PGC holding SGL driving tours

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will again be hosting several wildlife habitat driving tours on state game lands for the public to enjoy from the comfort of their own vehicles this fall. All tours are free of charge, will be held rain or shine, and are only open to vehicles licensed for travel on public roads.

Driving tours will occur for the following SGLs:

Sunday, Oct. 11: State Game Lands 110, in Berks County, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This tour begins at the Mountain Road gate approximately 5 miles west of Hamburg Borough and ends at the state Route 183 gate, 4 miles north of Strausstown. State Game Lands 110 offers over 10,000 acres of wildlife habitat in Berks and Schuylkill counties. In addition to hunting opportunities, the historic Appalachian Trail runs through the game lands paralleling much of the driving tour. This forested ridge is an important corridor along the Kittatinny Ridge that tens of thousands of hawks use every fall to migrate south along their migration route. Game Commission personnel will be stationed along the tour route to provide site-specific information and answer questions.

Draw downs underway at two PFBC lakes

In advance of upcoming dam infrastructure improvement projects, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced draw downs are now underway at the following lakes in the Northeast Region:

Ford’s Lake (Pond), Lackawanna County: This 73-acre impoundment owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the PFBC for public fishing and boating will undergo a full drawdown.  The $3.1 million dollar rehabilitation project will include the reinforcement of the existing dam embankment and spillway with new concrete to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards.  Following the issuing of final permits, construction is anticipated to begin in spring 2027. Once construction begins, the project is expected to last approximately 1.5 years, with refill anticipated in fall 2028.

Rose Valley Lake, Lycoming County: This 389-acre impoundment owned by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and managed by the PFBC for public fishing and boating will undergo a full drawdown. The $5.9 million dollar rehabilitation project will include the construction of a new spillway and improvements to the existing dam embankment to meet Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection dam safety standards. Following the issuing of final permits, construction is anticipated to begin in summer 2027. Once construction begins, the project is expected to last approximately 1.5 years, with refill in spring 2029.

Craig Morgan is ETO guest

Craig Morgan will talk about his African safari as the guest of Republican Herald outdoors editor Doyle Dietz on the Sunday, Sept. 20, edition of “Experience The Outdoors,” winner of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association and Mason-Dixon Outdoor Writers Association awards for best outdoors radio program. Air times are: 7-7:30 a.m., AM 1410 WLSH; 8-8:30 a.m., Sunny 1100 WGPA; 9-9:30 a.m., Magic 105.5-FM.; and downloaded on wmgh.com.

Hikes

“Fall Forest Bathing”: Thursday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to noon, a relaxing and mindful walk enjoying the fall foliage of Valley View Park; meets in the parking lot near pavilion; well-mannered children and dogs are welcome. For 1-2 mile easy hike.

“Swatara Forge”: Sunday, Oct. 18, 2-4 p.m. This mid-19th century forge is the last of its kind in our area; you will also see the ironmaster’s mansion and an old cabin made entirely from the American Chestnut; meets in the carpool parking lot of Interstate 81 and Route 443; 3 miles, moderate.

Education

Autumn Weekend Programs: Free weekend programs Saturdays and Sundays, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary.

Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Course: All first-time hunters, age 12 and older, is available online and for future schedules and registration for in-person classes go to www.pgc.pa.gov.

This week’s events

Daily: Autumn Migration Hawkwatch, Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, through December 15, trail fee for non-members.

Thursday: Trap, youth, 5-6 p.m.; adult, 6-9 p.m. Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg; email grsmmyminch@gmail.com for information.

-Compiled by Doyle Dietz