Coyotes Added To Mentored Youth Hunting Program of Pennsylvania
December 15, 2008
HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that coyotes will become legal game under the Mentored Youth Hunting Program (MYHP) effective Saturday, Dec. 20.
The addition, which was given final approval by the Board of Game Commissioners at its Oct. 24 meeting, is slated to be published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, the Commonwealth’s official compendium of regulatory actions, which is the final step required for the change to take effect.
Roe noted that the logic behind the MYHP is simple and clear: create expanded youth hunting opportunities without compromising safety afield.
“This program paves the way for youngsters to nurture their interest in hunting early and allows them to take a more active role in actual hunting while afield with mentoring adults,” Roe said. “The program accommodates hands-on use of sporting arms and can promote a better understanding and interest in hunting and wildlife conservation that will help assure hunting’s future, as well as reinforce the principles of hunting safely through the close supervision provided by dedicated mentors.”
When first introduced in the 2006-07 license year, the species identified as legal game were woodchucks (groundhogs), squirrels and spring gobbler. In the 2007-08 license year, the Board approved the addition of antlered deer.Â
According to the agency’s annual Game-Take Surveys, participation in the MYHP has increased in terms of adult mentors and youths. In 2006, the first year of the program, 43,780 youths were mentored by 32,913 adults. That year, the mentored youths harvested 52,788 squirrels and 36,351 woodchucks. In 2007, the number of mentored youth grew to 58,883, and there were 51,141 adult mentors. That year, mentored youths harvested 61,160 squirrels, 52,114 groundhogs, 5,199 antlered deer and 3,496 spring gobblers.
Under the program, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual at least 21 years of age, who will serve as a guide to a youth while engaged in hunting or related activities, such as scouting, learning firearms or hunter safety and wildlife identification. A mentored youth is identified as an unlicensed individual less than 12 years of age who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities.
The regulations require the mentor-to-mentored youth ratio be one-to-one, and that the pair possesses only one sporting arm when hunting. While moving, the sporting arm must be carried by the mentor until the pair reaches a stationary hunting location, when the youth may take possession of the sporting arm and be within arm’s length of the mentor at all times.
Those youths participating in the MYHP are required to follow the same antler restrictions as a junior license holder, which is one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points. The program also requires that both the mentor and the youth must abide by any fluorescent orange regulations, and that the mentored youth must tag and report any antlered deer or spring gobbler taken by making and attaching a tag that contains his or her name, address, date, WMU, township, and county where it was taken, as well as the number of antlers, if it was a deer harvested. The youth must submit a harvest report card, which is available on page 33 of the 2008-09 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, within five days for any antlered deer or spring gobbler he or she takes.
For more information on the program, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us
) and click on “Mentored Youth FAQs” in “Quick Clicks” box in the upper right corner of the homepage. Information also is included on page 15 of the 2008-09 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, and a sample harvest tag can be found on page 33 of the Digest.
To continue hunting once a youth reaches the age of 12, they will need to and pass a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course and purchase either a junior hunting license or a junior combination license. For a listing of HTE courses, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the “Hunter Education” icon in the center of the homepage.
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Ohio Hunting, Trapping Seasons for Furbearers Open November 10
November 6, 2008
COLUMBUS OH - Ohio hunters and trappers preparing to pursue furbearers will find good populations of these animals during the 2008-2009 season, which begins on November 10.
“Food sources and habitat conditions for furbearers have been fair to good this year across Ohio,” said Mark Shieldcastle, wetland wildlife supervisor for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. “Fur takers can expect a good season.”
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For the fourth year, 43 counties will be open for river otter trapping from December 26 to February 28. River otters were reintroduced into four Ohio watersheds between 1986 and 1993 and have increased their range in the state. They were removed from the state endangered species list in 2002. Full details of open counties, checking and permit requirements can be found in the Ohio River Otter Trapping Regulations.
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In most regions of Ohio, hunting and trapping seasons for fox, raccoon, opossum, skunk, and weasel open November 10, and close January 31, 2009. The trapping season for mink and muskrat is open November 10 through February 28, 2009.
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Exceptions are Erie, Ottawa and Sandusky counties, and in Lucas County east of the Maumee River where raccoon, mink and muskrat trapping seasons will remain open through March 15, 2009.
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Ohio’s beaver-trapping season runs December 26 to February 28, 2009, statewide.
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There are no daily bag limits or restrictions on hours when furbearers may be hunted or trapped, with the exception of river otters where bag limits are dependent on the county where the trapping occurs. Special hunting regulations for coyotes apply during the one-week statewide deer-gun season December 1-7, and the deer-gun weekend of December 20-21.
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A fur-taker permit is required in addition to a valid Ohio hunting license to hunt or trap fur-bearing animals, except for coyotes, which may be hunted or trapped year round without a fur-taker permit. A special Division of Wildlife permit is required to trap beaver and otters on state public hunting areas.
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Otters that are accidentally captured, either in excess of bag limits or in closed counties, must be released unharmed. Otters that cannot be released must be turned over to the Division of Wildlife.
