Outdoors category, Page 27
State: Chronic wasting disease appears to be spreading
State game authorities have identified three more deer in Somerset County that have tested positive for chronic wasting disease, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. The white-tailed deer, which had been killed after being struck by cars, were tested after being picked up by the state’s roadkill contractor, the Somerset...
‘Hike to Hunt Challenge’ offered by Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
Every hunter, man or woman, who ever has stopped halfway up a hill, gasping for air, drenched in sweat, pulse racing, attached to a rope with a dead deer at the other end, has said it. I’ve got to get in shape before next season. Well, here’s your chance. Backcountry...
Kayak catfishing grows in popularity
Justin Johnson never goes fishing intending to develop a hernia. But it’s not out of the realm of possibility. Blame it on a change of heart and a change in equipment that followed. Johnson, an East Tennessee native, was a bass fisherman. Then, one day in a tackle shop, he...
Release of chronic wasting disease plan delayed; outreach continues
It’s all about speed when it comes to controlling chronic wasting disease. And yet, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is delaying release of its disease management plan. That’s by design, said Bryan Burhans, executive director of the agency. The new plan was due this month, but he didn’t feel like it...
Outdoors extras, including a blueberry recipe
Gear of the week Gear name: Select S1 Company: Sawyer (everybodyshops.com/sawyer-select-s1-filter-system.html) Gear type: Water filter Product description: Staying properly hydrated is hugely important in the backcountry or even when just out on a day hike in a local park or forest. So it’s critical to be able to make whatever...
Outdoors notices for June 16, 2019
Notices Outdoors RIFLE/TRAP LEAGUES There were 152 shooters who competed in the Twi-Night Trap League on Thursday, and six managed perfect 25 straights. Connellsville finished in first place with a score of 195 targets. East Huntingdon (186), Youngwood (185), Ruffsdale (183) and Hecla (180) rounded out the scoring. Connellsville (64)...
Pennsylvania hunting licenses go on sale starting Monday
Pennsylvania hunting licenses for the 2019-20 season go on sale starting Monday, according to the state game commission. Beginning June 17, hunters can buy most licenses online, which will take up to 10 business days to arrive by mail. Licenses also can be purchased in person. Here is a link...
Latrobe woman launches ladies’ fishing gear line
Kim Ranalla is bringing a feminine piece to the fishing gear market — and is hopeful it will help women feel comfortable in their own bodies. Ranalla, 48, of Latrobe runs Miss Mayfly, a local fishing gear company that mainly sells waders specifically designed to fit women’s bodies. “When (women)...
Fishing report: Walleye, catfish, trout biting in Youghiogheny
• The Youghiogheny River is yielding catches of walleye, channel catfish, smallmouth bass and trout to fishermen that are trolling its waters in the past few days. The bulk of the smallmouth bass and trout are being caught closer to Ohiopyle, and the walleye and catfish are toward the Layton...
Outdoors notices for June 9, 2019
Notices Outdoors RIFLE/TRAP LEAGUES • There were 174 shooters who competed in the Twi-Night Trap League on May 30, and 10 shooters with 25 straights, including four members of the Connellsville High School trap team. Connellsville finished in first place with a score of 199 targets. Hecla (194), Ruffsdale (190),...
Fishing report: Lake Arthur offering hybrid striped bass
• Despite the heavy rain last week, anglers at Lake Arthur are seeing a good deal of hybrid striped bass populating the deeper water. Meanwhile, in the shallow areas of the lake, the crappie are hitting well on nightcrawlers. Anglers also are using jigs and tube jigs in their setup...
Avoid strainers to stay safe, alive this boating season
Don’t become spaghetti. When I and some others used to teach boating safety to our troop of Scouts, and talk turned to hazards on the water, we offered that as one piece of advice. The initial look we got was usually one of confusion. But we explained it like this....
Outdoor extras, including a Plan B for camp cooking
Lure of the week Lure name: Water Dragon Company: Culprit Lures (culprit.com) Lure type: Soft plastic lizard Sizes and colors: Available a 7-inch model in 12 colors, including Bama bug, black neon, swamp juice, green pumpkin, watermelon red and sapphire blue. Target species: Largemouth and smallmouth bass. Technique: There are...
