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September events at Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge announced

August 24, 2014

To connect with nature, many activities, programs, and special events are planned this year at National Prime Hook Wildlife Refuge. Remember that anytime is a good time to visit the refuge, which is open every day from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset in designated areas.

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The Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday year-round from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. On weekends, the Visitor Center is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. from December through March and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from April through November.

Below are upcoming events in September. Visit the refuge’s new website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Prime_Hook/ or call the refuge office at 302-684-8419 to learn more about other events and programs throughout the year.

• Monday, Sept. 8: P.R.I.M.E. time - 10 to 11: a.m. P.R.I.M.E. time stands for Preschooler Reading Initiative to Magnify the Environment. Preschoolers (and their parents) are invited to listen to a nature-based story and participate in a related activity that will help them learn about the environment. This month’s topic is turtles. Participation is free and preregistration is not required. Meet at the refuge auditorium.

• Tuesday, Sept. 9 and 16: Family Fun Archery Shoot - 4:30 to 6 p.m. Interested in archery? Whether it's target shooting or bowhunting, archery is a life skill the whole family can enjoy together. Anyone age 8 through adult is invited to learn the basics of archery from certified instructors. Participants are given an archery safety and orientation overview, and then they will have the opportunity to shoot at targets. The program will be held indoors. Meet at the refuge office. Parents are encouraged to participate with their child. The program is free and all equipment is provided.

• Wednesday, Sept. 10: Nature Through a Lens - Photographing the Hook - 8 a.m. Enhance photography skills and gain a better appreciation for how nature changes through the seasons in this new program! Participants will select a location on the refuge and photograph plants, wildlife, and landscapes every month. Images will be printed and displayed in the auditorium to showcase nature’s seasonal transitions. Learn new skills and share enthusiasm for nature photography with others. Bring a camera or borrow one at the refuge. Meet in the refuge auditorium.

• Thursday, Sept. 11: An Evening at the Hook Lecture Series - Waterfowl Calling and Hunting Techniques - 7 to 8:30 p.m. Al Dager, an Avery Outdoors Pro Staffer and waterfowl calling champion, is hosting a seminar on waterfowl calling and hunting techniques. Dager will discuss the history of waterfowl calling, demonstrate the use of calls for ducks and geese, and share his knowledge and expertise on decoy placement and equipment. Participants are strongly encouraged to bring their waterfowl calls, as Dager will provide calling lessons.

Dager is nationally known as a very successful full-time waterfowl hunting guide in Delaware and has won or placed in 180-plus national, regional, or local duck and goose calling contests. He is considered an expert in calling techniques and decoying ducks and geese in fields, impoundments, and water. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to learn new hunting tips, gain a better appreciation and understanding of the history of waterfowl calling and the waterfowl hunting heritage, and enhance calling skills from a local and experienced hunter.

The lecture is free, open to the public, and fun for the entire family. Seating is limited on a first-come, first-served basis in the refuge auditorium. Come before the lecture at 6:30 p.m. for light refreshments.

• Thursday, Sept. 18: Birding Field Trip, 8 to 11 a.m. Led by volunteer birding guides, beginner and experienced bird watchers will enjoy observing and learning about the bird species frequenting the refuge at this time of year. Come prepared for the weather and expect to walk up to a mile. Bring binoculars, a field guide, and spotting scope (the leader will have spotting scopes also). Binoculars will be available to borrow. Meet at the refuge office. Trips are free, open to the public, and last approximately three hours.

• Saturday, Sept. 27: Exploring the Flora and Fauna at Prime Hook in the Spring, Summer and Fall: A Guided Walk, 10 to 11:30 a.m. Join a nature hike along some of the trails through Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge.  Led by an experienced naturalist, the group will not only examine the vegetation along the trail but also check natural signs left by plants and animals that suggest a high diversity of the environment. The group will be exploring open hiking trails that wander through the refuge for up to two miles. The outing is well suited for schoolchildren and adults; do not, however, bring family pets on the walk. Meet at the refuge office.
For more information, visit www.fws.gov.

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