Saturday, September 12th, 2026

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Saturday, September 12th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Tom Venesky

Tom Venesky: Anti-fur legislation a threat to us all

Trappers are used to taking the brunt of animal welfare legislation that is introduced in state legislatures every so often.

Most of the time, these misguided measures go after trapping and the ultimate goal is to ban it. The anti-fur, animal rights groups don’t like trappers, and they’re the sole target of just about every ludicrous anti-trapping bill that surfaces. Sometimes, however, trappers aren’t the only victims of legislation derived anti-trapping groups.

Tom Venesky: Anti-fur legislation a threat to us all Read More »

Pennsylvania Game Commission mulls ways to address crop damage complaints

Programs to help farmers address crop damage are underutilized, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission is exploring ways to help address the issue.
During the commission’s Sept. 20 quarterly meeting, board President Scott Foradora said commissioners met with representatives of the agricultural community during the summer to discuss crop damage. He said it was clear that farmers need help addressing damage caused by deer, and the board will be reviewing ways to further address the issue.

Pennsylvania Game Commission mulls ways to address crop damage complaints Read More »

Angler files federal lawsuit against Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

A federal lawsuit has been filed against the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission seeking to strike down a state law that permits waterways conservation officers from entering private property without a warrant.
According to a complaint filed on Sept. 22 in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, Tim Thomas, of Susquehanna County, claimed Fish & Boat Commission Waterways Conservation Officer Ty Moon entered his property multiple times in 2023 regarding alleged fishing violations that were later dismissed in court.

Angler files federal lawsuit against Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission Read More »

Tom Venesky: Oral rabies vaccine appears to work; could method one day be a blueprint for stemming CWD?

Throughout the summer, government officials were busy tossing thousands of oral rabies vaccine packets across western Pennsylvania and several other states in the East.
The packets were dropped from airplanes and helicopters, along with vehicles, and it’s all part of the fight to diminish rabies cases in raccoons and other susceptible wildlife, including skunks and canines.

Tom Venesky: Oral rabies vaccine appears to work; could method one day be a blueprint for stemming CWD? Read More »

Interest in Pennsylvania’s Boating Facility Grant program on the rise

A Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission grant program designed to increase boating opportunities has been growing in popularity since it was implemented in 2020.
The Boating Facility Grant program provides grants for planning, acquisition, development, expansion and rehabilitation of public boating facilities located on the waters in the state. The agency used to have a similar grant program years ago, and it was reinstated four years ago by Executive Director Tim Schaeffer.

Interest in Pennsylvania’s Boating Facility Grant program on the rise Read More »

Pennsylvania House panel to discuss deer season opening day, bill on Sunday hunting

A hearing on the opening day of deer season may be happening soon before the House Game and Fisheries Committee, and the head of the Pennsylvania Game Commission is ready to speak up.
Agency Executive Director Steve Smith confirmed that a tentative hearing date is being targeted for early October, but nothing has been officially scheduled.

Pennsylvania House panel to discuss deer season opening day, bill on Sunday hunting Read More »

Tom Venesky: What do bears have against trail cameras?

While perusing the images captured by several cellular trail cameras recently, I noticed a camera at one location was taking crooked pictures.
I had seen it before, and I knew exactly what caused the issue. Sure enough, an image captured just minutes earlier showed two bears wandering in front of the camera. They obviously found it and did what bears do: wreaked havoc.

Tom Venesky: What do bears have against trail cameras? Read More »

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 »

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