Family, friends celebrate teen’s life with muzzleloader hunt
While 20 hunters roamed the forest around the Caskey-Gallagher hunting camp in Kettle Creek on Jan. 9, one young man was noticeably missing in body — but not in spirit. It was the last day of muzzleloader season, a time David Bartges and his son, Jason, traditionally spent together in that same forest, stalking white-tailed deer and enjoying being in the outdoors. For them, the hunting season wasn’t about downing a buck or a doe. “We were just out there to have fun,” David said. The 2008-09 season was the last one in which David would have his middle son by his side. Jason died four months before the 2009-10 muzzleloader season began. An all-terrain vehicle crash near his home on Jacks Hollow Road, Bastress Township, took his life and that of his friend, Kasey Kemmerer, on Aug. 14. Both boys were 18. Like father, like sons David learned about muzzleloading from friends of his. In turn, he taught the skill to his three sons — Ryan, 22; Jason; and Jordan, 14.
» Full StoryAfield with friends:
My friend Paul Volcker is a dyed-in-the-wool New Yorker. Born and reared in Brooklyn sort of makes you special and the accent will give you away. Not only is the accent special for Paul Volcker, but he also is a tall guy.
» Full StoryOutdoor Briefs
Pro anglers to appear at Outdoors Show
HARRISBURG — Professional fishermen Wally Marshall, Tim Horton and Chris Daves will give seminars Tuesday through Thursday at the Bass Pro Shop Hog Trough in the fishing arena at the...
In the Parks
Bald Eagle State Park, Howard
Feb. 23 — Nature for Toddlers, 10-11:30 a.m. Meet at the Environmental Learning Center.
Don’t let your young children miss out on nature.
Shooting Sports
Broken Rock Skeet Club
LOYALSOCKVILLE — Shooters may join the winter skeet league, which will meet Feb. 7 and 21, and March 7 and 21 at the Consolidated Sportsmen of Lycoming County’s skeet field.
High school students have time to apply for academy
High-school-aged students have until April 1 to apply for a chance to attend the Wildlife Leadership Academy this summer.
The weeklong program is “all encompassing,” said John Felix, a principal at Donegal High School in Lancaster County.
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