New Release Release #02-20

Brookville teenagers face aggravated animal cruelty, other counts.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission today filed charges against two Brookville, Pa. teenagers who recorded social-media videos of themselves holding down and repeatedly kicking an immobile white-tailed deer.

Charged are Alexander Brock Smith, 18, and a 17-year-old juvenile male. Each faces two felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two felony counts of conspiracy to commit aggravated animal cruelty, as well as several other misdemeanor and summary counts.

A detailed list of the charges against each defendant and the possible maximum sentences based on those charges appears at the bottom of this news release.

The Nov. 30 incident for which Smith and his accomplice were charged has been seen by thousands of people worldwide who viewed the videos. The Game Commission became aware of the incident soon after the videos were posted, when one viewer shared a video to the agency’s Facebook page. The agency immediately launched an investigation.

Each defendant was interviewed as part of the investigation and confirmed they were hunting together Nov. 30 in an enclosed tree stand on property Smith’s family owns in Beaver Township, Jefferson County. The juvenile shot and wounded a buck, then missed with a follow-up shot. The deer was immobilized, video was taken, then shared through the messaging app Snapchat. One recipient of the video saved it to his phone and contacted the Game Commission, and his phone, as well as the defendants’ phones, were seized for forensic analysis.

Smith was arraigned on charges today before Magisterial District Judge Gregory M. Bazylak and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail. Paperwork containing the juvenile’s charges also was filed today, which begins the process of the charges being sent to juvenile court.

Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said the filing of charges brings to an end a thorough investigation about an incident that has drawn much attention and public outrage. Burhans said posts about the incident on the agency’s Facebook page have made clear the contempt hunters hold for the actions depicted on the video.

“Hunters care deeply about wildlife,” Burhans said. “It’s through their decades of dedication to the outdoors that we enjoy healthy and sustainable populations of wild birds and mammals, and that those wildlife species that encounter trouble are identified and afforded additional protection.

“Hunters are taught at an early age to hunt ethically, to be respectful of the game they hunt, the property upon which they hunt and other hunters,” Burhans said. “The Game Commission’s Hunter-Trapper Education program emphasizes these longstanding principles to new hunters.”

Posts by followers of the Game Commission’s social-media pages made it clear that many were keeping track of the case as the investigation continued. Some expressed frustration with the length of time it took for charges to be filed, but in cases where charges likely are to be brought under the state’s Game and Wildlife Code, it’s important to complete a thorough investigation before filing any charges because a hearing on the charges might be held soon afterward, and the case closed permanently.

Even in this case, where there was video of an unlawful act, investigators had to determine it happened in Pennsylvania, where the Game Commission has authority to file charges, as well as collect evidence to prove the teens committed the act and posted the videos.

“It’s easy to understand why people were outraged by the incident,” Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners President Tim Layton said. “But the worst-case scenario would have been rushing the investigation and heading into court with a case that wasn’t as strong as it could have been.

“Complicated investigations take time, and on behalf of the Board of Game Commissioners, I would like to commend the Game Commission, its Northwest Region Office and all of the game wardens who investigated the matter in cooperation with Pennsylvania State Police, local law-enforcement and the Jefferson County District Attorney’s office. It’s a difficult job, and you do it extremely well.”

Jefferson County District Attorney Jeff Burkett also spoke of the length of time it takes to complete a thorough investigation.

“Obviously, this case has generated a large amount of public outcry,” Burkett said. “People have assumed that officers have been dragging their feet when, actually, the opposite is true. They have put a lot of hard work in on this case in order to present the case for prosecution. I commend the Pennsylvania Game Commission for their efforts in this matter.”

The Pennsylvania Game Commission does not release the names of minors who are charged with violations of the state Game and Wildlife Code.

 

Charges filed

Charges were filed today against two Brookville, Pa. teens who recorded social-media videos of themselves holding down and repeatedly kicking an immobile white-tailed deer. A list of the charges they face and the maximum penalties associated with each appear below.

