Posts Tagged ‘hunting’

Think About Camping In Pennsylvania

March 8th, 2010

Yellowstone and Yosemite are some of the most renowned and most known by outdoor lovers. Camping in Pennsylvania is not as well known as these other places. Yet, for campers and outdoor lovers alike there are things you should know about the camping and state parks in Pennsylvania.

Most campers go out for the campsites in the spring and summer. Pennsylvania has three state parks that are open year round. These parks include Little Pine, Promised Land, and Ole Bull. Since this location is in the upper northeast, these parks get a taste of all the different seasons.

At one particular park Promised Land has a 422 acre lake, which fishing is a common pastime. During the winter season ice fishing is also a big hit among visitors. That is not the only attraction during the long winter months. There are hundreds of trails open for cross county skiing. Twenty three miles of trail is also open for snowmobiles. Along with the trailers and RV you can take to the campsite log cabins are available.

Seasonal parks in Pennsylvania have other attractions. Among these seasonal state parks are Parker Dam, Shawnee, Prince Gallitzin, Champan, Gifford Pinchot, Pine Grove Furnace and the large Pymatuning. Tourist and avid campers alike flock to Pymatining State Park. It is one of the most visited parks in Pennsylvania. This maybe due to is vast size of 21, 122 acres and its reservoir that is over 17, 000 acres. Both being some of the biggest Pennsylvania state parks have to offer.

Before any camper voyages to their campsite, they must know the rules and regulations. Pennsylvania parks have textbook rules. These are rules such as no unauthorized fires, this is a for obvious reasons. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the campsites or the state parks. This may be a bad thing for a few campers, though there are plenty of campsites outside of the state parks where having alcohol is legal. On the up side, the state parks allows pets on premise as long as it is a dog, cat or small caged animal.

Pennsylvania has populations of black bears and coyotes. This is state land that the elk are free to roam and graze about. An elk is much bigger then a deer. A typical male elk can reach a thousand pounds.

Hunting and game options offered on state parks if you have proper paperwork and its the right season. Game animals include grouse, whitetail deer, pheasant and wild turkey. Black bears and coyotes are native to the land. Be sure not to leave out any food around the campsites.

Hunting Requires An Early Start

March 7th, 2010

Many times hunters get up way before daylight in order to get where they want to be when the sun comes up. If you are hunting deer, and are going to hunt from a stand, then you need to be in there and settled a good hour before daylight. By that time any sound you made getting there will be forgotten in case you walked by any deer bedded down near your stand.

But many times, hunters can face other challenges long before they reach their tree stands. One of these challenges, is escaping from the house without waking anyone. Making a quiet exit can be a real trial. I have attempted this many times, only to trip over a dyson all floors vacuum that my mother left out, and dropping my gear all over the room. The noise was earth shattering.

Then I would have to collect myself and gather up what I had dropped, turn all the lights out again, and head toward the front door. Suddenly, the room would be echoing with the noise of my alvarez acoustic guitar being knocked over. My hunting vest brushed against it and sent it sailing to the floor.

I knew that the time I had to spend picking things up, was going to put me in my stand late. I finally had all my gear in hand, and managed to turn off the last light, and was headed toward my old truck. I glanced at my tattered leather watch and saw that I had some time to make up for on the road. I threw my stuff in the seat, fired it up, and barreled down the road at record speed.

I laid on the gas, and made up for lost time. I parked and began to get myself prepared for the trip into the woods and climbing into my tree stand. Hunters all have their little tricks for doing things, and I had a few of my own as well. Once loaded, I shined my flashlight onto the path and was on my way.

I saw that my timing was good, and any time I had lost was made up for. It was perfect. My mind began to go back to the house, and I could see myself tripping over the vacuum with everything flying across the room, and I began to smile. Then remembered that awful sound of the guitar hitting the floor, and I began to giggle out loud.

It was funny to think about how my early start probably made everybody else late. And about two to three hours after daylight, I thought something else was funny too. After all that aggravation, of getting up early, getting my gear ready, picking up things I knocked over, and making my way to this tree stand, I had not see the first deer, and only had a runny nose and frozen feet to show for my efforts.

The Pleasures Of Camping In Pennsylvania

January 21st, 2010

The next time you go camping in Pennsylvania (PA) there are some things you should consider. When you think of camping and the outdoors most think of Yosemite Yellowstone and large famous parks. Pennsylvania, though not on the top of the list has other attractions that you should be aware of.

Most campers go out for the campsites in the spring and summer. This is due to the seasonal campgrounds. Pennsylvania has three state parks that are year round ventures. These parks are Little Pine, Ole bull, and Promised Land. The cold might be a factor for some campers. The state is located in the upper northeast and winters see snowfall and cold temperatures. This can be remedy by the cabins available at the campsites.

At one particular park Promised Land has a 422 acre lake, which fishing is a common pastime. During the winter season ice fishing is also a big hit among visitors. That is not the only attraction during the long winter months. There are hundreds of trails open for cross county skiing. Twenty three miles of trail is also open for snowmobiles. Along with the trailers and RV you can take to the campsite log cabins are available.

Seasonal parks in Pennsylvania have other attractions. Among these seasonal state parks are Parker Dam, Shawnee, Prince Gallitzin, Champan, Gifford Pinchot, Pine Grove Furnace and the large Pymatuning. Tourist and avid campers alike flock to Pymatining State Park. It is one of the most visited parks in Pennsylvania. This maybe due to is vast size of 21, 122 acres and its reservoir that is over 17, 000 acres. Both being some of the biggest Pennsylvania state parks have to offer.

Before any camper voyages to their campsite, they must know the rules and regulations. Pennsylvania parks have textbook rules. You  can bring your pets a long as its dog, cat or a caged animal, that being a bird or something  of the sort. Of course, no fires outside of the fire rings and grills. There is one rule that  might make some campers go to a local private campsite. No alcoholic beverages are allowed at the campsites or the state parks. This may be a bad thing for a few campers, though there are plenty of campsites outside of the state parks where having alcohol is legal.

Pennsylvania has populations of black bears and coyotes. This is state land that the elk are free to roam and graze about. An elk is much bigger then a deer. A typical male elk can reach a thousand pounds.

If hunting isn’t on the menu, but observing wildlife is you can visit an elk range. Elk are larger then deer and males can weigh up to a thousand pounds. You can drop by one of the ranges near your campsite.