GAME COMMISSIONERS ADOPT 2008-09 SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2008-09, including a slate of antlerless deer license allocations for the 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
Following are several articles on meeting highlights from today.
BOARD ADOPTS 2008-09 DEER SEASONSThe Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a slate of deer seasons for the 2008-09 seasons, which retains nearly all of the opportunities provided in the past to address the goals of the agency's deer management plan.
A substantial change for the deer hunting seasons is a five-day, antlered deer only season in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B starting the Monday after Thanksgiving (Dec. 1-5), followed immediately by seven days of concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer hunting (Dec. 6-13). The approved package retains the two-week (Dec. 1-13) concurrent, antlered and antlerless season in the remaining 18 WMUs.
"The goals of the deer management plan have not changed," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "The changes to these four WMUs will allow us to investigate the relationship between antlerless allocations and season length as we move forward with our deer management plan."
Roe noted that the four 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.
"Antlerless deer harvest versus number of days of opportunity, or the overall season length, will be evaluated over the next four years of five days of antlered deer and seven days of concurrent seasons," Roe said. "Also, we will conduct annual surveys of hunters to address other aspects of the program.
"In the future, stakeholders may be able to provide input by sharing whether they'd like more opportunity via time, such as two weeks or more, or more people involved through perhaps more tags and shorter seasons."
Game Commission staff, per Board direction in January, is preparing 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.
The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that addresses landowner deer management objectives within WMUs remains in place. And, noting that the focus of DMAP is to allow landowners to direct additional hunting pressure on specific areas to meet that landowner's objectives, the Board gave preliminary approval to a measure to allow DMAP antlerless deer permit holders to hunt for antlerless deer in WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4D for the full two-weeks of the firearms deer season, Dec. 1-13, similar to all other 18 WMUs. The Board must approve this measure in June before it takes effect for the upcoming 2008-09 deer hunting seasons.
The Board also gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to allow hunters in special regulation areas counties (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia) to harvest more than one deer at a time without first lawfully tagging previous harvest, provided all deer harvested are lawfully tagged immediately thereafter. This change is part of the agency's continuing efforts to find solutions to the high deer-human conflicts in these urban counties. For all other areas, hunters must continue to tag the first deer harvested before attempting to harvest a second.
BOARD APPROVES ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSE ALLOCATIONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved antlerless license allocations for each of the 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) based on measurements of deer health; habitat health; and level of deer-human conflicts based on Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) input; as well as deer population trends.
The agency continues to seek a decrease in the population trends in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, which are the three most developed areas of the state. Based on CAC input, and supported by scientific measurements, the agency is continuing to allow for an increase in the population trend in WMU 4B, which was initiated in 2006, and has proposed to begin to allow for an increase in the population trends in WMUs 4E and 5A. In all other WMUs, the agency continues to seek stabilization of population trends.
For more information on these measurements, both the quantitative thresholds and qualitative labels, please see "Deer Program" on the agency's website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us) in the "Quick Clicks" box in the right-hand column of the homepage.
Following is a listing of the approved allocations for each WMU, along with last year's allocation. More detailed information for each WMU allocation will be posted on the agency's website in the near future, in the "Deer Program" section.
WMU 1A allocation will be 42,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's allocation.
WMU 1B allocation will be 30,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 2A allocation will be 55,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 60,000. The Deer Management Section noted that the deer harvest declined in 2007-08. This is a return to the allocation level from 2004-2007 until the agency can better assess population trend changes in 2008.
WMU 2B allocation will be 68,000 to continue to decrease the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 2C allocation will be 49,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 2D allocation will be 56,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 2E allocation will be 21,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 2F allocation will be 28,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 2G allocation will be 26,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 3A allocation will be 26,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 29,000.
WMU 3B allocation will be 43,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 3C allocation will be 27,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 3D allocation will be 37,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 38,000. The decrease in allocation reflects impacts from changes in the border between WMUs 3D and 5C, which also was approved by the Board today.
WMU 4A allocation will be 29,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 4B allocation will be 23,000 to continue to allow an increase in the population trend, which is the same as last year's.
WMU 4C allocation will be 35,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 39,000. The decrease in allocation reflects impacts from changes in the border between WMUs 4C and 5C, which also was approved by the Board today. While the CAC for this unit recommended an increase in the population trend, scientific measurements could not support such a move at this time.
