In the Pittsburgh region, outdoor recreational opportunities are easy to find -- everything from organized urban dragon boating and novelty cuisine hikes to solitary fly-fishing, mountain biking and leisurely outdoor strolls.

The Post-Gazette's weekly GETout events listing, available at post-gazette.com, offers an overview of lots to do, but the list is neither comprehensive nor detailed. Ever wonder just how sweaty those hikes might be? Where's the coolest place to ride a bike? And just how educational can a wildflower walk really be?

Think of this expanded version of GETout Events as an opportunity to learn a little more about what you'll get when you, well, get out.

HIKING

Wednesdays The Audubon Society of Pennsylvania holds walks every Wednesday, 9 a.m. Call 412-963-6100.

Sundays through May. Nature Walks. Fern Hollow Nature Center. 1:30 p.m. www.fhnc.org 412-716-5520.

May 4 LATHAM'S ACRE HIKE

Long before the late Roger Latham became the outdoors editor of the late Pittsburgh Press, he was a biologist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission warning of future problems associated with unchecked expansion of the white-tail deer herd.

Deer are prolific breeders and voracious eaters. Latham believed it was shortsighted to manage deer populations soley to provide maximum sporting opportunities for hunters. Instead, he thought hunting seasons should be calculated to result in deer population levels that didn't overwhelm the habitat.

In 1949, Latham built a deer exclosure on a rugged acre of mountaintop in McKean County to illustrate the natural growth of habitat without overbrowsing by an unnatural number of deer. Hikers now have the opportunity to glimpse what parts of Pennsylvania might have looked like without nearly 60 years of deer impact.

Latham's Acre has a diversity of wildflowers including species like Solomon Seal, Canada Mayflower, Partridgeberry, White Baneberry, Indiana cucumber root, various species of Trilliums and more. Because of the botanical abundance, at this time of year the acre is a nesting stop for neotropical migrants including rose-breasted grosbeaks, wood thrushes and black-throated warblers.

The folks from Sewickley's Fern Hollow Nature Center lead a carpool to Latham's Acre, which leaves at 9 a.m. sharp. Bring money for a lunch stop, water and hiking boots. Meets at Fern Hollow Nature Center. Contact April Claus at 412-741-7536.

The free program is in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. For more information about Fern Hollow Nature Center, visit www.fhnc.org/about.html or call 412-741-6136.

May 6 Tyke Hike. For caregivers with newborns and children up to 8 years old. Strollers must be able to maneuver off road. Children on foot should wear tennis shoes. Snacks provided. $5 per family. Meets 10 a.m. Schenley Park, Oakland. 412-255-0564.

May 8 Perk-up Hike. Explores city neighborhoods and coffeehouses. A cup of coffee is included. Meets North Side, 6:30-7:45 a.m. $8 Venture Outdoors members, $15 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

May 11 Mother's Day Child Carrier Hike. Moms encouraged to bring kids newborn to 5 in child-carrier or sling for 3 mile walk at Raccoon Creek Wildflower Reserve. 1-3 p.m. $8 per family. Venture Outdoors, 412-255-0564.

May 11 May 25 Sunday Stroll (Mother's Day Hike and Leave No Trace). McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org. www.mckeever.org.

BICYCLING

May 11 Adventure Bike Tour. Easy ride over parts of Montour Trail, Carnegie. Bring daypack, water, snacks. Bike rentals available for additional fee. 1-4 p.m. $10 Venture Outdoors members, $20 non-members. 412-255-0564.

May 24 Great Outdoors Week Ride. Ohiopyle to Confluence and back on the oldest section of the Great Allegheny Passage. Pay lunch at restaurant. 10-4 p.m. $15 Venture Outdoors members, $30 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

FISHING

May 7 TriAnglers

Many still think Pittsburgh is a dirty industrial town, but the rivers are clean enough for Downtown workers to slip out at lunch and do some fishing.

The weekly lunchtime fishing group, Downtown TriAnglers, meets Wednesdays 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Riverfront Park on the North Shore. Beginners get a little help from fishing instructor Karen Gainey. Pennsylvania fishing license required for anglers age 16 and over. All fishing regulations apply. $5.

May 10 Ohio River Catfish Tournament. 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., May 11. Boundaries Wheeling, W.Va. to Pittsburgh. Chester Newell Sportsmen's Club. For details contact Don Chaney at 304-387-3982.

May 17 Dan Wagner Memorial Kids Fishing Day, Allison Park Sportsmen's Club, North Park Lake. Free and open to all children.

