Lykens Valley Longbeards - NWTF

05/28/2026

Lots of fun stuff to do in the Valley this weekend for those of all ages.

Millersburg Gun and Conservation club is holding round 2 of their fishing rodeo for the youth. Also, Halifax Troop 144 is holding a road rally. A little birdy told me there will be some Cody Turkey call prizes at the Road Rally.

05/28/2026

Round 2 is this weekend, The youngins won’t want to miss out on this rodeo!

THANK YOU! To everyone that came out and braved Saturday's weather, we appreciate your attendance at the annual Trout Rodeo. Because the weather was less than favorable, the Executive Board has made the decision to host the Trout Rodeo AGAIN!

Saturday, May 30, 2026 we will do it all over again! The weather is supposed to be much nicer this weekend and we want the kids to have the opportunity to fish. Same schedule, 8:00am Registration, 9:00am Fishing. Same rules, Keep up to 5 Trout, Kids MUST be able to cast their own rod (if they cannot, the guardian can feed out some line and toss it into the pond by hand). We will have food and beverages again. We will conduct the 50:50 raffle and combine last weekend and this weekend for one big prize winner! ALL children 5-12 are welcome, even if you were there last Saturday, you are more than welcome to come this Saturday! For purposes of big fish and longest stringer, each day will be treated separately, but trophies awarded for the overall event. Only 1 out of 10 tagged fish has been caught so far, which means we still have 9 prizes to give away! Additionally, each child will get a ticket for the door prize basket drawing (just as they did last weekend) and we will draw one winner after this coming Saturday.

OH! BY THE WAY, THIS EVENT IS FREE FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES!

Again, we owe a HUGE 'THANK YOU' to our sponsors:
Alfonso Santiago - Your Snap-On Tools Dealer
Lykens Valley Longbeards Chapter NWTF
Alvord Polk Inc
Tim & Susie Reeder
Joe & Deb Underkoffler
Millersburg Ferry Boat Association
Liddick Auction Services Inc
Andrew Welker
Coleman's Military Surplus
The Erdman Agency
Multiply Ink
The Ned Smith Center for Nature & Art
Sonya Miller
Erik Damgaard
Mary Hammaker
Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission
Derrick Noonan, Fish & Boat Officer
Anonymous (Donates each year at the Cherry Blossom Festival)
and all of you who made donations on Friday and Saturday last week

We truly appreciate everyone's support of this event and look forward to seeing you again, this Saturday, May 30, 2026!

***Announcement: Members are typically allowed to fish the weekend AFTER the Trout Rodeo; however, due to hosting the event a second weekend, members are now allowed to fish AFTER 3:00pm on Saturday, May 30, 2026 and on Sunday, May 31, 2026. Please note: Other than the dates/times stated herein, fishing is STRICTLY PROHIBITED at the Trout Pond! Thank you.***

05/12/2026

Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 23, 2026 for our annual Trout Rodeo! This event is FREE for kids and their families! Fishing, Food, & Fun!

NOTE: Friday, May 22, 2026 is an evening of Fishing for our disabled and differently abled friends! We'd love to have you come out for some fishing and fun! Please feel free to contact the Club with any questions.

05/02/2026

Good luck to all the Turkey hunters tomorrow! Stay safe and make memories!

04/21/2026

We are all stocked up for the spring! It is time to sign up for the Turkey pool. All junior hunter's must be signed up before junior day, everyone else the deadline is May 1st. Make sure you get your hunts on film, for our hunt film competition that will end this fall.

04/14/2026

03/28/2026

🦃As the 2026 Spring Turkey season approaches, the Pennsylvania State Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation (PANWTF) is launching our official "Know Your Pattern" campaign.

Ensuring a clean, ethical harvest is a hallmark of the Pennsylvania woods. Whether you’re a veteran hunter or a junior headlining the youth opener, the difference between a story for the ages and a missed opportunity often comes down to the 15 minutes you spend at the range.

🎯 The PA NWTF Patterning Guide

Follow these steps to ensure your setup is "Pennsylvania Strong" before you hit the woods.

1. Match Your Setup

Every combination of Gun + Choke + Load is unique. Even the same brand of shells can perform differently in two identical shotguns.

* Ammunition: If you're switching to TSS (Tungsten Super Shot) this year, remember it patterns significantly tighter than lead. You must re-pattern!

* PA Regulations: Ensure your shotgun is plugged to a 3-shell capacity (chamber + magazine).

2. The Distance Check

Turkeys in the Pennsylvania hardwoods aren't always at a perfect 40 yards. We recommend testing three specific distances:

* 20 Yards: To see how tight your "tennis ball" is up close.

* 30 Yards: The "Sweet Spot."

* 40 Yards: Your maximum ethical limit. Never take a shot beyond the distance where your pattern holds its integrity.

3. The "100-in-10" Rule

Using a 10-inch circle on a turkey silhouette target, look for the following:

* Pattern Density: You want at least 100 pellets inside that 10-inch circle.

* The Vital Zone: Aim for at least 10-15 pellets in the brain and spinal column for an immediate, ethical harvest.

🗓️ Important 2026 Season Dates

Mark your calendars and get your tags early!

| Event | Date | Hunting Hours |

| Youth/Mentored Hunt | April 25, 2026 | 1/2 hour before sunrise – Noon |

| Statewide Opener | May 2, 2026 | 1/2 hour before sunrise – Noon |

| First Half (May 2–16) | Mon – Sat | 1/2 hour before sunrise – Noon |

| Second Half (May 18–30) | Mon – Sat | 1/2 hour before sunrise – 1/2 hour after sunset |

Pro-Tip: Remember, Pennsylvania requires you to be out of the woods by 1:00 PM during the first half of the season.

🛡️ Safety First

The Pennsylvania State Chapter reminds all hunters:

* Identify Your Target: Never shoot at movement or sound. You must see the beard to confirm a legal bird.

* Be Seen: Wear or carry fluorescent orange when moving between setups.

* Protect Your Back: Sit against a tree that is wider than your shoulders to shield yourself from any approaching hunters from behind.

Help us preserve our hunting heritage. By patterning your gun, you respect the bird and the sport.

‼️For free printer friendly file please visit www.panwtf.com‼️

03/27/2026

On this episode, we talk about roost and the importance of open ground to provide strut zones for the turkeys

11/26/2025

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