 

Alexander Brock Smith

1. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(1) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal – F3

• Up to 7 years incarceration
• Up to $15,000 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

2. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal – F3

• Up to 7 years incarceration
• Up to $15,000 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

3. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(1) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal  (Conspiracy) – F3

• Up to 7 years incarceration
• Up to $15,000 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

4. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal (Conspiracy) – F3

• Up to 7 years incarceration
• Up to $15,000 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

5. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533(a) – Cruelty to Animal – M2

• Up to 2 years incarceration
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

6. 18 Pa.C.S. § 6301(a)(1)(i) – Corruption of Minors – M1

• Up to 5 years incarceration
• Up to $10,000 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

7. 18 Pa.C.S. § 4910(1) – Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence – M2

• Up to 2 years incarceration
• Up to $5,000 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

8. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2162(a) – Disturbance of Game or Wildlife – S1

• Up to 3 months incarceration
• $1,000 to $1,500 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

9. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2307(a) – Unlawful Possession Game or Wildlife – S2

• Up to 1 month incarceration
• $400 to $800 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

10. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2308(a)(10) – Unlawful Devices and Methods – S4

• $150 to $300 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

11. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2102(a); 58 Pa. Code § 141.20 – Regulations; Protective Material Required – S5

• $100 to $200 in fines
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

 

17-year-old juvenile

1. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(1) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal – F3

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

2. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal – F3

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

3. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(1) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal  (Conspiracy) – F3

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

4. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5534(a)(2) – Aggravated Cruelty to Animal (Conspiracy) – F3

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

5. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533(a) – Cruelty to Animal – M2

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

6. 18 Pa.C.S. § 4910(1) – Tampering with or Fabricating Physical Evidence – M2

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

7. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2162(a) – Disturbance of Game or Wildlife – S1

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

8. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2307(a) – Unlawful Possession Game or Wildlife – S2

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

9. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2308(a)(10) – Unlawful Devices and Methods – S4

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

10. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2102(a); 58 Pa. Code § 141.20 – Regulations; Protective Material Required – S5

• Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
• Multiple years of hunting license revocation

Courtesy PA Game Commission

 

 

News Release Release #81-19

Hunters have set a new Pennsylvania bear-harvest record.

Although numbers are continuing to come in, and bear hunting remains open through Saturday in some of the state’s Wildlife Management Units (WMUs), as of this morning, the 2019 preliminary bear harvest sat at 4,577.

The Commonwealth’s previous record bear harvest occurred in 2011, when hunters took 4,350 through a slate of bear seasons. Hunters also harvested 4,164 in 2005.

Expanded hunting opportunities provided by new special-firearms and muzzleloader bear seasons and an expanded archery bear season have helped push the 2019 bear harvest. Record bear license sales also have contributed: license sales currently exceed 200,000; previously they have held at highs between 170,000 and 175,000. And the statewide bear population at the start of the bear-hunting seasons was about 20,000 bears.

“Our goal was to offer more hunting opportunities and prevent Pennsylvania’s bear population from increasing,” noted Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “The response from hunters to the expanded seasons and the success they enjoyed afield were exciting to see.”

Black bears are thriving in Penn’s Woods today. But in a state with 12 million residents, concern about additional bear population gains compelled the Game Commission earlier this year to double the number of statewide bear-hunting days, creating the state’s lengthiest bear-hunting opportunity since the 1930s.

“It’s the largest suite of bear-season changes ever approved in a single year,” explained Matt Lovallo, agency Game Mammals Section supervisor. “In most of the state, we’re going from 14 or 16 days of bear hunting to 32, from three Saturdays to seven, and we started hunting bears almost two weeks earlier.”

The additional days and increased number of bear hunters appear to have made a significant difference. Great weather on peak hunting days also helped.

The 2018 bear harvest came in at 3,153 bears, 11th-best all-time, but also the lowest bear harvest in the past 11 years. Bad weather negatively affected hunting conditions on key hunting days.

The largest bear through all 2019 seasons is the 813-pound male taken with a rifle on the opening day of the general season in Smithfield Township, Monroe County, by Victor M. Vassalluzzo, of Kintnersville.

The heaviest bear ever taken in Pennsylvania was an 875-pounder harvested in 2010 in Middle Smithfield Township, Pike County. Since 1992, seven black bears weighing at least 800 pounds have been lawfully harvested in Pennsylvania hunting seasons.

