Watersheds summit spotlights conservation efforts
The annual watersheds summit, organized by the Susquehanna Chapter of Trout Unlimited, will be held at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the First Presbyterian Church of Williamsport's fellowship hall, rear of 102 E. Third St. at Mulberry Street. It is open to the public.
The summit spotlights the volunteer efforts accomplished by local watershed groups during 2012 and upcoming plans for 2013.
Representatives of area watershed associations and conservation organizations will share how they work to preserve and enhance area streams and watersheds. Each year, the groups have carried out important projects, including improving stream habitat, stabilizing stream banks, monitoring water quality and educating land owners and the public about watershed issues.
Attendees also can learn about volunteer opportunities.
See free screening of Aldo Leopold documentary
The Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy will hold two free screenings of "Green Fire," a full-length, documentary about legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold, in January. They will be held:
Jan. 15 in the Community Arts Center, in partnership with Pennsylvania College of Technology and Lycoming College's Cleanwater Institute; and
Jan. 16 in The Victoria Theatre, Blossburg, in partnership with the Tioga County Countryside Council.
Doors for both showings open at 6:30 p.m., with the film starting at 7.
Although probably best known as the author of the conservation classic "A Sand County Almanac," Leopold also is renowned for his work as an educator, philosopher, forester, ecologist and wilderness advocate.
"Green Fire" portrays how Leopold's vision of a community that cares about both people and land - his call for a land ethic - ties together a wide range of modern conservation concerns and offers inspiration and insight for the future.
The screenings are made possible by the conservancy, Penn State's Center for Private Forests, Larson Design Group, and Andrew Harris, of the Comprehensive Financial Group. For more information, call the Northcentral Pennsylvania Conservancy at 323-6222.
Hunter sponsors fundraiser for Wounded Warriors
MUNCY - Local outdoorsman Barry Sones will raise money for the PA Wounded Warriors organization with a game meal and slideshow of his archery hunts in Africa for elephant and cape buffalo and in Alaska for caribou. The event will be held 1 and 4 p.m. Jan. 26 at Moreland Community Church, 1300 Church Drive.
A new Hoyt bow package, carvings made by Muncy-area artist Steven Shaner and other items will be offered in a silent auction.
Reservations are required and may be made by calling Sones at 419-4749.
Game commissioners schedule January meeting
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's board of game commissioners will hold a quarterly meeting Jan. 27-29 in its headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81 in Dauphin County.
A copy of the agenda for the upcoming meeting will be posted online at www.pgc.state.pa.us in mid-January.
At 1 p.m. Jan. 27, the board will hear public recommendations for 2013-14 hunting and furtaking seasons and bag limits. Doors open at noon. Individuals interested in offering public testimony, limited to five minutes, may register at noon.
At 8:30 a.m. Jan. 28, the board will gather public comments and hear Game Commission staff reports. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Registration for those interested in offering public testimony will begin at that time.
At the same time on Jan. 29, the Game Commission board will take up its prepared agenda to give preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2013-14 and establish other meeting dates for the coming year, among other things.
Antlerless deer license allocations for the 2013-14 seasons will be presented for the board to consider at its meeting in April. Harvest results from the 2012-13 deer seasons will be announced in mid-March.
Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show nears
HARRISBURG - The 58th Eastern Sports & Outdoor Show, featuring hundreds of new exhibitors, features and celebrities, will be held Feb. 2-10 at the State Farm Show Complex.
More than 200 new exhibitors showcasing guns, archery, fishing and boating, along with many new products, show specials and a new Tactical Gun and Accessories Section highlight this year's event. In addition, the show has made it easier to navigate the floor with color-coded halls, an online pre-show mapping program, and an easy-to-use mobile app.
Returning by popular demand will be the "Sportsman's Shop Gun Alley" featuring more gun manufacturers, gun representatives and gun retailers than ever before.
For information, visit www.easternsportshow.com.
Sportsman's Show & Flea Market planned
LEESPORT - The Sportsman's Show & Flea Market returns to the Leesport Farmers Market, 312 Gernants Church Road, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Feb. 9.
Admission is $8 from 8 to 9 a.m. and $4 after 9. Children are free.
For more information, visit www.ralphsfishing.com.
Club plans coyote hunt
SINNEMAHONING - The eighth annual Sinnemahoning Sportsmen's Association's Coyote Hunt will be held Feb. 15-17.
The hunting area is throughout the states of Pennsylvania, New York, Maryland, Ohio and West Virginia.
Trapping is not allowed, but calls and dogs may be used.
A registration fee applies and all hunters must be members of the association. Membership dues may be paid upon registration.
Hunters must register prior to Feb. 15. On-site registrations will be accepted at club grounds, 15 Club Road, on Jan. 12, 19 and 26 and Feb. 2, 9 and 14.
Registration also may be done by mail, but envelopes must be postmarked by 11:59 p.m. Feb. 2.
For an application, call 814-263-4418 or 570-923-2188 weekdays, 814-546-2835 weekends, visit www.sinnemahoning-sportsmen.org or write to SSA, 15 Club Road, P.O. Box 102, Snnemahoning, PA 15861-0102.
Official weigh-ins will be done at the club at the following times:
3-7 p.m. Feb. 15 and 16
Prizes will be awarded after weigh-ins.
Hats and shirts commemmorating the coyote hunt will be available for purchase at the club.
Outdoor events sought
Do you have a meeting or outdoor event you'd like to publicize in the Sun-Gazette?
Announcements must be submitted at least three weeks prior to the date of the event, preferably earlier.
Information and news releases may be:
Mailed to Outdoor editor, Williamsport Sun-Gazette, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport PA 17701
Emailed to outdoors@sungazette.com
Dropped off at the Sun-Gazette office, 252 W. Fourth St., Williamsport
Submitted through the Outdoor section of the Virtual Newsroom on the paper's website, www.sungazette.com.
All submissions must contain the name, telephone number and, if available, email address of a contact person.
Photographs by area residents of trophy fish or game animals or other interesting outdoor occurrences also will be considered. Digital photos may be sent by email.
Hard-copy glossy prints, negatives or slides may be dropped off or mailed. Polaroid prints typically cannot be reprinted in the newspaper.
Only photos sent with a stamped, self-addressed envelope will be returned.
Announcements published in the "Outdoor Briefs" section will print in chronological order as space permits.
The Outdoors section is published weekly on Sundays, but it goes to print early on Wednesday mornings.
Therefore, all information for publication on any given Sunday must be submitted by noon on the Monday prior.
For more help, call 326-1551, ext. 3116.
