Pennsylvania Bill Limits Landowner Liability for Hunting Violations

It will be relieving for landowners in Pennsylvania to hear that they are one step closer to not being liable for the irresponsible actions of hunters they have allowed on their property.

On Monday May 7, the Pennsylvania Senate approved legislation that would limit the liability of landowners who allow hunting on their property.

Senate Bill 1403, introduced by Sen. Richard Alloway II, R-Franklin/Adams/York, would protect landowners from legal action taken against for Game Code violations committed by hunters who were previously authorized to use the landowner’s property.

“We should be encouraging farmers and land owners to open their land to hunting and other recreational purposes instead of threatening them with legal consequences for the actions of others,” said Alloway, who serves as Chairman of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, in a statement on Alloway’s office website.

Under the current law, landowners could be legally held responsible for violations not their own. If a hunter takes an animal out of season on the landowner’s land, the owner may face a legal backlash.

The new bill doesn’t make landowners completely immune, however. If a property owner receives a fee, payment or gratuity from the hunter in exchange for permission, the landowner could still be held responsible for violations.

Senate Bill 1403 was sent to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.

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Pennsylvania Gets Closer to All-Day Hunting for Every Turkey Season

The mild winter was a blessing for turkeys and may be a blessing for Pennsylvania hunters who dream of hunting all day long as well. A higher proportion of hens will likely be incubating nests on opening day, which makes gobblers more vocal in their search for hens.

The mild winter has also left Pennsylvania’s gobblers in good condition. “That means those healthy males may just continue gobbling and looking for mates throughout the hunting season,” Carl Roe, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s executive director said. The only negative aspect of the warm winter is the early emergence of leaves that is a safety concern for hunters. The leaves will make it more difficult for hunters to see and hear their target.

Therefore, for the second year in a row, the Commission will allow for all-day hunting during the second half of the spring turkey hunting season as they continually evaluate the measure. All-day fall hunting has been in place since hunting turkeys in Pennsylvania became legal decades ago. This leaves only the first half of the spring season that requires hunters to put down their weapons by noon.

Pennsylvania’s spring turkey hunting season lasts from April 28 until May 31. The first two weeks (April 28 – May 12) will have the traditional noon closure time. From May 14 to May 31, hunters can take turkeys between one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

“By the second half of the season, hunter participation decreases significantly and nesting hens are less prone to abandon nests,” said Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist.

A Game-Take survey by the Commission showed that spring turkey hunting has become so popular that there are now as many as 230,000 spring hunters, while there are usually 163,000 fall hunters. The average harvest for the spring is 38,000-45,000 bearded birds, while in the fall there is an average of 16,000-25,000 birds harvested of either sex.

Casalena said the Commission will continue to monitor the impact of all-day hunting. It will look at harvest in relation to population trends and age class of gobblers to determine the impact. Forty-nine states in the United States conduct turkey seasons. Of those, 34 have all-day hunting for all or part of the season, including Maryland, Ohio and Virginia.

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Pennsylvania Confirms a New State Elk Record

The largest elk ever recorded in Pennsylvania, a bull taken by a lucky hunter in 2011, has been confirmed as the new state record. The official declaration was made today by the Boone and Crockett Club.

An official measurer determined a final score of 442-6/8 B&C non-typical points, which ranks 9th among all non-typical elk in Boone and Crockett records.

The bull has nine points on the right antler and eight on the left. The antlers tally 190-3/8 on the right and 188-1/8 on the left, with 47-7/8 inside spread and 29-7/8 in abnormal points. The antlers are unusually wide—an impressive 69 inches at their widest point.

The Boone and Crockett scoring system is based on antler size and symmetry, and accepts only trophies taken in fair chase.

Since the early 1900s, the Boone and Crockett scoring system has been used to measure the success of wildlife conservation and management programs across North America.

Elk are native to Pennsylvania but had been extirpated by the late 1870s. Hunters and game commissioners in 1912 began discussing the idea of re-introducing the species. The following year, a shipment of 50 elk arrived by train from Yellowstone National Park. Half were released in Clinton County, half in Clearfield County. It was the beginning of a long elk restoration and habitat conservation effort that by the late 1990s would begin to generate significant tourism, wildlife watching and, of course, hunting opportunities.

Today there are 10 Pennsylvania bulls recognized in Boone and Crockett records. Seven are non-typical elk with a minimum score of 385; three are typical elk with a minimum score of 360. All have been taken since 2003.

The new Pennsylvania record holder, William Zee of Doylestown, Pa., was hunting in Clearfield County, Pa.

“Congratulations to Mr. Zee, and especially to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for its work building one of America’s most up-and-coming elk herds,” said Eldon Buckner, chairman of the Club’s Records of North American Big Game committee.

The previous Pennsylvania state record for non-typical American elk was a bull scoring 441-6/8 taken in 2006 in Clinton County by hunter John Shirk.

Since the Zee bull is a Top 10 entry, its score will be panel-verified during the Boone and Crockett Club’s triennial awards program in Reno, Nev., next year.

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Pennsylvania Hunters Can Purchase Special Spring Gobbler Tag Now

Pennsylvania hunters who would like the opportunity to harvest a second spring gobbler can purchase a second spring gobbler tag until midnight on April 20, according to Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. In fact, thanks to the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS), hunters can purchase a second spring gobbler tag at any issuing agent or through the agency’s website.

Roe cautioned that those who plan to purchase the second spring gobbler tag through the agency’s website should expect to wait seven to 10 days for shipping, depending on the volume of other online purchases. Also, all sales of the second spring gobbler tag will cease at midnight on April 20, which is the day before the one-day season for junior license holders and those participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.

“Prior to the implementation of PALS, hunters had to wait until Jan. 1 before submitting a license application for the second spring gobbler tag, and then wait for the agency to mail the license back to them,” Roe said. “The old process was necessary to enable the agency to spread out the administrative workload of processing and handling licenses for the fall hunting seasons.

“However, thanks to PALS, hunters can now purchase the second spring gobbler tag at any issuing agent and walk out of the store with the license in hand, or they can purchase it online and wait for it to be mailed to them within 10 days.”

Roe noted that all general hunting license holders are able to take one spring gobbler as part of their general hunting privileges; the second spring gobbler tag license affords those hunters interested in this additional opportunity to take a second spring gobbler. Hunters may only purchase one second spring gobbler license during a license year, as the season limit remains two spring gobblers, and the daily harvest is one bird per day.

“So, if you are looking for that application in your digest or online to mail in, you won’t find it,” Roe said. “You can just purchase the special spring gobbler license either through the Game Commission’s website or visit your local license issuing agent.”

Fees set by state law for the special license are $21.70 for residents and $41.70 for nonresidents. For online orders, there are additional shipping and handling costs.

The 2012 spring gobbler season is set to run from April 28-May 31. Legal hunting hours for the opening day of the spring gobbler season through the third Saturday (April 28-May 12) will be one-half hour before sunrise until noon; the remainder of the season (May 14-31) will have legal shooting hours of one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

The one-day Spring Gobbler Youth Hunt will be held on April 21, and will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon.

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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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