Pennsylvania Board Closes Pike Run Wild Pheasant Recovery Area

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to retain four Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRAs) for the 2012-13 seasons, while closing the Pike Run WPRA in southwestern Pennsylvania.

The agency’s Ring-necked Pheasant Management Plan seeks to restore self-sustaining and huntable populations of wild pheasants in suitable habitats, and specifically calls for the creation of WPRAs. The agency is releasing wild-trapped pheasants into these areas, with a goal of achieving a density of 10 hen pheasants per square mile.

“The Pike Run WPRA in southwestern Pennsylvania has concluded and habitat patch analysis shows that Pike Run meets only one of five targets in the pheasant habitat model,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Pheasant densities are at one hen per square mile, which is far short of the 10 hens per square mile objective.

“In light of the area’s habitat characteristics and low pheasant densities, and in keeping with the pheasant management plan, Wildlife Management Unit 2A, which includes the previously designated Pike Run WPRA, is to be opened to hunting male pheasants and stocking of game farm pheasants is to be reinstated beginning with the 2012-13 season.”

Under the WPRA program, small game hunting is prohibited in the designated areas, as well as the release of any artificially propagated pheasants – including Game Commission-raised pheasants. Also, to limit disturbances to nesting hen pheasants, dog training of any manner and small game hunting is prohibited in WPRAs from the first Sunday in February through July 31 each year.

The Board also took preliminary steps to allow for crow hunting within WPRAs, which would be added to the exceptions that allow for groundhog and waterfowl hunting within WPRAs, and opened WMU 2B to the hunting of male and female pheasants.

“Working with major partners, such as Pheasants Forever, the California University of Pennsylvania and local landowners, we already have a jump start on creating WPRAs,” Roe said. “These groups have invested in creating the necessary pheasant habitat in these areas of the state.

“The Game Commission will continue to raise and release pheasants on public lands with suitable pheasant habitat each fall. And, with the additional revenues made available through Marcellus shale well leases on State Game Lands, we will increase our pheasant production level to 200,000 birds for the upcoming season.”

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Pennsylvania Game Commissioners Propose 2012-13 Seasons and Bag Limits

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2012-13, including a move to allow Mentored Youth Hunting Program participants to take part in fall turkey seasons.

Other changes include expanded bear hunting opportunities in urban/suburban Wildlife Management Units (WMUs); additional small game season dates prior to Christmas; the addition of WMU 4C for bobcat hunting and trapping; the addition of WMUs 2G and 4D for fisher trapping; various changes to the beaver trapping seasons to reduce bag limits in WMUs 3A and 3D and to increase bag limits in WMU 5D to address nuisance complaints

The public may offer comments on all proposed 2012-13 seasons and bag limits, as well as other Board actions, between now and the Board’s next meeting, April 23-24, at which time the Board is scheduled to finalize seasons and bag limits for 2012-13.

Also, the Board will receive staff recommendations for antlerless deer license allocations for the 22 WMUs at its April meeting. Deer harvest estimates for the 2011-12 seasons will be available in mid-March.

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Pennsylvania Wildlife Leadership Academy Applications Now Available

This year-round wildlife-focused leadership program for youth aged 14-17 equips participating students with the necessary skills to become ambassadors for conservation in their home communities. In addition to intensive field experiences in wildlife biology, this program enables youth to develop important leadership skills such as public speaking, critical thinking, and team work.

The Wildlife Leadership Academy brings the expertise of Audubon PA, Kutztown University, PA Game Commission, Penn State University, Trout Unlimited, Quality Deer Management Association, and other partners directly to high school students.  Major topics covered in each five-day residential field school include:

• Wildlife Biology
• Habitat Management
• Research and monitoring
• Role of Sportsmen in Wildlife Management
• Nature Photography and Journalism
• Community Outreach and Education

After the field school, youth are mentored throughout the year as they participate in at least three public outreach activities relating to wildlife and habitat conservation.

Application Information
Tuition for the 5-day residential field school is $500.
Tuition scholarships are available for those who need support!
Application deadline: April 1, 2012
Questions? Contact the Academy Director, Michele Kittell at 570-245-8518 or mkittell@piceweb.org

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Pennsylvania Game Commission Applauds Repeal of License Display Requirement

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe Thursday applauded the enactment of legislation that will remove the requirement for hunters and trappers to display their licenses on an outer garment. The law takes effect in 60 days.

House Bill 735, sponsored by Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York), was unanimously approved by the House on June 15, and was approved by a vote of 46-3 in the Senate. Gov. Tom Corbett signed the bill into law today, which will take effect on Feb. 13.

