Finally, after what seemed like a never-ending winter, combined with the restrictions imposed upon all of us because of the Covid-19 virus, spring has finally appeared – offering us warmer temperatures, more days with blue skies and so many opportunities to get out and about in the outdoors! The recent winter, with heavier than usual snows and occasional icing conditions was hard on all kinds of wildlife, and was none-too-pleasant for us humans as well.

Now, the white landscape has transitioned through brown to a luscious green, the hillsides are revealing early budding of trees and the daffodils are blooming everywhere. Soon the dogwoods will blossom, which to old time turkey hunters means that the spring gobbler season is reaching its prime time.

We are finally able to break free of the grip of winter, get outside and enjoy so many fresh air activities. The opening of Pennsylvania’s trout season on April 4 gave everyone the chance to hit the streams nearby and bring home a few trout for the dinner table. On Saturday, April 24, the statewide Youth Hunt for spring gobblers will be held and the statewide season will open on Saturday, May 1. Additionally, this is the time of year when wild leeks (sometimes called ramps) and wild spring mushrooms, such as the much-prized morels, begin to appear.

Whether you reside in this area or are merely visiting, we are twice blessed with all of the outdoor activities available for our enjoyment. Blessed initially with the enthusiasm of spending time enjoying Mother Nature’s Wonders and blessed with all of the outdoor opportunities that surround us here in Northcentral Pennsylvania.

The fishing opportunities in our nearby lakes, farm ponds, rivers, creeks and small feeder streams present a daily chance for any fisherman to enjoy sport fishing for a wide variety of fish in an amazing variety of locations. There is also the bonus of bringing home a number of freshly caught fish for the fry pan for the family to enjoy! Both walleye and crappie are local favorites to fish for and offer some of the best tasting fish for the dinner plate. And there is certainly something to be said for a couple of native brook trout frying in a dab of butter in a cast iron pan, then seasoned with a dash of salt and pepper and served up for lunch along a clear mountain brook. The Susquehanna River is famous for its bass fishing and can, on occasion and with a bit of luck, offer up a powerful musky to test any fisherman’s abilities.

When it comes to hunting, the chance to spend time in the Appalachian Mountains in pursuit of a wary old spring gobbler is something that hunters could only daydream about over the confining winter months. Now, in just over two weeks, our statewide season opens – on May 1. Time now can be well spent in doing some preseason scouting – learning just where the turkeys are roosting, traveling and feeding and perhaps becoming familiar with some new territories you might want to hunt this coming season.

If you are considering trying to locate new places to hunt, particularly if it might be on private property, don’t hesitate. Knock on a few doors now, not the opening day of the season, or even the day or two before the opener. Common courtesy is always appreciated by a landowner and seeking permission well ahead of the season will go a long way in gaining approval.

If neither fishing nor hunting is your passion, there is still an abundance of opportunities in our area to enjoy the great outdoors and get some fresh air and exercise along the way. Hiking, biking, canoeing, kayaking, rafting and camping opportunities are present in nearby state parks, trails and waterways. One of the most popular destinations is the Rails-to-Trails site along Pine Creek, offering great hiking, biking and wildlife observations – including the frequent sightings of bald eagles, and occasionally golden eagles. There are day and overnight excursions that can be taken on nearby waterways and can provide a unique way to see the beauty of the nearby Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

The weather has been increasingly more pleasant, spring flowers are blooming and trees are beginning to blossom, presenting the outdoor enthusiast the chance to get outside in the fresh air now that “spring is in the air!”