WMU 4D allocation will be 40,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's. While the CAC for this unit recommended an increase in the population trend, scientific measurements could not support such a move at this time.
WMU 4E allocation will be 30,000 to allow an increase in the population trend, which is decrease from last year's allocation of 38,000.
WMU 5A allocation will be 19,000 to allow an increase in the population trend, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 22,000.
WMU 5B allocation will be 51,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 53,000. The decrease in allocation reflects impacts from changes in the border between WMUs 5B and 5C, which also was approved by the Board today.
WMU 5C allocation will be 92,000 to continue to decrease the population trend, up from last year's allocation of 84,000. The increase in allocation reflects impacts from changes in the borders between WMUs 5C and 3D, 4C and 5B, which also were approved by the Board today, and the CAC for this unit recommended a decrease in the population trend.
WMU 5D allocation will be 22,000 to continue to decrease the population trend, which an increase from last year's allocation of 20,000.
WMU BOUNDARIES PROPOSED FOR CHANGESThe Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a regulatory change that shifts some of the boundaries of the present 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
In 2003, the agency first approved a uniform system of 22 WMUs to replace the system of multiple, species-specific management units. The primary objective of WMU system was to simplify regulations, and develop and implement management decisions on a system of more homogenous units based on physiography; land cover and use; human population density; and land ownership. Boundaries were defined using recognizable physical landscape features, such as rivers and highways, rather than political boundaries that are largely unmarked on the landscape.
"At the time of the approval of new units it was agreed to evaluate use of the units after five years," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "The 2007-08 seasons marked the fifth year of using the system. Input on possible changes to WMUs was solicited from Game Commission headquarters and region staff. Wildlife population and harvest data also were analyzed. Recommended changes were relatively few."
The following WMU map revisions were adopted for the 2008-09 seasons:
1) the boundary between WMUs 2C and 2E near Ebensburg was not clear on the state highway map or on the ground and needed correction;
2) new highway construction around Lewistown has changed the location of Route 22, the boundary between 4B and 4D, requiring a map correction;
3) the boundary between WMUs 3B and 3C between Towanda and Tunkhannock is Route 6, which closely follows the Susquehanna River. Using the river as the boundary will reduce hunter access problems and property split problems and better-align WMU and township boundaries;
4) due to continuing increases in human populations in southeast Pennsylvania, the north/south border of WMU 5C around Reading and Allentown was shifted farther north, affecting boundaries with WMUs 5B, 4C and 3D; and
5) the east/west boundary between WMUs 5C and 5B were moved farther west to include more of Chester County and a portion of Lancaster County.
"These changes to WMU boundaries will have minimal impact on wildlife databases," Roe said.
In January, the Board tabled a proposal to align the "Special Regulation Areas" boundaries - currently county boundaries - within the WMU system. Firearm limitations will continue to be identified by county. Specifically, only bows and crossbows may be used in Philadelphia; and rifles may not be used in Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware or Montgomery counties.
MENTORED YOUTH HUNTING PROGRAM TO CONTINUE FOR 2008-09
The Mentored Youth Hunting Program, first implemented by the Board of Game Commissioners in 2006, will continue for the 2008-09 seasons. The list of eligible game for those youth under the age of 12 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program will remain squirrel, woodchuck (groundhog), spring gobbler and antlered deer.
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.
The program also requires that both the mentor and the youth abide by any fluorescent orange regulations, and that 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.
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 less than 12 years of age 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.
BOARD CONTINUED ARCHERY AND EXTENDED BEAR SEASONSThe Board of Commissioners today final preliminary approval to the traditional three-day statewide black bear season before Thanksgiving, extended bear seasons in certain portions of the state that is concurrent with the first week of the firearms deer season and a two-day archery bear season in nine Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).
While most bear seasons remain the same, extended hunting opportunities were added for WMUs 4C, 4D and 4E, and will run Dec. 3-6, Wednesday through Saturday, along with the concurrent firearms deer season in these units. Also, the Board expanded the extended season around the Williamsport and Lock Haven areas, which will be Dec. 1-6.
In January, the Board removed WMU 3D from the list of units to hold an extended bear hunt.
