UPCOMING MEETINGS ANNOUNCED
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners next will meet on Monday, Dec. 18 at a working group meeting held at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters.

The next quarterly meeting of the Board of Commissioners will be held at the Harrisburg headquarters on Sunday, Jan. 28, Monday, Jan. 29 and Tuesday, Jan. 30.

Courtesy of PA Game Commission

NO-COST 1,500-ACRE ACQUISITION TO OFFSET IMPACTS ON BATS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved the no-cost acquisition of 1,536 acres adjoining or near State Game Lands 302 in Richhill Township, Greene County.

The land is being offered by Consol Pennsylvania Coal Co. LLC and partners and presented through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) as mitigation requirements for impacts on wildlife, specifically the federal- and state-endangered Indiana bat and the federal-endangered northern long-eared bat

Courtesy of PA Game Commission

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a host of improvements that would enhance public access to state game lands by persons with mobility challenges.

Central to the proposal is the proposed creation of the Disabled Person Access Permit, which would allow mobility-challenged game-lands users to use ATVs, golf carts and other mobility devices on designated routes on game lands.

This permit would be free, and separate from the existing permit that allows disabled persons to hunt from motorized vehicles and ATVs. A wider variety of applicants might qualify for the new permit.

Manual or electric wheelchair users on game lands would not need a Disabled Person Access Permit.

The proposal will be brought back to the January meeting for a final vote.

Courtesy of PA Game Commission

FOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES APPROVED FOR HUNTING
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a measure that makes four additional electronic devices lawful to use while hunting.

Hunting while using the newly approved devices will not be legal until the changes are published in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, in approximately six to eight weeks. Once that happens, hunters will be able to use electronic decoys in hunting waterfowl; electronic dove decoys used solely for hunting doves; electronically heated scent or lure dispensers; and electronic devices that distribute ozone gas for scent-control purposes.

Courtesy of PA Game Commission

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)       

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) affects the brain and nervous system of infected cervids (deer, elk and moose) eventually resulting in death.

Current Status:

Following the detection of CWD in both captive and free-ranging deer in Pennsylvania, an executive order (PDF) was issued by the Game Commission to establish Disease Management Areas (DMAs). Within DMAs, rehabilitation of cervids (deer, elk and moose); the use or possession of cervid urine-based attractants in an outdoor setting; the removal of high-risk cervid parts; and the feeding of wild, free-ranging cervids are prohibited. Increased testing continues in these areas to determine the distribution of the disease. Newly confirmed cases alter the boundaries of DMAs as the Game Commission continues to manage the disease and minimize its effect on free ranging cervids.

In Pennsylvania, Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) has been detected in these Disease Management Areas (DMAs): DMA 1 on a captive deer farm in Adams County during 2012 (DMA 1 has since been eliminated); DMA 2 in multiple free-ranging deer in Bedford, Blair, Cambria, and Fulton counties from 2012 -2017, and captive deer farms in Bedford, Franklin, and Fulton counties during 2017; DMA 3 in two captive deer farms in Jefferson County during 2014 and a free-ranging deer in Clearfield County during 2017. In addition, CWD has been detected in wild or captive deer and/or elk in many other states and provinces.

Rules and regulations regarding CWD in Pennsylvania are found in the Game Commission executive order (PDF) and Title 58 regulations.

Public Meetings

• Thursday, Oct. 5 at 6:30 p.m. – Fayetteville Fire hall, sponsored by state Rep. Rob Kauffman. More information: 814-643-1831.
• Thursday, Oct. 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Mahaffey Fire Hall, 958 Market St., sponsored by state Reps. Matt Gabler, Thomas Sankey and Cris Dush.​ ​Come anytime during the event and learn at your own pace; informational handouts and staff members will be available throughout the evening.
• Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6:30 p.m. – McConnellsburg Fire hall, sponsored by state Sen. John H. Eichelberger Jr. and state Rep. Jesse Topper. More information: 814-643-1831.

Link to Article on PA Game Commission Web Site