“Since 2003, the Game Commission has been supporting various drafts of legislation sponsored by Rep. Gillespie and Rep. Neal Goodman (D-Schuylkill) to remove this antiquated requirement,” Roe said. “With today’s new license format, this change in law will make hunting less complicated, improve license management by hunters and trappers, and limit the inconveniences and troubles associated with lost or misplaced licenses.

“While we are pleased with the change in law, it is important to remember that the new law doesn’t take effect for 60 days. So, hunters and trappers will need to continue to wear their licenses on an outer garment until Feb. 13.”

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Pennsylvania Poaching Case Involves Record-Book Buck

A Lancaster County resident was cited for poaching a record-book class buck, according to charges filed by Pennsylvania Game Commission in the court of District Justice William Wenner, in Harrisburg, on Dec. 7.

Wildlife Conservation Officers Mike Doherty of Dauphin County, and John Veylupek, of Lancaster County, filed the charges against Scott M. Garner, 33, of Bainbridge, Lancaster County, who was charged for exceeding the bag limit for antlered deer in a license year by killing a second buck.- Under long-standing bag limits, Pennsylvania hunters are limited to one antlered deer per license year.

On Dec. 1, Garner killed a 14-point buck in Londonderry Township, Dauphin County, during the two-week firearms deer season after having killed a five-point buck in archery season on Oct. 31. He re-used and altered his buck tag, originally used on the buck taken on Oct. 31, to tag the second buck illegally harvested on Dec. 1.

For killing the 14-point buck, Garner faces penalties of up to 90 days in jail and an enhanced fine of $6,500 since the size of the deer’s antlers are considered trophy class under Game Commission regulations. He also faces up to three years revocation of his hunting and trapping privileges in Pennsylvania.

Had the 14-point buck been lawfully taken by a hunter, with a Boone & Crockett green-score of 172.5 inches, it would have placed it in the top 25 for typical deer taken with a firearm in Pennsylvania’s All-Time Big Game Records.

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Winter Hunting and Trapping Opportunities Abound in Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe reminds hunters and trappers they still have a mixed bag of seasons from which to choose after the statewide firearms deer season concludes on Saturday, Dec. 10.  They include seasons for deer, snowshoe hare, ruffed grouse, squirrel, cottontail, pheasant, coyote, fisher, bobcat, beaver and other furbearers, crows, doves and waterfowl.

With the regular firearms seasons for deer closing on Dec. 10, a wide variety of hunting and trapping opportunities remain over the next couple of months.

The small game seasons are: squirrel, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 25; ruffed grouse, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28; rabbit, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 25; and snowshoe hare, Dec. 26-Dec. 31. In addition, pheasants (males and females) will be open from Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4D, 5C and 5D.

The statewide late archery and flintlock muzzleloader deer seasons run concurrently from Dec. 26-Jan. 16. Further, all hunters with WMU 2B, 5C or 5D antlerless deer licenses may use any legal sporting arm to harvest antlerless deer from Dec. 26-Jan. 28.

Flintlock muzzleloader season participants may harvest an antlerless deer with a WMU license, DMAP permit, or a general hunting license deer harvest tag. During the late season, antlered deer may be taken only by bowhunters and flintlock muzzleloader hunters who possess an unused general hunting license deer harvest tag.

Hunters using archery or muzzleloader licenses, and hunting with those special sporting arms, are not required to wear fluorescent orange, but are encouraged to do so, especially when hunting in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, where an antlerless season for limited-range firearms users will also be in progress. Refer to the Digest for firearms restrictions in special regulations areas. Hunters using conventional firearms in those WMUs must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange.

Furbearer hunting seasons continuing through the winter months include: red and gray foxes, until Feb. 18, including Sundays; raccoons, until Feb. 18; and bobcats, in designated WMUs, from Jan. 17-Feb. 7.

Furbearer trapping seasons include: beavers, Dec. 26-March 31 (bag limits depend on WMU, outlined on page 74 of the 2011-12 Digest); mink and muskrats, until Jan. 8; raccoons, skunks, opossums, foxes, coyotes and weasels, until Feb. 19; and bobcats until Jan. 8.

Trappers also may use cable restraints for foxes and coyotes from Dec. 26-Feb. 19, providing they have passed a mandatory cable restraint certification course. For information on courses, visit the Game Commission’s website and click on the “Hunter Education” link in the right-hand column and choose the month of interest to find the nearest course.

Dove hunters also will have late season opportunities when dove season runs Dec. 26-Jan. 4. Hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise to sunset, and the daily limit is 15 birds.

