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Outdoor

Allegheny River Cleanup may turn from spring cleaning to summer

This year’s collective spring cleaning may turn into summer cleaning. The 16th annual Allegheny Reservoir Cleanup was scheduled for May 9. But, like so many other things, the cleanup has fallen victim to the COVID-19 pandemic. During a Friday conference call, organizers discussed their options for moving forward... or not. They decided to postpone, but not cancel the event. “We are hoping to reschedule sometime later this summer,” U.S. Forest Service Allegheny National Forest Aquatic Ecologist Nate Welker said. Even if all social distancing requirements and stay-at-home ...

COVID-19 not slowing forest recreation

It was one of those absolutely perfect early spring days with temperatures in the 60s, puffy clouds and rich blue sky that we have seen often this year. Jeri and I took a drive up Pleasant Drive and through the Allegheny National Forest to Endeavor, then up-river to Tidioute for take-out ...

Safety matters in upcoming spring gobbler seasons

The extension of cabin-fever brought on by the coronavirus blues has hunters across Pennsylvania looking forward to the start of spring turkey season. Hunting turkeys in Penn’s Woods will be different this year because of COVID-19, particularly during the youth spring turkey hunt on April 25. But Gov. Tom Wolf’s travel restrictions allow for turkey hunting as outdoor recreation. That clearance doesn’t relinquish our obligation to families, friends and all Pennsylvanians to follow the social-distancing and stop-the-spread protocols that are helping the Commonwealth reverse ...

Responsible recreation

When I was fresh out of college, I worked on a trail crew in Arizona. During that time, I spent 10 days working the most heavily-trafficked trail on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, the Bright Angel Trail. We walked the two-and-a-half to three miles down every morning and back up in the late ...

Trout season opens — 10 days early

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission has opened trout season just over 10 days early. “Effective 8 a.m. on Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, in consultation with the Office of the Governor, Pennsylvania Department of Health and Pennsylvania Department of ...

Passing it on through the Brent McKown Learn-to-Fish Program

Brent McKown enjoyed fishing. He also enjoyed introducing people to fishing. And, though he passed away in 2001, he is still introducing people to fishing. In his memory, McKown’s sons, Daryl and Derek, set up and continue to oversee the Brent McKown Learn-to-Fish Program. “My dad was a salesman for Osram Sylvania most of his life,” Derek McKown said. “But, if you asked him what he was, he would say a fisherman. His dad was the same way.” “He taught us how to fish on Farnsworth Creek,” McKown said. They’re passing that on. For the second time, the McKown ...