Wilderness Wildlife Museum Events

Check Out the Museum's News & Events:

Recent News:

Save the Date Announcement: WWM Gun Bash & Big Game Feast

This coming year’s fourth annual WWM Gun Bash & Big Game Feast will soon be upon us. Each year has been bigger and better than the last. Due to capacity there will only be 350 tickets available for the admission into the event. The tickets will be available for purchase the second week in of December 2009. They will be available for those of you that have purchased them for Christmas gifts in past years. This year they would make great Valentine gifts as well!
Please check back for updates and ticket sales or phone the WWM directly at (724) 593-9400 to reserve your tickets now! Tickets also available for sale at Rosalie Jioio's Little Italy, 333 West Main Street, Ligonier, PA 15658.

WWM Gun Bash & Big Game Feast

Date:(Sunday) February 14th, 2010

Time: 12:00 pm-4:00 pm

Where: The Mill Creek, Springer Road, Ligonier, Pennsylvania, 15658

$50 ticket will include drawings for 10-15 firearms on ticket, all you can eat and drink buffet featuring wild game & door prizes. Additional pistol, rifle, cash and shotgun raffles will be available. You must have a ticket to enter the event but you do not have to be present to win. Must be 21 for handguns. Proceeds benefit the Wilderness Wildlife Museum.

WWM Fish Management Program

This summer was very productive for the museum’s fish management & conservation program. Additions and improvements included:

· New 1/3 acre pond · In stream settling pond · 2 limestone filtration dams · Natural pH balancing system · Rerouted secondary supply

· Main stream supply revamp · 60 new bluegill · Controlled fish overflow · 6lbs new minnows · Controlled water overflow

Our main concentration was on the new 1/3 acre pond and the areas directly surrounding it. We began with reclamations of the land for the pond from an old dumping ground. Then work progressed to the pond excavation and revamping the fresh water main stream feed. The source for this feed is from the head waters of the Loyalhanna stream. 2 limestone dams were then implemented into this main stream supply area, which allowed for a natural in stream settling pond to form in front of each dam. These dams also provide a filtration system, while the limestone acts as a pH balancing agent.

Then 4” pipe was laid from the second in stream holding pond to the new 1/3 acre pond. This pipe was further intersected mid-way with an additional pipe fed by a smaller run off stream for the new pond intake. At the opposite end of the intake on the new pond was designed a controlled 8” overflow. This will not only control the water overflow but ultimately any overflow of smaller fish as well. All overflow feeds into additional runoff that becomes main intake for the already existing lower 1 acre pond.

To date there has been 60 new bluegill introduced to the ponds along with 6lbs of minnows. Further maintenance for correction of pH was performed on each pond by adding bails of barley straw to the base of each to breakdown slowly over the winter.

Next spring museum activities will be surely complimented with all these new additions.

Recent Events:

Alberta Deer Hunt November '09

Team Keslar heads to Alberta In November 2009. Jack Keslar and Bruce Matthews of Team Keslar head to Alberta for whitetail deer season, and were nicely surprised. We made new friends both north of the border and south of the Mason Dixon Line. Richard, Diane and Joel Deslauriers of Mclennan, Alberta, Canada took us into there home as one of the family, and it was like we were one of the family. I want to thank them one more time. Our new friends from south of the border are Stan Floyd, and Bill Stark of Orange Texas. Stan took a huge 13 point on the 5th day of the hunt, Bruce took a huge 10 point on the 6th day. I was very lucky I took a huge 9 point 15 minutes into our hunt. Remember sometimes it is the first deer you see. Bill left without a deer, because he did not see a deer to his liking. He saw a lot of deer, but none in the class he wanted. Again thank you to the Deslauriers’s and to Bill and Stan we will see you all next year!. -Jack

Saskatchewan Deer Hunt November '09

After Alberta Jack headed to Saskatchewan to Northway Outfitters around north Battleford, Saskatchewan. I made some new friends there as well. Bud and Brenda Graham were great hosts, and the accommodations were second to none. The camp was very comfortable and the food was great thanks to Buddy’s mom. I harvested a 10point beauty. There are a lot of deer in Saskatchewan. Everyone there had a great time. I liked it so much I am going to return next year. I had an incredible deer hunting season as the photos show, but don't tell it all. -Jack

Ha lloween "Night at the Museum"

Much fun was had by all at this year's annual, "Night at the Museum." Not only did we celebrate Halloween, but we brewed up an even bigger surprise! We used the event to mask a surprise birthday party for Rosalie Keslar on her actual birthday night! The event & surprise were a GREAT success. The costumed characters and ghouls were the finishing touch (pictured below) to a spooky and gruesomely decorated museum. Thanks to all whom attended & helped to made it a very special evening.