May 17 Walleye Round Up Tournament. Pymatuning Lake. Sponsor Pymatuning Lake Assoc. 724-927-6879, pymalake@windstream.net, www.pymatuninglake.com.

MAY 17-18 George Daniel Fly Fishing Clinic

Experienced veterans and newcomers to fly fishing will get something out of spending two days with 2008 U.S. National Fly Fishing champion George Daniel of Lock Haven, Pa.

"A lot of industry professionals want to make it sound like fly casting is a difficult art," he said. "But the truth is, fly casting is not that difficult."

An assistant manager at the TCO fly shop in State College, Daniel is a protege of fly-fishing author, instructor and competitor Joe Humphrey.

"People see 'A River Runs Through It' and they think [fly-casting is making] very long delicate casts. That's not the case. Most of the time your casts are going to be 10 or 15 feet. You don't need to be an incredible caster to catch fish. There are all kinds of unique casting styles, but they all have four main components: tension, acceleration, pause and stop. If you can get those basics down, you can do any cast in the world."

Daniel's clinic is at McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000.

June 7 Fisherman's Paradise Bus Trip. Penn's Woods West Trout Unlimited trip to Spring Creek, Bellefont/State College. $50, $45 before May 1. Non-members welcome. 412-521-0714, pwwtubustrip@gmail.com.

BOATING

Wednesday Wake Up Paddles

Kayak Pittsburgh starts the day with a brisk workout on the water -- an hour-long, moderately-paced paddle as the sun rises over the Downtown skyline. 6:15-7:30 a.m. at Kayak Pittsburgh: Downtown, North Shore. $12 Venture Outdoors members, $20 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

MAY 10 Intro to Dragon Boating

A fast-growing international sport that originated 2,000 years ago in China, dragon boating is easy to learn and a great cardiovascular workout that just about everyone can do. Participants tag along with the Steel City Dragons rowing team at Fox Chapel Yacht Club. 10 a.m. to noon. $5 Venture Outdoors members, $10 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

May 12 Beginner paddles. Instruction, practice and paddling on the Allegheny River. Kayaks, guides provided. Kayak Pittsburgh: Downtown, North Shore. 5:45-8:30 p.m. $25 Venture Outdoors members, $40 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

May 25 Hydrobike excursions. Raccoon Creek State Park, 9-11 a.m. $10 Venture Outdoors members, $20 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

May 31 Personal Watercraft Operator Safety Course. Required in Pennsylvania. Mon Valley Emergency Services Building, Donner Ave., Monessen. 9 a.m., $20. Pittsburgh Area Power Squadron. 724-684-5320.

June 14 Boating Course. A&M Marine, New Castle. Pittsburgh Area Power Squadron. Holt Conner, 724-752-4410.

HUNTING

May 4, May 11 Qualifying shoot for Allegheny County deer management program. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Northside Sportsmen's Association, Marshall. 412-931-9438, 412-735-0497. Hunts occur during regular archery season.

May 14 Ruffed Grouse Society Dinner. The Fish Pond, Swiftwater Lane, Leesport. Cocktails 6:30 p.m., dinner 7:30 p.m. 610-478-4500.

May 22-24 Women's Turkey Clinic and Hunt. Stackhouse Park, Johnstown. Sponsor NRA. $200. 800-861-1166, dconni@nrahq.org, www.nrahq.org/women/hunting/index.asp.

July 19 Youth Day. Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen's Club, Rt. 48, North Versailles, 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Boys and girls 9-15. Rifle, trap, archery, safety education, muzzleloader, trapping. Allegheny County Sportsmen's League. Register by June 15. 412-824-6467, acslyouthday2008@yahoo.com.

SHOOTS

Organized trap, skeet and sporting clays shoots are rapidly growing in popularity among women, children and men. It's safe, exciting to watch and fun to do and available at dozens of local clubs.

ALIQUIPPA BUCKTAILS Skeet and trap, Wednesdays 6 p.m. and Fridays 5 p.m. Call 724-378-1450 or visit www.bucktails.us.

ALLEGHENY COUNTY RIFLE CLUB Saturdays and Sundays: ATA registered trap, 10 a.m. Call 412-821-9828.

ALL SEASONS TRAP AND SKEET Wednesdays: Open shoots, 5 p.m. Call 1-814-590-3777.

CALIFORNIA HILL Sundays: Sporting clays and five-stand, 9 a.m. Call 724-938-3480 or 724-938-3477.

CARRICK SPORTSMEN Sundays: Traps, 1 p.m. Junior rifle and traps programs, personal protection/firearms safety, hunter safety courses. Call 724-348-5354 or visit www.carricksportsmen.com.

