Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Prince Gallitzin State Park new solar array

Patton, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently dedicated a solar array installed at Prince Gallitzin State Park in Cambria County.

Prince Gallitzin is among 27 installations in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources system that are using solar energy to offset energy use, helping to reduce carbon emissions that contribute to climate change, saving money.

The ground-mounted solar array is at the maintenance complex next to the park office. It will reportedly offset the park’s electricity use and take it to net zero. This array is the largest in the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources system and produces the most energy.

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Jakes Rocks Named Trail of the Year

Warren, Pa. — The U.S. Forest Service announced that the Trails at Jakes Rocks trail system is the Pennsylvania Trail of the Year by the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The dedication ceremony was held Sept. 6 at the trailhead off of Jakes Rocks Road in the Bradford Ranger District of the Allegheny National Forest. The Trails at Jakes Rocks is a 35-mile natural surface, stacked-loop trail system located in the Allegheny National Forest.

Graduates from RGS Women’s Wingshooting

Mount Jewett, Pa. — The Ruffed Grouse Society recently announced the graduation of 16 women and one teen from its Women’s Introduction to Wingshooting program offered at the Mount Jewett Sportsmen’s Club in McKean County.

The course takes women from never shooting a gun before to hitting clay targets, and then going on a bird hunt at the Rolfe Beagle Club in Johnsonburg, Pa.

The program took place over a weekend in July and a weekend in August at the Mount Jewett Sportsmen’s Club, and then the September hunt happens at the Rolfe club.

Longhouse Scenic Drive Road Construction

Warren, Pa. —The U.S. Forest Service recently announced that Longhouse Scenic Drive will be temporarily closed to through-traffic from just south of Elijah Run Boat Launch to just north of the entrance to Kiasutha Recreation Area.

The closure is planned for now through Oct. 15.

Winners of Rolfe Club Coyote, Crow Hunt

Johnsonburg, Pa. — The coyote-hunting duo of Sean Holjencin, from Kersey, and Adam Borden, of Brockport, shot the most coyotes (seven) during the hunt Rolfe Club coyote, crow hunt.

Other coyotes were harvested by Devin Merat and Derek Schloder of St. Marys, Ray Bevacqua, of Johnsonburg, and Jim Miller, of St. Marys. The largest female coyote and largest coyote overall were both shot by the duo of Holjencin and Borden.

Steve Krug, of St. Marys, shot the most crows during the hunt.

Brad Snyder and Mike Armanini also harvested crows during the hunt. Forty-six hunters entered the hunt.

POWA Announces Scholarship Recipients

Sayre, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association recently announced the recipients of its annual scholarship awards. They were:

– Elizabeth Bruner, from Blairsville, Pa., a junior at Penn State, University Park, who received an associate’s degree in wildlife technology at Penn State DuBois. She is now working toward her bachelor’s degree in forest ecosystem management;

– Alexandra Butler, of Lake Ariel, Pa., a junior at Penn State, University Park pursuing a major in Forestry;

– Hayden Fox, of North East, Pa., a senior at Penn State, majoring in Environmental Resource Management – Soil Science, with minors in Agronomy and Watersheds and Water Resources.

PGC Board to Meet Sept. 20

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners was scheduled to meet here on Sept. 20 at the agency’s headquarters.

Full coverage of the session, which was to include a public comment period, will be included in the next issue.

The Game Commission’s headquarters is located at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81.

The meeting will be livestreamed on the Game Commission’s YouTube channel.