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Lift on Pennsylvania’s near-total ban on Sunday hunting near?

Editor’s Note: Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan, and nonprofit newsroom producing investigative and public-service journalism that holds power to account and drives positive change in Pennsylvania. Sign up for our free newsletters. HARRISBURG — Pennsylvania’s near-total ban on Sunday hunting has long had the support of farmers and outdoor groups, but crop-hungry deer and swing district lawmakers could tip the state toward lifting restrictions. The debate over hunting on Sundays isn’t new in Harrisburg, but this year something changed: The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau ...

PFBC seeks public feedback on new strategic plan

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is seeking public feedback on a new Strategic Plan for Management of Trout Fisheries in Pennsylvania.​ This updated plan for 2025-2029 was developed based on input from PFBC Commissioners and staff from the bureaus of Fisheries; Hatcheries; Outreach, Education, and Marketing; Law Enforcement; and Administration. The goal of this strategic plan is to ensure that adequate protection is afforded to Pennsylvania's wild trout resources, and that fisheries provided through the management of wild trout and stocking of adult and ...

Rider Park is glad to be hosting Walk in Penn’s Woods Day on Sunday

Every year, there’s a statewide sponsored initiative throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by the Pennsylvania Forestry Association for numerous nature walks. This year, that event falls on Sunday, Oct. 9 and Rider Park is part of said initiative. Rider Park is hosting a Walk in ...

The public is invited to a meeting of the Trout Unlimited Susquehanna Chapter featuring a program about PA forest health presented by Sarah Johnson, Forest Health Program Specialist with the PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry. Johnson will present on the impacts of forest pests, diseases, invasive plants and non-biotic factors on the health of Pennsylvania’s forests and how declines in forest health can negatively impact water quality, specifically in cold water streams. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 7 pm at the Covenant Central Presbyterian Church, 807 West 4th Street in ...

Outdoors community calendar for week of Oct. 1

TREE PLANTING WHERE: Rider Park WHEN: Friday, Oct. 4 from 5-7 p.m. NOTES: Help enhance American Woodcock habitat. The event will have people planting trees and shrubs. Meet at the picnic pavilion. Anyone interested should email Sara Street, Rider Park manager, for details at saras@fcfpartnerhsip.org STAR PARTY WHERE: Rider Park WHEN: Friday, Oct. 4 from 7:15-9:30 p.m. NOTES: The Central Pennsylvania Observers and Lycoming College students of physics will be on hand for the program. Those who are interested should arrive between 7:15 and 7:45 p.m. The program will begin ...

October offers many opportunities for sportsmen in Pennsylvania

Saturday (Sept. 28) may have been the official National Hunting and Fishing Day, but for Pennsylvania sportsmen, October is Outdoor Month. Not because anyone has officially proclaimed it as such, however. No, it is because October is not only the recognized start of hunting season but also offers many opportunities for sportsmen. If it has fins, fur or feathers, there is a good chance you can hunt it at some time and in some method during October. Come October, most outdoors people start looking towards hunting, but more about that later because there is still fishing to be done. ...