Pennsylvania extended modern-day bear hunting started in 2002, when bear hunters were given the opportunity to fill their tags the first week of the firearms deer season in Carbon, Monroe and Pike counties. With the advent of the state's 22 WMUs, the extended season was held in WMU 3D in 2003. In 2004, the number of WMUs open for the concurrent deer/bear season was expanded.
Bear licenses must be purchased prior to the opening of the firearms deer season, Dec. 1.
BOARD APPROVES NOVEMBER ELK SEASONThe Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to Pennsylvania's upcoming elk season, which will be held Nov. 3-8. This year, hunters will submit applications for one of 45 licenses, of which 17 will be designated for antlered elk and 28 for antlerless elk. Applications soon will be accepted via mail, drop-off at agency offices and the agency's website, and the public drawing will be held on Sept. 20.
All applications must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $10 application fee. Those selected for one of the limited licenses will need to purchase a general hunting license ($20 for residents and $101 for nonresidents), as well as the elk license, which costs $25 for residents and $250 for nonresidents. Online applications will be accepted through "The Outdoor Shop" on the agency's website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us) beginning in mid-May.
Additionally, the Board gave final approval to a technical change to refer to "elk hunt zones," consistent with the agency's elk management plan, rather than "elk management areas" or "elk management units."
BOBCAT PERMIT GUARANTEE SET FOR PREFERENCE POINTSThe Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to several regulatory changes to bobcat seasons. Wildlife Management Unit 4D was added to the list of WMUs in which bobcats can be taken by those hunters/trappers who are selected for a permit. The Board also gave final approval to changes that will guarantee permits to those who have earned a certain number of preference points, and to allow nonresident furtakers to participate in public drawings.
"After 30 years of protection and 15 years of intensive research, the Game Commission initially limited harvest opportunities by geographic area and restricted taking to resident furtakers," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "As the season has expanded in scope and we now are able to issue more than 1,000 permits annually, we are moving to expand this opportunity to more areas that can sustain limited bobcat harvests, to guarantee those who have continued to apply an opportunity to earn a bobcat permit and include more interested trappers from other states."
Roe noted that the decision to add WMU 4D to the bobcat hunt/trap area is based on the increased number of incidental bobcat captures and bobcat sightings in this area.
Beginning in 2003, the Game Commission began awarding preference points to individuals who apply for and do not receive a bobcat harvest permit during a given year. This preference point system was designed to incrementally increase the probability of receiving a permit each year that an applicant is unsuccessful. Bobcat permits are awarded using a random computer drawing from an applicant database. The number of preference points is applied to the applicant's name prior to the drawing. Under this system, the odds of being selected increase significantly as points are accrued, but new applicants always have a chance of being selected. Applicants who are selected and receive a permit are prohibited from applying the following year and their preference points are set back to zero.
"Because the selection process is random it is possible that, under the current system, a person can maintain maximum preference points and never be selected to receive a permit," Roe said. "It is also possible - and this has occurred numerous times - that applicants may be selected to receive permits multiple times over the years, while others are never drawn. Some bobcat permit applicants see these situations as inequitable.
"We believe that the selection process can be modified to provide guaranteed permits to applicants with maximum preference points but, due to random events, fail to receive a permit. Models based on past trends in the applicant database suggest that we can provide this benefit without negating the chance of a new applicant receiving a permit or significantly reducing the odds of applicants with lesser preference point status. The designation of a maximum preference of six or seven points would result in between 100 and 350 permits guaranteed during a given year with the remaining permits allocated by random drawing. This change will take effect for the 2008 bobcat permit drawing."
Roe noted that nonresident furtakers increasingly have expressed an interest in applying for the bobcat permit drawing.
"Nonresidents currently are afforded the opportunity to be permitted as only bobcat guides," he said. "Nonresident furtakers make up less than one percent of licensed furtakers in Pennsylvania, and pay four times the resident price for their license. This proposed rulemaking would permit nonresident furtakers to submit an application for the bobcat permit drawing, beginning in 2008, and to receive a permit if drawn."
The Board also approved technical changes to update the regulations to reflect the current operational tagging procedures used in the bobcat management program.
