James Partridge, of Sandy Lake, shot a 15-point trophy on opening day while hunting with his two sons in Mercer County. Partridge said the deer scored in the 160s.

Vote for the NWPA Outdoors Deer of the Year at goerie.com/deeroftheyear. Voting ends Dec. 31, and the Deer of the Year will be announced Jan. 6 in the Erie Times-News and on www.GoErie.com, along with an Editor’s Choice pick.

You can still submit your deer photo to the GoErie Hunting and Fishing gallery.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will offer free guided tours of State Game Land 39, in Venango County, and State Game Land 130, in Mercer County, on Sept. 22 at 10 a.m.

Tour participants should meet at the SGL 130 parking area on the right side of Reeds Furnace Road, two-tenths of a mile off Route 965, west of the Venango/Mercer county border. The tour will go on rain or shine and is open to everyone who is  interested in learning about the game lands and their wildlife and habitat management.

The 17-mile tour will display habitat work as well as Marcellus/Utica Shale gas well development, and steps taken to improve habitat and infrastructure on the SGLs. Game Commission officials will talk about the use of a timber sale to promote aspen regeneration. Grassland birds, ruffed grouse, woodcock habitat and more also are on the agenda.

Tour participants also will meet with members of the Sandy Creek Watershed, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

Participants may travel in their own vehicles or set up car pools at the meeting site. The commission said four-wheel drive is not necessary, but vehicles with low ground clearance could scrape bottom.

This tour will make stops and will involve short walks. Pack a lunch or snack.

Directions to the starting point: From Mercer, take Route 62 East toward Jackson Center to the junction of Route 965 Continue East on Route 965 through red blinker light at Route 173. Continue about 5 miles to Reeds Furnace Road, then left onto Reeds Furnace Road. From Franklin, take Route 62 West through Polk to junction of Route 965 then about 5 miles to Reeds Furnace Road and turn right onto Reeds Furnace Road to first SGL parking lot on right.

National Public Lands Day isn’t until Sept. 29, but in its observance the The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is accepting volunteers to help perform work at Shenango River Lake Sept. 8.

Volunteers will paint traffic control symbols and lines on boat launches; install new grills at pavilions; clear vegetation from facility fencing; weed and mulch flower planters; and pick up litter. Lunch will be provided, and there will be free camping for workers over the weekend.

The work day will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For information, contact Rich Egger at richard.j.egger@usace.army.mil or (724) 646-1124.

That’s not the only opportunity to volunteer in northwestern Pennsylvania:

Help clean up the Allegheny River in and around Warren Sept. 29 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Maintain trails and beautify gardens at Chapman State Park, Warren County, from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 29.

Improve trails Sept. 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Jennings Environmental Educational Center, Butler County. Lunch will be provided.

Remove invasive plants, maintain trails, clean up litter and paint facilities Oct. 20 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Cook Forest State Park. There will be free camping Oct. 19 and 20 for volunteers.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Pittsburgh District is waiving $3 daily boat launch fees for the remainder of the year at three launches on Shenango River Lake.

The Corps said Mahaney Recreation Area Launch, Clark Recreation Area Launch and the Shenango Recreation Area Launch fees will be waived because the lake level is 4 feet lower than target summer level. Three other boat launches have been closed: Hartford Road Launch, Parker’s Landing Launch and Golden Run Boat Launch.

Shenango River Lake is in Mercer County and in Trumbull County, Ohio. Its drainage area is 589 square miles.

For information, call (724) 646-1124 or (724) 962-7746.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will put on a Family Fishing Program Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to noon at M. K. Goddard State Park in Mercer County.

Families must preregister in the calendar of events at www.fishandboat.com or by calling (814) 683-5126. Participants should arrive well before the start of the program.

Family Fishing Programs teach participants how to be S.M.A.R.T. anglers; how to rig a fishing rod with bait; knot tying; rules and regulations; casting practice; and hands-on fishing. Participants are not required to have a fishing license to fish during the program. All equipment and handout materials will be supplied. Other recommended items to bring are sunscreen, water, insect repellant, rain gear, snacks and a camera.

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and Maurice K. Goddard State Park will host a family paddling program July 1 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Lake Wilhelm, Mercer County.

The program is designed for families with children ages 8 and older who are new to paddling. Participants will learn about regulations, equipment, and paddling safety skills during a brief on-shore lesson. The remainder of this will take place on the water in canoes practicing paddling strokes, self rescue, and other safety skills.

Canoes, kayaks, paddles, and personal flotation devices will be provided. Participants should be prepared to get wet, and should pack water, lunch, sun block, sun glasses, and snug-fitting foot protection — flip-flops are not permitted). Foot protection and life jackets must be worn at all times

Pre-registration is required and will be accepted until June 30. Space is limited.

For information, call Chad Foster at (814) 683-5126 or e-mail chfoster@pa.gov .