Waterfowl hunters have plenty of hunting opportunities to pursue from December into April. Hunters may take Canada geese and white-fronted geese during the following upcoming seasons: Atlantic Population Zone, Dec. 17-Jan. 25; Southern James Bay Canada Goose Hunting Zone, Dec. 12-Jan. 25; and Resident Canada Goose Zone, from Dec. 20-Feb. 25. Snow goose season is open and runs until April 27; special permit required in the Atlantic and Southern James Bay Zones from Jan 26-April 27; and from Feb. 27-April 27 in the Regular Population Goose Zone.

Ducks, sea ducks, coots and mergansers may be hunted in the Lake Erie Zone until Jan. 4; in the North Zone, until Jan. 4; in the Northwest Zone through Dec. 16; and in the South Zone through Jan. 14.

For details on waterfowl bag limits in each of the zones, please consult the Pennsylvania 2011-12 Guide to Migratory Game Bird Hunting, which is available on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on the “2011-12 Migratory Game Bird Brochure” icon in the center of the homepage.

In addition to a regular Pennsylvania hunting license, persons 16 and older must have a Federal Migratory Bird and Conservation Stamp, commonly referred to as a “Duck Stamp” to hunt waterfowl. Regardless of age, hunters also must have a Pennsylvania Migratory Game Bird License to hunt waterfowl and other migratory birds, including doves, woodcock, coots, moorhens, rails and snipe. All migratory game bird hunters in the United States are required to complete a Harvest Information Program survey when they purchase a state migratory game bird license. The survey information is then forwarded to the USFWS.

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Elk Escape from Captive Cervid Facility in Pennsylvania Near West Virginia Border

South Charleston, W.Va. – The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (WVDNR) has confirmed with officials from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) that at least two elk, including one adult bull and one cow, have escaped from a captive cervid facility (deer and elk farms) in Greene County, Pa. Greene County shares a common border with Marshall, Wetzel and Monongalia counties in West Virginia. The elk escaped from a captive cervid facility located approximately three miles from the West Virginia-Pennsylvania border.

The PDA regulates captive cervid facilities in Pennsylvania. A representative of the agency was unaware if the recent escaped elk were tagged. The WVDNR regulates captive cervid facilities in West Virginia. In West Virginia, all captive cervids in breeding facilities must be ear-tagged, and there are currently no reported elk escapes from any facility in West Virginia.

A bull elk has been seen recently in Wetzel County, W.Va., according to WVDNR officials. There have been no reports of cow elk sightings in either Wetzel County, W.Va., or Greene County, Pa. No free-ranging wild elk live within 150 miles of Wetzel County. The elk sighted in Wetzel County is likely the escaped animal from the captive facility in Pennsylvania.

Contact between escaped captive deer or elk and free-ranging white-tailed deer increases the risk of disease transmission from the captive animals to the native herd, according WVDNR biologists. The movement and/or escape of captive deer and elk increases this risk of contact and are one of the many possible modes of transmission for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) from captive cervids to free-ranging white-tailed deer.

The State of Missouri recently documented CWD in a captive cervid facility. Texas Parks and Wildlife had to euthanize a large captive deer herd after illegal importation of white-tailed deer from a captive facility in Arkansas.

“Monitoring and protecting West Virginia’s deer herd from CWD and other diseases is crucial to West Virginia’s economy and its natural resources,” said WVDNR Director Frank Jezioro. “Deer hunting provides tremendous recreational opportunities for hunters and wildlife viewers, has a large economic impact on its rural communities, and brings in many out-of-state hunters each season to West Virginia.”

WVDNR advises residents in Marshall, Wetzel and Monongalia counties to contact the Farmington District Office at 304-825-6787 if they see an elk in these counties. Hunters are reminded that it is illegal to harvest any free-ranging elk in West Virginia.

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RGS Accepting Reservations for its Pennsylvania Upland Bird Hunt

Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) has scheduled its annual Upland Bird Hunt (UBH) within the Pennsylvania Wilds Region of Pennsylvania for November 3-5, 2011.

The UBH adventure includes a reception party on Thursday, Nov. 3; two days of hunting on Nov. 4-5; two breakfast buffets; field lunches; admission to “Meet the Artist” featuring a number of recognized wildlife artist and carvers; a buffet dinner on Friday Nov. 4, and one ticket to the Grand Banquet on Saturday, Nov. 5. (Area RGS members are welcome to attend the evening events).

According to RGS Regional Director Lisa Rossi, reservations are $325 per hunter and $150 for a “youth hunter” or non-hunting guest. With limited availability, the base of operation will be the Red Fern Inn, Kersey, PA, which is central to thousands of acres of public hunting land, including the Allegheny National Forest, several State Game Lands and State Forest lands.  A Pennsylvaniaresident or non-resident hunting license is required.

Lodging accommodations will be available at several hotels in the St. Mary’s area. For more information and/or reservations contact Mary Hosmer at 814-512-2101, or by e-mail at: wlhab@windstream.net .