CLAIRTON Tuesdays: Skeet, trap leagues and practice, 5 p.m. Fridays: Trap practice 6 p.m. Sundays: Trap practice, leagues, 1 p.m. Last weekend of each month: Cast bullet and .22 rim-fire matches. Visit www.clairtonsc.org.

CLAYBUSTERS Sundays: Sporting clays, five stand, skeet and trap, 9 a.m. and Thursdays 1 p.m. Call 814-437-3252 or 814-437-3428.

COLLIER SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Trap 6:30 p.m. Public welcome. 412-276-9628.

CONNELLSVILLE SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Trap practice and skeet shooting, 5 p.m.

CORAOPOLIS Sundays: Junior Olympic archery development, 4:30 p.m. Tuesdays: Indoor archery, 7 p.m. Wednesdays: Informal combat, 7 p.m. Call 412-264-9920 or 412-793-7692.

CROWFOOT ROD & GUN Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays: Public trap practice, 7 p.m. Call 724-327-9315 or 724-327-0592.

DORMONT-MT. LEBANON SPORTSMEN Mondays: Outdoor pistol, NMC and MPRL, 7 p.m., Wednesdays: Indoor Open shoot, noon. 412-531-5043, www.mdi.net/dml.

EAST MONONGAHELA SPORTSMEN 3-D Archery Shoots. April 20, May 18, June 8, June 29, July 27, August 10, August 31, Sept. 7, Sept 21. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays: Bowling pin shoot, 6:30 p.m. Thursdays: Trap, 6:30 p.m. Third Sundays: Air pistol silhouette match, 1 p.m. 412-384-4747, www.dp.net/~emsc.

ELRAMA SPORTSMEN Mondays: Trap practice, 6 p.m. 412-384-8896.

FIVE POINTS HUNT Mondays: Trap practice, 5:30 p.m. 724-375-7381, 724-457-0315, www.fivepointshuntingclub.com.

FORD CITY SPORTSMEN May 18: Relay for Life Cancer Trap Shoot, 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. 100 16-yard targets, prizes awarded. Public welcome, benefits American Cancer Society. Wednesdays: Skeet practice, 6 p.m. Fridays: Trap practice, 6 p.m. 724-763-3136, fordcitysportsmen@yahoo.com.

FOREST GROVE SPORTSMEN Mondays: Trap, 6 p.m. Thursdays: Combat pistol shoots, 4 p.m., Third Wednesdays: Membership meetings, 7 p.m. Third Sundays: Muzzle-loaders shoots, noon. 412-269-0942.

LAWRENCE COUNTY Wednesdays: Trap/skeet shoot, 5 p.m. 5-stand, 5 p.m. Thursdays: 5 p.m.; Sundays: Sporting clays, 9:30 a.m. 5-stand, 9:30 a.m. 724-652-1075.

LIBRARY SPORTSMEN ASSOCIATION Thursdays: Trap, skeet, 6 p.m. 412-835-9812, www.librarysa.com.

LONG BRANCH SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Indoor NRA 50-foot small bore pistol league, 7 p.m. 724-925-2919, 724-333-4408, www.bloomautomatic.com/lbsc

McDONALD SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Trap and skeet, 7 p.m. 724-796-2271, www.mcdonaldsportsmen.com.

McKEESPORT SPORTSMEN Skeet practice, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. Cast bullet matches next to last Saturdays, 9 a.m., three classes, public welcome. 412-271-2144, 412- 824-7566.

MILLVALE SPORTSMEN Tuesdays: Skeet, 5 p.m. Wednesdays: Evening leagues, practice, 6 p.m. Saturdays: Registered targets, 9 a.m. 724-935-9963, www.millvalesportsmens.org.

NORTH BUFFALO SPORTSMAN'S Second Sundays: Action pistol, rifle. Third Sundays: Hunters trail shoot. Last Saturdays and Sundays: 3-D archery. 724-353-2444, 724-664-0513.

NORTH SIDE SPORTSMEN Wednesdays: Skeet, 6 p.m. Trap, 6 p.m. Sundays: Trap, skeet, 11 a.m. 724-935-9884, www.nssa.ws.

PITCAIRN-MONROEVILLE SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Trap, practical pistol practice, 6 p.m. Saturdays: Trap practice, 10 a.m. Sundays: trap practice, 1 p.m. 412-824-3790, www.pmsconline.com.

