Finally, after what seemed like a never-ending winter, 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 longer stretches of very cold, sometimes below-zero temperatures and occasional icing, was hard on all kinds of wildlife and none too pleasant for us humans either.

Now, the white landscape is about to transition from brown to a luscious green, the hillsides are revealing early buds on the trees, and the daffodils are about to bloom everywhere. Soon the dogwoods will blossom, which, to old-time turkey hunters, means the spring gobbler season is reaching its prime.

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 gives everyone the chance to hit the streams nearby and bring home a few trout for the dinner table. On Saturday, April 25, the statewide Youth Hunt for spring gobblers will be held, and the statewide season will open on Saturday, May 2. 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 so many 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 frying 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 skillet, 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 one month, our statewide season opens – on May 2. 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. A landowner always appreciates common courtesy, and seeking permission well in advance of the season will go a long way toward gaining approval.

If neither fishing nor hunting is your passion, there are still plenty 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 observation – including frequent sightings of bald eagles and, occasionally, golden eagles. Day and overnight excursions on nearby waterways can provide a unique way to see the beauty of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.

The weather has been increasingly more pleasant, spring flowers are beginning to bloom, and trees will soon be in blossom, presenting the outdoor enthusiast the chance to get outside in the fresh air now that “spring has finally sprung!”