk on the Hemlock Trail in search of the many spring wildflowers that call Mingo Creek Park home. We can expect to see many of the common wildflowers as well as the less conspicuous, overlooked spring wildflowers. Dress for light hiking and the weather.

Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.

Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867.

HUNTING MOREL MUSHROOMS

Wednesday, April 25, 6:30 p.m. Mingo Creek Park

Location T.B.D.

Lace up a sturdy pair of hiking shoes and grab a collecting bag and walking stick as we strike off in search of morel mushrooms in Mingo Creek Park. Learn where to search for these tasty spring mushrooms. Boots, long pants, and long sleeved shirts are recommended.

Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.

TREK TO TALL TREES

Saturday, April 28 at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Ohiopyle State Park, Call for Location

Did you know that Ohiopyle is home to some of the tallest trees in Pennsylvania and in some cases the Northeast United States. During this series of programs we will take you to these giants so you can see them for yourselves. Bring a camera and practice your tree hugging! You must pre-register with Amos at aludwig@pa.gov or call 724-329-0986

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

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.

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 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): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 21, 2018. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

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.

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