Other large bears taken in the 2019 bear general and extended bear seasons – all taken with a rifle – include: a 747-pound male taken in Wright Township, Luzerne County, by J. Kripp Jr., of Mountaintop; a 743-pound male taken in Greene Township, Pike County, by Matthew J. Erdie Jr., of Nazareth; a 696-pound male taken in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County, by Brian J. Borosh, of Jim Thorpe; a 661-pound male taken in Lake Township, Wayne County, by Michael A. Biduck II, of West Abington; a 658-pound male taken in Hopewell Township, Huntingdon County, by Michael A. Collins, of Altoona; a 657-pound male taken in Franklin Township, Columbia County, by Nicholas A. Podgurski, of Elysburg; a 656-pound male taken in Hanover Township, Luzerne County, by Dale J. Kobal, of Hunlock Creek; a 623-pound male taken in Beech Creek Township, Clinton County, by Mikael J. Catanese, of Sewickley; and a 620-pound male taken in Miles Township, Centre County, by Reuben Kennel, of Turbotville.

Bears were taken in 59 counties. Lycoming County led the state with 283, followed by Clinton County with 267 and Tioga County with 261.

The latest county preliminary harvest totals for all seasons are:

Northwest (535): Warren, 142; Venango, 79; Forest, 66; Jefferson, 65; Clarion, 61; Crawford, 56; Butler, 44; Erie, 15; and Mercer, 7.

Southwest (342): Somerset, 123; Fayette, 61; Armstrong, 56; Indiana, 42; Cambria, 29; Westmoreland, 28; Allegheny, 2; and Greene, 1.

Northcentral (1,588): Lycoming, 283; Clinton, 267; Tioga, 261; Potter 173; Centre, 144; McKean, 125; Clearfield, 103; Elk, 100; Cameron, 78; and Union, 54.

Southcentral (718): Huntingdon, 177; Bedford, 148; Fulton, 80; Perry, 67; Mifflin, 54; Franklin, 47; Juniata, 42; Blair, 40; Cumberland, 27; Snyder, 24; Adams, 11; and York, 1.

Northeast (1,214): Luzerne, 161; Pike, 161; Monroe, 130; Wayne, 130; Bradford, 125; Carbon, 87; Sullivan, 85; Susquehanna,82; Wyoming, 82; Lackawanna, 75; Columbia, 64; Northumberland, 25; and Montour, 7.

Southeast (179): Schuylkill, 75; Dauphin, 66; Northampton, 15; Lebanon, 2; Berks, 17; and Lehigh, 4.

The latest preliminary bear harvests by Wildlife Management Unit are: WMU 1A, 20; WMU 1B, 156; WMU 2A, 11; WMU 2B, 2; WMU 2C, 285; WMU 2D, 184; WMU 2E, 82; WMU 2F, 338; WMU 2G, 710; WMU 2H, 110; WMU 3A, 260; WMU 3B, 424; WMU 3C, 223; WMU 3D, 488; WMU 4A, 303; WMU 4B, 191; WMU 4C, 248; WMU 4D, 367; WMU 4E, 135; WMU 5A, 25; WMU 5B, 1; and WMU 5C, 13.

Final bear harvest numbers will be provided in early 2020 after biologists confirm and crosscheck harvest records. For now, it’s clear hunters have set a record bear harvest, a direct result of increasing opportunity in 2019. It’s news the Game Commission preferred to share as soon as possible.

 

General Season

The Game Commission on Dec. 2 issued a news release reporting preliminary totals for the four-day statewide general bear season, but the numbers were inaccurate because they included bears harvested on the first day of the extended season.

Corrected numbers for the general season appear below.

Hunters on Nov. 27, the final day of Pennsylvania’s statewide bear season, harvested 113 bears, raising the 2019 statewide general-season harvest to 1,611.

None of the bears taken on the final day of the statewide season cracked the Top 10 list for heaviest bears.

The top bear-hunting county in the state over the general season was Lycoming County with 118 bears. It was followed by Tioga County with 113 bears.

The preliminary statewide season bear harvest by Wildlife Management Unit was as follows: WMU 1A, 11 (19 in 2018); WMU 1B, 49 (120); WMU 2A, 3 (5); WMU 2C, 75 (127); WMU 2D, 100 (125); WMU 2E, 43 (66); WMU 2F, 177 (213); WMU 2G, 321 (357); WMU 2H, 53 (65); WMU 3A, 87 (106); WMU 3B, 152 (129); WMU 3C, 59 (53); WMU 3D, 178 (153); WMU 4A, 82 (127); WMU 4B, 36 (55); WMU 4C, 60 (92); WMU 4D, 98 (123); WMU 4E, 24 (53); WMU 5A, 2 (5) and WMU 5C, 1 (0).

