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Outdoors

Pa. aims to hook anglers young, spur interest

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Every year, Pennsylvania stocks its public waterways with millions of trout in the hopes that humans will follow. Judging from the numbers who turn out religiously for the opening day of trout season, the strategy is working. On opening day for the 2019 season, anglers were back — stalking brook, rainbow and brown trout, among other species. But the number of fishing licenses and trout/salmon permits being sold tells a different, more complicated story. Pennsylvania fishing license sales are down, and the state is trying to improve participation by focusing on ...

Make plans now to get in on the fun at Penn’s Cave

CENTRE HALL — Whether or not March comes in like a lion, the first weekend of the month is a sure sign that consistently warmer weather is on the way. That means fishing, spring gobbler hunting, camping and family picnics. With that in mind, there is no better time to register for the largest outdoors event of its kind — the Great American Outdoor Picnic. A family oriented conservation-based event, it is held on the grounds of Penn’s Cave and Wildlife Park in Centre Hall. This year’s fifth-annual picnic is Saturday, June 22, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Purchase of a $100 raffle ...

Fishing club hosts annual muskie school

WAUNAKEE, Wis. (AP) — The half-foot-long bait darted through the gin-clear water. The tip of the 9-foot rod bounced up and down, and eyes were transfixed as the bait made its way through the shallows. “This is what they’re eating. It’s about the same size as a bluegill on (lakes) Monona, Waubesa and Wingra,” said Leif Spilde, a seasoned muskie angler, as he pointed his rod tip down and focused on the bait. “My four or five biggest fish in Madison have been on this.” But despite Spilde’s skill and experience, there was zero chance of a monster fish magically ...

Scent elimination is good all year-round

On social media, I often see newer turkey hunters being hazed by the elders of the sport, suggesting they not forget to use their scent elimination spray and attractant sprays for turkeys. Anyone even slightly familiar with the sport knows that turkeys cannot smell and that this is bogus information, but there are some pros to putting effort into your scent control year round. I was once seated on a ridge top on a mid-morning hunt, and I’d already covered a lot of ground. It was a hot day and I had been sweating quite a bit. A turkey had gobbled and was headed my way when a few deer ...

Wild brook trout are among state’s best catches

I grew up spending time in the outdoors in and around the Juniata Valley. For as long as I can remember, I have memories of being on the mountain or along a stream. Those early experiences molded me into someone who greatly appreciates how beautiful, and yet delicate, our natural resources can be. Those two attributes are the best ways to describe one of my favorite creatures and its required habitat in Penn’s Woods. In my eyes, the wild brook trout that call Pennsylvania’s mountainous, cold-water streams home are truly a gift that must be protected so that future generations ...

Mentor change may be most important

HARRISBURG — Just the thought or mention of deer in Pennsylvania is guaranteed to get the juices of sportsmen flowing. So, as expected, the news coming out of January’s quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s board of game commissioners that a Saturday opener for the firearms deer season is in place got the most attention. On the back burner, however, was a matter that has finally been brought to a boil after simmering for far too long. At that same meeting the commission gave final approval to a measure that bridges the mentored youth and mentored adult hunting ...