January 17, 2009

Early Winter Habitat Field Day

Early winter in the outdoors can be a difficult time for wildlife especially if the snow is deep,

the ground is coated in ice or it is extremely cold. Animals use up their reserves of fat at a

faster rate when the aforementioned conditons exist. This time of year is when

outdoorsmen/women, landowners, and habitat managers can help out wildlife while

improving the habitat conditions and the health of existing wild/ semi wild apple trees and

other fruit and nut producing trees.

The Susquehanna Branch the Quality Deer Management Association in cooperation

with one of the oldest Rod and Gun clubs in Susquehanna county,

the Canawacta Rod and Gun Club, will be providing a free opportunity to learn about and

participate in an apple tree pruning and fruit and nut tree daylighting mini field day.

Members of the QDMA Branch and the Club will talk about, demonstrate and

then help attendees prune, daylight the apple trees (clear the area around the trees) and

build brush piles (winter habitat for birds and small mammals).

Learn whether to, how much to and when to put down lime and ferrtilizer around the trees.

Adults and children are encouraged to come out in the outdoors - as a

bonus activity for children will be provided. QDMA branch youth members Carlos Cuevas

and Scott Sienko will lead and help do animal tracking and identifying of winter animal tracks

with all kids who are interested.

This will all take place on Saturday morning January 24th, from 9 to 11 am,

at the Canawacta Rod and Gun Club grounds on Oak hill, north of Oakland.

(Oakland-Susquehanna-Lanesboro are in northeast Susquehanna County, Pa.)

For more specific directions and information -

570-853-3509 (Al Cuevas),  278-9363 (Bob Wagner).