Late-season opportunities

Many outdoor enthusiasts have put away their gear until springtime. However, outdoor opportunities abound for those who are willing to venture afield this time of year.

Small game season for squirrels, grouse, pheasants, and rabbits reopens the day after Christmas and runs for over a month. Squirrel, pheasant, and rabbit hunting runs through Feb. 9, while grouse hunting ends on Jan. 26.

Normal bag limits apply. Six squirrels may be taken daily, two grouse, two pheasants, and four rabbits.

Maybe this past deer season you knew that if you just had one more day of hunting you could have outwitted that big old buck. Why not purchase a flintlock to pursue deer during the start of the New Year?

Good used flintlocks are relatively inexpensive. With a small investment and the purchase of a flintlock license, you may just get another crack at a buck. If not, at least you'll have a chance to tromp around in a beautiful winter landscape and, as a bonus, burn off a few of those extra Christmas calories.

Flintlock season runs from Dec. 26 until Jan. 12. Archery hunters who dare to brave the cold can also hunt. The late archery season runs concurrent with the flintlock season.

Any unused doe tags can be used or, if a muzzleloader hunter has not yet taken a buck, the general hunting license is good for either an antlered or antlerless deer during the late season.

Coyote hunting is another winter sport that is often overlooked by hunters. Since coyote hunting is open year- 'round and there are no bag limits, the opportunities to hunt Pennsylvania's most wily predator are limitless.

Coyotes may be hunted at night with the aid of portable lights. Electronic calling devices may also be used.

Numerous fishing opportunities are also available for those who are willing to brave the cold. Surprisingly, despite cold temperatures, fish are often feeding quite actively this time of year. All that is often needed is an extra layer of cloths and a spirit of adventure.

Currently all stocked trout waters are open for fishing with a reduced creel limit of three through the end of February. Many of these streams still have fishable numbers of holdover or wild trout residing in them during winter months, and a few actually receive autumn and winter stockings.

Special regulation trout waters are also often very productive when the fish are biting. These delayed harvest, catch and release, and trophy trout waters have higher densities of trout, since catch and release fishing is mandatory all or most of the time.

Other trout fishing hot spots (or other fish species for that matter) are below the outflow of reservoirs where warmer water is being drawn from the lower levels of the reservoir. These areas often have little or no ice on the surface and fish are a little more active, thanks to a couple degrees' difference in temperature over surrounding undammed streams.

Many local waters present excellent winter fishing opportunities for panfish, pickerel, pike, and walleye. Check with local bait shops to see what is being caught and what anglers are using for their success.

Many of the lakes, ponds, and reservoirs in this region provide fantastic ice fishing. If you are a novice, ask around and find a veteran who is willing to take you under his wing. Ice fishing equipment usually isn't too costly, either.

Add to these opportunities trapping, hiking, cross country skiing, and anything else that gets you out into the woods, and there is no excuse for coming down with a case of cabin fever this winter.

Make a resolution to try something new this January and get outside and enjoy the great outdoors of northcentral Pennsylvania.