Unified Sportsmen Of Pennsylvania Suing PGC Again

Not successful in their first attempt to sue the Pennsylvania Game Commission to stop their implementation of the deer management plan, the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania got the go ahead from a state court to sue the PGC. PGC now has 30 days to reply to the charges.

In essence, USP claims that PGC did not use scientific evidence in the issuing of antlerless deer permits resulting in drastic reductions in deer numbers. They want this to stop until such time that PGC can prove they are following the law in issuing the permits. Read more

Reducing Deer Populations For Healthy Forests And People

I’ve talked some about his subject from a couple different perspectives. In Pennsylvania, the state is in the middle of a major deer population reduction in order to regrow the forests. According to reports from studies and officials, there are areas where too many deer have destroyed the natural under story of the forest allowing for growth of invasive plant species. Read more

Beware of “Natural” Wildlife Management

Nearly one year ago, I wrote an article that referred to an article that was published in The Outdoorsman, Bulletin #5, July 2004; pages 4 and 5. The title of that article was, “Beware of “Natural” Wildlife Management”. It was written by Dr. Valerius Geist.

Dr. Valerius Geist, Professor Emeritus of Environmental Science at the University of Calgary in Alberta, is a renowned expert in wildlife management and conservation practices. In addition to teaching, writing about, and lecturing on the subjects, Dr. Geist has performed years of in-the-field research on big game species. He has authored 16 books, seven documentary films and contributed 40 entries to various encyclopedias.

With permission from Dr. Geist, I would like to publish the original article in its entirety. Read more

Is Government Two-Faced When It Comes To Domestic Elk Industry?

Fascism takes on many forms some of which are difficult to spot. I see far too many groups and individuals attempting to force ideals onto others. When this happens an assortment of tactics are employed in order to manipulate the system and sway public opinion to achieve an end result.

Take for example the state of Idaho. Idaho is home to one of the best run domestic elk industries in the United States, in my opinion. It is well run, clean, disease free and brings a substantial economic contribution to the people of that state as well. Some people don’t like to see elk trapped behind fences even though elk have been domesticated world wide for centuries. Read more

Pennsylvania Supreme Court Says PGC Can Regulate Game In Preserves

Animal rights groups, which have shown in past history to have very little interest in saving animals and more interest in trampling on the rights of individuals, sued the state of Pennsylvania in order to force the Pennsylvania Game Commission to implement its regulations on game hunting preserves - specifically the Tioga Hunting Preserve which provides opportunities to hunt boar.

The PGC claims it has no jurisdiction over the boars at Tioga as they are non-native but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, in a 4-1 decision said, “wild boar are protected wild mammals that are subject to the commission’s regulations.”

The intent of Fund for Animals is to stop any and all forms of hunting. They will chip away at U.S. citizen’s rights until they have achieved their sought after goals - forcing their ideals on the general public.

In an earlier statement made by Jerry Feaser of the Tioga Hunting Preserve, he said that the rights of a property owner allows him to decide who harvests his animals.

Let’s put it to you this way, for comparison. If I’m a farmer and I have some dairy cows, and I decide for some reason to allow some people to come in and shoot them, there’s nothing the Game Commission can do.

The Court’s ruling stated that the boar were “protected wild mammals”. I assume as far as protected, they are using this term to describe that the PGC would regulate or manage the animal as part of its game management programs? Wild pigs are far from a federally protected species. As a matter of fact, many states are trying to figure out how to get rid of their wild pigs.

Part of the argument seems to be that the boars that are present at the Tioga Hunting Preserve are imported Russian and European boars. The PGC has said that because of that, they cannot control the pigs there.

What is questionable is the double standard being used by the animal rights groups. When their argument fits the mold, they will argue against the mere existence of game preserves claiming that none of the animals inside the fences are “wild” and fight to stop the slaughter of what they called tame or domesticated animals. If the moment is right, such as seems to be the case here, they will argue that pigs are wild animals and therefore need to be under the jurisdiction of the PGC.

Included in that double standard is that of the use of the term hunting. In some cases, animal rightists will attempt to use to their advantage that shooting animals on a fenced-in preserve isn’t hunting. They will refer to it as inhumane slaughter. In this case, they clearly refer to the events taking place at Tioga as hunting and are demanding that the PGC have jurisdiction because of that. So which is it? We can’t have it both ways, or can we?

With this ruling, it becomes clear to me that the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has set precedence that shooting boars on game preserves is hunting and therefore needs to be regulated by the PGC. Will that stop the future arguments as to whether or not shooting game inside fences is hunting? Probably not but maybe some smart lawyer will use this ruling by the PSC in its fight to protect property rights.

But don’t get confused here. The goal of Fund for Animals and all the animal rights groups is to take away everyone’s opportunities to hunt. This is just one step in that direction.

Now that it appears the PGC has jurisdiction over Tioga’s boars and of course all other game preserves in Pennsylvania, it will be interesting to see how this actually changes things. You can bet that if this ruling doesn’t force the closure of Tioga and other preserves statewide, the animal rights groups will be back with more ridiculous lawsuits stripping away our rights as American citizens.

