Beaver County Sportsmen's Conservation League

To promote and foster, the protection and conservation of our wildlife resources

Agency Announces Changing Of Guard In Leadership

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Executive Director R. Matthew Hough retiring; Deputy Executive Director Bryan Burhans to take helm.

After more than three years as executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and nearly 35 years with the agency, R. Matthew Hough today announced he will retire March 24.

Following his announcement, and the commissioners expressing their appreciation to Hough on a job well done, Commissioner Robert W. Schlemmer made a motion to appoint Game Commission Deputy Executive Director Bryan Burhans as Hough’s permanent replacement, beginning March 25.

The motion was approved unanimously.

Hough in making his announcement recalled proclaiming to a sixth-grade classmate he’d pursue a career in wildlife conservation, and said working for the Game Commission has been a dream come true.

“I’ve been blessed,” he said.

Commissioners thanked Hough for guiding the Game Commission through challenging times, and for the stability that resulted.

“You stepped up into the position, you filled the position perfectly, we could not have asked for a better executive director,” President Commissioner Brian Hoover said.

“You’ve said that you feel blessed,” Commissioner Charlie Fox told Hough. “I think we all feel blessed having you.”

Burhans said the Pennsylvania Game Commission remains a leader in wildlife conservation nationwide, and he’s honored for the opportunity to serve the agency, its employees, the Board of Commissioners and – importantly – wildlife, hunters and trappers.

“Director Hough’s leadership has set the agency on a steady course that only can lead to success,” Burhans said.

Burhans came to the Game Commission in 2014 as the agency’s deputy director of administration. He was commissioned as deputy wildlife conservation officer in 2015, and in addition to his responsibilities in the executive office, presently serves in the field in Lebanon County.

Burhans served as president and CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation headquartered in Asheville, N.C. He also served on the executive staff at the National Wild Turkey Federation for more than 12 years, worked as a wildlife biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and as a biologist with the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Hough began his career with the Game Commission in 1981, as a Wildlife Conservation Officer trainee in the 18th Class of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation. Upon graduation in 1982, he was assigned to serve as a Wildlife Conservation Officer in southwestern Westmoreland County. In 1986, Hough received a lateral transfer to his home area of northern Washington County.

In 1992, Hough was promoted to the Game Commission’s Southwest Region Office where he served for periods as Federal Aid Supervisor, Information and Education Supervisor, and Law Enforcement Supervisor prior to becoming Regional Director in 2003. In 2010, he became Deputy Executive Director of Field Operations at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters

Courtesy Pennsylvania Game Commission

Hunters Could Get Change to Use Semiautomatic Rifles

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Board preliminarily approves use within all rifle seasons.

Semiautomatic rifles soon could be approved for Pennsylvania hunters participating in most seasons in which manual rifles can be used.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave unanimous preliminary approval to regulatory changes that would permit the use of semiautomatic rifles and shotguns while hunting big game, small game and furbearers. A five-round magazine would be required for all semiautomatic BIG GAME hunting rifles, with the total ammunition capacity limited to six rounds, based on the preliminarily approved measure. No restrictions on small game clips.

The measure also preliminarily approves the use of air rifles for small-game and furbearers.

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

Pennsylvania historically has prohibited the use of semiautomatic rifles, but a new law took effect in November, enabling the Game Commission to regulate semiautomatic rifles and air guns. The new law does not authorize the Game Commission to regulate the use of semiautomatic handguns.

Pennsylvania is the only state in the nation that currently has no hunting seasons during which semiautomatic rifles can be used.

Since the law took effect, the Game Commission has received hundreds of comments about the potential to approve semiautomatic rifles for hunting. Commissioner James Daley said most who offered comment took no opposition to the idea of permitting semiautomatic rifles for small game and furbearers. For big game, the comments were about half in favor and half opposed to semiautomatic rifles, Daley said.

But most of those who opposed cited concerns over compromised safety as their primary reason for opposition, he said.

Prior to a vote, Game Commission staff did a thorough review of hunter safety in states that allow semiautomatic rifles, including neighboring states and states that most resemble Pennsylvania in terms of hunter density. The review uncovered no evidence the use of semiautomatic rifles has led to a decline in hunter safety in any state where they’re permitted for hunting.

The board’s next quarterly meeting is scheduled to be held March 27 and 28 at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters.

