Outdoors-related clubs and organizations can submit items to be considered for publication in “Outdoors Briefs” by emailing to outdoors@republicanherald.com.
Tamaqua Trout Derby set to begin May 2
A six-week trout derby sponsored by the Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with the Schuylkill Trout Stocking Association of Schuylkill Trout Unlimited, begins Saturday, May 2, and ends Friday, June 12. Participants must be pre-registered to be entered in the derby to be eligible to claim prizes from tagged fish.
Pre-registration forms are available at the Tamaqua Chamber of Commerce and Tom’s Auto and Marine, Tamaqua. Forms may printed by accessing the Schuylkill TU website at www.schuylkillcountytu.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/derby-app.pdf.
Registration will be held the opening day of the derby from 8 a.m. to noon adjacent to All American Jeep, Route 209, Tamaqua. Buttons for the Schuylkill Trout Unlimited stocking program and other chapter items will also be available.
This year’s grand prize is a fishing vacation at Caiger’s Resort, 1,000 Islands, Canada, and includes two days of guided fishing. Prize-winning tags must be redeemed at Tom’s Auto Body and Marine by noon June 14.
For information about the derby or SCTU, call (570) 668-5066 or (570) 668-1880.
Hawk Mtn. Sanctuary to host birding trip
Hawk Mountain Sanctuary is sponsoring a birding bus trip to Central Park in New York City on Thursday, May 7, departing at 6 a.m. from the Cabela’s Hamburg parking lot.
The trip includes a guided bird walk in the park and free time for lunch and shopping. For information and required pre-registration, call (610) 756-6961.
Mossy Oak staffer radio show guest
Mossy Oak pro staff member and turkey guide J.J. Kent is today’s guest of Republican-Herald/News-Item outdoors editor Doyle Dietz on “Experience The Outdoors,” 7-7:30 a.m. on WLSH 1410-AM, 9:30-10 a.m. on WMGH, Magic 105.5-FM, and on the Web at www.wmgh.com by clicking the “Experience The Outdoors” link.
Fishing events
Family Fun Fishing Event, Sunday, May 3, 8 a.m., Sweet Arrow Lake County Park, Pine Grove; for information, access the SAL website at www.sweetarrowlakepark.com or call (570) 739-2627.
Today’s events
Sporting clays, 9 a.m., Friedensburg Fish and Game, 169 Stone Mountain Road, Pine Grove; for information, call (484) 520-5904. “Peddler’s Grave,” 1-4 p.m., hikers meet at Miner’s Memorial, Girard Park, Shenandoah for carpool.
This week’s events
• Wednesday: Earth Day Bird Walk, 8 a.m., Blue Marsh Lake visitor center, Bernville; for information, contact Kathleen Grim at (610) 376-6337, ext. 6546. Roaring Creek Tract Hike, 10:30 a.m., Roaring Creek Watershed, Route 42, Aristes; for information and registration, call (570) 467-2506.
• Thursday: Control Tower Tour, 10 a.m., Blue Marsh Lake visitor center, Bernville; for information, contact Kathleen Grim at (610) 376-6337, ext. 6546. Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Advisory Board meeting, noon, Red Lion Café, Pine Grove; for information, call the Schuylkill Conservation District at (570) 622-3742. Trap, 6-9 p.m., Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg; for information, email grammyminch@gmail.com.
• Friday: Squirrel Run Nature Trail Walk, 9 a.m., Blue Marsh Lake State Hill Road boat launch, Bernville; for information, contact Kathleen Grim at (610) 376-6337, ext. 6546.
• Saturday: Bird Walk, 7:30 a.m., Locust Lake State Park, Barnesville; for information, call (570) 467-2506. Teen Trail Day, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., no charge for ages 13-17, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton; for required registration, call (610) 756-6961. Learn Your Trees Walk, 1-2:30 p.m., Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton; for information and pre-registration, call (610) 756-6961.
• Sunday, April 26: 3D, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., Seltzer Gun Club, 532 Seltzer Road; for information, contact Matt Balulis at (570) 640-1938. Muzzleloader shoot, 9 a.m., Susquehanna Sportsmen Association, Sportsmen Club Road, off Cherokee Road, Route 642 East, Danville; for information, contact Bruce Whitenight, days, at (570) 784-9380; Gary Ent, evenings, at (570) 759-0719; or Wayne Flora at (570) 275-4349.
— Compiled by Doyle Dietz