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Store offers program about crossbows

PENNSDALE - Thursday is the last day to register for "Crossbows 101," a free program sponsored by the Gander Mountain store at the Lycoming Mall.

The program will be held at 2 p.m. Aug. 1 and 2. The store's archery tech, Larry Young, will teach attendees about the basics of crossbows, new regulations, techniques and much more. Participants will be able to try out the latest models of Parker, TenPoint, Eastman and Barnett crossbows.

To register, visit the store's customer service desk.

Tioga County youth field day slated

Boys and girls ages 8 to 14 have until Saturday to apply to attend the 15th annual Tioga County Sportsmen For Youth Field Day, which will be held Aug. 22 at the Ives Run Recreation Area near the Tioga-Hammond lakes.

The event is free, but applications are requested.

Activities will include several 30-minute "hands-on stations," including archery, shotgun, .22 rifle, fishing, boating safety, turkey calling, trapping, wildlife identification and more.

All participants will receive a meal, hat, T-shirt and other items.

For an application, call 724-9120.

Learn primitive living skills at meeting

The Black Hole Creek Watershed Association will hold its monthly public meeting at 7 p.m. Aug. 4 in the Montgomery Borough office.

Ed Wentzler will present a program on "Primitive Living Skills."

Annual wildlife art show set for August

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center will feature hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the best-known wildlife artists in the state during its annual Wildlife Art Show from Aug. 7-9.

The Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center is along Hopeland Road, two miles south of Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon County.

The show is free, and the hours are: 1 to 6 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

In addition to the artists' sales, the show will offer tickets for $2 each or three for $5 to win a selection of artwork in a drawing that will be held at 4 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 9. Proceeds from the drawing will benefit The Wildlands Preservation Fund land acquisition program.

Register for Hunter-Trapper program

MUNCY VALLEY - A Hunter Trapper Education program for youth ages 11 and older will be held Aug. 14 through 16 at North Mountain Sportsman's Club on Shipman Hill Road in Sullivan County.

Participants must attend all three sessions, which will be held from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Upon successful course completion, a HTE card will be issued.

To enroll, call 928-8941 and provide your name, address, age, e-mail address and phone number. Those withe DSL or cable Internet may register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Registration is limited to 40 per class. A map to the club is online at www.northmt.com.

Commission to offer furtaker course

The state Game Commission will hold a "Successful Furtaking" course from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 22 at the Kutztown Rod & Gun Club, 490 Gun Club Road in Kutztown, Berks County.

The class is limited to 24 students.

To sign up, visit the "Hunter Education Classes" section of the Game Commission's Web site, www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on the "Calendar" and complete the registration form.

A $15 non-refundable application fee applies and covers the costs of the cable restraint certification.

Bluebird conference held in Harrisburg area

The 31st annual North American Bluebird Society Conference will be held Sept. 9 through 13 at the Holiday Inn Grantville. The fee is $40 for one day or $60 for up to five days. Meals and field trips cost extra.

Sponsored by the Bluebird Society of Pennsylvania, the conference offers an opportunity for families, students and people of all ages to discover the wonders of bluebirds and other cavity-nesting species.

"Educational offerings at the conference include presentations and field trips showcasing important birding and wildlife conservation areas in Pennsylvania, such as Gettysburg National Military Park and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary," said Kathy Clark, president of BSP. "Attendees will choose from a variety of speakers and inspiring field trips and will have a chance to bid on nature items at the live auction."

Presentations include:

Nationally recognized birders Clay and Pat Sutton on "How to Spot Hawks and Eagles, Raptors in Time and Space," based on their book of the same name;

Dick Tuttle on "The Beaver Hypothesis," which entices bluebird enthusiasts back in time to America before European settlement to examine the connection between beavers, bluebirds and tree swallows;

Award-winning author Jane Kirkland will give the keynote presentation on how to invigorate your enthusiasm for getting outdoors and connecting with nature;

Other speakers include:

Susan Renkel, freelance writer, artist and photographer with Joy In-A-Box;

Harry Schmeider, ambassador for the bluebirds, on the "Fledgling Experience";

Gary Shimmel, of The Ned Smith Center, on the Saw Whet Migration Project and Hawk Mountain; and

Dr. Keith Bildstein on "American Kestrels: The View From Hawk Mountain."

For more information, visit www.thebsp.org.