Floating on water, martens and ticks

If you ever wondered what it would be like to fly, you might want to try out an eFoil.

One of the stories I have this week involves fascinating technology that allows people to ride a surfboard-like watercraft more than a foot over the water. The two people I interviewed offer lessons for this evolving technology to help people take advantage of this fun way to cruise a lake or large river.

Another intriguing story I have this week involves the possible reintroduction of an animal that has left our landscape for about a century. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will consider at its meeting later this week the concept of reintroducing the American marten back to the wilds of Pennsylvania. The story highlights why this fur-bearing native creature should once again be part of the Pennsylvania forest landscape.

Did you ever find a tick embedded on your body? A third story I'm sharing involves an easy way to remove them from your skin or pet. I spoke to the inventor of TickEase about his passion for educating people on these nasty arachnids.

The last story I have for you involves keeping up with technology. The electric motor advancements that have been applied to automobiles is now becoming available for boat motors. The story highlights proposals being considered by the Fish and Boat Commission to maintain the intentions of regulations for lakes that are electric motor only.

With Monday being a holiday, many have a shorter work week until the weekend. I hope you find time to get outdoors. Check out a "new to you" bass lake, campground or one of the commonwealth's 121 state parks.

Have a good weekend and I thank you for your time and interest in the outdoors of Pennsylvania.

Brian Whipkey is the outdoors columnist for USA TODAY Network sites in Pennsylvania. Contact him at bwhipkey@gannett.com and 814-444-5928 with outdoor related questions and story ideas.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: efoils, martens, ticks and the PFBC