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Tom Venesky

Lawmakers nix debate on claims made against Pennsylvania Game Commission

Featured, Home Page News, National News, News, Pennsylvania /

Allegations of harassment by two former employees of the Pennsylvania Game Commission surfaced during a legislative hearing on Feb. 3.
But legislators voted to keep the issue under wraps. The Tuesday meeting of the House Game and Fisheries Committee was scheduled for members to hear the annual report from Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith.

Lawmakers nix debate on claims made against Pennsylvania Game Commission Read More »

Two Pennsylvania senators propose bill for Monday deer opener

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, National News, News, Pennsylvania /

A pair of state senators have teamed up on plans to introduce legislation that would reinstate the Monday opening day of rifle deer season in Pennsylvania.
On Feb. 12, Sen. Gene Yaw, R-Lycoming, and Sen. Lisa Boscola, D-Northampton, released a co-sponsorship memo that referenced a recent attempt by the Pennsylvania Game Commission board to move the opener to the Saturday before Thanksgiving as basis for a return to Monday.

Two Pennsylvania senators propose bill for Monday deer opener Read More »

Tom Venesky: Pennsylvania commission’s recent CWD measures contradict seriousness of disease

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, Opinion, Pennsylvania /

A recent measure approved by the Pennsylvania Game Commission board trashes the seriousness of chronic wasting disease.
For years, we’ve been told that moving high-risk parts — spine, brain, lymph nodes (which are located in the neck), etc. — out of a disease area poses a serious risk of spreading CWD into new areas.

Tom Venesky: Pennsylvania commission’s recent CWD measures contradict seriousness of disease Read More »

Pennsylvania legislation would give free antlerless tags for new hunters

5 Comments / Discussions, Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, National News, News, Pennsylvania /

New hunters may be getting more than their first hunting license when they complete their Hunter-Trapper Education course.
Sen. James Malone, D-Lancaster, has introduced a bill making first-time hunters eligible for a free antlerless tag, good for one year after completing the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s hunter safety course. Currently, an antlerless deer license costs $6.97.

Pennsylvania legislation would give free antlerless tags for new hunters Read More »

Tom Venesky: It’s time to update Pennsylvania’s deer-tagging rule

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, Opinion, Pennsylvania /

With all the talk recently about antiquated laws and regulations, one of the most obvious is often overlooked.
For some reason, harvested deer in Pennsylvania can only be tagged in the ear and nowhere else. It’s been that way for a long time, and it’s a requirement that hunters grumble about often. Personally, I really don’t like the idea of slicing the ear to tag a deer.

Tom Venesky: It’s time to update Pennsylvania’s deer-tagging rule Read More »

Data center in Pennsylvania seeks approval to discharge cooling water into Susquehanna River

23 Comments / Discussions, Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, National News, Nature Page & Night Sky, News, Pennsylvania /

A data center in northeastern Pennsylvania is seeking approval from the state to discharge used cooling water into the Susquehanna River.
The facility is owned by Amazon Data Services Inc., located in Luzerne County near the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station nuclear power plant.

Data center in Pennsylvania seeks approval to discharge cooling water into Susquehanna River Read More »

Tom Venesky: Minimum size change for trout makes sense in Pennsylvania

Featured, Fishing, Home Page News, National Fishing, Opinion, Pennsylvania /

The idea to raise the minimum size limit for trout in Pennsylvania from 7 inches to 9 inches is a significant change, and a good one.
The proposal was discussed at the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Fisheries Committee meeting on Dec. 23, 2025, and the impetus for the change is to protect wild brook trout. The idea makes so much sense that it leaves you wondering why didn’t anyone think of this sooner.

Tom Venesky: Minimum size change for trout makes sense in Pennsylvania Read More »

Pennsylvania lawmakers want national searches for directors of hunting and fishing agencies

Featured, Fishing, Hunting, National News, News, Pennsylvania /

Two legislators are planning to introduce legislation to change the way executive directors of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Fish & Boat Commission are selected.
State Rep. Jim Haddock, D-Lackawanna and Luzerne counties, and Rep. Frank Burns, D-Cambria County, have circulated a memo outlining plans for legislation that would require both agencies to conduct a publicly advertised, national search to fill future executive director vacancies.

Pennsylvania lawmakers want national searches for directors of hunting and fishing agencies Read More »

Pennsylvania’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest, deer processors need help

Featured, Home Page News, Hunting, National Hunting, National News, News, Pennsylvania /

Donations of venison to the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program might set a record for the second consecutive year, and the organization is asking for help to sustain the milestone pace.
During the 2024-25 hunting season, hunters donated a record 283,789 pounds of venison from 7,855 deer. It equated to 1.1 million servings of ground venison, much of which is distributed through food pantries and other organizations that help those in need.

Pennsylvania’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest, deer processors need help Read More »

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