Tom Venesky

Bob D’Angelo estimates he has measured more than 300 sets of antlers since he became the coordinator of the Pennsylvania Big Game Scoring Program in 2008.
In the next few months, D’Angelo will be adding to the total. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will hold big game scoring sessions in several regions across the state. The events are an opportunity for hunters to get their deer and elk racks, or bear skulls, measured and, if they qualify, entered into the record book.

The first positive cases of chronic wasting disease in Carbon and Luzerne counties will bring significant changes to deer management in the region, including a new disease management area, enhanced surveillance and, possibly, the use of sharpshooters.
During an informational meeting at Penn State-Hazleton held by the Pennsylvania Game Commission on Feb. 27, a packed house turned out to hear what the agency has found, and what’s next.

Less than two weeks after the first positive case of chronic wasting disease was publicly confirmed in the northeast region, another has turned up.
On Feb. 12, the Pennsylvania Game Commission confirmed that a second wild deer – this one in Carbon County – has tested positive for CWD. On Jan. 31, the agency issued a release identifying the first CWD-positive in the region – this one in Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County, which is approximately 10 miles from the recent case in Carbon County.