BOARD CHANGES TO EXPAND OTHER OPPORTUNITIESThe Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a host of other seasons and bag limits designed to expand opportunities for hunters and trappers in 2008-09. Among the changes, the Board voted to:
* Extend by one day the special season for junior pheasant hunters to include an additional Saturday. Adding this Saturday will provide additional hunting opportunity of released game farm birds for juniors;
* Extend the shooting days for crows to 120 days. By starting the season on the Friday closest to July 1 and running it every Friday, Saturday and Sunday continuously through the first weekend in April, the agency will provide 120 hunting days for crows. By law seasons must be set to avoid the peak nesting season, which falls between April 7 and the end of May;
* Eliminate the previously closed season on ruffed grouse in the portion of State Game Land 176 in Centre County, which has been posted "RESEARCH AREA - NO GROUSE HUNTING," and commonly referred to as the Barrens;
* Direct the Executive Director to use his regulatory authority to remove protection of wild boars, and provide exceptions to allow protection in townships and/or counties where trap-and-removal efforts are underway. On Dec. 27, 2007, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that wild boars are protected mammals under the Game and Wildlife Code. As a result, the agency must take regulatory action to remove protection from wild boars. By doing so, the Game Commission is seeking to avoid confusion that feral swine, also referred to as wild boars, are a game species, and clearly deliver the message that the agency's goal is the eradication of this invasive species.
For more details on these seasons, please see the table of approved 2008-09 seasons and bag limits at the end of this news release.
HUNTERS REMINDED ABOUT PROCESS FOR SETTING WATERFOWL SEASONSThe Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to nearly all of the 2008-09 seasons and bag limits; however, there is one group of seasons that won't be finalized until summer: waterfowl and migratory bird seasons.
In July, in concert with federal frameworks, the Game Commission will set seasons and bag limits for September resident Canada goose and webless migratory birds, such as doves, woodcock, snipe and moorhens.
In August, the Game Commission and waterfowl hunting organizations will host waterfowl organizations, individual sportsmen and the public to attend a briefing on the status of waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal frameworks for the 2007-08 hunting seasons.
In addition to reviewing frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for upcoming waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, Game Commission staff, along with conservation partners, will provide updates on current and planned research and management programs, as well as past hunting results.
Based on public comments received and gathered at the meeting, Game Commission staff will prepare and present recommended composite waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the USFWS for final approval. All migratory bird hunting seasons and bag limits must conform to frameworks set by the USFWS. States select their hunting seasons within these established frameworks.
By mid-August, once the final selections are made, the Game Commission will print and distribute brochures outlining the seasons and bag limits for waterfowl and migratory bird seasons to U.S. Post Offices, where hunters may purchase their mandatory federal duck stamp. The brochure also will be posted on the Game Commission's website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us) along with a news release announcing the agency's final selections by mid-August.
ADOPTED 2008-09 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITSSQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 11-17 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Fall Season - Oct. 18-Nov. 29; Late Seasons - Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 7 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).
RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 18-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24 (2 daily, 4 possession).
RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 25-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 7 (4 daily, 8 possession).
PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 11-18 (2 daily, 4 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs.
PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B - Oct. 25-Nov. 29. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs - Oct. 25-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 7 (2 daily, 4 in possession).
BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 25-Nov. 29 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)
HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26-Jan. 1 (1 daily, 2 possession).
WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season.
CROWS: July 4-April 5, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.
STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the regular firearms antlered and antlerless deer seasons and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season. No limit.
WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Nov. 1-15; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Nov. 1-22; WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 4A and 4B- Nov. 1-15; WMUs 2D, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E - Nov. 1-22; WMUs 5A and 5B - CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING; and WMUs 5C and 5D (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Nov. 1-7. (1 bird limit, either sex).
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license - April 18, 2009. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 25-May 25, 2009. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D) Bow and Arrow only: Nov. 19-20. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 24-26. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (WMU 3C and Portions of WMUs 3B, 4E and 2G): Dec. 1-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. All of WMU 3C. Also, in that portion of 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42. Also, in that portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties, and 3B in Lycoming County, that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of S.R. 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Road and South of Lusk Run Road to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to S.R. 1001; East of S.R. 1001 to Croak Hollow Road, South of Croak Hollow Road to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Road (the intersection of S.R. 1003), South of S.R. 1003 to S.R. 1006, South of S.R. 1006 to Sulphur Run Road, South of Sulphur Run Road to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, south of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.
