Tuesday, July 28th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Search
Tuesday, July 28th, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Tom Venesky

Pennsylvania Game Commission barking up right tree with hunting dog proposal

No one wants to be disturbed while hunting, whether it’s by other people, vehicles, ATVS or dogs. 
A move by the Pennsylvania Game Commission board to address the latter makes sense. During the September meeting, the board granted preliminary approval to prohibit the hunting of any furbearer through use of a dog during the overlap of any regular deer season or regular bear season.

Pennsylvania Game Commission barking up right tree with hunting dog proposal Read More »

Pheasants Forever offers Pennsylvania farmers financial incentive to create field edges for wildlife

A new program from Pheasants Forever gives farmers a financial incentive to set aside areas of their fields to give a boost to wildlife and the Chesapeake Bay. 
The Field Border Incentive Program pays farmers to plant perennial grass and wildflower cover along the edges of crop fields that are usually less productive. The program is funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Farms within nine watersheds in the eastern half of Pennsylvania are eligible for the program.

Pheasants Forever offers Pennsylvania farmers financial incentive to create field edges for wildlife Read More »

Surviving loose minks released from Pennsylvania farm face grim future

The estimated hundreds of minks that are still on the loose in Pennsylvania face a grim future as cold weather approaches. 
According to Mark Stahl, who operates the minks farm near Sunbury, Pa., 7,400 minks were set free inside the fenced perimeter of the facility. The fence was cut in two locations and hundreds of minks escaped from the farm, he said. About a week after the incident, Stahl said approximately 400 minks have died since being recovered outside of the farm.

Surviving loose minks released from Pennsylvania farm face grim future Read More »

Pennsylvania bill introduced that would block transfer of money from Game Fund

A bill has been introduced in the state House to prevent money in the Game Fund from being used by any entity other than the Pennsylvania Game Commission. 
State Rep. Dave Maloney, R-Berks County, who also is the Republican chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, introduced the bill Sept. 26. He said the action was in response to a bill that was amended and passed by the Senate in August to transfer $150 million of oil and gas revenue from the Game Commission’s Game Fund to the state’s Clean Streams Fund.

Pennsylvania bill introduced that would block transfer of money from Game Fund Read More »

Is there a way to protect black bear cubs during hunting season in Pennsylvania?

I always cringed whenever a tiny cub showed up at the check station during bear season. 
It is perfectly fine to shoot a cub during any of the bear seasons, but when I see a bruin that weighs barely as much as a sack of feed in the back of a pickup, it just doesn’t seem right. Illegal? No. Ethical? I’m not sure. Personally, I pass up any bear that I clearly determined to be a cub. Shooting a bear just isn’t that important to me to harvest a cub just to fill a tag. But I can’t really fault those who willingly shoot a cub during any of the bear seasons. It is lawful, and it’s their choice.

Is there a way to protect black bear cubs during hunting season in Pennsylvania? Read More »

Pennsylvania groups oppose loss of $150 million from PGC Game Fund

An amendment calling for the transfer of $150 million from the Pennsylvania Game Commission coffers has sparked opposition from numerous hunting and conservation organizations. 

On Aug. 30, the state Senate passed House Bill 1300 which includes an  amendment to transfer $150 million from the agency’s Game Fund to the state’s Clean Streams Fund, along with risking the Game Commission’s eligibility for Pittman-Robertson funding. If passed by the House and signed into law, the bill would also require the Game Commission to pay taxes on its 1.5 million acres of game lands – a cost the agency said would be significant.

Pennsylvania groups oppose loss of $150 million from PGC Game Fund Read More »

Pennsylvania Game Commission board moves toward reintroduction of marten

The Pennsylvania Game Commission took a step forward with its plan to reintroduce American martens during the quarterly commissioner’s meeting on Sept. 16. 
The board approved a motion to release the draft reintroduction plan for public review. The plan outlines a 10-year strategy the agency will follow to translocate marten back into the state and monitor the reintroduction effort.  The plan also includes potential sources of martens, possible release locations and a timeline and cost estimate for the project. 

Pennsylvania Game Commission board moves toward reintroduction of marten Read More »

State Senate vote may cost the Pennsylvania Game Commission $150 million

The Pennsylvania Game Commission gained nearly $180 million in oil, gas and mineral revenue during fiscal year 2021-22, and the state Senate would like to spread the wealth around. 
House Bill 1300 was approved by the Senate on Aug. 30, and it included a late amendment that would transfer $150 million from the Game Commission’s Game Fund to the state’s Clean Streams Fund. The move comes after the agency realized significant revenue increases in 2021-22, much of it due to oil and gas lease royalties, which rose by $117 million from the previous year.

State Senate vote may cost the Pennsylvania Game Commission $150 million Read More »

Beware of dead wood when locating treestands

Treestands are the best way to hunt for deer, yet also the most dangerous.
We all know the very real risk of falling out of a treestand and the injuries, and sometimes worse, that occur. While it’s safe to assume the majority of treestand falls happen when a hunter is climbing into or out of the stand, that’s not always the case. There is another risk inherent with treestands, and it’s one that has an alarming degree of uncertainty.

Beware of dead wood when locating treestands 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.