POSSUM HOLLOW SPORTSMEN Thursdays: 3-D archery, 6 p.m. 724-513-5338, 724-601-4796, 724-843-3489, www.possumhollowsportsmansclub.com.

RICHLAND SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Archery. Alternate Mondays: Junior rifle. 412-486-2873.

ROSTRAVER SPORTSMEN Practice trap, pistol and 3-D archery. 724-872-4399.

RUFFSDALE GUN Sundays: Trap practice, noon. Saturdays, 10 a.m.

SALTSBURG SPORTSMEN Paintball shoot second and fourth Sundays, 9:30 a.m. 724-845-6936.

SHANER SPORTSMEN Fridays: Trap. 724-494-6834, 412-417-3744.

SHANNOCK VALLEY SPORTSMAN'S CLUB 3-D archery April 27, June 29, Sept. 21. 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Public invited. Yatesboro, 724-783-6450.

SINNAMAHONING SPORTSMEN Paint ball shoot second and fourth Sundays, 9:30 a.m. 724-845-6936.

SUTERSVILLE SPORTSMEN Trap practice: Mondays, 6 p.m., Tuesdays 10 a.m. 412-872-0989.

TARENTUM SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Skeet practice, 5:30 p.m. 724- 353-1216.

TRAFFORD SPORTSMEN Indoor pistol: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 7:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 1 p.m. Trap: Wednesdays 10 a.m.; Fridays 6 p.m. Tuesdays: Archery practice, evenings; Bowling pin shoot: First and third Sundays, 10:30 a.m. 412-372-3820.

VICTORY HILL GUN Tuesdays: Trap practice, 6 p.m. 724-258-9871.

WASHINGTON SPORTSMEN Thursdays: Trap, wobble trap, skeet, 6 p.m. 724-222-0651.

WEST PENN SPORTSMEN Five-stand: Sundays, 10 a.m., Thursdays, 4 p.m. Trap: Thursdays 4:30 p.m.

YOUNGWOOD Trap: Sunday 10 a.m., Tuesdays, 6 p.m.

EDUCATIONAL

May 4 BIRD-BANDING HIKE

Powdermill Avian Research Center is the oldest full-time bird banding station in the country. The hike includes demonstrations of bandings of up to 30 different species of birds, observations of research into migration, and visits to a bioacoustics laboratory and nature center. Powdermill Nature Reserve, the biological research center of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, is located in Rector, Westmoreland County. 8 a.m.-noon. $10 Venture Outdoors members, $20 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

May 9-11 A Feather Quest. Two-day birdwatcher eco-tour, Ohiopyle State Park. $150-$185. 724-329-0986, eeohiopyle@qcol.net.

May 11 Spring Wildflowers. Jennings Environmental Education Center, Slippery Rock. Half-hour guided walk. 2 p.m. 724-794-6011.

May 24 Spring Woodland Flowers. McKeever Environmental Learning Center, Sandy Lake. 724-376-1000, info@mckeever.org. www.mckeever.org.

VOLUNTEER

Second Saturdays PTAG mountain bike trail work, Frick Park, Squirrel Hill. Details seth314@gmail.com.

May 4 PTAG mountain bike trail work, South Park. Details seth314@gmail.com.

June 1 PTAG mountain bike trail work, Bavington. Details seth314@gmail.com.

July 6 PTAG mountain bike trail work, Hartwood Acres. Details seth314@gmail.com.

August 3 PTAG mountain bike trail work, Boyce Park. Details seth314@gmail.com.

Oct. 5 PTAG mountain bike trail work, Deer Lakes Park. Details seth314@gmail.com.

Nov. 2 PTAG mountain bike trail work, Moraine State Park. Details seth314@gmail.com.

MISC.

May 4 Intro to In-line Skating

The Three Rivers In-line Club and the Pittsburgh Chapter of the National Skate Patrol team up for an easy instructional skate on the Eliza Furnace Trail. Learn to glide, stride, scissor and brake. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. $5 Venture Outdoors member, $10 nonmembers. 412-255-0564.

May 8 Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Museum of Rural Life. Debut of a new enclosure and reopening of National Historic Landmark site marking some of the oldest evidence of human habitation in North America. Avella, 724-587-3212.

May 17 Venture Outdoors Festival. Washington's Landing, North Side, Pittsburgh. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 412-255-0564, www.ventureoutdoors.org.

May 23-23 Outdoor Extravaganza. Butler Outdoor Club. Sampler of outdoor activities. Base camp at Breakneck Campground near McConnell's Mills and Moraine State Park). www.butleroutdoorclub.com,724-526-5407 and joyceappel@windstream.net.