OUTDOOR NEWS BY H. ROBERT MYERS
SANDY CREEK CONSERVANCY KEEPING OUTDOOR SPIRIT ALIVE
The clay saucer or bird sped over the clearing attracting the barrel of a 12 gauge shotgun, a young eye following its challenging flight. The 13 year old shooter’s finger squeezed the trigger with deliberate confidence giving the shot permission to explode the bird into a heavy shower of clay pieces.
Danny Anderson, eyes beaming with the thrill of hitting the flying target, turned to his 9 old brother, Jack and dad, Dan, sharing the excitement with them the way family members do without even speaking a word. Although the calendar read July, that moment, that special interaction between a dad and his sons made the day Fathers Day.
The event was Hunters Fun Day last summer at the Sandy Creek Conservancy (SCC) near Polk. Boasting rifle, skeet, trap, sporting clays and five stand courses and ranges, the club attracted about 135 shooters of all ages and skill levels from across Pa. and Ohio.
WELCOME MAT OUT FOR NEW SHOOTERS
Although the club is frequented by skilled competitors, they are encouraging novice shooters especially kids to take advantage of the facilities.
“We are trying to encourage youth sports, and invite beginner shooters of all ages to visit our club,” said Kris Miller, president. “The board of directors and members want to revitalize the spirit of being outdoors.”
The SCC is planning a shooting instruction day for shotguns and rifles in May with club volunteers on hand to instruct and aid new shooters. Members will mentor beginners of all ages on gun safety and good sportsmanship.
Young shooters from the Venango County 4-H already benefit from the club’s youth programs. The accomplished shotgunners use the ranges and receive financial support from SCC. They even compete on the state level and traveled to Missouri for a shoot last year.
“Without the continued encouragement from the Sandy Creek Conservancy and Clinton/Irwin Rod and Gun Club, we wouldn’t have a 4-H shooting program,” said Mike Ohler, a 4-H shooting leader. “I can’t tell you how tremendously helpful the clubs are with this good program fostering moral and social interaction.”
EVEN THE STEELERS SHOT HERE
The SCC is known in the shooting community for its excellent facilities even attracting three Pittsburgh Steelers and their families for a day of shooting a few years ago. An Erie union has been a long time patron securing the club for its annual member’s picnic.
“We are happy with the big following with shooters,” Miller said. “Besides the ranges and courses, they appreciate the scenic location.”
The club has about 500 acres nestled up against the Game Lands 39 wetlands that is popular with waterfowl hunters, wildlife photographers and bird watchers. The southern line provides a shore for Sandy Creek, a picturesque trout stream meandering through a remote area of Venango County on its way to feed the Allegheny River.
All of the SCC land is open to hunters, and anglers are invited to use it as an access to the stocked trout stream. Bald eagles are often seen following the shallow creek in search of prey while river otters have been reported in the stream. Whitetails and wild turkey are common in the area.
The facility with its two meeting buildings and three pavilions is available to businesses, families or other groups wanting to rent it for picnicking or shooting. The club provides operators for the shooting clays.
SCC schedules sight-in days for hunters twice a year. They also open the club up to the public on Thursdays and Sundays for shooting.
For more information on the club, call Kris Miller at (814) 437-5033. The club is building a website at sandycreekconservancy.com.
ANNUAL LANDOWNERS AND SPORTSMEN NIGHT OUT BANQUET
Whether you are a hunter, fishermen, hiker, birder or conservationist, the Annual Landowners and Sportsmen Night Out Banquet is a way to thank the property owners letting us enjoy the outdoors on their land. Sponsored by the Venango County Federation of Sportsmen Clubs, the dinner and program is set for February 25 at the Rocky Grove Fire Hall.
Book author, Carol Mulvihill also known as the “Elk Lady” will give a program on the Pennsylvania elk. New this year are display tables set up by outdoors groups.
About a dozen booths will be manned by the Sandy Creek Conservancy, DCNR. Emlenton Rod and Gun Club, Rainbow Bowmen and other local hunting, fishing and conservation groups. Trout Unlimited will have four stations on fishing and water quality.
Any outdoors organization is welcomed to have a display for a small fee. Members and non-members of the federation are welcomed, and the $12 ticket covers the cost of the meal, the elk program, access to the displays and entry in prize drawings. For more information on tickets or displays, call Bill Brandon at (814) 437-3764.
CAPTION…photo by H. Robert Myers
Danny Anderson 13 waits for a clay target to go airborne at the Sandy Creek Conservancy as brother, Jack, 9 and dad Dan of Franklin encourage him.