TU chapter announces fly-tying classes
LOCK HAVEN - The Lloyd Wilson Chapter of Trout Unlimited will hold its annual fly tying classes from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursdays through March 28 on the second floor of Citizen Hose Fire Co.
A fee applies per class for youth and adults.
Fly patterns and instructors change weekly. Instructors are from the local chapter and Outcast Guide Service, of Lamar.
Learn how to be a safe boater
PENNSDALE - The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary in Williamsport, Flotilla 15-01, will hold a safe boating course from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Gander Mountain in the Lycoming Mall.
Participants will receive a USCGA boating certificate and will qualify for the Pennsylvania boating certificate upon successful completion of the course. Those who wish to operate a personal watercraft (jet ski) or those born after Jan. 1, 1982, who operate a boat with a 25-horsepower or larger motor are required by law to have completed a recognized boating course.
A fee will cover the cost of the book and advance registration is necessary.
For more information, or to enroll, call Joseph Kustanbauter at 435-2193 or email jbkusty@verizon.net.
View wildlife posters at Ned Smith Center
MILLERSBURG - A display titled "Wild Places, Wild Life, Wild Art: Conserving America One Poster at a Time" will be on display through Saturday at the Ned Smith Center for Nature and Art Poster Exhibit.
It assembles for the first time some of the most dramatic and beautiful examples of conservation posters from across the United States and Canada - a breathtaking array whose subjects range from crayfish and butterflies to birds and wildflowers; fungi and minerals to mammals, snakes and entire ecosystems, and selected from hundreds of posters from across North America.
Starting in the 1960s, posters were embraced by conservation organizations and resource agencies anxious to bring their message of protection, appreciation and preservation to the public. By bringing together stunning photography, gorgeous artwork and a strong conservation theme, posters have for half a century or more inspired and educated the public about wildlife, natural landscapes and environmental themes.
For more information, visit www.nedsmithcenter.org.
Create something beautiful and floral
MIFFLINBURG - Country Farm and Home, 7801 Old Turnpike Road, has announced several Make and Take Classes, through June 26. Most classes cost $50.
Saturday - Everlasting Watering Can Arrangement, 1 p.m. Create a unique container and fill it to overflowing with spring everlasting foliage and flowers.
Call 966-4030 to register or for more information.
Experience maple sugaring at Montour Preserve
WASHINGTONVILLE - Have you ever wanted to learn more about how maple syrup is made? A maple sugaring open house will be held from noon to 4 p.m. March 10 at PPL's Montour Environmental Preserve.
Programs begin on the hour (noon, 1, 2 and 3 p.m.) in the Environmental Education Center with a talk and film featuring the natural and cultural history of making maple sugar. Afterward, a short walk through Goose Woods takes attendees to the Sugar Shack to experience the sights, sounds and scents of maple sugaring.
Scouts, 4-H and other groups are welcome to attend either day. Plan to arrive on the hour at the Environmental Education Center auditorium to enjoy the entire sugaring program. Outdoor demonstrations end at 4 p.m.
Maple products will be available for purchase at the Sugar Shack.
For directions, visit www.pplpreserves.com and click on "Montour." For more information, contact the preserve at 437-3131 or jdbeam@pplweb.com.
Whitetails Unlimited plans fundraising event
Whitetails Unlimited is sponsoring the West Branch Whitetails Hunters' Night Out on March 16 at the Genetti Hotel, 200 W. Fourth Street. The event will feature a two-meat buffet, auction and prizes with a wide array of products such as firearms, outfitter packages, hunting- and outdoor-related equipment, artwork and collectibles only available at WTU events.
Proceeds will benefit archery programs in local schools, youth programs and habitat improvement equipment.
Social hour begins at 5 p.m., with dinner at 6:30.
Tickets may be purchased individually, per couple or for juniors ages 15 and younger. The deadline to order tickets is March 11. They will not be sold at the door.
To order tickets, call Dave "Huffy" Huffman at 772-0312 in the evenings or WTU National Headquarters at 800-274-5471, or go online at www.whitetailsunlimited.com. Tickets also are available by calling Gene Cahn at 447-6541 or Dave Ellison at 435-5525.
