Outdoors category, Page 25
Fisheries surveys reveal solid walleye spots around state
So you want to catch some fish, huh? Well, here’s a tip. Start by casting your line where the fish are. Pretty sage stuff there, I know. Confucius-esque, almost. But if you want to catch fish, you’ve got to know what waters the fish call home and in what sizes...
Help sought with dead bald eagle — and live ones, too
There’s one less to count this year. But, if all goes well, the person responsible for that will pay. Literally. Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are asking for the public’s help in figuring out who killed a mature bald eagle in Erie County recently. Someone discovered the eagle July 25 near...
Outdoor extras, including a recipe for whole fried bluegills
Lure of the week Lure name: Frog Spinner Company: Uncle Buck’s (basspro.com) Lure type: Spinner Sizes and colors: Available in a 1-inch, 1/16-ounce model. The blade is silver, the frog body a natural green frog color. Target species: Largemouth and smallmouth bass, bluegills and crappies. Technique: Though anyone can use...
Hostels serve as fun, unique rest stops along Appalachian Trail
Opulent is not a word usually associated with overnight accommodations along the Appalachian Trail. Rustic. Spare. Austere. Homey, maybe, if you’re in a particularly charitable mood. But not opulent. Most days on the trail involve walking mile after mile and eating dehydrated food while sitting on a stump or the...
Legendary hunter Barry Wensel offers advice on killing mature bucks
There’s no questioning Barry Wensel’s deer hunting resume. In six years working as a guide, he and his twin brother, Gene, helped more than 200 clients kill Pope & Young class deer with their bows. Their hunters had a 96 percent success rate. Barry has killed four Boone & Crockett...
Video: Kentucky shocks Asian carp to control spread of invasive fishVideo
Kentucky state workers shocked a huge school of Asian carp that had collected near a dam in the state. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources posted a stunning video that showed hundreds of fish jumping into the air after an electric shock was sent into the water by...
Outdoors notices for July 28, 2019
Notices Outdoors RIFLE/TRAP LEAGUES There were 153 shooters who competed in the Twi-Night Trap League on Thursday, and 20 managed perfect 25 straights. Connellsville and Ruffsdale finished tied for first place with a score of 198 targets. East Huntingdon (195), Hecla (192) and Youngwood (189) rounded out the scoring. Connellsville...
Fisheries survey shows Allegheny River prime for big smallmouth bass
So you want to catch some fish, huh? Well, here’s a tip. Start by casting your line where the fish are. Pretty sage stuff there, I know. Confucius-esque, almost. But if you want to catch fish, you have to know what waters the fish call home and in what sizes...
Fishing report: Crappie biting at Shenango Reservoir
• Anglers are finding plenty of panfish at Shenango Reservoir, with live bait such as crickets or worms providing a solid option as far as bait is concerned. Crappie are also biting for fishermen who are casting out into the deeper areas of the reservoir. • The Kinzua Reservoir is...
Bob Frye: Short-barreled revolver still viable, fun to shoot
Perhaps they get paid by the bullet fired. The heroes — and the villains, too, to be fair — in contemporary action movies all carry high capacity firearms as a matter of course. They lug around spare magazines like they’re nothing, as well. And brother, do they pull the trigger....
Outdoor extras, including a campfire recipe pairing peaches and bacon
Gear of the week Gear name: Power Armz Company: 4id (everybodyshops.com/power-armz-led-safety-armband.html) Gear type: Lighted armbands Product description: 4id’s Power Armz are a favorite of runners and cyclists because their bright light, which can be set to flash or shine continuously, are powerful enough to make them noticeable and therefore safe....
Large online hunting license sales mixup still being corrected
This is what a snafu looks like. More than a month after 2019-20 Pennsylvania hunting licenses went on sale, tens of thousands of people who purchased theirs online still are waiting to receive them. Licenses bought online are supposed to be printed within 24 hours, mailed immediately thereafter and arrive...
Fisheries surveys show lakes on the rebound for tiger muskies, yellow perch, more
So you want to catch some fish, huh? Well, here’s a tip. Start by casting your line where the fish are. Pretty sage stuff there, I know. Confucius-esque, almost. But if you want to catch fish, you’ve got to know what waters the fish call home and in what sizes...
