Bellefonte, PA – The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is hosting a series of regional public meetings. The purpose is to gather comments from anglers on smallmouth bass management in the Susquehanna River and its major tributaries. All anglers are encouraged to attend. Working in small groups, attendees will be asked a series of questions on smallmouth bass regulations….
Reston, Va. — Atrazine, one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world, has been shown to affect reproduction of fish, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey study. “Concentrations of atrazine commonly found in agricultural streams and rivers caused reduced reproduction and spawning, as well as tissue abnormalities in laboratory studies with fish,” said USGS scientist Donald Tillitt,…
State College, Pa. — More than a thousand schools across Pennsylvania this spring received seedlings through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Seedlings for Schools program. Most of the seedlings, which shipped from the commission’s Howard Nursery in Centre County in time for Arbor Day, were part of the Seedlings for Your Class component of the program aimed primarily at third grade…
Harrisburg — Landowners looking to enroll in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), which is designed to help landowners manage deer on their properties, have until June 12 to mail an application to the appropriate Game Commission Region Office. Applications will be accepted by U.S. mail only, as postmarks will be required to establish processing priorities. In…
Reading, Pa. — Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today recently that Roy Gordon Lovell, 74, of Glen Rock pled guilty to one count of the unlawful killing of a Canada goose and one count of false or fraudulent statements to an officer on April 28. The charges stemmed from an incident on April 20, in Codorus Township, York County. “Although there is a…
State College, Pa. — Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area – a place synonymous with some of the best waterfowl hunting and waterfowl watching that Pennsylvania has to offer – needs some touch-up. Soon after the 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir was created in northwestern Pennsylvania in 1935, ducks and geese began using the wetlands around it for critical nesting grounds and migration stopover….
Harrisburg — Coupling two of America’s favorite pastimes – baseball and hunting -– Pennsylvania Game Commission and the State College Spikes officials today announced that fans who bring their 2010-11 Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker license to the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park Box Office will receive one free outfield bleacher ticket with the purchase of a full-price outfield bleacher ticket….
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Game Commission announed five land actions the agency has made recently at its recent quarterly meeting here: Board enables greater flexibility to purchase land To enable Pennsylvania Game Commission staff to act expeditiously to acquire lands, waters, oil, gas and minerals rights, the Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a regulatory change to…
Harrisburg — In an effort to garner appreciation for wildlife, especially the state’s bluebird population, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s webcasting of a live video feed from a bluebird nestbox on the grounds of its Harrisburg Headquarters now is providing a glimpse into an active nest. To view the live feed, visit the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the “Bluebird Nestbox…
Harrisburg — The agenda for the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners’ meeting, which is slated for April 19-20, was recently posted on the agency’s Web site (www.pgc.state.pa.us, and can be viewed by clicking the “Next Commissioners’ Meeting” box in the center of the homepage and then on the agenda link at the bottom of the page. The board meeting will be…
Harrisburg — Coupling two of America’s favorite pastimes – baseball and hunting – the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Altoona Curve AA Baseball officials recently announced that fans who bring their current Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker license to any Wednesday home game will earn a $1 discount on grandstand tickets. This offer will start with the April 14 game against the Richmond…
Harrisburg — Trishelle Barish, 22, of Weirton, W. Va., recently pled guilty to 10 charges related to a poaching incident in mid-January in Hanover Township, Washington County, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Barish pled guilty to six counts of unlawful use of lights while hunting; one count of resisting or interfering with an officer; one count of damage to property;…
Harrisburg — A two-day poaching spree in early December that resulted in at least eight dead deer has been resolved with guilty pleas by two Westmoreland County men. Ryan Simonds, 20, of Derry, and Garrett McConnell, 19, of New Alexandria, pleaded guilty to charges filed at District Judge Mark Bilik’s office in Bradenville, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Each…
In the past environmentalists, from Lord Stern to Sir Paul McCartney, have urged people to stop eating meat because the methane produced by cattle causes global warming. However a new study found that cattle grazed on the grasslands of China actually reduce another greenhouse gas, nitrous oxide. Authors of the paper, published in Nature, say the research does not mean…
“Bald Eagle To Be Removed From Maryland’s Threatened List (Associated Press, Jan. 21).” It was the news, but not the real story. We’ll always be eagle-centric, attentive to the “charismatic megafauna,” like eagles and elephants, whales and sad-eyed seal pups. But read beyond the tidings of our national symbol’s comeback from endangerment. Maryland also took action on dozens of other…
Harrisburg – The month of April is known for rain showers, but a new Pennsylvania Geological Survey report says that the state’s groundwater actually recharges the most during March. The report, “Summary of Groundwater-Recharge Estimates for Pennsylvania,” was done in cooperation with the U.S. Geological Survey and is available on the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ Web site at…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will be meeting on Monday and Tuesday, April 19-20, at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81. The meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. on both days. On Monday, April 19, the Board will hear public comments on the proposed 2010-11 hunting and…
Harrisburg — With 35 years of service to the Commonwealth’s wildlife and hunters and trappers, Pennsylvania Game Commission Deputy Executive Director Michael W. Schmit will retire April 16, and, according to the agency’s current director, leave enormous shoes to fill. “You cannot replace a ‘Mike Schmit,’” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “His knowledge and experience in the Game…
Harrisburg, Pa. -– As the 2010 trout season opens next month, Pennsylvanians are reminded that fishing is a fantastic way to enjoy the state’s great outdoors and get some exercise with friends and family. It is also important to remember that fresh trout and other fish can be an important part of a healthy, balanced diet. “Fish are high in…
Lock Haven Express Waterville, Pa. — The state Department of Environmental Protection is investigating a “fairly significant discharge” of a white, foamy substance that eventually made its way into Pine Creek. The substance is believed to have come from a natural gas drilling site that the DEP has shut down until tests are done to see what, if any, damage…
Harrisburg — Tohickon Creek will become a white-water boating enthusiast’s playground March 20-21 when the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources releases water from Lake Nockamixon into the Bucks County waterway. As has been the case in many previous years, the annual recreation event will take place the third weekend of March, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and…
Harrisburg — A cooperative partnership is helping local organizations across the state protect and conserve Pennsylvania’s coldwater stream habitats —waterways that are critical to the health of the state’s wild trout fisheries. The Coldwater Heritage Partnership—which includes the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Pennsylvania Trout Unlimited, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, and the Foundation for Pennsylvania Watersheds—recently provided more…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is looking for experienced hunters and trappers who are interested in becoming volunteer instructors for the agency’s basic Hunter-Trapper Education (HTE), Successful Bowhunting and Successful Furtaking courses, as well as future courses under consideration. “Becoming a volunteer instructor for the Game Commission is one way experienced hunters and trappers can help pass along our…
Harrisburg — Jim Daley, of Cranberry Township, Butler County, recently was honored by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners as the 2009 Hunter-Trapper Education Instructor of the year. “Jim Daley typically goes above-and-beyond the call of duty to provide the best possible education program he and his team can,” said Randy Pilarcik, Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) for Butler…
Harrisburg -– With the junior spring gobbler season set for April 24, and the general spring gobbler season opening on May 1, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe is reminding all first-time license buyers to make plans to attend a Hunter-Trapper Education (HTE) course now. To register for a course in your area, visit the Game Commission’s website…
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Game Commission today announced a series of upcoming professional development opportunities offered as part of the agency’s Project WILD program. Classroom teachers, early childhood teachers, informal educators, homeschooler leaders and Scout and youth group leaders are welcome to participate in these workshops. Project WILD is an award-winning, international, hands-on conservation education program. It focuses on wildlife…
