Wednesday, July 29th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Search
Wednesday, July 29th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Tom Venesky

Pennsylvania’s Hawk Mountain Sanctuary tagging vultures for study

If you spot a vulture in Pennsylvania with what looks like a cattle ear tag affixed to each wing, there’s a good explanation for the peculiar sight.
Since 2003, biologists at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, Pa., have been studying the movements of turkey and black vultures within the state and abroad. In order to track the birds, colored wing tags have been attached to more than 100 turkey and another 100-plus black vultures in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania’s Hawk Mountain Sanctuary tagging vultures for study Read More »

Tom Venesky: Trail camera bans need conclusive evidence

The use of trail cameras on public land, or for hunting purposes in general, has been restricted by a number of states, such as Arizona, Delaware, Kansas and Utah. Iowa was close to banning trail camera use on public land, but in June decided to hold off on the proposal to allow for more public input.

Tom Venesky: Trail camera bans need conclusive evidence Read More »

Number of Pennsylvania game lands with Deer Management Assistance Program tags nearly doubles

Last year the Pennsylvania Game Commission allocated Deer Management Assistance Program tags on game lands for the first time.
This year, the number of game lands with DMAP tags nearly doubled. For the 2024-25 hunting season, DMAP will be utilized on 41 game lands located in the Northwest, Northcentral, Northeast and Southeast regions. A total of 7,000 tags will be available, and more than 360,000 game lands acres will be enrolled.

Number of Pennsylvania game lands with Deer Management Assistance Program tags nearly doubles Read More »

Tom Venesky: Should Pennsylvania trout season be closed during summers of excessive heat?

“It’s a very difficult time for trout.”
That’s what a now-retired Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission biologist told me years ago when I asked him about lows flows and rising water temperatures during the summer. His assessment of summer’s impact on trout still holds true to this day, and I think about it often whenever we get a heat wave and dry weather.

Tom Venesky: Should Pennsylvania trout season be closed during summers of excessive heat? Read More »

Noise issue with bitcoin mine on Pennsylvania game land close to being resolved

Issues surrounding noise emanating from a bitcoin mine on State Game Land 44 near Ridgway, Pa., in Elk County seem to be quieting down.
The area in question is located in Horton Township, and the mine – which consists of banks of computers running around the clock to unlock cryptocurrency. The process of bitcoin mining is lucrative, as one bitcoin can be worth more than $50,000. The issue surrounding State Game Land 44 surfaced in 2022 when users of the game land parcel heard the noise generated by the operation of the bitcoin mine.

Noise issue with bitcoin mine on Pennsylvania game land close to being resolved Read More »

Tom Venesky: Legislators continue to silence Pennsylvania hunters, anglers

For more than a year, a bill that would give sportsmen and women a voice in selecting who represents them on the Pennsylvania Game and Fish & Boat Commission boards has sat silent in committee.
House Bill 1508 would put the process of selecting commissioners in the hands of hunters and anglers by allowing sportsmen’s groups within a district where a commissioner’s term is soon to expire to nominate candidates for the position. Licensed hunters, trappers and anglers within the district would then vote for the candidates, and the top three vote-getters would be forwarded to the governor, who picks one for the appointment.

Tom Venesky: Legislators continue to silence Pennsylvania hunters, anglers Read More »

Connectivity report details steps for wildlife corridors in Pennsylvania

A recent study on connecting wildlife habitats in Pennsylvania identified several areas in the state as priorities for “conservation corridors” while calling on state agencies, including the Game Commission, to help combat the impacts of fragmented habitats.
The report, “The Current Status of Conservation Connectivity in Pennsylvania,” was authorized by House Resolution 87, which state Reps. Mary Jo Daley, D-Montgomery County, and Jason Ortitay, R-Allegheny and Washington counties, sponsored and passed with bipartisan support last year.

Connectivity report details steps for wildlife corridors in Pennsylvania Read More »

‘Let us help defend you,’ hunting groups plead with Pennsylvania Game Commission

Two representatives of state hunting organizations urged the Pennsylvania Game Commission to acknowledge the heat the agency is receiving from the Legislature, and they pleaded with commissioners to let them help.
During the July 12 quarterly meeting, Mike Kriner, with the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists, and John Bingaman, with Hunter Nation, cautioned commissioners about legislative mentions of a “takeover,” and asked the agency to meet with their organizations and others.

‘Let us help defend you,’ hunting groups plead with Pennsylvania Game Commission Read More »

Tom Venesky: Time to let farmers plant again on Pennsylvania game lands

Crop damage concerns have been at the forefront lately as the Pennsylvania Legislature considers bills aimed at reducing the impact of deer.

So far, not much has worked when it comes to reducing crop damage. Lengthy seasons, increased antlerless license allocations, ag tags, DMAP coupons – those are just a few of the things utilized to lessen the impact of deer on crops. But the formula – kill more deer, lower the population and reduce crop damage – hasn’t been that effective. If it had, then there wouldn’t be bills in the Legislature focused on addressing the issue.

Tom Venesky: Time to let farmers plant again on Pennsylvania game lands Read More »

GET THE OUTDOOR NEWS DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

Sign up for the Outdoor News Weekly Newsletter and get 2 months of FREE access to OutdoorNews.com – packed with hunting, fishing, and conservation news. No Catch.

This offer includes digital access only (not the printed edition)

Email Address(Required)
Password(Required)
Name
What outdoor activities interest you?(Required)

PLEASE READ

Accessing Your Full Subscription Just Got Easier. Introducing Single Sign On.

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

  1. Click Continue below.
  2. You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.
  3. Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!
  4. After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue.
  5. You’ll either:
    1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
    2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

One login. Every edition. Easy.

Let’s get you reading!

PLEASE READ

 We’ve simplified things. Now you only need one password to access all your Outdoor News digital content.

Here’s how it works:

• Click Continue below.

• You’ll be taken to the OutdoorNews.com sign-in screen.

• Don’t have an account yet? Create one—it’s quick!

• After signing in, click the E-Edition Login button again. When the pop-up appears, just click Continue. You’ll either:

  1. Land on the e-edition selection screen (you’re in!)
  2. Be sent to a help page if we didn’t detect a subscription.

If you hit the help page, follow the directions so you don’t miss out on any of our great content.

Help Shape the Future of OutdoorNews.com!

We know you love the outdoors—now we want to make OutdoorNews.com the ultimate destination for all things hunting, fishing, and conservation.

Take our brief 3 minute survey to share your thoughts, and help us build the best outdoor website on the planet. As a thank you, we’ll send you a special offer!

Together, we can make OutdoorNews.com even better.

Introducing The Outdoor News Foundation

For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!

Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.

Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.