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Beaver trappers in particular, are advised to watch for otter sign and modify set placements where necessary. The Ohio State Trappers Association and the Division of Wildlife have published a guide on how to recognize otter sign and use various otter avoidance techniques while trapping for beaver in areas closed to otter trapping. A copy of the publication and reports about observing otters in Ohio can be ordered by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE.
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Ohio is among the nation’s leading producers of raw furs. Last year, there were 89 licensed fur dealers and 16,000 licensed fur takers in the state.
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Additional hunting information is contained in the 2008-2009 Ohio Hunting Regulations brochure, available where Ohio hunting licenses are sold, on the Internet at www.ohiodnr.gov or by calling toll-free 1-800-WILDLIFE.
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The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.gov.
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Furharvester Education Course August 2
July 21, 2008
Course offers basic methods of harvesting furbearers and the preparation and marketing of pelts
PRATT – The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks’ (KDWP) Hunter Education section will offer a one-day furharvester education class on Saturday, Aug. 2. Students will gather at the KDWP Operations Office, 512 SE 25th Avenue, 2 miles east and 1 mile south of Pratt. The course will begin at 8 a.m. and run until 5 p.m. Lunch will be provided.
The course is designed to provide basic instruction concerning the ethical, safe, and selective hunting, trapping, and handling of furbearing animals and coyotes. The day will consist of both classroom and hands-on outside learning, including equipment preparation and furharvesting techniques. Students completing the course and final test will receive a Kansas furharvester education certificate.
Pre-registration is required by phoning the Hunter Education Section at 620-672-5911.
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Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners Takes Step To Expanded Mentored Youth Opportunities
June 27, 2008
HARRISBURG - Taking a step forward to grow the agency’s popular Mentored Youth Hunting Program (MYHP), the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to add coyotes to the list of species that may be hunted by youths under the age of 12 while under the supervision of a mentor. To take effect, the Board must approve the proposal at its next meeting, which is scheduled for Oct. 24.
The proposed regulatory change was recommended by the Governor’s Youth Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation and the Pennsylvania Fox and Coyote Hunters Association.
Under the program, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual at least 21 years of age, who serves as a guide to a mentored youth while engaged in hunting or related activities, such as scouting, learning firearm and hunter safety and wildlife identification. A mentored youth is defined as an unlicensed individual under the age of 12, who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities.
The mentor-to-mentored youth ratio may not exceed one mentor to one youth, and the pair may possess only one sporting arm while hunting. While moving, the sporting arm must be carried by the mentor. When the pair reaches a stationary hunting location, the mentor may turn over possession of the sporting arm to the youth and must keep the youth within arm’s length at all times.
“As with other MYHP opportunities, mentored youth who choose to hunt for coyotes must do so from a stationary hunting location,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.Â
The MYHP, first implemented by the Board in 2006, also enables participating youth to hunt for squirrel, woodchuck (groundhog), spring gobbler and antlered deer.
Youth and mentors are required to abide by all fluorescent orange regulations, and the mentored youth must tag and report any antlered deer or spring gobbler taken. Mentored youth may participate in the youth-only squirrel season and the youth-only spring gobbler day, as well as the general squirrel and spring gobbler seasons.
Youths participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program are required to follow the same antler restrictions as a junior license holder, which is two or more points on one antler or one antler three or more inches in length. Mentored youth may only pursue antlered deer, and may only participate in seasons in which antlered deer are legal and must follow appropriate sporting arm restrictions.
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Trailhead Closed, Investigation Continues in Possible Wild Animal Attack in Sandia Mountains
May 19, 2008
SANDIA PARK — The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Balsam Glade Nature Trail and campground in the Sandia Mountains while Department of Game and Fish officers continue to investigate Saturday’s apparent attack of a 5-year-old boy by a wild animal.
The attack occurred approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday on a hiking trail. An animal grabbed the young hiker by the head and carried him off the trail into the forest. The child’s father followed the animal into the brush, jumped on it and the animal dropped the child and ran away.
The young hiker was airlifted to UNM hospital where he remained in satisfactory condition Monday morning. The young hiker and his father identified the animal as a mountain lion from pictures shown to them by the investigating officer.
Monday, Department officers and wildlife biologists were searching the area for evidence that would identify the animal involved in the attack. Tracking dogs specifically trained to find mountain lions were unable to find a scent Sunday, despite near ideal tracking conditions. The dogs were in the area again Monday morning. Animals known to use the area include mountain lions, bobcats, bears, coyotes and feral dogs.
Attacks by bears and cougars on humans are extremely rare in New Mexico, but have resulted in deaths. A mountain lion attacked and killed an 8-year-old boy in 1974 in Espanola. An elderly woman was killed and partially eaten by a black bear in August of 2001.
Last week, a mountain lion killed a poodle in Las Cruces. Game Department officers set a trap for the lion but abandoned the trapping efforts when no trace of the lion was found several days after the attack.
The Department of Game and Fish urges any individual attacked by a bear or lion to fight back, using any available objects. Victims are encouraged to strike back by hitting the animal in the nose or eyes.
More information about how to behave when encountering wild animals is on the Department of Game and Fish website, www.wildlife.state.nm.us.
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