Outdoors briefs 6/8

The Tribune-Democrat

June 07, 2008 11:53 pm

— NRA shooting camp to be held at city club
FAIRFAX, Va. – The National Rifle Association will sponsor a Safety and Firearm Education Camp from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 28 at the Benshoff Hill Rod and Gun Club at 1260 Benshoff Hill Road in Johnstown.
Such camps provide a setting to introduce youngsters to shooting sports in a safe and educational environment. All necessary equipment is provided, including guns, ammunition, targets and eye/ear protection.
This camp will feature training in the safe handling of shotguns, rifles, muzzleloaders, and archery equipment under the supervision of experienced instructors.
Information: Brian Eichelberger at 535-3893 or ikenra@aol.com.
“These camps are the ideal way to safely discover the shooting sports,” Larry Quandahl, manager of NRA youth programs, said in an official announcement. “With several different types of camps to choose from, virtually every audience can be assured of finding something right for their interests.”
Area waters getting bonus trout stockings
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has begun stocking extra trout over and above the scheduled allocations in several area waterways.
“These are unallocated trout,” said Southwest Region manager Emil Svetahor. “I call them surplus. We’re cleaning out the hatchery raceways now, and these are what’s left.”
The first bonus stockings were made on Friday at the Youghiogheny River tailrace and the Stonycreek River near Shanksville. Benscreek and the North Branch of Blacklick Creek are to receive fish on Monday, followed by stockings at Kooser and Laurel Hill state parks on Thursday.
Game commissioners will meet June 23-24
Pennsylvania’s game commissioners are scheduled to meet June 23 and 24 at agency headquarters in Harrisburg.
The meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. each day. The board will hear public comments and staff reports on June 23, and will hold a formal session on June 24.
Minutes of the April 22 meeting have been posted on the agency Web site (www.pgc.state.pa.us). An agenda is to be posted before this month’s meeting.
Spraying completed on state game lands
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission officials have announced the scheduled gypsy moth spraying of 42,731 acres of state game lands, which began in late April, was completed on May 28.
The agency paid $1,349,993.58 out of its Growing Greener II funding to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which oversees the statewide cooperative spray program for gypsy moths, to spray portions of 38 different SGLs.
All spraying occurred in the northcentral (5,970 acres), southcentral (27,818 acres), northeast (1,116 acres) and southeast (7,827 acres) regions.
The northwest and southwest regions, which suffered little to no gypsy moth defoliation, were not sprayed.
Daisytown Sportsmen holding youth event
The Daisytown Sportsmen’s Club semi-annual fun shoot for youth will be held from noon to 5 p.m. today at the club grounds along Fulmer Road.
The event includes instruction and hands-on experience in shooting muzzleloaders, handguns, high-powered rifles, .22-caliber rifles indoors and trap.
There is no charge, and free hot dogs and drinks are available for youth.
Albino deer become legal in Michigan
LANSING, Mich. – Michigan wildlife officials are dropping a rule that bans hunting of albino deer, a move aimed at eliminating confusion over which animals are off limits.
It’s among the deer hunting changes approved Thursday by the state’s Natural Resources Commission.