Get Out Events, Hunting & Fishing Calendar

Hiking, winter activities, shoots, hunter safety courses, educational programs, volunteer opportunities and more ...

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Associated Press

Orienteering is qualified for Olympic status, but will probably never get in the Summer Games because it's hard to televise and not popular in the U.S. However, its popularity remains high in this country among Boy Scouts, the military, outdoor lovers and runners. Try your hand July 26 at Raccoon Creek State Park. See GETout spotlight, below.

HIKING

Second Sundays through September. Wetlands-Buckskin-Heritage Loop. Raccoon Creek State Park. Meets 7:45 a.m., 5.53 miles. Part of six-hike series through park. For directions to each trailhead go to friendsofraccoon.com or call 724-899-3611.

Wednesdays Audubon Society of Pennsylvania holds walks every Wednesday, 9 a.m. Call 412-963-6100.

July 20 Raccoon Creek State Park. Light-weight backpacking class, hikes Aug. 2 and Aug. 3. 724-899-3611.

July 23 Highland Park. Meets 6:30 p.m. at Entry Garden fountain. Led by Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy docents. 412-682-7275 or www.pittsburghparks.org.

GETout spotlight

Orienteering: July 26

Stow the GPS monitor and learn to find your way in the outdoors using a map and compass. Raccoon Creek State Park offers a fun orienteering class that includes reading topographical maps, orienting a compass, taking and following a bearing and completing a course in orienteering. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. $5. Registration required at 724-899-3611.

July 25 McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. Night Hike. No flashlights in short, interpretive, in-the-dark hike. 9-10:30 p.m. 724-376-1000.

July 26 Goddard State Park. Night hike 9-10:30 p.m. with instruction on nocturnal critters, night vision scope and animal tracking powder. 724-253-4833.

Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1 Fitness Hikes. Jennings Environmental Education Center, Slippery Rock. 6-7:30 p.m. 2 1/2-mile hike with fitness educator Melanie Sturrock. 724-794-6011.

BIKING

July 20 PTAG Festive Ride. Apollo, noon. 724-864-8668 and dono@geomemfq.com.

Aug. 17 Bike-a-thon/Cycle Splash. Raccoon Creek State Park. 4-Mile Family Fun Ride 11 a.m. start. 35-Mile Course 8:30 a.m. start. 100K 8 a.m. start. Swimming, games, prizes and a cancer Survivors Celebration Ceremony. 412-919-1100 ext. 1110 and dcatena@cancer.org.

SKATEBOARDING

July 25-26 Smalls Summer Xtravaganza, Mr. Smalls SkatePark, Millvale. July 25, preliminary qualifiers; July 26, skateboarding, freestyle BMX and inline contests. Pre-register at www.creativelifesupport.com, 412-821-8188. mrsmalls.com.

FISHING

Wednesdays Downtown TriAnglers instructional fishing, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. North Shore, Riverfront Park. $5.

July 26 Chester Newell Sportsmen's Club Ohio River Catfish Tournament. 7 p.m.-7 a.m. 304-387-3982.

Aug. 9 Big Bass Buddy Tournament, Cross Creek Lake. Registration at www.washingtonpabassmasters.com.

BOATING

Alternate Wednesdays through October. Free kayaking on Lake Elizabeth, Allegheny Commons, North Side. 5-7 p.m. 412-255-0564.

HUNTING

July 27 Tim Bradley shooting exhibition. Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Gun Club. 2 p.m. 800-660-5470.

SHOOTS

For a more complete listing of shoots, visit www.post-gazette.com/sports.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY RIFLE CLUB Saturdays and Sundays: ATA registered trap, 10 a.m. Call 412-821-9828.

CANONSBURG SPORTSMEN ASSOC. 3-D archery July 26-27, Aug. 23-24, Sept. 20-21. Registration 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m., 724-255-8450. Aug. 2 youth field day for kids 9-15, 724-745-7654. Trap open to public and members Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and third Sundays, noon. 724-745-4507.

CLAYBUSTERS Sundays: Sporting clays, five stand, skeet and trap, 9 a.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. Call 814-437-3252 or 814-437-3428.

CROWFOOT ROD & GUN Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays: Public trap practice, 7 p.m. Call 724-327-9315 or 724-327-0592.

