Outdoors briefs - 1/14

Johnstown man honored by chapter

The Allegheny Plateau Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation honored Tom Hindman of Johnstown with its James Wilhelm Memorial Award, which recognizes habitat work, land acquisition, fundraising, legislation or public relations for wild turkeys.

Hindman has held several leadership roles in the Allegheny Plateau Chapter, which previously honored him with its Hall of Fame Frank Piper Hunting Safety awards.

He started a monthlong wildlife symposium at the Cambria County Community Arts Center in Westmont eight years ago. In 2005, he was instrumental in securing a grant from the National Wild Turkey Federation for Powell Stackhouse Park to include a turkey-hunting clinic among its nature programs, and helped produce an award-winning DVD to promote the clinic.

Some state parks open for late goose

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has said that most state parks will be open for the late resident Canada goose hunting season in January and February.

Hunters should contact park offices for more information.

The season begins Monday and ends Feb. 15, with a daily limit of five birds.

Meeting agendas posted on Web sites

Agendas for the Jan. 21-23 meeting of the state game commissioners and the Jan. 22-23 meeting of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission have been posted on the respective agency’s Web sites at www.pgc.state.pa.us and www.fish.state.pa.us.

The fish commission will consider several items, including land acquisition along Lake Erie tributaries to provide public steelhead fishing, proposals that would expand existing regulations regarding life-jacket use on certain small boats and a proposal to ban transporting live fish out of the Lake Erie drainage.

Sinnemahoning coyote hunt set for February

The second annual Sinnemahoning Sportsmen’s Association coyote hunt is scheduled for Feb. 16-18 in Cameron, Centre, Clearfield, Clinton, Potter, Tioga, Elk and McKean counties. All participants must register in advance to be eligible for prizes.

Registrations will be accepted by mail or from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Jan. 20 and 27 and Feb. 3 at the club.

Information: 546-2500, 263-4418, 546-2835 or www.sinnsports.com.

Portage rifle leagues to open their seasons

The Portage Junior Rifle Club will open its indoor .22 league at noon Jan. 20 at the Portage Revolver and Pistol Club. The league will shoot on Saturdays.

New members will be accepted until Jan. 27. The league is open to boys and girls 12 and older. New members are given an NRA basic rifle course, emphasizing safety and marksmanship. Shooting and safety equipment is provided.

The Portage Senior Rifle League will begin its winter indoor small-bore season at 7 p.m. Friday at the club’s indoor range. Instruction is available and new members are welcomed.

Information: Ned Moore, 736-3834.

Park facilities to be closed all summer

Because of unexpected construction delays, the beach and adjoining picnic area at Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County will be closed this year, and swimming and boat rentals will not be available this summer.

This area was closed last summer to build a $1.8 million improvement project, including a new restroom/beach house and concession building.