BLACK BEAR (WMUs 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 3-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
BLACK BEAR (Rockview State Correctional Institution): Dec. 1-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. Prior approval must be obtained from prison to hunt.
ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 3-8. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 1-27, 2008. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 20-Oct. 3, Nov. 17-29 and Dec. 15-23. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide, including WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Oct. 4-Nov. 15 and Dec. 26-Jan. 10. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Dec. 1-13. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B: Dec. 1-5. One antlered deer per hunting license year.
DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B: Dec. 6-13. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 23-25. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 18-25. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 10. One antlered per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.
ADOPTED 2008-09 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS
COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any deer or bear season, coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any archery deer season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or with a furtaker license. During the regular firearms deer and any bear seasons, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or bear, or with a furtaker license while wearing 250 square inches of fluorescent orange. During the spring gobbler season, may be taken by those with a valid tag and meet fluorescent orange and shot size requirements.
RACCOON & FOXES: Oct. 25-Feb. 21, unlimited.
OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays and prior to noon during the spring gobbler season. No limits.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4D): Oct. 25-Feb. 21. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)
ADOPTED 2008-09 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINK & MUSKRAT: Nov. 22-Jan. 11. Unlimited.
COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS, WEASELS: Oct. 26-Feb. 22. No limit.
COYOTE & FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Jan. 1-Feb. 22. No limit. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26-March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4D): Oct. 26-Feb. 22. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)
ADOPTED 2008-09 FALCONRY SEASONS
SQUIRRELS (combined), QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31. Daily and Field Possession limits vary. (Migratory game bird seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in accordance with federal regulations in August.)
No open season on other wild birds or mammals. Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this summer.
# # #
Release #041-08
April 22, 2008
For Information Contact:
Jerry Feaser
717-705-6541
PGCNews@state.pa.usThe following news release contains four articles:
1) GAME COMMISSION LAND ACQUISITION HELPS WILD BIRDS
2) BOARD APPROVES SURFACE MINING PROJECT ON SGL 77
3) OIL/GAS LEASE CORRALS 139 ACRES FOR WILDLIFE AND HUNTERS
4) BOARD APPROVES OTHER LAND TRANSACTIONS
GAME COMMISSION LAND ACQUISITION HELPS WILD BIRDS HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved a land exchange/purchase that will preserve more than 90 acres of land adjoining State Game Land (SGL) 314 that provides an important stopover for migratory birds passing over Lake Erie.
In the deal, the Board approved a land exchange involving three quarters of an acre of abandoned railroad grade on SGL 284 in Springfield Township, Mercer County. In the exchange for the land, Larry and Linda Bruno, of Hermitage, have agreed to provide $4,500 toward the acquisition of 91.5 acres adjacent to SGL 314 in Springfield Township, Erie County. The Game Commission will pay for the remaining acreage - at $400 per acre - with Game Fund monies. This exchange also must be sanctioned by the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the National Park Service, because the land sought by the Brunos was acquired in part with Land and Water Conservation Fund Act funding.
"This acquisition was advanced initially by the Lake Erie Regional Conservancy, which had planned to acquire the tract with federal and state grants," explained Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe. "However, the Conservancy's grant application to the National Scenic Byways Program was not selected. The Conservancy, undeterred, continued to identify conservation partners to help cover funding and approached the Game Commission for assistance in protecting this land.
"The goal is to safeguard this important, but sensitive wildlife habitat. It is already designated as a state Important Bird Area and surely will remain important to wild birds and other fauna long into the future."
SGL 314 is part of the Lake Shoreline Landscape Conservation Area. It is covered with shrub thickets and young, vibrant deciduous forestland.
BOA
RD APPROVES SURFACE MINING PROJECT ON SGL 77
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved a surface mining coal lease with P&N Coal Company Inc., of Punxsutawney, for 121 acres of SGL 77 in Sandy Township, Clearfield County.
"This mining will be conducted in conjunction with abandoned mine reclamation work, as well as acid mine drainage discharge remediation," said Bill Capouillez, the agency's Bureau of Habitat Management director. "Mining will occur on about 35 acres, the remaining 86 are targeted for reclamation."