From top of picture collage clockwise:

1. (Back) Bree Horrell & Georgie Scott (Front) Taylor & Katie Horrell, Mary & Sophia Smithnosky

2. A spooky museum filled with costumed characters and ghouls

3. Beth Carlson-Scott, Georgie Scott & Jack Keslar

4. A cheering crowd as Rosalie cuts her birthday gog cake for all

5. Museum chairman Jack Keslar with his “witchy” sister Rosalyn, “Birthday Halloween Diva” mother Rosalie and “Good Witch” sister Giovanna.

Wyoming Mule Deer & Antelope Hunt October 2009

Team Keslar heads to Campbell County Wyoming for their latest hunt. Great success was enjoyed by all the three hunters as they each harvested a mule deer and an antelope. Pictured at right, in the orange jacket, is Dr. Bruce Matthews with his 15.5 in. long antelope and his 5x5 mule deer. Also pictured are Dr. Dennis Marcelli with his 4x3 mule deer next to Jack Keslar's 5x4 mule deer. The hospitality extended to them by their hosts, Bill and Cindy Mankin, was greatly appreciated.

Nushagak River Alaska Fish Camp 2009

Team Keslar participates in another successful King Salmon fish camp late June into July this year with Hodge's Outfitter's. Fishermen from 5 to 70 years of age experienced camping and fishing on the Nushagak River just north of Dillingham, AK. Katie Phelps w/guide Jimmy Hodge display her catch. Bob Shamey, Charlie Ankney & Jack Keslar Display their catch.

Seward Alaska Halibut & Ling Cod Sportfishing Excursion

The fishing continued in July following Hodge's Fish Camp. We traveled onto Seward, Alaska. We enjoyed a full day of fishing on a charter just off the tip of Montague Island & managed to bring back the best catch of halibut and ling cod in days. Beth Carlson-Scott & Jack Keslar with her largest ling cod catch held by their guide Craig. From right- guide Craig, Jack Keslar, Beth Carlson-Scott, Georgie Scott, Skip Reierson and a father son team that joined us from Kentucky.
First WWM Pistol Certification Course of the Season

In our first NRA Pistol course of the season the women students outnumbered the male students almost 2-1. You go girls! 7 people received their NRA certification for revolvers and semi-automatic pistols. Sign up for a WWM Education Course: Intro to Big Game Hunting, First Aid, CPR, Firearm Certification and more. All courses can be built and scheduled to suit your needs.

The museum really enjoyed a recent fieldtrip visit on April 15^th, 2009.

The fieldtrip was comprised of near 15 home schooled children ranging in age from a few months to 12 years of age. The children spent time in various activities to stimulate the learning process. The museum was incorporated into drawing activities, Q&A sessions, sensory identification exercises, a short nature walk and snacks.

Thanks to all that attended the Wilderness Wildlife Museum 3rd annual Big Game Feast & Gun Bash! It was great fun and a great success. We appreciate your support for the event and museum.

We are also always looking for suggestions to make our annual event bigger and better. So please send your suggestions our way: jack@wildernesswildlife.org

A special thanks to those that donated their time to help with the event. We would especially like to express our gratitude towards Rosalie Jioio's Little Italy for the wonderful catering that included many extremely tasty wild game dishes like the moose burgandy and king salmon in dill sauce!

Kansas Hunt December 2008

Team Keslar goes to central Kansas for a turkey and white-tailed deer hunting trip. Dr. Bruce Matthews & Jack Keslar (pictured with his deer on right) both take big & beautiful 8 point white-tailed deer from their Kansas Hunt Adventure of December 2008.

Yamagiwa Family Weekend Outing

2 day shooting outing with the Yamagiwa family. The family members were shooting novices that ranged in age from 16-94 years. First day consisted of full fire arm instruction and clays shooting. 2nd day consisted of full field shooting instruction and outfitting for a guided live bird hunt. Fun was had by all.

Alaskan Grizzly Hunt 2008

Team Keslar took 6 hunters to western Alaska for a combo hunt. The hunters were Monte Mcfadden, Dr. Dennis Marcelli, Armour Mellon, Don & Dave Francois and myself, Jack Keslar. Read about the last Alaskan Grizzly Hunt in Jack's Blog

Boy Scout Troop 133

Boy Scout Troop 133 visited the museum over Fort Ligonier Days. They participated in a program on conservation and stewardship to earn a badge.

Night at The Museum 2008

Fun was had by all at the annual "Night at the Museum," 9-27-08. Proceeds benefited museum education. Guests enjoyed a big game & fish menu while viewing museum dvds and pictured journals of past hunts and activities.

Look, First Fish Dad!!!

Congratulations to Sophia Marcelli (age 3) on her first fish caught at the Wilderness Wildlife Museum in May 2008.