Breaking News

Outdoors

There’s just something about the attraction of antlers

It’s the middle of the first week of deer season as I begin writing this week’s column, and so far, I’ve yet to fire a shot this season. I’m hoping to remedy that situation by the time these words are printed. I’m hopeful to find a nice buck but would also be willing to fill my doe tag and put some venison in the freezer. Although I’ve bagged my share of bucks during my hunting career, I have never been bitten by the trophy bug and the desire to hold out for a monster-racked deer. That would be little more than a pipe dream because where I usually hunt is not the kind of ...

The most wonderful time of the year

By Shirley Grenoble sports@altoonamirror.com So many things combine to make the day before deer season one of the most exciting times in a hunter’s calendar. Anticipation hones each of our senses sharply. Dreams of nothing less than 8 point bucks will dance through our dreams tonight, if indeed we get any sleep at all. For thousands the thrill is the long awaited trip to camp. Packing up, meeting your buddies, telling and retelling the hunting stories; the smell of Woolrich, gun oil, wood stoves, vegetable soup and boiled coffee. Rigging a meat pole, firing a couple of ...

Keystone State continuing to own world of deer hunting

Pennsylvania Game Commission HARRISBURG — It’s one thing to dream of winning the lottery. It’s another to base your entire financial future on the long odds of it actually happening. The wiser course is to seek out an investment offering reliable, consistent returns. Something ...

Bear season starts this weekend

The regular statewide bear season begins Saturday and continues through Tuesday, and includes Sunday. This four-day event continues to grow in popularity and now ranks second only to deer season in the number of hunters participating. Last year, 215,219 bear licenses were sold in Pennsylvania, just a few thousand fewer than the all-time sales record of 220,471 in 2020. That is just one reason why we are currently enjoying what could be considered the “Golden Age” of bear hunting in Pennsylvania. Another reason is several extra bear-hunting opportunities earlier in the fall. The ...

Misadventures on hunting trails

The two turkey seasons in 2022 have been the wackiest two seasons of my entire hunting life. It started with a surprise invitation to hunt with a person I have long admired. To avoid embarrassment, I will not disclose the name. It all began last spring with the phone call that yielded the invitation. I was giddy with elation to be asked. This person gave me instruction to this hunting place quite a few miles from Altoona. I have to admit that I was not delighted about having to drive to a location I have never been anywhere near before. My eyes did not want to tackle that drive in ...

’Tis the season for deer-vehicle collisions in our area

By Walt Young sports@altoonamirror.com According to a recent insurance industry report, Pennsylvania led the nation last year in animal-collision claims. Those unpleasant statistics also peg the odds of a Pennsylvania driver hitting a deer or other large animal at 1 in 58, also one of the highest rates in the country. Few drivers in our region probably must be reminded of the likelihood of deer being hazards on the highway. If you haven’t had the misfortune of actually hitting a deer, it’s highly likely that you’ve had at least a close call or two with a deer dashing across ...