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Information on RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at:www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

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Ruffed Grouse Society Commends PA Game Commission for Opening More Land to Hunting

Coraopolis, PA – The Ruffed Grouse Society (RGS) applauds the Pennsylvania Game Commission for opening an additional 10,400 acres in Centre and Clearfield counties to hunters and trappers.

“With thousands of acres being lost annually through development and private landowner posting, it’s important that more access be made available to sportsmen and sportswomen; not only here in Pennsylvania, but in every state across this great nation of ours,” said Mike Zagata, RGS President and CEO, noting that is was hunters that laid the cornerstone for today’s conservation movement.

“In may sound paradoxical, but in order for grouse, woodcock, deer, duck, turkey or the thousands of songbirds and other non-hunted species to survive, it is imperative that the outdoor traditions we inherited from our forefathers continue, and the only way that can happen is by making more land available and maintaining it so that all wildlife will prosper,” Zagata said.

Established in 1961, the Ruffed Grouse Society is the one international wildlife conservation organization dedicated to promoting conditions suitable for ruffed grouse, American woodcock and related wildlife to sustain our sport hunting tradition and outdoor heritage.

Information on RGS, its mission, management projects and membership can be found on the web at: www.ruffedgrousesociety.org.

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Pennsylvania Elk Hunting License Drawing Rescheduled For Sept. 14

Harrisburg, PA – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe announced Monday that the agency has rescheduled its public drawing to award 56 elk licenses for the 2011 elk hunt for 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81. The rescheduling was the result of state office closings last week forced by flooding in the Harrisburg region.

Roe said the public drawing will be webcast beginning at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 14. To view the drawing, a “Live Elk Drawing” icon will be posted on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) for individuals to click on and watch the drawing. In order to watch the live feed, you will need to have Flash Player installed on your computer. If you do not have Flash Player installed on your computer, please go to this link: http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/. Once Flash Player has been installed, you can watch the drawing.

Roe said the same flooding that devastated property and adversely affected the lives of tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians also impacted Game Commission properties and resources, including two Game Farms in Lycoming County, which caused the loss of thousands of ring-necked pheasants. The agency also has cancelled the public tours of the two Lycoming County game farms – the Loyalsock and Northcentral game farms – originally scheduled for Sept. 25.

“We are beginning the assessment process, but it appears that 30,000 to 40,000 pheasants that had been raised and were ready for release for this fall’s hunting have perished or escaped,” said Bob Boyd, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management assistant director, who oversees operations of the agency’s four Game Farms. “We are doing all that we can to recapture escaped birds still in the area, but losses may total up to 40 percent of the total pheasant production planned for this year and has compelled us to re-evaluate fall pheasant stocking plans. The disruption will delay the announcement of how many pheasants will be stocked in each county. Not only were birds lost, but both farms received major damage to holding fields and buildings, which may jeopardize plans to double production levels next year.

“It is too late in the production season to raise more pheasants or to purchase pheasants from private propagators to replace these losses.”

Boyd noted that the other two tours scheduled for the Western Game Farm in Crawford County and the Southwest Game Farm in Armstrong County will continue on Sunday, Oct. 2, as planned and announced. (For more information on the two tours that will continue as planned, please refer to News Release #094-11, which was issued on Sept. 1.)

In Bradford County, the public tour scheduled for State Game Lands 12 and 36 also was cancelled due to flood damage to the tour route.

“Roadways on SGLs 12 and 36 in Bradford County are impassable and several bridges are literally gone,” said Pete Sussenbach, Game Commission Northeast Region Land Management supervisor. “While assessments continue, we expect the damage to be in the millions.”

In the Southeast Region, the public tour scheduled for State Game Land 211 in Dauphin and Lebanon counties has been cancelled due to flooding that has impacted numerous areas of the old railroad grade used as part of this popular tour route.

“At this point, we are unable to access some areas of SGL 211, particularly the Rausch Gap area, to make a full assessment of impacts,” said Bruce Metz, Game Commission Southeast Region Land Management supervisor. “We know a lot of people enjoy this annual tour, but we, unfortunately, must cancel this year as several areas are washed out, and we are unable to make the necessary repairs at this time.”

Metz also noted that routes normally opened two weeks prior to the archery seasons for those disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind on SGL 110 in Berks County and SGL 210 in northern Dauphin County, are not open yet.

“Again, due to wash outs and extremely wet conditions, we are unable to open these routes at this time,” Metz said. “We hope to be able to repair these routes in the near future, and plan to issue a news release when they are opened for disabled hunters who have a permit to use a vehicle as a blind.”

Roe noted that more information will be released on the flood damages to Game Commission assets, properties and resources as assessments are finalized and compiled.

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