A Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission Basic Boating Course for operators of boats with outboards of 25 hp or greater and personal watercraft born on or after January 1, 1982, will be presented free of charge at Beltzville State Park, Tuesday, March 30, and Thursday, April 1, from 6-10 p.m. each night.

All participants must pre-register by calling the state park at 610-377-0045 and must attend both sessions. This course is designed to supply boaters with practical information so they can make better informed decisions on the water.Instructors will provide students with information via a classroom setting to help them reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Students who successfully complete the course may apply for a Boating Safety Education Certificate for a $10 fee.Additional information about this course or boating safety can be found by visiting the PFBC Web site at

www.fishandboat.com.*********Earlier this week, the U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance officially unveiled a new initiative, the Sentry Program, which is aimed at building an army of sportsmen from coast to coast to protect America's outdoors heritage for future generations.There is no cost to join the USSA Sentry Program and it represents the most intense effort ever focused on attracting sportsmen to become active players in the fight to preserve hunting, fishing and trapping rights whenever they are threatened. By becoming a Sentry, sportsmen gain access to instant email communications about local and national threats to their outdoor rights as they happen.Members will also be given specific instructions on which public officials to contact and when as these threats emerge. This communication network will enable sportsmen to mobilize quicker and more effectively than ever before.In addition to getting sportsmen engaged in advocacy, the Sentry Program offers additional benefits, giving sportsmen a "one stop" Web site for key information including state hunting regulations, information on where one can find a shooting range and other hunting and fishing tips from recognized leaders in the outdoor community."There are many anti-hunting organizations seeking to do away with what we love," USSA president and CEO Bud Pidgeon said. "By coming together under the Sentry Program, sportsmen will enhance our ranks and collectively stand tall against those groups."For information on the Sentry Program, call 614-888-4868, visit the USSA Web site at

www.ussportsmen.org/BeASentry.**********Kip Adams of the Quality Deer Management Association is today's guests of Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz on "Experience the Outdoors," from 7:30-8 a.m. on Oldies 1410-AM, Lansford. A rebroadcast will be heard Sunday from 9:30-10 a.m. on WMGH, 105.5-FM, Tamaqua, and is available on the Web at

www.wmgh.com by clicking on the "Experience the Outdoors" link.**********This year's "Wildlife Art Expo" will be held today, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Environmental Education Center of the Montour Preserve, Washingtonville. For information, call Jon Beam at 570-437-3131.**********This year's "Fishing and Hunting Flea Market and Show," will be held today, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Mary's Center, 320 Mifflin Ave., Scranton. For information, call Bob Kester at 570-587-0214.*********Carbon County Environmental Education Center, 151 East White Bear, Drive, Summit Hill, will hold its annual membership open house and fund raiser Sunday, at 1 p.m. For information, call the center at 570-645-8597.**********A trap shoot will be held, Thursday, April 1, beginning at 6 p.m., at Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg. For information, e-mail

jafone@comcast.net.**********An "Angler's Breakfast," will be held opening day of the Southeast Region trout season, Saturday, April 3, from 6-10 a.m., at Sweet Arrow Lake Clubhouse, Pine Grove.**********Tamaqua Area Chamber of Commerce Fish Derby will be held, Saturday, April 10, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Rabbit Run Reservoir, Tamaqua. Pre-registration is available at Tom's Auto and Marine, Greenwood St. and Mountain Ave., Tamaqua; and Tamaqua Area CC, 114 West Broad St., Tamaqua.**********There will be a Pennsylvania Game Commission Deer Management Open House, Saturday, April 10, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the American Legion, 40 South Mahanoy St., Frackville.**********First Frontier Militia, the muzzleloader arm of Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club, will hold muzzleloader shoots Sunday, April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11, Aug. 6, Sept. 12, Oct. 9 and 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club is located on Gun Club Road, off Route 248, Bowmanstown. For information, call Roger Fisher at 610-377-2812.**********There will be a Second Amendment Rally in Washington, D.C., Monday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Attendees will gather on the northeast corner of the Washington Monument grounds at 10 a.m., and the entire event will take place there.The event is sponsored and coordinated by the organization "Second Amendment March," whose stated mission is, "to galvanize the courage and resolve of Americans; to petition our elected officials against establishing anti-gun legislation; and to remind America that the Second Amendment is necessary to maintain our right to self defense."**********This year's Empire State Lake Ontario Tournament dates have been announced. Here is the schedule: Spring, Friday, April 30-Sunday, May 9; Summer, Saturday, June 19-Sunday, July 18; Fall, Friday, Aug. 20-Monday, Sept. 6. For information and registration, access on the Web at

www.loc.org or call (888) 733-5246.