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Outdoors

Migratory bird game seasons set for the 2025-26 year

HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s 2025-26 migratory game bird seasons have been set. There are two significant changes to waterfowl seasons. The regular season daily bag limit for Canada geese in the Atlantic Population Zone has decreased from three to one, and for northern pintail, there will be a flat daily bag limit of three. “The Atlantic Population Zone allows the Atlantic Flyway to closely manage harvest for this smaller, more delicate population of migratory Canada geese,” said Game Commission Waterfowl Biologist Amanda Hoyt. “The most recent breeding pair estimate on the ...

Why don’t more anglers chase panfish?

Over the weekend, I had one of the best fishing trips of the season. No, I did not catch a personal best or even anything worth keeping. I was not fishing some exotic location or hard-to-get-in private club — just the lake at a local state park. I was not even trying out a fancy new piece of gear, only a rod, a bobber, some weights, and a hook. So, what made the day so special? Why would a count catching too-small-to-keep fish on a local lake, with one the most essential of gear, the best trip of the year? Two reasons: one, I got to do it with a dear friend and former coworker, ...

Native wildflowers are abundant in our region

In our region we host wildflowers galore from May through September. These wonders of nature grow in every size from two inches high (violets) to towering overhead (mountain laurel, our state flower). Native wildflowers are important food sources versus non-native wildflowers, which have ...

Reflections in Nature: Our feathered friends have already started laying eggs

Some of our feathered friends have already laid their eggs and are now in the process of incubating these eggs. The length of this incubation period varies, depending on the species. For example, the incubation period for most songbirds will be approximately two weeks, while the incubation period for ground nesters will be approximately one month. I read an article entitled “Intelligence in Animals” in a Reader’s Digest magazine that it is very important for young wildlife to be able to identify the sound of their parents’ calls, especially their mothers. Animal mothers ...

Community Outdoors calendar for Week of May 27

AUDUBON EVENT: CHAPTER MEETING WHERE: Taber Museum in Williamsport (858W. Fourth St.) WHEN: Wednesday, May 28 at 6:30 p.m. NOTES: Join the Lycoming Audubon Society for the program ‘Managing Habitat for Birds and Wildlife at the Robert Porter Allen Natural Area” presented by the South Side Recreation Authority Wildlife Habitat Management Committee. Learn about the birds of RPANA and Lycoming Audubon’s partnership with the SSRA to maintain and improve habitat and other wildlife at RPANA. The program is free and open to the public. You can also attend virtually via Zoom ...

600-mile northcentral regional ATV trail opens Friday for season

Riders can hit the trail starting Friday as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources reopens the Northcentral Regional ATV Trail for the 2025 season. The trail offers more than 600 miles of connected roads and trails across Clinton, Lycoming, Potter, and Tioga counties, and will remain open through Sunday, September 28. Although the riding areas will be marked, riders are expected to familiarize themselves with permitted routes to ensure they are operating in legal riding areas. Now in its second full year, the trail has quickly become one of Pennsylvania’s premier ...