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Outdoors

Cumberland Gap park superintendent heads to W. Va.’s New River Gorge

GLEN JEAN, W.Va. (AP) — The superintendent of Cumberland Gap National Historical Park has been named to the same post at New River Gorge National Park and Preserve in West Virginia. Charles Sellars will also manage Gauley River National Recreation Area and Bluestone National Scenic River in southern West Virginia, New River Gorge announced. “His extensive experience in facilities management, preservation and working with park partners will guide him as the park continues to better serve visitors from West Virginia and across the country,” Gay Vietzke, National Park Service ...

Turkey group is sending museum’s collection to Mo.

EDGEFIELD, S.C. (AP) — The Winchester Museum in Edgefield has for decades celebrated the wild turkey and its preservation, but the collections there are soon to be packed up, shipped out and installed at the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. The ...

‘Forever chemicals’ in deer, fish challenge hunters, tourism

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — Wildlife agencies in the U.S. are finding elevated levels of a class of toxic chemicals in game animals such as deer — and that’s prompting health advisories in some places where hunting and fishing are ways of life and key pieces of the economy. Authorities have detected the high levels of PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, in deer in several states, including Michigan and Maine, where legions of hunters seek to bag a buck every fall. Sometimes called “forever chemicals” for their persistence in the environment, PFAS are industrial compounds ...

Sweppenhiser recognized with award from PFBC

​HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is pleased to recognize that Waterways Conservation Officer (WCO) Mark Sweppenhiser has been named 2021 Boating Law Enforcement Officer of the Year for Pennsylvania by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Sweppenhiser, a 22-year veteran of the PFBC, is assigned to Dauphin and Northumberland counties, a district that includes the Susquehanna River and lower Juniata River. During 2021, Sweppenhiser logged 538 hours of recreational boating law enforcement including 24 shifts aboard patrol ...

Outdoors calendar

Atkinson Mills Sportsmen’s Club • Meetings — held on the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. The club is located at 55 Sportsmen Club Lane, McVeytown; email atkinsonmillssportsmensclub@gmail.com; online at http://atkinsonmills-sportsmensclub.weebly.com. Blue Rock Sportsman Club • Club meetings— 2 p.m. on the fourth Sunday of each month on the gun range, and at 7 p.m. in January and February in the barn. To east end Blue Rock: From Milroy, follow signs to Reeds Gap State Park. Free camping available and kitchen is open during all events except trap ...

Three tips to help first-time hikers gear up for the trail

StatePoint Being new at anything can be intimidating. What’s great about hiking is that it’s free and open to all, no matter where you live or your level of experience. You also don’t need much gear or education to get started. Ready to find the nearest trail? Check out these three tips and hike your way to greater fitness, well-being and adventure. 1. Find Community The world of hiking gear, apparel and footwear is vast, which might be a bit confusing for those new to the outdoor experience. Look for brands that make things simple. For example, KEEN Footwear is on a mission ...