Founded in 1982, Whitetails Unlimited is a national nonprofit conservation organization that strives to raise funds in support of education, habitat enhancement and acquisition, and the preservation of the hunting tradition for the benefit of white-tailed deer and other wildlife.
Help needed on unassessed waters plan
The public and local watershed associations are encouraged to attend the monthly meeting of Susquehanna Chapter Trout Unlimited at 7 p.m. March 13 at the First Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, East Third and Mulberry streets.
State Fish and Boat Commission representatives will outline a pilot study for soliciting public participation in helping to determine prioritization of local streams to be monitored and assessed in this summer's work by agency staff and partnering colleges.
The program could be a great opportunity for anglers to see some of their favorite unprotected fishing spots become protected through the PA-Unassessed Waters Program. So far, the initiative has inventoried hundreds of high-quality Pennsylvania streams previously unclassified, and the goal is to monitor hundreds more.
For more information, visit the agency website at fishandboat.com/unassessedwaters.htm.
Free fishing classes offered
WATERVILLE - McConnell's Country Store & Fly Shop, 10853 North Route 44, will hold the following free fishing classes from 10 a.m. to noon:
March 16 - Fly casting for beginners
March 30 - Fly casting tune-up, not for beginners
Call the store for more information.
Annual hill climb roars into area in March
MORRIS - The eighth annual King of the Mountain hill climb will be held March 16 at Ski Sawmill Family Resort, off of Route 287 near here. It is sponsored by the resort and the Highland Lake Snowmobile and Outdoor Recreation Club.
The double-elimination climb will pit snowmobile drivers in an 800-foot, side-by-side drag race up the ski slope hill. Class winners will vie for the prestigious King of the Mountain title.
Racer registration and sled classification will be from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. A driver meeting is at 10 and races will follow. More than 200 snowmobilers are expected.
For more information and rules, visit skisawmill.com.
Spectator admission and parking is free, and family ski discounts will be available, as will spectator chairlift rides, good food and lodging.
Learn about Indian artifacts and peoples
SUNBURY - Tom Badman, of Selinsgrove, will share his research of American Indians of Pennsylvania, particularly those who settled the Susquehanna River valley, during a public presentation at 7 p.m. March 21 at the Northumberland County Historical Society, 1150 N. Front St.
Badman has been interested in all aspects of history since childhood, always believing that history is more than dates, facts, and events. He has tried to never remove the human element from history, for it is the human emotions and experiences that truly make events unforgettable and relateable.
Since childhood, he has collected and treasured various artifacts along the river where he lives. He treats each piece as a tangible link to the past that has it's own story to tell and gives insight into the remarkable lives of these first valley residents. Through the studying of these artifacts, these people live again.
The free presentation will be preceded by a brief business meeting and followed by light refreshments and social time.
Outdoor show coming soon
CROSS FORK - The Kettle Creek Valley Outdoor Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 23 at the Kettle Creek Hose Co. fire hall.
Admission is $3 and children 12 and younger are free. There will be food, vendors and speakers.
Vendor spaces are available. Call 814-435-2622 or 814-435-2218 for more information.
A turkey calling contest begins at 11 a.m. with registration at 9. Call 866-687-4233 for more info.
Consolidated Sportsmen plan annual banquet
HUGHESVILLE - The Consolidated Sportsmen of Muncy Creeks will hold its 53rd annual banquet on March 23 at the Hughesville Firemen's Social Center. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with dinner served at 6.
The evening will include a turkey dinner with homemade pies, a Chinese auction, a gun and rod raffle, a live auction, door prizes and a special program. Mike Kuriga will present a program on falconry, with live birds.
The Spring 2013 trout stocking schedule for the 12,000 trout raised by the club will be available at the banquet. So far, in the 2012-13 nursery season, the facilities have not been affected by flooding problems, which, in 2011, resulted in substantial trout losses.
The club also announced that the Dick Harner Memorial Children's Fishing Derby will be May 5 at Van Renselar Park in Picture Rocks.
Banquet tickets are limited and will not be available at the door. To order tickets, call Art Fry at 368-1245 or Rusty Bitler at 584-5780.
Youth may apply for fishing, conservation camp
BOILING SPRINGS - March 31 is the last day for youth ages 14 to 17 to apply for the 19th annual Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, which will be held June 16-21 at the Allenberry Resort in Cumberland County.