Weren’t cows wild mammals once also?

Tom Remington

Pennsylvania Deer Hunters Can Assist Officials In Tracking EHD

Pennsylvania this year has confirmed cases of dead deer as the result of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease, referred to as EHD or blue tongue. It’s a deadly virus, regularly found in many southern states but this summer has spread to several northern states as well. EHD is carried by tiny biting insects commonly called midges or no-see-ums. It is believed that these bitings insects are the only way the virus is passed and not from one animal to the next.

Pennsylvania officials are asking hunters for assistance in reporting any dead deer found believed to have died from EHD. Samara Trusso, regional biologist for the Southwest Region of the Pennsylvania Game Commission describes the symptoms of EHD this way.

Once bitten by an infected midge, Trusso said it takes five to 10 days to see the signs of the illness in the deer. Trusso said the deer will start appearing lethargic, disoriented, lame or unresponsive to humans and other stimulus. Trusso said there have been incidents when people had to physically push an infected deer off a roadway because it would not respond to passing vehicles or honking horns.

As the disease progresses, the deer may drool, have bloody discharge from the nose, sores on the mouth and swollen, blue tongues; they could also become thin from not eating and normally die near sources of water because they seek the water when their fever rises. Once at the water source, they’re too disoriented to drink.

Trusso said between five and seven days after the disease is incubated, the deer could die. Some deer can survive.

The virus cannot spread from deer to deer, animal to animal and the disease is not transferable to humans.

Hunters should report any deer they find that they believe have died from EHD to Game Commission officials. This will help the PGC to track the disease. If a hunter shoots a deer infected with EHD, notify game officials immediately. New deer tags will be issued.

Tom Remington

Trapped Bear That Attacked Boy Scout Euthanized

This is an update to the story I ran on Monday about a Boy Scout who was attacked while in his tent by a black bear in Hickory Run State Park in Pennsylvania. Chris Malasics was attacked by a bear that ripped through his tent. The boy played dead while the bear tossed him about much like a beach ball. Malasics suffered cuts and bruises.

This was the second such attack in that park in one month and officials had made attempts to trap the bear after the first attack but with no success. Shortly after Malasics’ attack, they were able to trap a bear, one they believe is probably the same bear, and decided to put the bear down, as is common practice once a bear becomes accustomed to humans and has lost all fear, as was clearly the case here.

Tom Remington

Fall Deer Archery Seasons To Begin September 29th

Harrisburg, Pennsylvania - Bowhunters will be returning to the state’s forests and suburban woodlots with high hopes of taking a big buck or bringing home the venison on Sept. 29 for the start of Pennsylvania’s six-week archery season, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials.

However, if you are a bowhunter with an antlerless deer license for Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2B, 5C or 5D, you can take part in the new early antlerless deer archery season in those WMUs. The new season starts this Saturday, Sept. 15, and runs through Friday, Sept. 28. A late fall archery antlerless deer season also will be held in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D from Nov. 12-24.

The statewide archery deer season runs from Sept. 29 to Nov. 10, and the statewide late archery season will run Dec. 26-Jan. 12.

“Our survey work indicates that roughly one of every three deer hunters is a bowhunter, so it’s not hard to understand why archery season creates such a stir in Penn’s Woods,” said Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. “The sport is challenging, occurs when our forests are at their finest and offers excitement that’s tough to top.

“Many bowhunters have strung their trail cameras and done their preseason scouting, and consequently are anxious to get afield and up a tree. They also know that there are places where deer are more than plentiful.”

As it has for the past several years, the Game Commission is encouraging bowhunters to spend more time afield this fall prior to hunting seasons to pattern deer movements and identify areas where fall foods are abundant. Don’t rely on solunar tables, moon phases or weather reports to schedule your hunts. Hunt as often as you can, and scout every time you head afield. Try to pattern daily deer movements in relation to feeding areas. And pay attention to prevailing wind direction. These modifications can make a difference and likely won’t lead to a withdrawal from your wallet.

There is no reason to believe that deer hunting will be any easier this fall, although the drought’s suffocating effects on the landscape may make it easier to pattern deer movements to food and water sources. Gypsy moth caterpillar defoliation also has limited acorn production in stands of oak. But the only way to ensure you’re heading to the right place to hunt is to get out there before season and look to see what’s happening or what happened.

Deer movements to and from agricultural areas also may change because of drought, and in some cases, severe storms. During its recent meeting, the Pennsylvania State Emergency Board reviewed damage assessment reports, which projected that farmers in 22 counties have suffered a loss of at least 30 percent to one or more major crops. Such changes in field yield can compel deer to move on to other food sources.