Mining is expected to yield about 79,450 tons of coal. The reclamation work will reclaim about 7,000 linear feet of abandoned high wall, and 28.2 acres of abandoned mine spoil. Work also aims to remedy acid mine discharges into Slab Run, and includes construction of a wetland, and reconstruction of a stream that currently flows through the abandoned strip mine. P&N also will pay for all timber impacted within the reclamation/mining site.
In exchange for the lease, P&N will pay the Game Commission a royalty rate of $2.75 or 12 percent of the current FOB pit price, whichever is greater, for each marketable ton of coal removed from the lease area. P&N also has agreed to provide the Game Commission an advance coal royalty payment of $100,000 upon final execution of the lease and issuance of a mining permit. This money will be used to buy more State Game Lands. The lease has a potential coal royalty value of $218,500.
All mining will be regulated by the state's surface mining regulations and the agency's standard surface mine lease, and will include an option to use a portion of the lease area for a future potential to deep-mine coal which is not owned by the agency. The lease also will include a wildlife habitat and re-vegetation plan.
OIL/GAS LEASE CORRALS 139 ACRES FOR WILDLIFE AND HUNTERSThe Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved an oil/gas lease with Atlas America LLC, of Moon Township, to tap reserves from beneath SGL 223 in Dunkard and Greene townships, Greene County, in exchange for 139 acres of land adjacent to SGL 265, royalties and free natural gas.
The tract to be leased is 2,031 acres. Atlas America controls severed oil and gas rights under about 840 acres on SGL 223, which contains 7,394 acres. The company has already obtained permits to drill several wells on their privately-leased acreage, which when drilled could potentially withdraw some of the Game Commission's oil/gas reserve. Agency staff subsequently negotiated with Atlas America to guarantee its reserve holdings benefited the agency - and ultimately Pennsylvania wildlife - to their fullest potential.
In exchange for the lease, Atlas has agreed to transfer a 139-acre parcel adjacent to SGL 265 in Henry Clay Township, Fayette County. Valued at $900 per acre, the parcel will augment the 380 acres that currently comprise SGL 265. The land will provide public access to the State Game Land from Route 40.
Atlas America will pay the Game Commission $125 per acre of leased land within 60 days after the lease is executed, and a royalty rate of 17 percent per mcf (1,000 cubic feet) of the wellhead price of all gas produced and sold from the lease premises. Atlas America also will unitize three existing wells located within 500 feet of the agency's oil/gas boundary -whether or not on state game lands - and will pay the Game Commission a royalty rate of 17 percent per mcf (1,000 cubic feet) of the wellhead price for all gas produced and sold from the unitized wells. Atlas America also has agreed to provide 400,000 cubic feet of free gas annually to two Food and Cover Corps buildings on SGL 223, as well as necessary equipment.
"This land lease-exchange is great for SGL 223 and 265, as well as the Game Commission, wildlife and people who enjoy the great outdoors," said William Capouillez, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management director. "Staff has ingenuously enhanced funding for wildlife and expanded substantially a State Game Land while brokering a deal with Atlas for gas and oil that will help fund Pennsylvania's wildlife management programs."
Oil/gas development will be regulated by the state's oil and gas regulations and the agency's standard oil/gas lease agreement and a $25,000 performance bond. It limits development to 13 wells on the lease site.
BOARD APPROVES OTHER LAND TRANSACTIONSThe Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved land options that will increase the size of the SGL 153 in Indiana County and improve management on SGL 57 in Wyoming County.
The Board approved the acquisition of a 27.56-acre indenture into SGL 153 in Wheatfield Township, Indiana County, for $16,200 from the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy. The property is covered by early successional, mixed hardwood forest and is flanked on three sides by SGL 153, which totals 2,926 acres. Oil, gas and mineral rights to the land have been reserved by a prior reservation held by the Garfield Refractories Company. Acquisition of this tract will lead to a reduction in boundary maintenance.
The Board also accepted the donation of an administrative right-of-way through a property in Forkston Township, Wyoming County, owned by Ron and Janis Hollenbeck of Montrose. The right-of-way will improve agency access to SGL 57's sprawling 44,641 acres. The Hollenbecks have provided this access to improve wildlife habitat on that portion of SGL 57 that abuts their property.
"Through their generosity, the Hollenbecks increased the Game Commission's ability to properly care for SGL 57," said William Capouillez, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management director. Their efforts will further wildlife conservation greatly on this game lands in the future."
# # #
