Friday, June 12th, 2026

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Friday, June 12th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Jeff Mulhollem

Mentored hunters under age 7 get deer, turkey tags in Pennsylvania

Game commissioners resolved an emotional issue at their Jan. 24 meeting when they voted 8-1 to adopt a measure allowing all mentored hunters – including those under 7 years old – to get antlered deer and turkey harvest tags with their permits, beginning in the 2026-27 license year.
The decision, intended to improve access to the mentored hunting program and expand hunting opportunities within it, is controversial among the hunting community. Many hunters are skeptical of very young children taking deer, and the issue has been called “tags for tots.”

Mentored hunters under age 7 get deer, turkey tags in Pennsylvania Read More »

Pennsylvania Game Commission OKs debated land swap

Pennsylvania game commissioners approved a major land exchange with Limerick Town Center LLC at their Jan. 24 meeting despite being urged not to take the deal by a group of Montgomery County residents, including a state senator.
The board approved the exchange by a 6-3 vote, with commissioners Stanley Knick Jr., Allen DiMarco and Robert Schwalm dissenting.

Pennsylvania Game Commission OKs debated land swap Read More »

Notes off a soiled cuff: Debate over Pennsylvania’s deer opener date rages on

In the two weeks leading up to the Game Commission meeting that was to be held Jan. 23-24, all that Pennsylvania hunters were talking about was the agency’s controversial proposal to move the opening of rifle deer season up to the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
On the heels of the commission changing the opener from Monday to Saturday seven years ago, many were angry.

Notes off a soiled cuff: Debate over Pennsylvania’s deer opener date rages on Read More »

Pennsylvania Game Commission opts for Saturday after Thanksgiving deer opener

In giving preliminary approval to hunting seasons and bag limits at their Jan. 24 quarterly meeting, Pennsylvania game commissioners voted down a proposal to start deer season the Saturday before Thanksgiving, instead keeping the opener on the Saturday after the holiday.
New this year, the season will end on Sunday, Dec. 13, adding an extra day. In past years, the season ended on a Saturday.

Pennsylvania Game Commission opts for Saturday after Thanksgiving deer opener Read More »

Notes off a soiled cuff: Mindsets have changed when it comes to keeping wild brook trout

When I started fishing for trout as a kid, around 1966, the minimum size for keeping trout was 6 inches. It stayed that way until the Pennsylvania Fish Commission increased the minimum length to 7 inches in 1983, as part of its Operation Future, to protect wild brook trout.

Notes off a soiled cuff: Mindsets have changed when it comes to keeping wild brook trout Read More »

Pennsylvania commission likely to boost keeper trout minimum to 9 inches

The Fisheries Committee of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission held a meeting online Dec. 23 and discussed increasing the minimum length for anglers to keep trout, in an effort to protect wild fish.
The full board of Fish & Boat commissioners is expected discuss the recommendation to boost the minimum size from 7 to 9 inches in its meeting Jan. 23, then introduce the change in proposed rulemaking at its April board meeting and set final rulemaking at its July meeting.

Pennsylvania commission likely to boost keeper trout minimum to 9 inches Read More »

Notes off a soiled cuff: Send your old hunting, fishing photos to Pennsylvania Outdoor News

Over more than two decades editing this publication, I have watched how reader submissions fluctuate with hunting and fishing seasons, sportsmen’s issues du jour, time of year, and severe weather – and I try not to jump to conclusions.
For example: When the number of letters we get dwindles, I worry our content is no longer interesting, and when the number of reader shots (photos with fish and game) falls, I worry our readership is declining. But we’re seeing something now that we haven’t seen before.

Notes off a soiled cuff: Send your old hunting, fishing photos to Pennsylvania Outdoor News Read More »

A quick chat with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers’ Ryan Callaghan

Ryan Callaghan is best known for being a content creator for MeatEater, a company that provides content related to hunting, fishing and conservation through its website, podcasts and other media.

Called “Cal” by many, he recently was named president and CEO of Missoula, Montana-based Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, a non-profit advocacy organization that works to conserve wild public lands, waters and wildlife in North America. We recently visited with Cal at his home near Bozeman, Montana.

A quick chat with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers’ Ryan Callaghan Read More »

Notes off a soiled cuff: Upcoming Pennsylvania flintlock season last of its kind

Now that the firearms deer hunting season is over and the holidays are upon us, it’s an appropriate time to point out that Pennsylvania is the only state that still offers a primitive flintlock season, stretching this year from Dec. 26 – Jan. 19, 2026.
It’s a one-of-a-kind experience in the whole country, and it has a dedicated cadre of participants.

Notes off a soiled cuff: Upcoming Pennsylvania flintlock season last of its kind Read More »

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