Outdoors calendar
NATIONAL TRAIL’S DAY
Saturday, June 2 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.
MEADOW RUN HIKE
Saturday, June 9 at 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Meadow Run Trailhead
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. Please wear sturdy shoes.
HOMESCHOOL OUTDOOR CLASSROOM: CARYFISHIN’
Thursday, June 7
Mingo Creek Park — Shelter 5 — No fee
Session I – 10 a.m.
Session II – 1 p.m. (Ages 5-11)
Equipped with nets and containers, we will have a blast catching and observing crayfish in
Mingo Creek. Learn all about crayfish and how to catch them while exploring their habitat.
Water shoes or boots are a must, and a spare change of clothes is recommended.
Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.
Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867.
EARLY MORNING FLOAT
Saturday, June 16 at 8:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Ramcat Put-in parking lot
124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
What kind of wildlife uses the river in the morning? We will find out as we float through the mist on the middle Yough River in hopes of catching a glimpse of an otter or a mink. We’ll see how many critters we can spy. You will need to provide your own boat. Pre-registration is required. Email aludwig@pa.gov or call 724-329-0986
WILDERNESS SURVIVAL DAY CAMP
Monday, June 18- Friday, June 22
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Ages 8-12) — FEE: $30/camper
Mingo Creek Park — Shelter 3
This is a popular camp for 8 to 12 year olds. Campers will learn basic survival skills including primitive fire building, shelter construction, water collection, basic action/reaction methods, camouflage and stalking, atlatl throwing, and more. Campers should dress for the weather, and light hiking. Bring a lunch and a water bottle each day.
Pre-registration is required. Accepting registration beginning April 2. Payment in full at time of registration, cash or check. Registration is limited to one family per registrant with a maximum of 2 day camps per child.
Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867.
OUTDOOR COOKIN’
Monday, June 25 — 7 p.m.
Mingo Creek Park — Shelter 2 — FEE: $2
Let us help you prepare for your next camping adventure! Join us for an evening of fun filled camping activities including primitive fire making and cooking around the campfire. Learn how to recreate your favorite recipes under the open sky. All supplies will be provided.
Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.
Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867.
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, June 2 — 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Dunkard Valley Rifle Club
236 Toms Run Rd
Spraggs, Pa. 15362
Instructor: Marvin L. Cumberledge 724-451-8481
Saturday, June 9 — 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Turkeyfoot Fish & Game
PO Box 189
Confluence, Pa. 15424
Instructor: Brandon Bonin
Saturday, June 16 — 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Haydentown VFD
175 Haydentown Hill Rd.
Smithfield, Pa. 15478
Instructor: Brandon Bonin
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.