Outdoors calendar
WOODCOCK HIKE
Friday, March 23 at 7:15 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Kentuck Campground Overflow Parking
124 Main St, Ohiopyle, Pa. 15470
Join us as we go on a quest to view the woodcock’s mating dance. Please bring a flashlight.
BANQUET SET
The Chestnut Ridge Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its annual dinner on Saturday, March 24, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Park Inn in Uniontown. Deadline to purchase tickets is March 16. For more information, please contact Eugene Gordon at (724) 277-8688.
EASTER EGG GEOCACHING
Wednesday, March 28 — 6 p.m.
Mingo Creek Park — Park Office
Join us on a special mission this Easter! We will embark on a mission in search of hidden treasures (caches) in Mingo Creek Park using a handheld Global Positioning Device (GPS).
Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.
Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867.
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.
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
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.