Receiving permission to access private property, particularly in urban/suburban areas, can provide distinct advantages over hunting public lands. But so can heading into the interior of large tracts of public land open only to foot travel. Another good change-up for hunters looking to improve their chances afield is morning hunts on weekdays before work when fewer hunters are afield. The more time a hunter spends afield seeking fresh sign, the greater his or her chances will be. Hunting from a tree-stand can improve a hunter’s odds, as will hunting in multiple locations, and as undetectable as possible.

“Deer can be cagey, and particularly the older bucks that now comprise a larger percentage of Pennsylvania’s whitetail population,” explained Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. “So prepare to hunt by paying attention to detail, because it’s often the little things that can make the difference between taking and missing that buck of a lifetime.

“Remember, though, even when you do everything right, there’s no guarantee that you’ll take a whitetail. Hunting’s like that. There are no guarantees. Sometimes the big buck goes to the guy who never practiced, or scouted. Most times, however, it doesn’t. Being in the right place at the right time can happen with regularity if you work at it. If you don’t, you’ll need some luck.”

Many Game Commission field officers expect hunters to find satisfying hunting opportunities afield this fall, but that doesn’t mean hunters should expect to find deer populations unchanged. Deer numbers vary from one WMU to the next, even from township to township or within a township. There are areas with sizeable deer numbers and areas with limited numbers. Deer, however, can be found everywhere; they’re just not as abundant or as visible in some areas as residents have become accustomed to seeing them over the past 10 years. This is particularly true on some public lands, where hunting pressure compels deer to change their daily movements.

Antler restrictions, implemented in 2002, have led to an increasingly higher percentage of 2.5-year and older bucks being available to hunters each year. Last year, about half of the bucks taken by hunters were 2.5 years old, or older. Typically, about 80 percent of the state’s overall buck harvest is taken in the concurrent rifle season, but archers still manage to take their share. Older bucks offer a more challenging hunt, since many bucks also have another year of experience to draw upon.

“Since deer herd reductions earlier this decade, the deer management program has worked to stabilize the deer populations in most WMUs during the past three seasons,” said Dr. Christopher Rosenberry, Game Commission Deer Management Section supervisor. “Although hunters may see fewer deer, opportunities to see and possibly harvest a 2.5-year-old and older buck are better as a result of antler restrictions.”

The best hunting days of the 2005 early archery season were the first day, followed by the sixth Saturday, the last Saturday and the second Saturday. Increased hunter participation likely influences hunter success on the opener and Saturdays.

The Game Commission urges bowhunters to take only responsible shots at deer to ensure a quick, clean kill. For most, that’s a shot of 20 yards or less at a deer broadside or quartering away. Bowhunters should shoot at only deer that are in their maximum effective shooting range - the furthest distance from which a hunter can consistently place arrows into a pie pan-sized target.

Archers also are reminded of regulatory changes in equipment requirements that took effect in 2002. All bows must have a peak draw weight of at least 35 pounds, and broadheads must have at least a 7/8th-inch outside diameter and no less than two cutting edges. Cutting edges must be in the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface.

Earlier this year, the Board of Game Commissioners gave approval to a regulatory change to permit the use of illuminated nocks for arrows and bolts, which can be affixed at the aft end of an arrow or bolt and aid in tracking or locating the arrow or bolt after being launched. However, transmitter-tracking arrows still are illegal.

Tree-stands and climbing devices that cause damage to trees are unlawful to use or occupy unless the user has written permission from the landowner. Tree-stands - or tree steps - penetrating a tree’s cambium layer cause damage. It is unlawful to construct or occupy constructed tree-stands on State Game Lands, state forests or state parks.

Other safety tips bowhunters should consider before heading afield and while hunting include:

- Make sure someone knows where you’re hunting and when you expect to return home. Leave a note or topographic map with your family or a friend. Pack a cellular telephone for emergencies.

- Always use a fall-restraint device - preferably a full-body harness - when hunting from a tree-stand. Wear the device from the moment you leave the ground until you return. Don’t climb dead, wet or icy trees. Stay on the ground on blustery days.

- Get in good physical condition before the season starts. Fatigue can impact judgment, coordination and reaction time, as well as accuracy. Staying physically fit makes a difference.

- Always carry a whistle to signal passersby in the event you become immobile. A compass and matches or lighter and tinder also are essential survival gear items to have along. An extra flashlight bulb also can be helpful.

- Use a hoist rope to lift your bow and backpack to your tree-stand. Trying to climb with either will place you at unnecessary risk.

- Don’t sleep in a tree-stand! If you can’t stay awake, return to the ground.

- Always carry broadhead-tipped arrows in a protective quiver.

- If you use a mechanical release, always keep your index finger away from the trigger when drawing.

- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for all equipment and check your equipment before each use.

- Practice climbing with your tree-stand before dawn on the opening day of the season. Consider placing non-slip material on the deck of your tree-stand if it’s not already there.

Facts about the Pennsylvania Game Commission: Did you know that, in 1951, the Game Commission opened the first archery season for hunting antlered deer under a special $2 archery license. The season was held Oct. 15-27.

Media Contact:
Jerry Feaser

(717) 705-6541

PGCNews@state.pa.us