The Pennsylvania Council of Trout Unlimited sponsors the camp, which costs $350 and will accept 32 youth. It features a highly structured curriculum based on college-level classes. Students are instructed in ecology, aquatic biology, geology, hydrogeology, erosion and sedimentation control, ichthyology, riparian corridor protection, watershed management, entomology and much more. They also participate in a hands-on stream habitat improvement project.
Nationally known instructors teach the students fly casting, fly tying, stream etiquette and how to "read" the water. Of course, there is time for fishing, too.
Campers will be selected through an application process where they must state why they want to attend and provide a reference from a science teacher or guidance counselor.
For more information or an application, visit www.riverscamp.com, write to Rivers Conservation and Fly Fishing Youth Camp, PO Box 71, Boiling Springs, PA 17007, or look for the camp's page on Facebook.
Club plans fishing derby
PICTURE ROCKS - The Consolidated Sportsmen of Muncy Creeks will hold its annual Dick Harner Memorial Children's Fishing Derby on May 5 at Van Renselar Park.
For more details, call Art Fry at 368-1245.
Statewide conference for forestland owners set
ALTOONA - The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will co-sponsor a two-day conference for landowners focused on conserving and managing privately owned woodlands.
The "2013 Private Forest Landowner Conference: The Future of Penn's Woods," will be held May 10-11 at the Blair County Convention Center.
"Past regional and local private forestland conferences have targeted primarily private forest landowners, both industrial and non-industrial," DCNR Secretary Rick Allan said. "This event is expanded to include a wider range of landowners with outdoors interests and a commitment to sustaining healthy forests. We invite recreation-related businesses, timber interests, family forest owners, policy makers, and all others with an interest and stake in private forest land stewardship."
The event will focus on conserving and managing healthy, regenerating forests with the intent of bringing together landowners who want to demonstrate commitment to forest sustainability.
"Whether a person owns five or 500 acres, they are among nearly 740,000 Pennsylvania woodland owners who can impact the health and well-being of nearly 12 million acres of private forests," Allan said.
Regionally and nationally recognized experts will give presentations on a variety of topics including conservation options, invasive species, taxes, water quality, woodland care, wildlife, and backyard woodlots. Exhibitors will offer informational and resource displays, and demonstrators will showcase tools and services.
On May 10, optional tours addressing wind energy and forests, invasive species control, vernal ponds and early successional wildlife habitat will be offered before the conference officially starts at 1 p.m. The program continues from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. May 11.
Registration is open and costs $75. Registration details and other information can be found at ecosystems.psu.edu/research/centers/private-forests/events/2013-private-forest-landowners.
Register now for greenway sojourn
The 2013 Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Greenway Sojourn - a fully supported, five-day ride along the Great Allegheny Passage - will take place June 23-27, and participants now can reserve their seat.
The Greenway Sojourn is part bicycle ride, part trail-building program. It celebrates newly opened trails and promotes the completion of others to create regional trail systems.
The ride covers mostly off-road, multi-use trails between Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Md.
All ages and skill levels may register by going online to wilderness-voyageurs.com/rails-to-trails-greenway-sojourn.html.
Outdoor events sought
Do you have a meeting or outdoor event you'd like to publicize in the Sun-Gazette?
Announcements must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the date of the event, preferably earlier.
Information and news releases may be:
Mailed to Outdoor editor, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport PA 17701
Emailed to outdoors@sungazette.com
Dropped off at the Sun-Gazette office, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport
Submitted through the Outdoor section of the Virtual Newsroom on the paper's website, www.sungazette.com.
All submissions must contain the name, telephone number and, if available, email address of a contact person.
Photographs by area residents of trophy fish or game animals or other interesting outdoor occurrences also will be considered. Digital photos may be sent by email.
Hard-copy glossy prints, negatives or slides may be dropped off or mailed. Polaroid prints typically cannot be reprinted in the newspaper.
Only photos sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope will be returned.
Announcements published in the "Outdoor Briefs" section will print in chronological order as space permits.
The Outdoors section is published weekly on Sundays, but it goes to print early on Wednesday mornings.
Therefore, all information for publication on any given Sunday must be submitted by noon on the Monday prior.
For more help, call 326-1551, ext. 3116.
