Countdown To Deer Season in Pennsylvania Has Begun!
November 18, 2008
HARRISBURG – The state’s biggest draw for hunters is set to begin the Monday after Thanksgiving, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe, when the two-week firearms deer season opens.
“When hunters begin to mobilize for the start of our traditional firearms deer season, there’s an unmistakable change that sweeps throughout Pennsylvania,” Roe said. “Fluorescent orange and camouflage clothing instantly become as common as denim. The crack of firearms being sighted in at rifle ranges can be heard in the distance. Cars are parked on the shoulders of roads that bisect or border most forested areas, as hunters scout for deer sign and look for the perfect stand locations. Newspapers advertise hunter breakfasts and write stories about mom-and-pop butcher shops that process deer for hunters.
“Deer season has a dramatic effect on the Commonwealth. It provides recreation to hundreds of thousands of hunters, and for those who take a deer, dozens of meals of tasty venison. It also provides an economic surge that local businesses and national chain stores count on annually. Hunters buy everything from clothing and equipment, to fuel and food. Their economic impact is substantial.
“Deer season also is an important tool that the Game Commission has used for more than a century to manage Pennsylvania’s whitetails. The efforts of hunters are far-reaching, and they help to keep deer populations at levels to meet deer management goals.”
The Game Commission manages deer for a healthy and productive deer herd that provides recreational opportunities within acceptable ecological impacts and human conflicts. It’s a never-ending job, and one that will always be influenced by Pennsylvania’s changing landscape and the varying viewpoints of its residents. But, the agency is committed to providing sound deer management.
One of the biggest changes in deer season this year is the new five-day, antlered deer-only season in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B. It starts the Monday after Thanksgiving and concludes Dec. 5. It is followed immediately in these four WMUs by seven days of concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer hunting beginning Dec. 6 and continuing through Dec.13. The rest of the state follows the two-week concurrent, antlered and antlerless season – Dec. 1-13 – that has been in place since 2001.
The changes to these four WMUs will pave the way for the Game Commission to investigate the relationship between antlerless allocations and season length. These WMUs were chosen because: WMUs 2G and 4B have ongoing deer research in them; WMU 2D is an area where antler restrictions are set at four points on one side, and is where the agency previously had deer research conducted; and WMU 3C is an area where antler restrictions are set at three points on one side, and is a physiographic area of the state where no extensive deer research has been conducted so far.
The Game Commission will use a four-year study to determine the impact and effectiveness of the proposed five-day antlered/seven-day concurrent season before additional WMUs may be considered for this season configuration. It also will assess hunter satisfaction with the modified season structure in the four WMUs.
Hunters must wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined at all times while afield durin
g the seasons. They also are advised that it’s illegal to hunt, chase or disturb deer with a firearm within 150 yards of any occupied building without the occupant’s permission.
All hunters who take a deer must fill out their harvest tag and attach it to the deer’s ear before moving the carcass. The tag can be secured to the base of the ear with a string drawn very tightly, if the hunter plans to have the deer mounted. Cutting a slit in the ear to attach the tag will require additional work by a taxidermist.
A harvest report card – which is provided with every license sold - must be mailed to the Game Commission within 10 days after taking the deer. Hunters who lose or misplace a deer harvest report card are urged to use or copy the big game harvest report card found on page 33 of the 2008-09 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest, which also is provided to all license-buyers.
Deer hunters with an unused bear license also are reminded they may take a bear in the state’s extended black bear season. The extended bear season will be held in WMU 3C, and portions of 3B and 2G, from Dec. 1-6. In WMUs 4C, 4D and 4E, the extended season will run Dec. 3-6. Bear licenses must be purchased prior to Dec. 1 to participate in these hunts.
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Pennsylvania Game Commission Removes Protection on Feral Swine
October 28, 2008
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe recently rescinded protection on feral swine found in the wild in Butler, Bedford and Cambria counties.
“In May, when we removed protection on feral swine in Pennsylvania, we maintained the protection on them in Butler, Bedford and Cambria counties to facilitate trapping by the U.S. and Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture,” Roe said. “Trapping is viewed as the most effective way to remove feral swine from the wild, because it limits their dispersal into new areas.
“However, as we are now outside the time of year in which trapping is most effective, we want to afford hunters the maximum opportunity to remove feral swine that they encounter while participating in the upcoming big game seasons.”
The Game Commission has determined that the eradication of feral swine from Pennsylvania is necessary to prevent further harm to public and private property, threats to native wildlife and disease risks for wildlife and the state’s pork industry.Â
“We are not seeking to establish a hunting season for feral swine, but rather we are committed to rid Pennsylvania of this invasive species,” Roe said.
