Outdoors category, Page 20
Hibernation an amazing winter wildlife survival strategy
I never even got to say goodbye. My wife and I were hiking on a recent Sunday afternoon, following a trail through a state forest near our home. It was cool but not cold, just chill enough that the crisp leaves crunched beneath our feet with each step, like so...
Here are 8 tips for better solo bear hunting
Even the Lone Ranger had Tonto. But you? This season, perhaps, you’re hunting black bears alone, without a gang to put on drives, in a state where using dogs to chase bruins or bait to draw them in are illegal. That’s the definition of going solo. Still, don’t despair about...
Survey says firearms deer hunting leads to less violence
Deer hunters are killers, but not of each other or their neighbors. That’s what the research says, anyway. Ball State economics professor Paul Niekamp looked at the relationship between violent crime and deer hunting seasons in 21 states over 20 years. He recently released the results of that work. He...
Change likely, and finally, coming to fishing license-display rule
This might be another case where Pennsylvania is catching up with the rest of the country. Lawmakers are close to expanding Sunday hunting opportunities. A bill that would allow it on three Sundays a year is moving through the legislature and could go to Gov. Tom Wolf for his signature...
How to get more shots at ruffed grouse and other outdoor Xtras
Tip of the week Ruffed grouse are notorious for holding tight, then flushing almost from under foot in a noisy explosion. It’s intentionally unnerving. There’s a way for hunters to, if not beat that strategy, at least increase the odds of getting off a shot, though. And that’s to react...
Outdoors notices for Nov. 10, 2019
Outdoors Notices RIFLE LEAGUES • In the Allegheny Valley Rifle League on Nov. 1, Fort Hand (2-2) defeated Butler (2-2), 1,165-1,152, and Clymer (4-0) beat Murrysville (0-4), 1,169-1,157, in the A-team standings. In the B-team division, Butler (3-1) beat Fort Hand (0.5-3.5), 1,107-1,080, and Clymer (4-0) defeated Murrysville (0.5-3.5), 1,151-1,091....
Running down some camp-kitchen essentials for every outing
Big Blue, as it’s known for short, simply got too big in the end. It’s dimensions didn’t change. A blue 18-gallon plastic tote, one with locking handles, it’s as squarish now as it was at the start of spring. But the lid didn’t seal completely on the edges anymore, even...
Fishing report: Variety of action at Tionesta Outflow
• Anglers fishing the Tionesta Outflow are finding an assortment of fish, including walleye, muskellunge and northern pike. Most of the catches appear to be occurring in the vicinity of the wall that stands near the campground side of the outflow. Fishermen are also reporting a small number of trout...
Limited edition Haswell survival knife combines art, functionality
Survival situations are by their nature short on chances. In tough conditions, under difficult circumstances, with limited resources, you seize on finite opportunities when and where possible and live to fight another day. Or you don’t and become a statistic. That’s why this is so exciting. Here is a second...
Raccoon Lake proves to be consistent bass hot spot
There’s a lot to be said for this kind of consistency. Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission biologists surveyed Raccoon Lake, the 101-acre centerpiece of Raccoon Creek State Park in Beaver County, in 2008. They went back and repeated that work earlier this year. The goal in each case was to...
How to safely wade while fishing and more outdoors extras
Tip of the week Wading is a great, and oftentimes necessary, way to get within casting distance of fish in rivers and streams. It’s also potentially dangerous, especially at this time of year. Rain and snow can raise water levels quickly, and a fall into cold water can bring on...
Make a convincing argument with these 6 benefits of eating wild game
The alarm goes off in the predawn dark and, rolling over, you touch the shoulder of your significant other. An affectionate yet sly smile crosses your lips. “Shh,” you say. “Shh. It’s OK. I’m just letting you know I’m leaving.” “Huh? What? Where?” he or she asks. “Hunting,” you answer....
