Outdoors calendar
FAMILY CAMP OUT
Friday, May 18
Mingo Creek Park — Shelters 6, 7 and 8
FEE: $8.00 per campsite
Set up may begin as early as 4 p.m.
Spend an evening in Mingo Creek Park camping under the star-filled skies. As night falls we’ll be cooking hot dogs, roasting marshmallows, and spending time around the campfire. An evening program will be offered after dark. We’ll prepare a simple campfire breakfast Saturday morning. Bring your own tent and camping supplies. For newbies, the park staff will be available to help set up tents.
Pre-registration required; registration not more than 30 days in advance.
Information: Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation, 724-228-6867.
NATIVE PLANT SALE
Main falls area — Ohiopyle State Park, Ohiopyle
May 26, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. both days
This year’s sale offers an expanded menu of flowers, shrubs and trees native to western Pennsylvania, plus novel gifts for Mother’s Day.
Proceeds benefit the Southern Laurel Highlands Plant and Pest Management Partnership and its work to manage invasive species, including hemlock woolly adelgid, on Ohiopyle State Park, Bear Run Nature Reserve, Fort Necessity National Battlefield, Powdermill Nature Reserve, Forbes State Forest, Flight 93 National Memorial and state game lands. Inquiries contact Ohiopyle State Park environmental education staff at 724-329-0986.
WHITEWATER!
Friday, May 25 at 7 pm – 8:30 pm
Ohiopyle State Park, Kentuck Campground Amphitheater
124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
Ohiopyle State Park has long been known for it’s great white water boating opportunities. Join us to talk about what whitewater activities are available and how to do them safely. We will also have some great videos to watch.
BEECH HIKE
Sunday, May 27 at 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ohiopyle State Park, Kentuck Campground Amphitheater
124 Main St, Ohiopyle, PA 15470
We will wind our way down to the bike trail from the Kentuck Campground amphitheater through an old stand of beech trees. This three mile loop will take us through moderately rough terrain. Along the way we will discover some hidden treasures such as a waterfall and interesting rock formations. Sturdy footwear is recommended.
EVENING ARCHERY
Wednesday, May 30 — 7 p.m. — No fee
Mingo Creek Park — Shelter 6
Join NASP instructor Sarah Sandin for an evening of shooting archery in Mingo Creek Park. Participants will learn the basics of shooting archery, including parts of the bow, shooting techniques, and safety on the range. Participants of all levels are welcome. Must be at least 10 years of age to participate.
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
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): 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.