DORMONT-MT. LEBANON SPORTSMEN July 27, Springfield; Aug. 2-3 registered prone; Sept. 16 Garand Memorial. First and third Sundays: 5-stand 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Third Sundays: Civilian Marksmanship Program 9:30 sign-up, 11 a.m. Mondays: outdoor pistol, NMC, MPRL 6 p.m. Tuesdays: trap 7-10 p.m. 412-531-5043, www.mdi.net/dml.

EAST MONONGAHELA SPORTSMEN 3-D archery shoots July 27, August 10, August 31, Sept. 7, Sept 21. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. CMP Garand-Springfield Match, July 26, Aug. 23, Sept. 6, Sept. 27, Oct. 4. Outdoor air pistol third Sundays, 1 p.m. 412-384-4747, www.dp.net/~emsc.

FALCON ARCHERS 3-D shoots August 10 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Dick Zorn Bowhunter 3-D shoots Sept. 13 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Sept. 14 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Kitchen open for all shoots. 724-746-2880, falconarchers.hypermart.net.

LIBRARY SPORTSMEN ASSOCIATION Thursdays: Trap, skeet, 6 p.m. 412-835-9812, www.librarysa.com.

LONG BRANCH SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Indoor NRA 50-foot small bore pistol league, 7 p.m. 724-925-2919, 724-333-4408, www.bloomautomatic.com/lbsc

McKEESPORT SPORTSMEN Skeet practice, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. Cast bullet matches next to last Saturdays, 9 a.m., three classes, public welcome. 412-271-2144, 412- 824-7566.

MILLVALE SPORTSMEN'S CLUB Tuesdays: Skeet, 5 p.m. Wednesdays: Evening leagues, practice, 6 p.m. Saturdays: Registered targets, 9 a.m. 724-935-9963, www.millvalesportsmens.org.

NEMACOLIN WOODLANDS Aug. 8 Washington Hospital Foundation Sporting Clay Shoot. 100-target event limited to one flight of 160 participants. 15 stations, shooters of all skill levels. Register by Aug. 1 at Deadline for registration is Aug. 1. Call 724-223-3722, jmercer@washingtonhospital.org.

NORTH BUFFALO SPORTSMAN'S Second Sundays: Action pistol, rifle. Third Sundays: Hunters trail shoot. Last Saturdays and Sundays: 3-D archery. 724-353-2444, 724-664-0513.

NORTH SIDE SPORTSMEN Wednesdays: Skeet, 6 p.m. Trap, 6 p.m. Sundays: Trap, skeet, 11 a.m. 724-935-9884, www.nssa.ws.

PITCAIRN-MONROEVILLE SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Trap, practical pistol practice, 6 p.m. Saturdays: Trap practice, 10 a.m. Sundays: trap practice, 1 p.m. 412-824-3790, www.pmsconline.com.

POSSUM HOLLOW SPORTSMEN 3-D outdoor archery shoots Aug. 9-10, Sept. 13-14. 8 a.m.-2 p.m. 724-651-8045, www.possumhollowsportsmansclub.com.

RICHLAND SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Archery. Alternate Mondays: Junior rifle. 412-486-2873.

ROSTRAVER SPORTSMEN Practice trap, pistol and 3-D archery. 724-872-4399.

RUFFSDALE GUN Sundays: Trap practice, noon. Saturdays, 10 a.m.

SALTSBURG SPORTSMEN Paintball shoot second and fourth Sundays, 9:30 a.m. 724-845-6936.

SHANER SPORTSMEN Fridays: Trap. 724-494-6834, 412-417-3744.

SINNAMAHONING SPORTSMEN Paint ball shoot second and fourth Sundays, 9:30 a.m. 724-845-6936.SUTERSVILLE SPORTSMEN Trap practice: Mondays, 6 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m. 412-872-0989.

TARENTUM SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Skeet practice, 5:30 p.m. 724- 353-1216.

TRAFFORD SPORTSMEN Indoor pistol: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 p.m. Trap: Wednesdays 10 a.m.; Fridays 6 p.m. Tuesdays: Archery practice, evenings; Bowling pin shoot: First and third Sundays, 10:30 a.m. 412-372-3820.

YOUNGWOOD Trap: Sunday 10 a.m., Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

HUNTER-TRAPPER SAFETY

Allegheny County

July 26-27 McKeesport Sportsmen's Association. July 26, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; July 27, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Pre-registration required. Class limit 80. Call if special needs are required. 412-829-1966.

Aug. 1-2 Ross Township Recreation Center. Aug 1, 6-10 p.m.; Aug. 2, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Registration required. Class limit 100. 412-635-0661.