Licensed hunters, including those who qualify for license and fee exemptions, are eligible to participate in the unlimited taking of feral swine. They may use manually-operated rifles, revolvers or shotguns, as well as and muzzleloaders, bows and crossbows. All other methods and devices legal for taking feral swine must be conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 2308 of Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code), which can be viewed on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us
) in the “Laws & Regulations” section in the left-hand column of the homepage.Â
Any person who kills a feral swine must report it to the Game Commission Region Office that serves the county in which the harvest took place within 24 hours. Residents who witness feral swine also are urged to contact the Region Office that serves their county. For contact information, as well as list of counties that each region office serves, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on the “Contact Us” link in the left-hand column of the homepage and scroll down to “Region Offices.”
Nearly 25 states across the nation have persistent and possibly permanent populations of feral swine established in the wild, and Pennsylvania is one of 16 new states where introduction is more recent and may still be countered through decisive eradication efforts.
Feral swine have been declared to be an injurious, non-native, invasive species of concern in Pennsylvania that are suspected to have been introduced into the wilds of this Commonwealth through a variety of means, including both intentional and unintentional releases. Feral swine also have been determined to pose a significant, imminent and unacceptable threat to this Commonwealth’s natural resources, including wildlife and its habitats; the agricultural industry, including crop and livestock production; the forest products industry; and human health and safety.
The Game and Wildlife Code (Title 34) and agency regulations (Title 58) provide broad authority to the Game Commission to regulate activities relating to the protection, preservation and management of all game and wildlife. However, the agency was only recently declared to have jurisdiction over matters relating to feral swine by the state Supreme Court in Seeton v. PGC. In its decision, handed down on Dec. 27, the Supreme Court decision declared feral swine to be “protected mammals,” and, as a consequence, feral swine could only be taken as authorized by the agency. Without established harvest rules, the Supreme Court declared them protected until such time as the agency takes action.
For more information, visit the Game Commission “Feral Swine” section on its website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).
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Pennsylvania Game Commission Urges Hunters to Consider Sharing Venison
October 27, 2008
Hunters who are successful in the upcoming deer hunting seasons are encouraged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider participating in the state’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program, which channels donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens and needy families. Pennsylvania’s HSH program is recognized as one of the most successful among similar programs in about 40 states.
“Using a unique network of local volunteer area coordinators and cooperating meat processors to process and distribute venison donated by hunters, HSH has really helped to make a difference for countless needy families and individuals in our state,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Pennsylvanians who participate in this extremely beneficial program should be proud of the role they play. HSH truly does make a tremendous difference.”
Started in 1991, HSH has developed into a refined support service for organizations that assist the Commonwealth’s needy. Each year, Hunters Sharing the Harvest helps to deliver almost 200,000 meals to food banks, churches and social services feeding programs for meals provided to needy Pennsylvanians.
“This program is all about the generosity of hunters and their desire to help make a difference,” Roe said. “It’s a program that many hunters have become committed to and enjoy supporting. After all, what is more gratifying than providing needed food to families?”
As part of the program, hunters are encouraged to take a deer to a participating meat processor and identify how much of their deer meat - from an entire deer to several pounds - that is to be donated to HSH. If the hunter is donating an entire deer, they are asked to make a $15 tax-deductible co-pay, and HSH will cover the remaining processing fees. However, a hunter can cover the entire costs of the processing, which is tax deductible as well.
HSH established a statewide toll-free telephone number – 866-474-2141 - which also can answer hunters’ questions about where participating meat processors can be found or other general inquiries about the program.
To learn more about the program and obtain a list of participating meat processors and county coordinators, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Hunting” and then select “Hunters Sharing the Harvest.” Information also can be found on the HSH website (www.sharedeer.org).
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Pennsylvania Game Commission Uses Growing Greener II Monies to Improve Public Shooting Ranges on State Game Lands
October 21, 2008
HARRISBURG – Benefiting from Growing Greener II monies, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that the agency is nearing completion of its first major overhaul of public shooting ranges on State Game Lands, as it seeks to address lead remediation, repairs and safety issues.Â
“As hunters head off to the range to sight in their firearms for the upcoming seasons, we urge them to make sure that the public shooting range they may be planning to visit still is open,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “While the agency has been spending more than $200,000 annually to maintain these ranges, vandalism and other examples of misuse of these ranges have required far more investment in upkeep than the agency is able to budget.
“However, thanks to the Rendell Administration and General Assembly providing the Game Commission a portion of the Growing Greener II monies for environmental projects, we are able to address some of the needs of these ranges.”
Through Growing Greener II, the Game Commission has already spent more than $1.7 million on lead remediation and clean up. Safety upgrades have cost $454,000, so far.
The specific services the Game Commission requested and contracted from the National Rifle Association (NRA) are “Range Use and Procedural Evaluations” and “Range Safety and Design Evaluations” at each of the State Game Lands public ranges. The agency has received a written detailed report of findings and recommendations for future operation of these ranges. Several Game Commission staff participated in outdoor shooting range evaluation and operational training conducted by the NRA’s Range Technical Team over the past four years. The agency reviewed documentation and information included in their NRA Range Source Book, including the federal Environmental Protection Agency’s Best Management Practices for Outdoor Ranges. This has resulted in the Game Commission’s desire to objectively evaluate and improve upon its existing shooting range setup.
