Friday, October 23rd, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Search
Friday, October 23rd, 2026

Breaking News for

Sportsmen Since 1968

Tom Venesky

Pennsylvania Game Commission opposes a new youth buck season

A state legislator believes an early buck season strictly for youth hunters will benefit the sport, but the Pennsylvania Game Commission isn’t on board.
State Rep. Charity Grimm Krupa, R-Smithfield, has introduced House Bill 1915, which directs the Game Commission to implement a youth antlered deer season for junior and mentored youth hunters.

Pennsylvania Game Commission opposes a new youth buck season Read More »

Pennsylvania Game Commission making progress on e-tags system

Hunters may soon have a digital choice when it comes to tagging their harvest.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission is currently exploring the creation of a digital hunting license and tags, in addition to keeping the traditional paper tags as an option. The matter came up during the commission board meeting on Sept. 5 when Commissioner Dennis Fredericks asked for an update on e-tagging in relation to changes to the mentored youth program.

Pennsylvania Game Commission making progress on e-tags system Read More »

Tom Venesky: Deer tags for tots in Pennsylvania is a bad idea

From the day my son was born, I couldn’t wait for the day when I could take him hunting with me.
But it didn’t happen right away. From the time he could walk I took him into the woods – not to hunt, but educate. The lessons included wildlife sign, habitat, tree species and just nature in general – all of which form the foundation of a true hunter.

Tom Venesky: Deer tags for tots in Pennsylvania is a bad idea Read More »

Pennsylvania’s Operation Game Thief speeds up reporting, helping to stop poachers

Since the implementation of Operation Game Thief in 2015, it took an average of 20 minutes from the time a tip came in to when a dispatcher got it to a game warden.
Now, it’s about to get a whole lot faster.

Pennsylvania’s Operation Game Thief speeds up reporting, helping to stop poachers Read More »

Tom Venesky: All Pennsylvania stocking decisions must protect wild trout

The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission already stocks trout in 691 streams encompassing nearly 5,000 miles, along with 130 lakes.
That’s a lot of water with stocked trout, so do we really need to stock hatchery fish in places inhabited by wild trout as well? Turns out, it’s not an easy question to answer.

Tom Venesky: All Pennsylvania stocking decisions must protect wild trout Read More »

Tom Venesky: Is it time to bring back furbearer bounties in Pennsylvania?

I thought I had a raccoon problem when I saw an adult female with four young ones scamper out of the barn one morning.
But that was nothing compared to what was going on down the road. While I set live traps to deal with the destructive furbearers (when a raccoon gets into a barn, it is very much destructive), a few neighbors were doing the same to deal with their own infestations.

Tom Venesky: Is it time to bring back furbearer bounties in Pennsylvania? Read More »

New Pennsylvania research facility finished for Lake Erie

A new $2.4 million facility will bolster the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s research efforts on yellow perch and walleyes in Lake Erie.
In early September, the commission opened the new facility in Fairview, which houses the Lake Erie Research Unit. The 2,800 square-foot building, located on the grounds of the Fairview State Fish Hatchery contains a research laboratory, library, conference room, and modern office space for three full-time biologists, seasonal biologist aides, and a waterways conservation officer.

New Pennsylvania research facility finished for Lake Erie Read More »

Pennsylvania Game Commission tracking EHD spread across state

The true impact of the current outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease, or EHD, in deer throughout Pennsylvania won’t be known until the first frost arrives this fall, but it’s possible several regions are affected.
According to Travis Lau, communications director for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, mortality resulting from EHD is likely in the hundreds, but obtaining an actual figure is tricky, he said. So far, the disease has been confirmed in several counties in the northwestern part of the state.

Pennsylvania Game Commission tracking EHD spread across state Read More »

Tom Venesky: Legislation allowing the use of semi-automatic rifles for big game should be shot down in Pennsylvania

In the wake of the passage of Sunday hunting legislation in Pennsylvania, the effort to legalize semi-automatic rifles for big game has resurfaced in the state, and like all of the previous legislative attempts, the current proposals deserve to be shot down.
In the House, state Rep. Charity Krupa released a memo outlining her plans to introduce semi-auto legislation. Krupa, who is a Republican from Fayette County, plans to include language limiting semi-auto rifles for big game to six rounds. That’s six too many.

Tom Venesky: Legislation allowing the use of semi-automatic rifles for big game should be shot down in Pennsylvania 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.