Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Allegheny National Forest opens some Laurel Mill Trails for use

Warren, Pa. — The U.S. Forest Service has a new forest order allowing the use of bicycles on select Laurel Mill Area Trails in the Marienville Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest.

The new order allows the use of bicycles on Laurel Mill Area Trails north of Township Road 307, also known as Spring Creek Road. The trails south of Township Road 307 will remain closed to bicycle use. The use of e-bikes is prohibited on all non-motorized trails in the Allegheny National Forest, except for Jakes Rocks Mountain Biking System.

Located four miles southwest of Ridgway, the Laurel Mill Area Trails is a system of interconnected loops, totaling about 10 miles, designated for cross-country skiing, hiking and biking (partially). The trailhead offers parking, restrooms and a pavilion.

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Theodore Roosevelt Group Hires Pa. Man

Harrisburg — The Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership recently announced the addition of Jim Kauffman, who will serve as the organization’s Pennsylvania field representative.

This position will ensure that hunting, fishing, and trapping opportunities are maintained for all Pennsylvanians through sound conservation policy and scientific management strategies while helping the partnership achieve its mission to guarantee all Americans quality places to hunt and fish.

In this role, Kauffman will serve as the organization’s state representative for conservation, access and habitat policies affecting hunters and anglers, as well as work to address water quality concerns that affect Pennsylvania’s streams and wetlands.

A lifelong Pennsylvanian, Kauffman holds a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries science from Penn State and a master’s degree in biology from East Stroudsburg University.

Rolfe Club Completes 4th Wetlands Project

Johnsonburg, Pa. — The Rolfe Beagle Club, an active bird dog and sportsmen’s group in Johnsonburg, completed the fourth segment of an intensive wetland improvement plan at the club.

A beaver moved in last fall and did a lot of damage to the outlet of the club’s water-control structure, and it became necessary for members to draw down the impoundment to fix the outlet, said JoAnn Schiafone, habitat coordinator for the club.

This project involved repairing the outlet and reinstalling a wildlife guard, and then removing tons of brush the beaver had stored in the drained wetland. The dried brush had to be removed so when the wetland refills in the spring the dried brush will not float up and plug the outlet control structure.

The last portion of the improvements will involve installing a goose nesting platform with an adjacent turtle loafing platform.

Union Access in Luzerne Closed Oct. 27-31

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently announced that the Union Access, which provides fishing and boating access to the Susquehanna River in Union Township, Luzerne County, will be closed from Oct. 27-31.

During this time, improvements will be made to the boat ramp.

While work is being completed at the Union Access, anglers and boaters should plan accordingly to find alternate access to the Susquehanna River by using the commission’s Hunlock Township Access upstream.

Jockey Hollow Access Closed for Work

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission recently announced that the Jockey Hollow Access, which provides fishing and boating access to the Youghiogheny River Lake in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County, will be temporarily closed from Oct. 8-24.

During this time, improvements will be made to the parking area.

State Forest Roads Open for Hunting Seasons

Harrisburg — Hunters soon will have access to hundreds of miles of state forest roads in 18 of the 20 state forest districts, just in time for fall and winter hunting and outdoor recreation activities, according to the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

DCNR is opening approximately 500 miles of administrative state forest roads for the statewide archery deer season, which closes Nov. 21. A list of the administrative roads opened this season is available on DCNR’s website.

Many of the state forest roadways opened for use this fall will continue to stay open through other hunting seasons, continuing into January 2026. However, forest managers may close these roads at any time if weather conditions dictate, to prevent damage or deterioration to road surfaces or forest surroundings.