Take a hike with regional group
The Otzinachson Regional Group of the Sierra Club and the Edward Abbey Hiking Society will hold a number of hikes throughout the region in the spring and summer.
They are open to the public, but hikers should contact the hike leader prior to the event. Participants are advised to bring lunch and water on every hike.
Hikes will be held:
Today - Conestoga Trail, Lancaster County, 11.8 miles, very strenuous. Hike from the east side of the Norman Wood Bridge to Pequea Creek Campground through the River Hills on the east side of the Susquehanna River in Lancaster County. Outstanding vistas overlooking the Susquehanna River. This is a fast-paced preview hike offered to participants in the Susquehanna Super Hike on Sept. 8, but all are welcome. Meet at K-Mart parking lot on Route 15 in Shamokin Dam at 6:30 a.m. or Clarks Ferry Truck Stop along Route 322 in Duncannon at 7:15 a.m. Leader: Paul Shaw, 717-215-8339, pshaw@ptd.net.
Saturday - Cherry Run Gamelands Loop, Clinton County, 10 miles, moderate. A circuit hike in state game lands 295 south of Lamar will lead into the heart of the syncline. Meet at 9 a.m. in the parking lot of the Lewisburg Big Lots off Route 15 or at the I-80 Lamar exit McDonalds at 10. Leaders: Catherine McLaughlin and Ed Lawrence, 925-5285, cathyed@nationi.net.
Aug. 11 - Loyalsock Trail, Sullivan County, 6.5 miles, easy to moderate. Hike from Sones Pond to the trail end on Route 220 via the Haystacks. Meet 8:30 a.m. at the McDonald's in Hughesville. Leader: Roy Fontaine, 220-4707.
Aug. 19 - Golden Eagle Trail, Lycoming County, 9 miles, moderate to strenuous. One of the best hikes in Pennsylvania with excellent views. Meet at 8 a.m. at the Sovereign Bank parking lot, Southern Avenue between Market and Hastings streets (Route 15) in South Williamsport or at the trail parking lot along Route 414 at 8:50 a.m. Leader: Roy Fontaine, 220-4707.
Search for buried treasure at Riverlands
BERWICK - Children can search for a bit of history at PPL's Susquehanna Riverlands from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Program assistant Joshua Miller will help children track the ancient inhabitants of the Susquehanna Valley to find the treasure they left behind. With a map in hand and a wild imagination, children will learn about the people who lived in this area before us. The program is for children ages 5 and older with an accompanying adult.
Meet at the PPL Susquehanna Riverlands Large Pavilion. For more information, call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com. For directions, visit www.pplpreserves.com, click on "Susquehanna Riverlands," then select "Contact Us and Directions."
3rd part of outdoor photography program set
BERWICK - Learn how to get the perfect shot starting at 6 p.m. Friday at PPL's Susquehanna Riverlands.
Program assistant Joshua Miller will help participants learn how to get the perfect shot. This is the last of the outdoor photography programs to be held at the Riverlands. The class will be held outdoors, and participants need to bring their own camera (any camera will do). The program is most appropriate for ages 10 and older.
Meet at the Susquehanna Energy Information Center. For more information, call 1-866-832-3312 or email pplpreserves@pplweb.com. For directions, visit www.pplpreserves.com, click on "Susquehanna Riverlands," then select "Contact Us and Directions."
27th annual Wildlife Art Show planned
KLEINFELTERSVILLE - The state 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 Friday through next Sunday. The show is free, and the hours are: Friday, 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tickets for an artwork raffle will be sold for $2 each or three for $5. The drawing will be held at 4 p.m. next Sunday. Proceeds benefit The Wildlands Preservation Fund land acquisition program.
"Besides having a chance to win a unique piece of artwork, you can rest assured knowing that your contribution will make it possible for important wildlife habitat to be purchased and preserved through the Wildlands Preservation Fund," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "It's a great opportunity for any wildlife enthusiast who also appreciates wildlife art to also take in the sights at Middle Creek."
The Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center is along Hopeland Road, two miles south of Kleinfeltersville, Lebanon County.
Learn to fly fish - no license required
BOALSBURG - The state Fish and Boat Commission is holding a Family Fly Fishing program from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Tussey Mountain Lodge's pond. The four-hour course is designed for families interested in learning the basics of fly fishing equipment, casting and on-water skills.
After learning basic skills, each person can fly fish for panfish. They will take home a packet of information.
Adults must bring a child, and children must bring an adult. Participants must be 8 years or older.
For more information, call Allan Schreffler at 814-359-5127. Space is limited and registration is required. Register online at pfbc.state.pa.us/Calendar or by phone. The program will be held rain or shine.
