Harrisburg — Whether hunting from shore or from a boat, waterfowlers are urged to keep safety first and foremost in mind, said Keith Snyder, Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter-Trapper Education Division chief. "Basic firearm and hunting safety are critical," Snyder said. "Treat every firearm as if it is loaded and make sure that the muzzle is always pointed in a safe direction….
Harrisburg — To minimize potential health impacts, it's suggested that hunters don't eat merganser ducks, especially those harvested in the Lake Erie and northwestern Pennsylvania hunting zones. Studies conducted over the past two decades on Pennsylvania and New York mergansers, especially common and red-breasted mergansers in the Lake Erie region, have concluded they may have varying levels of contaminants, including…
Harrisburg — Waterfowl hunters are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese and doves they harvest online at www.reportband.gov, or by using the toll-free number (1-800-327-BAND). Hunters will be requested to provide information on where, when and what species of migratory birds were taken, in addition to the band number. This information is crucial to the successful management of migratory birds….
By VerenaA Schmitt-RoschmannAssociated Press Writer BERLIN – It was a big shot. A big hog. And a big disappointment. When Georg van Bebber hauled back his wild boar from Ebersberg forest near Munich after a day of hunting, he was exhilarated about his impressive prey. But before he could take it home, a Geiger counter showed a problem: The boar’s…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Game Commission has posted a synopsis of federal regulations that govern migratory game bird and waterfowl seasons to assist hunters in finding answers to questions. To review the information, go to the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), put your cursor on "Hunt/Trap" in the menu bar at the top of the page, click on "Hunting," scroll down…
Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe today announced that the agency has made its selections for the 2010-11 migratory game bird hunting seasons and bag limits. Annual waterfowl seasons are selected by states from a framework established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Game Commission selections were made after reviewing last year’s season results, waterfowl survey data,…
Sweet Valley, Pa. – – The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission will hold a Family Fishing Program at Lackawanna State Park on Saturday Aug. 21. The program will run from 9 a.m. to noon. The program is designed for families with children ages eight and older with little or no fishing experience. Families will learn about basic fishing skills, techniques, safety,…
Bellefonte, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is sponsoring a free educational Family Fishing Program for families on Saturday, August 14 at Rose Valley Lake in Lycoming County. The program will run from 12 p.m. to 4:p.m. Participants are to meet at the South Access. The program is open to families with children ages 8 – 15 years…
Trenton, N.J. — After five years of political stonewalling, New Jersey sportsmen are going to be able to go on a bear hunt. On July 21, the Commissioner for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Bob Martin, announced his approval of the state’s new Comprehensive Black Bear Management Policy. Part of the management policy will include a six-day December…
Harrisburg — Hunters interested in learning the age of the bear they harvested during the 2009 seasons can log onto the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us). To access the database, click on “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the page, click on “Hunting,” scroll down and click on “Black Bear” in the “Big Game” listing, and then scroll…
Meadville, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission announced this week that the Mill Creek Access, Mill Creek Township, Clarion County. is scheduled to temporarily close on Monday Aug. 9. Agency construction crews plan on emergency repairs to extend the launch ramp. It is expected that the access area will re-open on Aug. 18. Boaters are advised to use the…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Game Commission has published a new planning guide to assist conservation organizations – or individual hunters – host a species-specific hunt for eligible junior hunters. To view a copy of the new manual, go to the Game Commission website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Education” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, select “Special Hunts” in…
Washington, D.C. — This week, two environmental groups filed a petition with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency seeking a nationwide ban on lead ammunition and lead fishing tackle. Such a ban would drastically reduce sportsmen numbers and result in decimated funding for wildlife conservation programs due to a loss of revenue from licenses and taxes on sporting equipment. The petition…
Harrisburg — Pheasant Valley Farm, in Robesonia, Berks County, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other conservation-oriented groups are hosting a day-long special women’s hunt for 20 participants on Friday, Sept. 24, at the Pheasant Valley Farm preserve. Check-in will be held at 8:45 am, followed by a safety lesson at 9 a.m. At 9:30 a.m., the 20 participants will practice…
Harrisburg — In addition to publishing a new planning guide for hosting youth hunts, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has unveiled a new feature on its website to enable those interested in participating in youth hunts to find events in their area and register online. To find a hunt in your area, go to the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on…
Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe today announced an invitation for project applications to the State Wildlife Grants Program. These projects will help address conservation needs for high-priority projects for endangered, threatened and at-risk species across Pennsylvania. The federal dollars for this program are awarded through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State Wildlife Grants Program (SWG)….
The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) has entered the fray over the listing of wolves on the Endangered Species List. Last week, the group asked the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to develop a plan to introduce wofves across the nation. The petition to FWS called for a nationwide “recovery” program for the wolves, something they say has…
Harrisburg — Hunters looking to participate in this year’s Pennsylvania elk season have until Aug. 27 to submit an application through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS). This can be done at any issuing agent or through the “2010 Elk Hunt” icon in the center of the agency’s homepage (www.pgc.state.pa.us). Applicants must pay a $10.70 non-refundable application…
Pennsylvania is again reaping the rewards of itsexpanded efforts at recruiting new sportsmen into the fold through their Mentored Youth Hunting Program. According to the state Game Commission, Pennsylvania sold nearly 30,000 mentored youth hunting permits during the 2009-2010 hunting season alone. This brings the state’s total to over 100,000 Mentored Youth Licenses sold since passing a Families Afield measure…
Rochester, Minn. — Two Pennsylvania Outdoors News columnists and a regular contributor were honored for conservation achievement and writing excellence recently at the close of the Outdoor Writers Association of America’s annual conference here . Saltwater columnist Terry Brady received OWAA’s top conservation honor, the The Jade of Chiefs Award, representing “an affirmation of OWAA adherence to and support of the…
Harrisburg — Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe today applauded Gov. Edward G. Rendell, Rep. Michael Hanna (D-76), Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-171) and Sen. Jake Corman (R-34) for enactment of legislation to transfer more than 1,200 acres of state-owned property, presently part of Rockview State Correctional Institution in Centre County, to the agency’s State Game Lands system. Gov….
Harrisburg, Pa. -– Edward P Mascharka III, of Erie County, has been sworn in as the District 1 Commissioner for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), representing Butler, Clarion, Crawford, Erie, Forest, Lawrence, Mercer, Venango, and Warren counties. Commissioner Mascharka was nominated by Gov. Ed Rendell in late March and was confirmed by the Senate on June 21. Commissioners…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area visitor center will feature hundreds of original paintings and fine-art prints from some of the best-known wildlife artists in the state during its annual Wildlife Art Show from Aug. 6-8. The show is free, and the hours are: Friday, 1-6 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Sunday, 10…
York, Pa. — Michael Sponseller Jr., 19, of East Berlin, Adams County, was found guilty and sentenced to pay $1,100 in fines and $5,000 in replacement costs for the unlawful poaching of a trophy-class white-tailed deer in York County, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission officials. The sentence was handed down, on June 29, by Senior Magisterial District Judge Roger…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, at their recent quarterly meeting, approved a land exchange with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation involving three tracts of land totaling 53.8 acres in exchange for replacement lands for a highway easement. The tracts that are being conveyed from PennDOT are an indenture into State Game Land 153 in West Wheatfield Township, Indiana…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved a donation from the Sandy Ridge Wind LLC of a seven-acre tract of land in Snyder Township, Blair County, adjoining State Game Land 158. The property borders Route 453 and this acquisition will secure access through an existing access road to portions of SGLs 158 and 60. The property is…
