A sure sign of spring is the yearly appearance of the spring gobblers and the turkey vultures making their presence known this week.

The first week of spring is upon us and I'm not too disappointed with the weather thus far. Extra cold at night, but sunny and warmer during the daylight hours.

The gobblers are still in their bachelor groups, but I have seen them starting their classic pecking order already. One group of young Jake gobblers has been in a group of seven birds and they beat feet when any of the big boys come around.

The buzzards like a stand of oaks in some nearby woods and they soar overhead daily in search of a free meal after a cold winter has taken its toll on the local deer. The only competition they have is the coyotes and a bald eagle that also work as scavengers.

Trout stocking

We received a call last week from WCO Jon Kay looking for some assistance on stream stocking for the upcoming trout season opener.

Many of his old-time helpers are dropping off due to health or aging issues and he needed some extra helpers. I made some calls to a few of the members of the Boyers Sportsmen Association members and they filled in admirably for the northern Butler County stocking assignment.

I had the opportunity to meet a really nice family as the father brought his three daughters to help out. I didn't catch their last names, but remember the first names and that they were out of school because of a teacher strike in South Butler.

Thanks for helping us out Brook, Lilly and Josie! There you go, Jon Kay, a new and enthusiastic generation of fisherwomen!

The trout stocking will be continuing and help will be needed as the pre-season and in-season schedules are taking place. Check out the PFBC website and key in on trout stockings for Butler County or any other counties that might interest you.

We had a close look at some brook and brown trout that appeared to be very nice fish. Several fish that I saw were in the two-foot range and will be a challenge to land in the North Branch of Slippery Rock Creek.

Highway, stream cleanup

The Boyers Sportsmen's Association is celebrating a unique anniversary this spring as well; they have sponsored a highway cleanup and a stream cleanup in the Boyers area for the past 25 years!

The word is that it is the longest running Highway Cleanup project in Butler County! Whether it is or not, that is an admirable effort for cleaning up the environment.

On April 7, they will be at it again and they remind all youngsters that if they participate they get a free club junior membership! That's a nice gesture to be part of their organization!

Sand hill crane

The sand hill crane phenomena continue to take place in Butler County as readers from both Butler County and Lawrence County report crane sightings in their locations.

To get a look at the cranes, they have been hanging out on Route 58 between Harrisville and Grove City as well as Boyers – Forestville Road and between Slippery Rock and New Wilmington.

About a dozen were sighted recently, mingling with a flock of Canada geese outside of Grove City. The spring ritual of pairing up cranes is an awesome display and worthy of National Geographic!

Fishing licenses

Just a reminder that the 2018 fishing licenses are on sale and that all anglers 16 and older are required to possess a license.

There is a youth license available for a dollar or two that kids love to wear that makes them feel like they are the real deal! There is also a senior license and a senior life time license available for those 65 and older.

Remember, if you are 64 and turn 65 in the current year, you can purchase the senior lifetime license. It will include the Lake Erie stamp, but not the trout stamp. The trout stamp must be added each year if you plan to fish for trout.

Old time anglers who bought the lifetime license already have the trout stamp grandfathered in. They purchased it back in the day. The other things that you can add are the plastic forever license for seniors and all anglers can purchase the annual trout collector pin that also carries your license personal information number.

Until we meet again, keep the streams clean, change your old line on those reels and get your 2018 fishing licenses and pins for collectibles and showing your support for the resource!

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle