GUNS

GUNS
hCollectible weaponsup for auction
Collectible weapons that were owned by two television western stalwarts -- Roy Rogers and Chuck Connors -- are up for sale at upcoming auctions.
Roy Rogers was a Saturday morning staple astride his palomino Trigger and followed by his dog, Bullet. The King of the Cowboys always managed to right some wrong and provided a song or two along the way.
Connors, on the other hand, had grittier roles that were a little more realistic on "The Rifleman" and "Branded."
Weapons to be auctioned Oct. 28 by Greg Martin Auctions in San Francisco will be a Colt single action Army revolver inscribed with the signature of Rogers and with a crown motif.
The Connors' weapon to be auctioned by Greg Martin is the rare and historic Winchester model 1892 carbine, custom made for and used by the actor on "The Rifleman" television series.
For information on these weapons and other items for auction, contact the auctioneer at 298 San Bruno Avenue, San Francisco, Ca., 94103, or call (800) 509-1988. The auction house also has a website, www.gmartin-auctions.com.
Another auction, this one Dec. 14 in Victorville, Calif., will offer Rogers' Silver Screen Legend V special gun, belt and holster to benefit the Happy Trails Foundation for abused children.
The rig, patterned after one Rogers' used in 1942, also resembles many of the signature outfits used by other top Hollywood cowboys.
The gun is a Colt single action Army revolver from the Colt Custom Shop and the holster has a rich golden chocolate finish and tan lining that is contrasted by black panels with square sterling silver conchos. The outfit also unique silver decorations.
Ticket for this cowboy collectible are $10 each or 11 for $100. Participants need not be present to win. Tickets can be ordered by phone (760) 240-3330 or online at www.happytrails.com.
OHIO
Pheasants stocked
Pumpkins aren't the only color to sprout in Ohio's fields during the autumn months. More hues will be added to the landscape with the annual fall pheasant release by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Wildlife. Some 15,000 ring-necked pheasants will take wing across 30 wildlife areas around the state during the next six weeks. In northeast Ohio 13 upland sites will receive nearly 6,000 pheasants.
As usual, young hunters will get a leg up on their older counterparts with "youth only" hunts scheduled the last two weekends (19-20 & amp; 26-27) in October. Division biologist Tom Henry said release numbers are projections that are subject to change depending on the production level of the division's propagation unit which raises the pheasants in Urbana, Ohio.
Pheasant season opens Nov. 1 and remains open through Jan. 1, 2003, with a daily bag limit of two birds, roosters only.
PENNSYLVANIA
Gated ANF roads open
The Allegheny National Forest has opened a number of typically gated forest roads to provide additional public access during the upcoming hunting seasons. These roads will remain open through approximately Jan.11, 2003.
The ANF Supervisor's Office and Ranger District offices have hunting maps available for sale, at a minimal cost. Some of the roads are designated and open only for hunters with disabilities. To use these roads, hunters must possess a PA hunting license and a permit from the PA Game Commission allowing them to hunt from their licensed vehicle.
Non-motorized use including hiking, biking, or horseback riding is always permitted on closed roads. ATV use is not permitted on any forest roads during the closed season. Roads traditionally open on a year-around basis will remain open for the hunting season.