Statewide season harvests by county and region are:

Northwest (238): Warren, 67 (59); Clarion, 38 (41); Venango, 35 (78); Forest, 27 (55); Jefferson, 26 (69); Butler, 21 (19); Crawford, 19 (59); Mercer, 4 (13); and Erie, 1 (18).

Southwest (123): Somerset, 35 (57); Armstrong, 32 (26); Indiana, 27 (31); Fayette, 15 (39); Cambria, 9 (16); Westmoreland, 4 (14); and Greene, 1 (0).

Northcentral (653): Lycoming, 118 (107); Tioga, 113 (90); Clinton, 93 (128); Potter, 79 (62); McKean, 60 (47); Clearfield, 54 (80); Elk, 53 (47); Centre, 35 (52); Cameron, 32 (61); and Union, 16 (11).

Southcentral (172): Huntingdon, 52 (78); Bedford, 37 (54); Fulton, 21 (35); Perry, 19 (14); Blair, 16 (22); Juniata, 8 (16); Mifflin, 8 (10); Franklin, 6 (14); Cumberland, 3 (4); and Adams, 2 (5).

Northeast (386): Pike, 71 (51); Monroe, 49 (50); Luzerne, 48 (53); Bradford, 42 (50); Wayne, 35 (30); Susquehanna, 31 (13); Sullivan, 30 (32); Wyoming, 22 (27); Lackawanna, 21 (20); Carbon, 19 (31); Columbia, 13 (20); and Northumberland, 5 (17).

Southeast (39): Dauphin, 18 (26); Schuylkill, 14 (20); Berks, 6 (1); and Lebanon, 1 (7).

Courtesy PA Game Commission

 

 

Visitors to the Game Commission’s Facebook page are casting their votes in the agency’s third annual Turkey Harvest Photo Contest, and voting remains open through June 19.

Finalists have been selected in each the youth and adult categories, and voters can pick their favorites by “liking’ the images.

One winner in each category will receive a personalized, engraved box call from Top Calls, of Renovo, Pa.

The Game Commission received hundreds of photos of excited hunters with their 2019 Pennsylvania spring gobblers. Finalists were selected by a panel of judges and voting opened June 11.

Visit the Game Commission’s Facebook page to help select the winners.

Accident-free spring turkey season celebrated

Pennsylvania hunters had a perfect safety record in the recently completed 2019 spring turkey season.

No hunting-related shooting incidents were reported to the Game Commission during the month-long season. While years ago, it was common for hundreds of incidents to occur in a year, the total has dipped to about a couple dozen, thanks in part to the requirement for all first-time license buyers to complete a Hunter-Trapper Education training course. Administering the course wouldn’t be possible without a dedicated team of Hunter-Trapper Education instructors, who volunteer their time to teach it.

At a time when state legislators are considering expanded Sunday hunting opportunities, and opponents have raised questions about hunter safety, the accident-free spring turkey season is something to note, and something of which all hunters can be proud.

Courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission

HUNTER EDUCATION – George Sullivan

6/8/19 Midland Club 9:00am – 4:00pm

6/15/19 Pine Run 9:00am – 4:00pm

8/24/19 Pine Run 9:00am – 4:00pm

9/7/19 Concord United Methodist Church 9:00am – 4:00pm

9/14/19 Gobblers Knob Hunting Preserve 9:00am – 4:00pm

9/23/19 & 9/24/19 Ambridge Club 5:30pm – 9:00pm

9/28/19 Aliquippa Club 9:00am – 4:00pm

11/7/19 & 11/ 8/19 Concord United Methodist Church 5:30pm – 9:00pm

On Tuesday, Feb. 5, the State Senate Game and Fisheries Committee approved Senate Bill 147, legislation which would give the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners the authority to regulate hunting on Sundays.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission supports this legislation that would give the agency the authority to determine for which species Sunday hunting should be lawful. The legislation approved must pass the full Senate, the House of Representatives, and be signed by the Governor before it could become law.

The current prohibition on Sunday hunting is in state law, and the Game Commission does not have the authority to change it without legislative action. Please contact your local state representative and/or state senator on this topic.

Link to Senate Bill 147