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Outdoors

ATVs to boost Ozark tourism

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (AP) — Kris Muldoon knows his way around the Ozark National Forest as well as others know their own neighborhoods. Muldoon has been riding ATVs in the Ozarks back country since he was a kid. Now, as president of the Clarksville Johnson County Chamber of Commerce, he wants to share the joy of traveling the remote and rugged two-track routes with other off-road enthusiasts. “Every place has its own beach. Something that other people want to come and see. This is our beach,” Muldoon said to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , admiring a wilderness view ...

Shutdown doesn’t impact hatchery

MOUNTAIN HOME, Ark. (AP) — The partial government shutdown didn’t stop personnel at the Norfork National Fish Hatchery from taking care of the fish being raised at the hatchery for eventual release in the tailwaters below Arkansas dams. It’s not the first time personnel with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have worked through a government shutdown. If you were to ask people such as Jon Casey, project leader for the Norfork hatchery, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife spokesperson John Fleming about the politics of shutdowns, they’ll politely tell you they’d rather not speak on ...

Fish commission stresses safety when ice fishing

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission reminds winter anglers to keep safety in mind while enjoying ice fishing. “Ice fishing is a great, inexpensive way to get outdoors in the winter and can produce both large numbers of fish and larger individual fish,” said Andy ...

Southwestern Montana skaters seek ‘wild ice’ for gliding

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — The sharp scrape of steel on ice cut through a rare windless December morning at the Silos on Canyon Ferry Reservoir as a quartet of skaters moved briskly across the smooth frozen surface. A mild reflection grew across the ice as they approached, slowing to a stop near the shore before a few pushes on the skates sent them gliding once again, becoming only specks against the outline of Mount Baldy in the background. “It’s so graceful and the possibilities are endless,” said Dale Livezey from Helena, skating backward as he spoke. “When the ice is smooth ...

New TART Trails to be cultivated for walks, bikes

TRAVERSE CITY, Mich. (AP) — Two inches. It’s the magic number that gets Dave Fisher to start up his truck and rig up his plow to clear snow from several miles of the Traverse Area Recreational and Transportation Trails in Leelanau County. The 61-year-old retiree heads out day or night, weekday or weekend to keep the trails accessible for local walkers, runners and bicyclists. A new section, from Cherry Bend Road to the DeYoung Natural Area on the northern shore of Cedar Lake, joins his plowing docket this year as TART Trails expands foot traffic routes. “I try to stay on it ...

Northwoods Trails in Arkansas has strong opening

HOT SPRINGS, Ark. (AP) — About a month after its grand opening, the Northwoods Trails have seen constant activity that’s not expected to slow down anytime soon, according to the trail coordinator. Traci Berry, trail coordinator for the Northwoods, said the steady visitation prompted the need for increased parking to accommodate trail users. “We’ve had a lot of pretty weekends since we’ve been open,” she told The Sentinel-Record . “The weather has been super kind to us and you go down there to the trailhead and people are just parked everywhere. People waiting on a ...