Pennsylvania Game News - November 2010 - 45

Bedford County. Monies donated to this fund permitted the design and establishment of a 4.5-mile trail system on SGL 49. Designed to provide a good educational experience in a wildlife management setting, the project features three loops with varying habitats and topography. The first loop – Ringneck Roost Trail — is a self-guiding nature trail featuring wetlands, ponds, upland small game habitat, and a tree identification section. The ¾-mile trail is the shortest and easiest to traverse, and begins at a school bus accessible parking lot. Dog Gone Trail is 1.6 miles, followed by the Turkey’s Demise Trail, which is 2.1 miles. Both Dog Gone and Turkey’s Demise are traditional hiking trails with some moderate changes in topography. The trail system was created through the cooperative efforts of Game Commission personnel and several volunteers. Laura Jackson, retired Bedford County biology teacher and current director of Bedford Area School District’s Deryl Clark Environmental Center, and her husband, Mike, also a retired elementary teacher, assisted the Game Commission, as did Koppenhaver’s widow, Dr. Marcia Dieterle-Koppenhaver. Game Commission Southcentral Region Director Rob Criswell commented that the project was truly a team effort. “Funds were raised by Dave’s friends, and they wanted to

make sure that in whatever manner they were used, youth would benefit,” said Criswell. “The expertise and ‘sweat equity’ donated by a corps of dedicated volunteers is what allowed this concept to bear fruit. Family, friends and Game Commission employees donated substantial amounts of personal time to bring the trail concept to fruition.” The David R. Koppenhaver Memorial Trail is on the 516-acre “Judge Snyder” tract along Big Creek Road south of Clearville. “This parcel of SGL 49 was special to Dave and Marcia, and each of the three trail names has a particular significance to the family,” Criswell said. “The friends and family of Officer Koppenhaver, as well as the Game Commission, hope that schools, youth groups, and everyone interested in Pennsylvania’s wildlife resources will avail themselves of the trails.” Although the nature trail is selfguiding and trail guides are available at two access points, State Game Land regulations require advance Game Commission authorization for group activities that include 10 or more participants. Trail users also should be cognizant of hunting seasons, avoid higher use periods, and wear fluorescent orange material during spring and fall hunting seasons. For additional information on trail use, contact the Southcentral Region Office at 814-643-1831.

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NOVEMBER 2010

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Pennsylvania Game News - November 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - November 2010