The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has announced a very popular opportunity for any residents or non-residents to fish for free on the 4th of July on any commonwealth waters.

This is one of two days designated for people to try their hand at fishing without purchasing a license. Generally, any person 16 or older is required to buy a fishing license for the same privilege.

My wife and I spent a nice day fishing on Lake Erie and we were able to bring home a nice catch of walleyes and as a result we have 10 pounds of fresh fish fillets to share with friends and family!

The PFBC also has graduated a new class of WCO’s and a new face will be assigned to parts of Butler County and Lawrence County. WCO Timothy Haas will begin his duties once he gets settled into the area. Lawrence County has been without full-time coverage since the retirement of WCO Joe Morris a few years ago.

I had an opportunity to meet WCO Haas when he was a cadet and working in our area this past spring during trout season. He appeared to be an open and friendly sort of guy and I am sure he can also be tough on you if he has to be.

Give him a welcome and be glad that we have a fresh face on the front for protecting our natural resources.

I gave the Fish Hawk a safety check up this past weekend; navigation and anchor lights are a go, PFD’s and throw cushion are good, whistle and/or horn are loud, and the fire extinguisher is charged. Trailer and boat are up to date on tags and the trailer chain and lights are solid.

The 2016-17 hunting licenses are now on sale! The cost will remain the same for this season as the state legislature couldn’t or wouldn’t make any requested changes in time for this year.

Pennsylvania has remained at the low end of the national license fee scales once more. The PGC is projecting that it will have about a 12-million-dollar shortfall in its annual budget.

The projects that will take a hit will be wildlife habitat and the Pymatuning Visitors Center. I did my duty and ordered my new license online this week, I have $80 tied up in license fees and once again I’m having a go on the PA Elk drawing!

The first round of the antlerless deer or doe license drawings are scheduled to be mailed in by July 11th this year. The opportunity for non-resident licenses is scheduled to be mailed in by July 18th.

There will not be another round of chances for a second license until August 1st. There are also quite a few Hunter-Trapper Education classes scheduled and going on right now.

The classes are required for all first time hunters who want to be able to hunt in PA with a full license privilege. The classes are open to all candidates age 11 and older who must successfully complete the course.

The upcoming classes will be held in the local areas at the Ellwood-Wampum Rod & Gun Club July 6th, the Peaceful Valley Campground in West Sunbury on July 9th, the Freeport Sportsmen’s Club on July 9th, at the Cranberry Township Center on July 16th and the Castlewood Rod & Gun Club on July 22nd. There will be more classes coming up in our area with plenty of room for all the new hunters.

So, I was minding my own business at church services a few weeks back when a fellow church member pulled me aside and gave me a light ear beating.

It seems that Kathy Vincent who lives in the heart of the Game lands 95 region was mowing her grass a few Saturdays ago. While mowing around a stand of pine trees a furry and quite agitated animal climbed down out of the pines and according to Kathy screamed and shrieked at her. Of course she didn’t have any idea of what she was dealing with and it shook her up.

Her description of the animal led me to believe that it was a fisher or at least in that family of wild critters. What I don’t get is how it was my fault that she had an encounter with a wild animal living out in the forest lands. She went on to explain that every time I mention a creature in the paper it seems to be in her neighborhood not long afterward.

Kathy should be happy I haven’t talked over the idea of cougars or bobcats in her area!

Until we meet again have a great July 4th and remember all those who sacrificed for our freedom!

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.