Aug. 2-3 Springdale Sportsmen's Association. Aug. 2, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Aug. 3, 8 a.m.- 3 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 50. 724-335-7171.

Aug. 8-9 Clairton Sportsmen's Club. Aug. 8, 7-9 p.m.; Aug. 9, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Registration required. Class limit 80. 412-233-4411.

Armstrong County

July 25-26 Pine Creek Sportsmen's Club. July 25, 5-9 p.m. July 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration required, lunch provided. Class limit 50. 724-868-2723.

Aug. 8-9 Armstrong County Hunting & Fishing Club. Aug. 8, 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 9, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration required. Class limit 50. 724-543-4920.

Aug. 23-24 Apollo-Spring Church Sportsmen. Aug. 23-24, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Lunch provided. Class limit 150. 724-478-1248.

Beaver County

Aug. 22-23 Pine Run Sportsmen's Club. Aug. 22, 5-9 p.m.; Aug. 23, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 50. 724-774-4642.

Aug. 25-27 Ambridge Sportsmen's Club. Aug. 25-26-27, 5:30-9:30 p.m. Registration required. Class limit 50. 724-869-9749.

Indiana County

July 24-26 Dilltown Sportsmen's Club. July 24, 6-9 p.m.; July 25, 6-9 p.m.; July 26, 8 a.m.- 4 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 45. 724-459-5468.

Somerset County

July 22, 24, 26 Turkeyfoot Fish & Game Club. July 22, 6:30-9 p.m.; July 24, 6:30-9 p.m.; July 26, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 40. 814-395-0436.

Aug. 12, Aug. 14, Aug. 16 Maple Leaf Rod & Gun Club. Aug. 12 and 14, 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 16, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Registration required, lunch provided. 814-926-2465.

Washington County

Aug. 8-9 Gander Mountain. Aug. 8, 5-9 p.m.; Aug. 9, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration required. Class limit 75. 724-229-9800.

Aug. 8-9 Elrama Sportsmen's Club. Aug. 8, 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 9, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 40. 724-258-5431.

Westmoreland County

July 25, 26, 27 Kingston Vets & Sportsmen's Club. July 25, 6-9 p.m.; July 26, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; July 27, 1-4 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 55. 724-539-6689.

July 26-27 Crowfoot Rod & Gun Club. July 26, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.; July 27, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Registration required. Class limit 50. 724-327-7953.

Aug. 1-2 Gander Mountain. Aug. 1, 6-9 p.m.; Aug. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration required. Lunch $5. Class limit 40. 724-834-2400.

Aug. 8-9 Police Rod & Gun Club. Aug. 8, 6-10 p.m.; Aug. 9, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 80. 724-838-9754.

Aug. 8-9 Youngwood Sportsmen's Club. Aug. 8, 6-10 p.m.; Aug. 9, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Registration required. Lunch provided. Class limit 40. 724-836-9903.

CABLE RESTRAINT COURSE

Aug. 7 Indiana County Beagle Club. 4-9 p.m. Registration required, class limit 15, $15. 724-463-0651.

EDUCATIONAL

July 20 McConnells Mill State Park. Search for edible plants. Meets 3 p.m. at Kildoo picnic area. 724-368-9320.

July 21-24 Learn to Water Ski Clinic for People with Disabilities. Conneaut Lake. At Iroquois Boating and Fishing Club (10733 Konneyaut Trail) on Conneaut Lake's east side. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. 412-848-8896 and www.traspa.org.

July 26 Orienteering. Raccoon Creek State Park, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Reading topographical maps, orienting a compass, taking and following a bearing. $5. Registration required, 724-899-3611.

July 27 Butterflies. Raccoon Creek State Park, 2-6 p.m. Naturalist and wildlife photographer Jeff Zablow highlights his research and photography at Raccoon Creek State Park. 724-899-3611.

VOLUNTEER

Second Saturdays PTAG mountain bike trail work, Frick Park, Squirrel Hill. Details seth314@gmail.com.

July 20 Pleasant Valley Park, Murrysville. Meets at parking lot 8:45 a.m. www.pvpark.org/maps.htm.

July 26 Laurel Mountain. Meets 10 a.m. at warming hut on Laurel Summit Road. 724-238-1200, ecallahan@state.pa.us.

Aug. 3 PTAG mountain bike trail work, Boyce Park. Details seth314@gmail.com.

First published on July 20, 2008 at 12:00 am