Outdoor extras, including a tip on archery practice
Lure of the week Lure name: Dartspin Company: A Band of Anglers (abandofanglers.com) Lure type: Soft plastic Sizes and colors: Available in a 5.5-inch model in 18 colors, including black ’n blue, green pepper, solid pearl, purple pearly, glow, copper mine and see-through clear gold. Target species: Largemouth and smallmouth...
Outdoors notices for July 21, 2019
Notices Outdoors RIFLE/TRAP LEAGUES There were 136 shooters who competed in the Twi-Night Trap League on Thursday, and 14 managed perfect 25 straights. Connellsville finished in first place with a score of 200 targets. Ruffsdale (193), Hecla (191), Youngwood (191) and East Huntingdon (188) rounded out the scoring. Connellsville (82.5)...
The great bait debate ends for Section 3 of Spruce Creek
It was, in some ways, an outrageous amount of debate for so little water. But, finally, a decision was made. Anglers who want to fish what’s known as Section 3 of Spruce Creek near Franklinsville in Huntingdon County can do so year-round. They must release any fish they catch. And,...
Tips on choosing the right sleeping bag for your outdoors trip
The evidence is there, in every household, hiding in plain sight in the silverware drawer. Look at the butter knives. At least one will be slightly bent at the tip. And how did it get that way? Because you or someone like you used it as a screwdriver. Hey, been...
Fishing Report: Pymatuning Reservoir yielding wide range
• Pymatuning Reservoir is developing into a bit of a hot spot, with fishermen reporting a variety of catches, including crappie, catfish, muskie and walleye. The walleye catches have been on the large side and can be found in about 15-20 feet of water. The crappie bite has been a...
Outdoors notices for July 14, 2019
Notices Outdoors RIFLE/TRAP LEAGUES There were 130 shooters who competed in the Twi-Night Trap League on Thursday, and eight managed perfect 25 straights. Connellsville finished in first place with a score of 195 targets. Hecla (192), East Huntingdon (188), Youngwood (186) and Ruffsdale (179) rounded out the scoring. Connellsville (77.5)...
Hiking safety key no matter how short the trip
It’s not who you think it is. Each year, park and forest rangers, volunteer firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other search-and-rescue personnel take to the woods to save people in dire straits. There’s never a shortage of them. Yet rarely are the rescued backwoods wanderers, exotic, high-adventure explorers who roamed...
Fishing report: Conemaugh River Lake yielding variety of catches
• Anglers are enjoying plenty of action at Conemaugh River Lake, bringing in an assortment of catches, including smallmouth bass, yellow perch, walleye and a handful of freshwater drum. Bass are the most popular catch, with fishermen reeling in solid numbers from the higher concrete walls bordering the lake. Some...
Outdoors extras: Must-have sunscreen and an easy-camp quiche
GEAR OF THE WEEK Gear name: Stay Put Company: Sawyer Gear type: Sunscreen Product description: I’ve turned my wife into a paddler. She doesn’t fish, but she loves taking her kayak to cruise rivers and lakes. Unfortunately for her, the same sun that makes me tan burns her relentlessly. So...
Fisheries surveys show the mighty Susquehanna fine for channel catfish
So you want to catch some fish, huh? Well, here’s a tip. Start by casting your line where the fish are. Pretty sage stuff there, I know. Confucius-esque, almost. But if you want to catch fish, you’ve got to know what waters the fish call home and in what sizes...
Outdoors extras: Making stew and setting up trail cameras
LURE OF THE WEEK Lure name: Butterfly Float’N Harness Company: Northland Fishing Tackle (www.northlandtackle.com/) Lure type: Crawler harness Sizes and colors: Available in two blade sizes, 7/8- and 1 3/8-inch, and 12 color combinations, including blue shiner, clown, electric perch, Wonderbread, pink lemonade and purple tiger. Target species: Walleyes and...
Senate Bill that would expand Sunday hunting faces obstacles
The battle is not over. Pennsylvania state Senators recently approved, by a 36-14 vote, an amended Senate Bill 147 that calls for allowing hunting on three Sundays each year. Supporters called it a victory, albeit a smaller one than they envisioned. But it remains far from a done deal. Questions...
