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Deer season is almost here in PA

HARRISBURG — It’s probably safe to say that most people, given the chance to trade their cellphone for a landline, swap out their vehicle for a horse and buggy or replace their washing machine with a bucket, a bar of rough homemade soap and a 100-yard walk to the nearest river, would opt to keep their modern conveniences. Tools offering efficiency, ease and comfort are hard to forgo. There are exceptions, though. Bowhunters — who represent one of every two deer hunters in Pennsylvania overall — each year willingly go afield with stick and string, albeit often modernized, ...

Shore’s Dave Rothrock gave fly fishing lessons at Trout Run Park

Dave Rothrock can toss line from a fly rod some 100 feet or even longer by employing a double-haul cast. Used to reach farther distances on a stream to waiting fish, the double haul is not a cast that Rothrock teaches to novice fly-fishers. The Jersey Shore resident who has taught fly-casting and guided anglers and has more than fifty years of experience stalking trout, would rather teach them the very basics of getting a fly on the water first. Recently, he gave a quick lesson to Mike Hill, of Farragut, where they were set up on a grassy area of Trout Run Park. Within 10 minutes, ...

Fall is perfect time to catch some crappies

Leaves are showing a peek of color, temperatures are cooling and fall is approaching. This means that deer, turkey and waterfowl are on my mind, but some fishing still needs to be done. While it may surprise you, crappie is one of my favorite fall species. Crappies are usually associated with spring fishing and with good reason. The spawn draws them to shallow waters. After thinning during a long winter, feeding is one of the top things on their mind. The bite is heavy, and the action is hot. But many of these same traits can make the fall a perfect time for a second bite at the ...

Reflections in Nature: Plenty of signs that fall is approaching

Although fall does not appear on the calendar until Sept. 22, at 8:44 a.m., I have been seeing and hearing signs of fall creeping into the countryside. With the first week of September having fall-like temperatures, a tinge of color began to show on the hillsides. However, after checking several diaries from years past, it appears as if fall is right on schedule. I have noticed that the leaves of the sumac trees are starting to change, especially those growing along our roadsides, which is common for the sumac. In years past, I always thought that the highway department had sprayed ...

Outdoor community calendar for week of Sept. 17

FALL BIRDING WHERE: Hyner Run State Park and Little Pine State Park WHEN: Friday, Sept. 20 at 2 p.m. (Little Pine) and 6 p.m. (Hyner Run). NOTES: Join the naturalist for some fall birding at Hyner Run and/or Little Pine State Park. Topics will include the different birds that live at Hyner Run and also how to identify them. Please bring your own binoculars and other birding gear. All children must be accompanied by an adult in order to participate. The program may be modified or canceled in the event of severe weather or new state or community guidelines. Those interested in the ...

Just 3 floating classroom programs for this year

Just three more floating classroom programs are scheduled for this year aboard the Hiawatha in Williamsport with the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association. Today marks the first of the three remaining. From 10-11 a.m today, the floating classroom consists of “Casting, fish ID and ...