Notes off a soiled cuff: The option of using semi-automatic rifles coming for Pennsylvania deer hunters?

One could reasonably suggest that no lawmaker ever has had such a big effect on hunting in Pennsylvania as Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie.

After all, he is the father of all-weekend hunting here, shepherding through the General Assembly over a number of years the recently passed bill to lift the ban on Sunday hunting – the prospect of which gave game commissioners five years ago cover to change the opening day of deer season from Monday to Saturday.

Now the senator says this fall he is going to introduce legislation that would allow semi-automatic rifles limited to a three-round capacity to be used for big-game hunting. (You can read his sponsorship memo here) It notes that this legislation would not allow high-capacity magazines.

Laughlin says the bill simply aligns Pennsylvania’s hunting laws with other states and provides more options to hunters who may be unable to operate bolt-action or pump-action rifles effectively.

* The controversy over the Fish & Boat Commission’s limited stocking of rainbow trout over wild trout – and specifically the agency’s pending final decision to do it in Potter County’s Freeman Run and conduct a five-year study to gauge the practice’s effect on the wild trout – is heating up.

In some cases it’s a nasty debate, with some wild-trout advocates making accusations against supportive commissioners on social media – even demanding one resign from the board over his involvement in the project. … Stay tuned.

MORE COVERAGE FROM PENNSYLVANIA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Ohiopyle State Park tops national ‘Great-Value’ list

Pennsylvania opens Certified Hunter Program to connect farmers with hunters

Pennsylvania angler breaks Maryland tilefish record during his first time fishing

* Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners recently voted to acquire a property easement for anglers on Elk Creek in Girard Township near Erie, along North Creek Road. The commission bought access to about 7.5 acres, including 410 feet of stream footage along one side of Elk Creek and 125 feet along the other side.

It was a hugely significant purchase for steelhead anglers. The plot is located adjacent to a 5.5-acre commission-owned parcel known as the Hotchkiss property or former coho hatchery. The commission owns fishing easements along the creek in this area, although it does not have sufficient space for parking.

The agency plans to remove all structures on the property and develop additional parking on the site, greatly increasing public access to Elk Creek. The commission has done a great job with purchases to allow steelhead fishermen to get to the Erie tribs.

– On Aug. 9, I was told by someone who pays no attention to fishing that “tonight is the Sturgeon Moon.” Turns out, it’s a thing.

The name for the August full moon comes from the giant lake sturgeon of the Great Lakes, the Fish & Boat Commission reports. Native Americans, who lived in the region, commonly caught sturgeon during this part of the summer.

Pennsylvania is home to three types of sturgeon: the shortnose sturgeon, the lake sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon. All three are endangered in Pennsylvania. … Who knew?

* Just before this issue went to press, it was reported that Gregg Ritz, president and CEO of Thompson/Center Arms, and host and executive producer of Hunt Masters outdoors show, won one of Pennsylvania’s 140 elk licenses in this year’s lottery.

He reportedly plans to document the hunt for his show on the Outdoor Channel and his online platforms. Ritz will be hunting in Elk Hunt Zone 5 during the archery elk season, Sept. 13 – 27, which is in the peak of the rut.

* While writing a story about migratory birds research recently, I learned that the golden eagle is in trouble. Approximately 80% of the world’s golden eagle range is in the contiguous U.S. And within the U.S., populations of the raptor have experienced a range-wide decline of 20% in the past 10 years.

We see golden eagles migrating through here each fall.