Jon Pries

The Roving Sportsman… 2018 Shooting Expo 0

Events, Outdoors
September 12, 2018

In their seventh year of presenting this event, National Sporting Goods of Jersey Shore, PA is proud to offer FREE admission and FREE parking for the 2018 Shooting Expo at the Consolidated Sportsman’s Association. It will be held on Saturday, September 22nd from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. There is no age limit to attend,

The Roving Sportsman… A Side Trip to the Netherlands 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
September 5, 2018

When Geoff Farmer invited me to join him and Sandy Greener in the United Kingdom for a couple of weeks of sporting clays shooting and traveling the countryside, he included a proposed sojourn to the Netherlands to shoot in a 4-day Grand Prix Competition. It all sounded great, and the trip to the Netherlands would

The Roving Sportsman… A Visit to Jolly Olde England 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
August 29, 2018

In the early 2000s, during the last several years of my career as a commercial pilot, I enjoyed flights to Europe, which included layovers in London and Manchester in the United Kingdom. Other flights out of Philadelphia resulted in layovers in Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, Madrid and Rome. They were all very interesting and provided the

Habitat Improvement: Food Plots 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
August 22, 2018

One of the most frequently used methods of creating a better habitat, usually in the form of a food source, is the establishment of a food plot, or perhaps, multiple food plots. The size, shape and location of any food plot are determined by topography, water sources and often the proximity of property boundaries. Consulting

Habitat Improvement: Bushes, Shrubs and Vines 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
August 15, 2018

Your Habitat Management Plan should include an inventory of current desirable and undesirable bushes, shrubs and vines on your property. Additionally, include a listing of those new bushes and vines you would like to add — including how and where you plan to plant them. CURRENT UNDESIRABLE PLANTS: Over the years, government agencies and well-intended

The Roving Sportsman… Habitat Improvement: Trees 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
August 8, 2018

Writer’s note: We have previously discussed developing a Management Plan for Habitat Improvement, and now we’ll look at specifics. This is the first of a 3-part series about Habitat Improvement, which will cover: Trees, Bushes, Shrubs and Vines, and Food Plots. EXISTING TREES: To begin with, we should have done a survey that identifies the

The Roving Sportsman… Groundhogs, Woodchucks, Whistle Pigs 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
August 1, 2018

Young groundhogs, like the young of any species, are cute. But they quickly grow out of their “cute” stage and before long are spreading their wings and traveling to new locations, where they will burrow holes as entryways to their dens. All too often, these holes are a problem — either in open fields or

The Roving Sportsman… Recruitment and Retention 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
July 25, 2018

What is your favorite pastime — hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, shooting, just sitting quietly while observing nature at work, or a combination of all of these? If you grew up in Lycoming County or the surrounding area, then, no doubt you have spent countless hours enjoying all of these activities and look forward to many

The Roving Sportsman… The Work is Done!0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
July 18, 2018

Several years ago, a landowner whom I have known for quite some time, approached me about helping him design and develop a food plot. He owns 120 acres, which included 50 acres of open fallow fields, and a wooded area of about 70 acres that stretched up a hillside and across a top, where it

The Roving Sportsman: Rattlers and Red Squirrels 0

Jon Pries

Outdoors
July 11, 2018

Having grown up in Lycoming County, and spent most of the years of my life roaming its hills and streams, it has been a natural progression to be an avid lover of nature and to enjoy the outdoor sporting opportunities that this wonderful area provides. Through the years, my respect and admiration of all the