CAMPING

CAMPING
Day use areas open
The Mahaney, Clark and Shenango Day Use areas will open for 2001 on April 6.
All three are open sunrise to sunset and the boat ramps at Shenango and Clark are open 24 hours.
Launch fees will be charged as of may 11 with annual $25 launch passes available at the 2442 Kelly Road managers office 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Shenango campground will open May 11 with reservations taken at (877) 444-6777 or via the Internet at www.reserveusa.com.
For more information, call (724) 962-7746, (724) 646-1124 or (724) 962-4384.
PENNSYLVANIA
Bobcat harvest numbers
HARRISBURG-- According to figures released by the Pennsylvania Game Commission recently, hunters and trappers harvested 58 bobcats during the first bobcat seasons in 30 years, which were held Oct. 14- Feb. 24. In addition, the agency reported that 119 bobcats were killed on Pennsylvania's highways and roads during the 2000 calendar year.
The 58 bobcats reported harvested were taken in 15 of the 20 eligible counties. The harvest breakdown by county is: Bradford, 7; Cameron, 1; Centre, 1; Clearfield, 7; Clinton, 5; Elk, 4; Luzerne, 5;Lycoming, 8; McKean, 1; Pike, 1; Potter, 7; Sullivan, 4; Susquehanna, 1; Tioga, 5; and Wyoming, 1.
Trappers took 45 bobcats, hunters took 13. The harvest sex ratio was 1:1 (29 males and 29 females).
OHIO
Peregrine eggreported at site
COLUMBUS -- The first peregrine falcon egg of the Ohio nesting season was observed last week at the Rhodes State Office Tower nest in downtown Columbus, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife.
State wildlife biologists expect to soon see similar activity from nine other peregrine pairs located throughout Ohio, including Akron, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton, Lima and Toledo. Single birds also have been seen at several sites, including a Cleveland area power plant where a new nest box was installed on a smokestack last week. These birds are probably attempting to locate mates and establish territories.
Last year, there were eight successful peregrine falcon nests in seven Ohio cities; a record 27 young peregrines were fledged. Four additional pairs of falcons were identified that did not nest in 2000.
Peregrine falcons are birds of prey and have been successfully introduced to cities where tall buildings take the place of their natural rock cliff habitat. In Ohio, the Division of Wildlife uses volunteers, known as the "peregrine patrol," to monitor falcons, their nesting behavior, and their young. Whenever possible, young peregrines are banded and blood samples are collected for genetic analysis at approximately three weeks of age.
Falcon enthusiasts are able to view the nesting cycle via the ODNR web site at: www.dnr.state.oh.us