Extreme Raptor Weekend at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary

Nikon, Cabela's and Hawk Mountain Sanctuary are teaming up to present the first-ever Extreme Raptor Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 15 and 16.

This free weekend event is ideal for adventure enthusiasts and families alike and will feature live raptors, Nikon birding celebrity appearances, optics education and guided excursions from Cabela's Hamburg store to Hawk Mountain.

Leading the Raptor Project is Master Falconer Jonathan Wood, who is scheduled to give thee presentations per day that feature 15-20 raptors from diverse habitats and regions.

Many of the birds in the Raptor Project have permanent handicaps that prevent their reintroduction into the wild, ranging from small owls weighing just 3-4 ounces to majestic eagles with 6- to 8-foot wingspans.

Each morning, the first 50 youth age 12 and younger will receive a free Nikon binocular.

They will then be given the chance to use them as the Nikon Birding ProStaff will be leading several excursions at nearby Hawk Mountain, and Nikon will have dozens of loaner binoculars available for participants to use.

James Currie, host of Nikon's "Birding Adventures TV" will be onsite to meet fans and film the weekend's festivities.

Nikon Birding Market Specialist Mike Freiberg will give a presentation each day to educate audiences about the basics of optics and how to choose a binocular to fit their needs.

Richard Crossley, author of "The Crossley ID Guide," will give a presentation each day about his new book designed to improve one's ability to identify birds.

For additional information about Nikon's Raptor Weekend, visit on the Web at www.cabelas.com/hamburg.

**********

At this week's Pennsylvania Game Commission board of game commissioners quarterly meeting, PGC executive director Carl Roe reported that Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee not only wrecked havoc on thousands of Pennsylvanians, but that access to certain areas of State Game Lands and other hunting and trapping locations may require hunters and trappers to use alternative plans or routes to reach their intended destinations.

As an example, Luzerne County wildlife conservation officer Gerald Kapral reported that the recent storms caused a tremendous amount of damage to roadways and bridges, making many areas impassable. And while major roads will be on the priority list for repairs, many back roads and those in more remote areas could be closed for an extended period of time.

Roe also said that with archery deer season underway and the opening of small game season approaching, hunters and trappers should check access to their favorite spots as soon as possible to avoid any last minute surprises that could keep them away from areas they plan to be this fall and winter. He also said damages caused the agency to cancel public tours for State Game Lands 211 in Dauphin and Lebanon counties, SGL 57 in Luzerne and Wyoming counties and SGLs 12 and 36 in Bradford County.

"The cancellation of these tours should alter hunters and trappers who use these roads to access interior portions of State Game Lands to the fact that they may want to consider alternative access points," Roe said. "The bottom line is that scouting this year will need to include how you plan to get to where you're hunting or trapping."

**********

Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife conservation officer Gerald Kapral reports that bear complaints in portions of Luzerne County have not let up. He said that while traps have been set at many of the complaint sites, the bears are simply not going into them.

"Bears are either becoming trap shy, or just refuse to go in because of the abundance of natural food sources available right now," Kapral said. "People having bear problems should take steps to secure their garbage and remove any birdfeeders in the area because most of the time if you remove a bear's food source, they will move on."

**********

This week's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," hosted by award-winning Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz, Sunday, at 7 a.m. on 1410 WLSH and 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5, will feature Susquehanna River fishing guide Rod Bates.

**********

"Ruger Rimfire Series East Coast Championship" matches will be held Sunday, Oct. 9, at Ontelaunee Rod and Gun Club, New Tripoli. For information, call Fred Pickard at 570-657-7427 or email fzytree2@ptd.net

**********

A trap shoot will be held, Thursday, Oct. 13, beginning at 6 p.m., at Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg. For information, e-mail jafone@comcast.net.