Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Venison 101 course is offered again

State College, Pa. — Penn State Extension will offer “Venison 101,” a blended course designed to help hunters optimize their harvest by offering a comprehensive look at venison processing and cooking.

The program combines online components with a one-day, hands-on workshop scheduled from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Aug. 7 at the Penn State Butcher Block on Penn State’s campus.

The in-person session will feature topics such as knife safety, carcass cutting and sausage making, and will cover venison cookery methods. There will be a chili cook-off hosted at the event.

The online components will cover the history of hunting and deer ecology, field dressing, deer diseases, chronic wasting disease, carcass processing, recipes, and home food preservation of venison, using methods such as canning, dehydration/jerky making and freezing.

Space is limited, so preregistration is required. The registration deadline is July 27 and carries a $350 fee. More information is available on the Penn State Extension website.

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White Groundhog Seen in Punxsutawney

Punxsutawney, Pa. — A groundhog in Punxsutawney is once again turning heads, this time it’s not Phil.

A resident sent local television station WTAJ a video showing a rare albino groundhog roaming through the Jefferson County woods. The Pennsylvania Game Commission said out of the 66 wild mammals that call the Pennsylvania home, the albino groundhog is among the rarest.

The Game Commission added that it’s so unique that most Pennsylvanians will never get the chance to see one in their lifetime.

Fewer Hurricanes Predicted This Year

Washington, D.C. — The Atlantic Ocean is predicted to have a tamer-than-usual hurricane season this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts there will likely be between eight and 14 named storms, with between three and six of those becoming hurricanes, this season.

NOAA estimates there will be between one and three serious hurricanes — those ranging from Category 3 to Category 5, which brings winds higher than 157 mph. An average hurricane season has about 14 named storms and three serious hurricanes.

This season’s relatively lesser predicted intensity comes mainly from the current El Nino, according to NOAA. Remnants from hurricanes often track over Pennsylvania, bringing wind and rain.

Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting to be Offered in NC PA in July and August

Coudersport, Pa. — The Ruffed Grouse Society will offer its popular Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting Program in Pennsylvania this summer. This year it will be held in the state’s northcentral region, but any woman in Pennsylvania or adjacent states is welcome to attend.

The Black Forest Conservation Association near Coudersport will host this year’s program. Women can register by contacting Bethany Ford at bjmf989@gmail.com for details.

The program will occur over two weekends – July 18-19 and Aug. 22-23 – and participants must attend both weekends to graduate the program. A hunt will be offered to the graduates on Sunday, Sept. 13, at a nearby birddoggers’ club.

Hunting Licenses Available Now

Harrisburg – Hunting and trapping licenses for the 2026-27 seasons went on sale June 22. Hunters can purchase their new licenses in person at any of the 500-plus commercial license issuing agents, including county treasurers’ offices and Game Commission offices.

Licenses can also be purchased online at www.HuntFish.PA.gov and licenses and harvest tags will then be mailed to those who purchase online.

Hunters interested in purchasing antlerless deer licenses for the upcoming seasons can get them anywhere hunting licenses are sold. Antlerless deer licenses cost $6.97 for residents and $26.97 for nonresidents.

As in recent years, antlerless deer licenses will be available when general license sales open.

Pennsylvania residents are guaranteed to get an antlerless license for the wildlife management unit of their choice, so long as they buy it by 7 a.m. Monday, July 13, the day license sales open to nonresidents.

The commission urges hunters to have their CID number before purchasing licenses to help ensure a smooth and speedy transaction. The cost for Pennsylvania’s general hunting licenses remains $20.97 for resident adults and $101.97 for nonresident adults,

Native Species Day is Celebrated in State

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Governor’s Invasive Species Council highlighted the importance of the state’s investments in protecting native plants, insects, and animals during the fifth annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day in the East Wing Rotunda of the State Capitol June 1.

The Department of Agriculture-led advisory council brings state agencies, local governments, and environmental organizations together to make recommendations and spearhead strategies to tackle invasive species threats to our economy and environment and promote benefits of nurturing native plants and animals.

Council member agencies shared the importance of Native Species Day and highlighted how their respective departments were investing in a sustainable future for ecosystems in Pennsylvania.