UBP to hold annual 5C bow hunt

The United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania will be hosting the Annual 5C Doe Hunt, September 26-29. This event is an excellent opportunity to experience the excitement of deer camp, spend time with fellow members and support the UBP’s long-standing partnerships with local farmers.

For three days only, UBP members have hunting access to private farmland in the 5C Wildlife Management Unit. These partnerships were formed to help local farmers manage deer populations that have caused significant crop damage.

We also have partnered with Pennsylvania’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest for those wanting to donate their deer. Archery black bear season is also open in 5C.

Base camp is Kutztown Campground, 1131 Saucony Road, Kutztown. Because of insurance regulations all participants must have a current UPB membership.

Participation fees for all three days are $25 for adults and $10 for youth. Meals are optional, priced at $7 for adults Friday and $21 for adults at the Saturday pig roast. There is no charge either night for youth age 11 and younger,

Camping fees vary by site and are set by the campground. When arriving Wednesday hunters will be assigned property that best fits the size of your group and hunting style from the ground or tree stand,

All hunters are required to use fall restraints/safety harnesses, and each assigned hunter will receive a property map, parking permit and any special instructions. A refrigerated trailer will be available on-site for harvested deer, and hunters may keep their deer or donate it to the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program.

Beginning August 24, in the fourth round of antlerless sales, hunters may purchase up to nine antlerless licenses in WMU 5C. As of Saturday more than 60,000 were still available and these are in addition to the personal limit allowed in other WMUs.

Here is the camp schedule: Wednesday, set-up and preparation; Thursday, hunt; Friday, hunt until 7 p.m. dinner; Saturday, hunt until 7 p.m. pig roast; Sunday, break camp.

Josh Shamonsky is ETO guest

Josh Shamonsky of Shakey’s Gun Shop, Orwigsburg, is the guest of Republican Herald outdoors editor Doyle Dietz on the Sunday, Aug. 16, 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.

Education

Autumn Weekend Programs: Free weekend programs Saturdays and Sundays, plus Raptors Up Close, Labor Day; 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.

Hikes

“Magnificent Mahanoy Plane”: Sunday, Sept. 20, 2-3 p.m.; The world’s largest steam engine during the 1930’s was located just north of Frackville and hauled coal over steep Broad Mountain; Meets at Frackville Public Library, Lehigh Street; No Dogs; 2 miles, easy.

Shoots

Tune up for deer season 3-D shoot: Blue Ridge Rifles Muzzleloader Club, Saturday, Aug. 29, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., 30 targets, club grounds located off Route 183 South of Summit Station along Ridge Road, formally known as Coon Club Road; all types of archery tackle; for information call Larry Seaman at 570-640-8361.

This week’s events

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

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

-Compiled by Doyle Dietz