Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Big game scoring event to be held in Dallas

Dallas, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently announced that it will hold a big game scoring session at the Northeast Regional Headquarters building at 3917 Memorial Highway here on Saturday, March 21.

The event will be an opportunity for someone who harvested a Pennsylvania deer, bear or elk that has record book potential to have that rack or skull scored, the agency said. Three game wardens who are certified by the Boone and Crockett Club as official scorers will be on hand for the session.

Because of the expected turnout, reservations are required, and whitetail racks must have a minimum of eight points to be scored at this session.

The scoring event will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and reservations can be made by registering online. Limited space will be available, and reservations will be accepted until full.

MORE COVERAGE FROM PENNSYLVANIA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission is monitoring ‘forever chemicals’ at hatchery

Lawmakers nix debate on claims made against Pennsylvania Game Commission

Two Pennsylvania senators propose bill for Monday deer opener

Promoted to Game Warden Group Supervisor

Harrisburg — Sgt. Andrew “AC” Macko recently assumed the role and responsibilities as the game warden group supervisor in Luzerne, Carbon, and Lackawanna counties.

Macko, a native of Tunkhannock, Wyoming County, is a 2017 graduate of Tunkhannock Area High School and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in environmental science from King’s College. Macko is a graduate of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation’s 33rd cadet class.

State game warden group supervisors are responsible for overseeing the administration of a wide variety of Game Commission programs within an assigned game warden group encompassing about 700 square miles across two or three counties.

Primary duties include the supervision of the group’s law enforcement program, responding to wildlife conflicts, conservation education and administration of the Hunter-Trapper Education program.

CSF Mourns Founder Dick Schulze

Washington, D.C. — The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation mourns the passing of the founder of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the foundation, former Congressman Richard “Dick” Schulze, R-Pennsylvania.

Congressman Schulze died at his home on Dec. 23, 2025, at the age of 96, with his wife of 33 years, Nancy Schulze, at his side.

A veteran and patriot who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine and the U.S. Army, Dick Schulze was a successful businessman, an elected official at the state and federal levels, a conservationist, and an avid outdoorsman whose life was defined by service to country and community.

In 1989, Cong. Schulze’s lifelong interest in conservation, hunting, and fishing led him to create both the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus and the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation.

Md. 2025-26 Hunter Deer Harvest is Down

Annapolis, Md. — Maryland deer hunters harvested 71,649 deer during the combined archery, firearms, and muzzleloader seasons, from Sept. 5, 2025, through Feb. 4. The statewide harvest is 7.2% lower than the five-year average.

The statewide harvest reported to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources included 29,814 antlered and 37,925 antlerless white-tailed deer, and 1,874 antlered and 2,036 antlerless sika deer. The harvest was 14.9% lower than the 2024-25 total of 84,201 deer and 7.2% lower than the previous five-year average of 77,221.

Multiple counties in central and southern Maryland experienced an outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease during late summer and fall. This likely reduced local deer populations and may have contributed to the lower harvests in those areas.

New Park Manager for Tuscarora State Park

Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced the appointment of Ron Gilliland as manager for the Tuscarora State Park Complex in Schuylkill County.

Gilliland is a native of Butler, who earned associate degrees in park and recreation management and business management from Butler Community College.

He was a park manager trainee for the eastern region of DCNR’s Bureau of State Parks, and assistant manager at Delaware Canal State Park prior to his appointment at Tuscarora. Gilliland’s public service also includes serving four years in the U.S. Army, which included a deployment to Iraq.

$1.4 Million to Expand, Improve ATV Trails

Harrisburg — The Shapiro administration announced $1.4 million in new investments to expand and improve all-terrain vehicle trails and facilities across Pennsylvania – strengthening the commonwealth’s $19 billion outdoor recreation industry.

Projects funded include:

– Mercer County Regional Planning Commission: $124,600 for a study to explore the feasibility of ATV trails in Mercer County.;

– Piney Rail Riders (Clarion County): $403,700 for construction of a bridge over Little Piney Creek on the Piney Rail Corridor;

– Potter County ATV UTV Club: $205,100 for the acquisition of approximately 61 acres for the expansion of ATV trails; and

– Rock Run Recreation Area, Inc. (Cambria, Clearfield counties): $749,978 for construction of comfort stations, electrical utility upgrades, and expansion of the trail system.