Hunter-trapper education class scheduled
ANTES FORT - A hunter-trapper education class will be held Aug. 5, 7 and 8 at the state Game Commission's Northcentral Regional Office.
Students can sign up on the Game Commission website. Click on the "education," then "hunter-trapper education" links, select Aug. 6 on the calendar and complete the personal information.
Students must attend all three sessions and take final exam to complete the course and receive a certificate.
For more information, call Max Farley at 337-8750.
Historic walking tours continue in Lock Haven
LOCK HAVEN - Lou Bernard, of Ross Library, will continue his historic walking tours of Lock Haven on Aug. 10 and 17.
The "Walk the Past" program will begin at 9 a.m. at the library, 232 W. Main St.
Because of the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, the walks will feature a strong Civil War influence, sharing many of the stories and events of the area's participation in the war. Topics such as Abraham Lincoln, the Underground Railroad and lost military gold will be featured.
The goal this year is to have the group walk 318 miles, the distance to Gettysburg and back.
For more information, call the Ross Library at 748-3321.
Annual waterfowl briefing open to public
KLEINFELTERSVILLE - Representatives of waterfowl organizations, interested hunters and the public may attend a briefing on Aug. 10 on the status of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal frameworks for the 2012-13 waterfowl hunting seasons. It will begin at 1 p.m. at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor's Center, along Hopeland Road, two miles south of Kleinfeltersville, on the Lebanon/Lancaster county line.
In addition to reviewing frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for upcoming waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, Game Commission staff will provide updates on research and management programs, as well as past hunting results.
Public comments will be accepted at the meeting or by sending a letter to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, or via email at WaterfowlComments@pa.gov.
Based on public comments, Game Commission staff will prepare and present recommended waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the USFWS for final approval.
All migratory bird hunting seasons and bag limits must conform to frameworks set by the USFWS. States select their hunting seasons within these established frameworks.
Families can learn how to kayak together
WELLSBORO - Looking for a great way to enjoy Pennsylvania waterways with your family? Discover the fun kayaking can provide for the entire family during a two-hour Family Paddling program offered by the state Fish and Boat Commission at 3 p.m. Aug. 12 at Hills Creek State Park.
Designed for participants ages 12 and older, the rain-or-shine program begins with on-land instruction and ends with on-water paddling experience.
All equipment is provided. Topics discussed include water safety, equipment and basic paddling techniques.
For more information, call Allan Schreffler at 814-359-5127. Space is limited and registration is required by visiting www.fishandboat.com/calendar.htm or calling Schreffler.
Sullivan County hunter-trapper education set
MUNCY VALLEY - A hunter-trapper education program for youth ages 11 and older will be held this summer. Participants must attend all three sessions of the class to complete course. Classes will be held:
Aug. 17-19 (6-9:30 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Sunday)
Classes will be held at the North Mountain Sportsman's Club on Shipman Hill Road in Sullivan County. Registration is limited to 45 per class. Upon successful course completion, an HTE card will be issued.
To enroll, register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us (click on Education & Hunter Trapper Education). If there are problems, call Rick Smith at 928-8941. For a map to the club, visit www.northmt.com.
Register now for Tioga County Youth Field Day
TIOGA - Children ages 8 to 14 may register for the 18th annual Tioga County Youth Field Day, which will be held Aug. 18 at Ives Run Recreation Area, Hammond Lake.
The event offers boys and girls from any county in the state a chance to try their hand at a variety of outdoor activities. At least 10 educational stations will be set up, covering topics such as orienteering, rifle, shotgun, fly and spin fishing, turkey calling and wildlife identification.
The event is free, but parents must register children in advance. Also, a parent or guardian must accompany children during the day.
The day begins at 8 a.m. Lunch will be served later to everyone in attendance, and children will receive a hat, T-shirt and goodie bag.
To register, call Dina Henninger, park ranger for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, at 835-0113, or send children's names, ages, addresses, genders, home phone numbers, shirt sizes and parent signatures to: Youth Field Day Registration, P.O. Box 51, Middlebury Center, PA 16935.
Bradford County Youth Field Day planned
TROY - The 18th annual Bradford County Youth Field Day will be held from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 25 at Mt. Pisgah State Park.
The event is for children ages 5 to 18. A free lunch, T-shirt and commemorative embroidered patch will be available to all participants.
The event will include activities in tracks, insects, birds, mammals, trapping, .22 shoot, building bird boxes, scavenger hunt, survival, archery, black powder, sporting clays, canoeing, GPS, fishing and camp cooking.
Registration now by calling the park office at 297-2734 or emailing mtpisgahsp@pa.gov.
