Outdoors notebook

Sandhills arriving: The annual winter migration of Sandhill Cranes is underway and flocks of the big birds are settling on the Hiwassee Refuge in southeast Tennessee.

Thousands of visitors annually come into the area to view the cranes, and there is an annual festival centered around it.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides special viewing areas for the public, at no charge.

The TWRA manages most of the refuge and has information about the crane-viewing and related events on its website, tnwildlife.org

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Trap shoot: Ray Huchenson opened the new year with a bang at the Cedar City Gun Club, winning the weekly trap shoot by breaking 49 of 50 targets.

Bill Robb took top Veteran honors with 46, Will Myers top Junior (48), Braden Smith Sub-Junior (47) and Maisie Smith top Lady shooter (25).

The father/son team of Chris and Justin Cooper won Class B.

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Merit badges: The Cedar City Gun Club hosted several members of Boy Scout Troop 0436 and assisted them in competing for Merit Badges for shotgun shooting.

Club official Ben Schade oversaw the program and instructed the Scouts in shooting techniques and gun safety.

For information about shooting events in the area contact Schade the Gun Club.

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Hunter education change: Hunting license expire Feb. 28. In order to purchase a license, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1969 must complete a TWRA Hunter Education course.

There is a change in the process: registration for the classes must be made on-line on the Agency website (tnwildlife.org). Click on the “register for a hunter education class” link. There will be information about hunter education classes in a particular area, and how to proceed.

Anyone lacking computer access is advised to visit their local library or call a TWRA regional office for assistance.

OUTDOORS CALENDAR:

Feb. 28: squirrel, rabbit, quail seasons end

Feb. 28: raccoon, possum seasons end

Feb. 28: hunting, fishing license expire

Feb. 8-10: Boat & Fishing Expo, State Fairgrounds

Feb. 14-17: Wild Turkey Federation Convention, Opryland

Feb. 28: Licenses expire

PHOTOS WELCOME: Caught a big bass, bagged a buck or a duck? Share your outdoors photos with readers of The Lebanon Democrat by e-mailing them to andy.reed@lebanondemocrat.com