As was announced in Feb. 9, 2005 (See News Release #010-05), the Game Commission temporarily closed four ranges due to safety concerns: SGL 50 in Somerset County; SGL 91 in Luzerne County; SGL 157 in Bucks County; and Indian Rock (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property) in York County.Â
Roe noted that, over the past three years, the agency has been closing ranges for needed work and then reopening them as soon as possible. Work started in the Northwest Region and then moved across the Commonwealth, and the final projects are being conducted in the Northeast Region.Â
“In addition to having the NRA make an objective review of safety conditions at each range, we contracted with Metals Treatment Technologies, a leader in the nation among companies providing lead remediation and stabilization services on outdoor shooting ranges,” Roe said. “This contract includes the services of Dick Peddicord and Associates, a nationally-recognized expert in environmental range issues and lead remediation and abatement. We are requesting lead remediation and stabilization of soil materials removed from backstop berms, side berms and range floors at all Game Commission shooting ranges.
“Lead remediation measures are being undertaken to prevent any lead contamination of surface areas and surface and ground waters on State Game Lands. This effort is the largest by any state agency in the country and will result in environmentally clean and safe shooting ranges provided to the general public by the Game Commission.”
As of today, the status of the 30 public shooting ranges on SGLs, by region, are as follows. Where work continues, the expected date for reopening of the range may be delayed due to weather impacts on construction.
NORTHWEST REGION:
- SGL 24, Forest County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 72, Clarion County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 109, Erie County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
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SOUTHWEST REGION:
- SGL 42 (Waterford), Westmoreland County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 42 (New Florence), Westmoreland County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 50, Somerset County, has been cleaned, but work continues to address safety concerns. Due to the ongoing work, this range is not expected to be reopened until 2009.
- SGL 51, Fayette County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 108, Cambria County, has been cleaned and is open for use.Â
- SGL 179, Greene County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 203, Allegheny County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 223, Greene County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 245, Washington County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 248, Indiana County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
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NORTHCENTRAL REGION:
- SGL 77, Clearfield County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 176, Centre County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
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SOUTHCENTRAL REGION:
- SGL 230, Cumberland County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
NORTHEAST REGION:
- SGL 58, Columbia County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 91, Luzerne County, has been cleaned. However, safety upgrades have not yet been completed, but the range is expected to be reopened by mid-November.
- SGL 127, Monroe County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 141, Carbon County, has been cleaned and is open for use.Â
- SGL 159, Wayne County, a bridge was replaced, and the range has been cleaned. However, safety upgrades have not yet been completed, but the range is expected to be reopened by mid-November.
- SGL 183, Pike County, has been cleaned. However, safety upgrades have not yet been completed, but the range is expected to be reopened by Oct. 22.
- SGL 206, Luzerne County, has been cleaned. However, safety upgrades have not yet been completed, but the range is expected to be reopened by Oct. 23.
- SGL 300, Lackawanna County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
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SOUTHEAST REGION:
- SGL 43, Chester County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 106, Berks County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 157, Bucks County, has been cleaned, but work continues to address safety concerns. Due to the ongoing work, this range is not expected to be reopened until 2009.Â
- SGL 205, Lehigh County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 211, Dauphin County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
- SGL 242, York County, has been cleaned and is open for use.
There are three ranges that the Game Commission has cleaned and closed permanently: SGL 44, in Elk County; SGL 54, in Jefferson County; SGL 285, in Beaver County. Also, the agency cleaned and decommissioned two ranges it previously maintained on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers owned property at Conemaugh in Indiana County, and Indian Rock in York County.Â
Game Commission public shooting ranges are open year-round, from 8 a.m. until sunset, except for Sunday mornings, unless otherwise posted. Sunday range hours are from noon until sunset.Â
Some ranges, if posted, do provide pistol-shooting stations and shotgun areas. Ranges are used most heavily prior to the bear and deer seasons. Regulations regarding use of ranges are prominently posted at each range. All rules of safety need to be followed, including proper eye and ear protection. Also, someone 18 or older must accompany anyone under the age of 16.
For directions and other information regarding SGL public shooting ranges, please visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “State Game Lands” in the left-hand column of the homepage, and then select “public shooting ranges.”
Facts about the Pennsylvania Game Commission: The Game Commission built Scotia Range, the agency’s premier shooting range on State Game Land 176 in Centre County, using a portion of its Project 500 grant monies. Project 500, enacted in the 1970s, was the last time the agency’ received state bond monies prior to the Rendell Administration’s Growing Greener II initiative.
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