Fun times camping sometimes born of chaos
There was giggling amid the chaos. That’s always a good sign. We had spent the morning hiking, the afternoon swimming and the first part of evening eating ice cream. We followed that with a dinner of simple but delicious pizza mountain pies. The next morning promised a guided striped bass...
Grant Woods offers advice on hunting mature bucks
It’s a different world deer hunters live in these days. That’s what Grant Woods believes, in at least one sense. Creator of GrowingDeerTV.com, Woods hunts all over the country. One change is evident everywhere he goes. “When I was a boy, growing up in Missouri, the only food plot was...
S City Outdoors hosting charity fishing tournament in Chartiers Park
Dan Krivanek’s passion for the outdoors has been a way for him to give back. A teacher with the Chartiers Valley School District, a few students took notice of fishing photos on his desk. The students asked if Krivanek would take them fishing and teach them about the outdoors. He...
Auditor general releases look at Game Commission finances
Lack of oversight is the biggest problem with how the Pennsylvania Game Commission handles its money. So says Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. His office audited the commission, looking at the years from July 2014 through June 2017. It released its report on May 30. The audit outlined 11 findings...
Appreciate slow-growing fish in all sizes
That 11-inch largemouth bass, the one you dismissively threw back into the water, labeling it a dink? Give it a little love. It has been through more than you think. Bass — and all fish, really, from bluegills to muskies — are slow growing. It takes them longer than some...
Outdoor extras, including a fried catfish recipe
Gear of the week Gear name: Nitro 1800 Company: Bushnell (bushnell.com) Gear type: Laser rangefinder Product description: The Nitro 1800 is a rangefinder meant for both hunting and competition. It will range nonreflective targets — such as deer and elk — out to 800 yards and reflective targets out to...
Outdoors notices for June 2, 2019
Notices Outdoors RIFLE/TRAP LEAGUES • There were 152 shooters who battled rain and wind in the Twi-Night Trap League on May 30. Connellsville finished in first place with a score of 196 targets. East Huntingdon (192), Hecla (191), Ruffsdale (188) and Youngwood (187) rounded out the scoring. Connellsville (54) leads...
Fishing report: Northern Pike biting at Yellow Creek Lake
• Yellow Creek Lake is a hot spot for northern pike, with anglers reporting some fairly large catches of late. According to reports, one fisherman reeled in a northern pike that measured over 35 inches this past week. At the lake, anglers are also doing well with panfish and catfish....
Outdoors notices for May 26, 2019
Notices Outdoors RIFLE/TRAP LEAGUES • There were 155 shooters who battled heavy winds in the Twi-Night Trap League on May 23. Connellsville finished in first place with a score of 186 targets. Hecla (182), East Huntingdon (181), Youngwood (180) and Ruffsdale (174) and rounded out the scoring. Connellsville (49) leads...
Great blue herons common, interesting birds
Imagine a prince, tall and angular, or a princess, long and curvy. Either with a rakish bit of long, flowing hair, dark, piercing eyes and a regal way of moving. They seem all grace and refinement. Royal, almost. And then … “SQUAAAAWK!” They open their mouth and the noise that...
‘Fish with a WCO’ events on tap around Pennsylvania
The weather might be — even should be — better this time around. Shoot, it can’t be much worse. Last September, Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission waterways conservation officers in the southwest corner of the state held their inaugural “Fish with a WCO” event for children. It took place at...
Outdoor extras, including a new premium vibrating jig
Lure of the Week Lure name: Thunder Cricket Company: Strike King (strikeking.com) Lure type: Vibrating jig Sizes and colors: Available four sizes — 3/8-, ½-, 5/8- and ¾-ounces — in 10 colors, including, black/blue, white/chartreuse, Falcon Lake craw, bluegill, bruiser and red/yellow/pink/green. Target species: Largemouth and smallmouth bass. Technique: Brand...
