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Three PFBC meetings scheduled for Jan. 7 throughout day

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has upcoming meetings which are available to watch via Zoom. On Tuesday, Jan. 7, the Game Commission has a boating meeting at 1 p.m. that can be attended at the link https://bit.ly/BoatingCte (Webinar number 2634 119 2133). The attendee password is “public.” The meeting will feature discussions on the 2025 boating facility grant round, overview of 2024 recreational boating fatalities, overview of livery regulation implementation planning and upcoming legislation. The Tuesday, Jan. 7, meeting begins with a fisheries and hatcheries ...

CHECKING IN: A winter finch report for 2024-25 as the year closes

It’s that time of year again. Fall migration is essentially over and, while we’ll miss most of the colorful bird species we enjoy in the spring and summer, there are a few arriving from northern latitudes and the boreal (northern) forest. These birds ought to get our attention and ...

Intersection of the legacy of lumber era, catastrophic floods

Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited will host an important presentation by Dr. Benjamin R. Hayes, Director of the Watershed Sciences and Engineering Program at Bucknell University. The presentation will be on how the legacy impacts of the lumber era and catastrophic floods in northcentral Pennsylvania initiated substantial landform changes and stream destabilization in our major stream floodplains and have significant implications on watershed management and planning. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 8, at 7 p.m. at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church Fellowship ...

Fish and Wildlife proposes hellbender as endangered species after push

The US Fish and Wildlife Service announced on Dec. 12, 2024, that it is proposing listing the Eastern hellbender as endangered nationally in response to a petition from several non-governmental organizations in an agency press release. "Our association's goal has been to give a voice to this vulnerable species, especially in a watershed where local experts suggest up to 95 percent of its natural habitat has been lost due to numerous factors," said Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. "The hellbender needs clean water to survive and despite it being in our waterways for a long ...

Reflections in Nature: Mistletoe was at one time considered a sacred plant

The winterberry holly berries and the mistletoe berries are associated with Christmas, however, the mistletoe’s kissing tradition includes New Year’s Day. At one time, the mistletoe was considered a sacred plant, but stealing a kiss while standing under a few sprigs of mistletoe during the holidays has become a tradition. How the mistletoe made this jump from a sacred plant to a holiday kissing tradition is somewhat of a mystery. By the 18th century, the mistletoe had become widely incorporated into Christmas and New Year celebrations. The kissing under the mistletoe tradition ...

Safety on the ice is more than important for fishing

As a lifelong angler I have had the opportunity to fish in many places and climates, catching fish along the Eastern seaboard and throughout South America. Each offered unique challenges and some dangers as well. As a visitor, I was often taken aback by the casual approach locals took to these dangers, whether wading in shark-infested areas or clinging precariously to a quickly disappearing jetty. But then I realized that it happens everywhere and with every threat. Locals become complacent and take for granted that they will return safely from every trip, just like many of ...