Mammoth Dam home to mammoth largemouth bass, crappies
To say fishermen sometimes stretch the truth is to say the sky is sometimes blue, the grass is sometimes green and oranges are sometimes, well, orange. Exaggerations, tall tales, even good-natured if otherwise bald-faced lies. Those are often their stock in trade. Often. But not this time. Biologists from the...
Fishing report: Loyalhanna Creek boasts trout after stocking
• Loyalhanna Creek is teeming with trout thanks to a recent stocking. Anglers are enjoying a consistent trout bite while using spinners and jigs for their setup. Live bait is restricted at the moment as visitors only are allowed to use artificial lures. • Anglers fishing Conemaugh River Lake are...
A rabbit hunting tip can help bag cottontails
Tip of the week There are situations when it pays to think big. Cottontail rabbit hunting is not necessarily one of them. Rabbits, a prey species for so many hungry predators, must learn quickly to hide in and near thick cover if they hope to survive. And often, that cover...
Outdoors notices for Nov. 3, 2019
Outdoors Notices HUNTER SAFETY COURSES Note: All hunter safety courses require preregistration at www.pgc.state.pa.us. • Concord United Methodist Church, Beaver County, 6-9:30 p.m. Nov. 7-8. Class limit 100. • Murrysville District Sportsmen Association/Gun Club, Westmoreland County, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Nov. 17. Class limit 55. SHOOTS ON TAP • California Hill...
Women’s Adventure Club of Sewickley encourages year-round outdoor activity
No matter if there’s rain, snow or sleet, a group of Sewickley-area women will be headed outdoors this winter to breathe in the fresh air, converse with their neighbors and get exercise hiking or biking through area trails. The Women’s Adventure Club of Sewickley, launched a little more than a...
Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting bill clears last big hurdle
There was a moment of doubt, for sure. But it looks as if expanded Sunday hunting is coming to Pennsylvania in 2020. On Wednesday, members of the House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 147 by a vote of 144-54. That was one day later than expected. Supporters expected things to...
Anglers will see more big and bright trout in 2020
This is going to spawn a lot of lusty dreams between now and April. Of the angling kind, anyhow. Each year, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission stocks “trophy” trout in streams and lakes across the state. That includes brood fish — or brooks, browns and rainbows held in a...
Work, health keep Americans from enjoying nature
Work and health — those are the things keeping people indoors more often than not. APM Research Lab, on behalf of The Water Main, which promotes clean water, polled a nationally representative sample of Americans earlier this year. The goal was to see how much time they spend outside and...
Birds, binoculars, more in outdoor extras
Lure of the week Lure name: Stupid Tube Company: Secret Lures (secretlures.com) Lure type: Soft plastic tube Sizes and colors: Available in a 3.7-inch model in assorted colors, including bluegill, Junebug, road kill, green pumpkin, watermelon red, black red neon and green pumpkin orange. Target species: Largemouth and smallmouth bass....
Fishing report: Trout stocking boosts Blue Spruce Lake
• As a result of a recent stocking, Blue Spruce Lake is offering up plenty of trout to anglers fishing its waters. Most of the catches were brook trout and brown trout. Fishermen are utilizing live bait and seeing solid results. • Fishermen at Shenango Reservoir are catching a variety...
Choosing the right taxidermist requires homework
You’ve probably seen them floating around the internet and laughed. We’re talking pictures of horrifically bad, even frightening taxidermy. If you haven’t, just Google something like “really bad taxidermy” and see what turns up. Spoiler alert: it ain’t pretty. The real tragedy is that each of the animals mounted in...
Sunday hunting bill clears committee with amendment
Expanded Sunday hunting is a step closer to coming to Pennsylvania. But not without hunters having to make one more concession. The House of Representatives game and fisheries committee Monday approved Senate Bill 147. It allows hunting on three Sundays. One is in the statewide archery deer season, one in...
Pennsylvania Game Commission advises hunters to take precautions against EEE virus
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is issuing a warning to the state’s hunters. With a rare mosquito-transmitted virus documented in the state this year, the Game Commission is encouraging hunters and others who spend time outdoors to take precautions against mosquito bites and report to the agency any dead or strange-acting...