Commissioners said they welcome any and all public comments regarding the proposed changes, and that those comments will aid the board in making its decision. Comments are accepted by mail, by email to [email protected] or can be made firsthand by those who register to speak at the start of the board’s March 28 meeting.

Semiautomatic rifles in .22 caliber or less that propel single-projectile ammunition and semiautomatic shotguns 10 gauge or smaller propelling ammunition not larger than No. 4 lead – also No. 2 steel or No. 4 composition or alloy – would be legal firearms arms for small-game seasons under a regulation preliminarily approved by the Board of Game Commissioners.

Semiautomatic firearms that propel single-projectile ammunition also would be legal sporting arms for woodchucks and furbearers. There is no caliber restriction for woodchucks or furbearers.

For big game, semiautomatic centerfire rifles and shotguns would be legal sporting arms.

Full-metal-jacket ammunition would continue to be prohibited for deer, bear and elk hunting. 

All semiautomatic firearms would be limited to six rounds’ ammunition capacity – magazines can hold no more than five rounds.

Semiautomatics would be legal in seasons in which modern firearms can be used to take deer, black bears, elk and fall turkeys.

Air-guns would be legal for small game in calibers from .177 to .22 that propel single-projectile pellets or bullets, under the regulatory changes preliminarily approved by the Board of Game Commissioners.

For woodchucks and furbearers, air-guns must be at least .22 caliber and propel a single-projectile pellet or bullet. BB ammunition is not authorized for small game, furbearers or woodchucks.

Courtesy Pennsylvania Game Commission

 

Act Amending Title 30 (Fish) of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statues

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Contact Information for Representatives Reed and Turzai, per Tony Rich President of Beaver County Sportsmen’s Conservation League

 Please call or email Today to Voice your support SB 30. 

It needs you support, Today!.

 An Act amending Title 30 (Fish) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, in Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, providing for power to set fees; in fiscal affairs, further providing for collection fee for uncollectible checks; in fishing licenses, further providing for nonresident and tourist licenses, for one-day resident fishing license, for license, permit and issuing agent fees and for license and permit packaging options; in special licenses and permits, further providing for net permits, for boat and net licenses for boundary lakes, for permits for protection and management of particular fish, for permits for the use of explosives, for Lake Erie fishing permits and for fishing guide and charter boat permits; in regulated fishing lakes, further providing for licenses and for fees; in dams, bar racks and migration devices, further providing for obstructing migration of fish; in preliminary provisions, further providing for fees; and, in registration and titling of boats, further providing for issuing agents, for fees and for notice for boats and related equipment.

The Honorable Dave Reed
550 Philadelphia Street
Indiana, PA 15701
(724) 465-0220

[email protected]

The Honorable Mike Turzai
125 Hillvue Lane, 1st Floor
McCandless, PA 15237
(412) 369-2230

[email protected]

Teresa Erdman

Executive Secretary

Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission

717-705-7801 phone   717-705-7802 fax

[email protected]

 

Qualifying Open For State Student Archery Tournament

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HARRISBURG, PA – A huge opportunity is “knocking” for Pennsylvania’s student archers.

The 2017 National Archery in the Schools Program State Tournament is set to be held March 10 in State College. Qualifying for the state event is currently open across the state. And the Pennsylvania Game Commission is encouraging all schools participating in the program, commonly referred to as NASP, to take part.

Teams hoping to make the state tournament must first shoot at one of the many state qualifiers being held across the state. Qualifying opened on Oct. 1 and closes on Feb. 5. The top 12 teams in each age division, as well as the top 30 individuals in each age class, will earn a ticket to the state championships.

For information on how to host a state qualifier at your school use this link. http://www.pgc.pa.gov/Education/NationalArcheryInTheSchoolsProgram/Pages/NASPStateTournament.aspx

The NASP state tournament has been growing each year since its inception in 2011, and the March 10 tournament to be held at the Penn State Multi-Sport Facility figures to include close to 1,000 participants. Students from more than 50 schools across Pennsylvania are expected to participate. The increase is representative of growth in the program statewide.

NASP, which started in Kentucky in 2002 and has since gained participants around the globe, came to Pennsylvania in 2005. The Game Commission began coordinating the program in 2010 and, to present, the program has expanded to 237 schools.

The tournament should be a sight to see. Ninety-five lanes, each with two archers, will be operating at once. About 9,000 arrows will fly each hour. And somewhere near 46,000 arrows will be shot on the day.

This year, there will be over $7,000 in scholarships handed out to the top-performing archers in the state to help pay for college or trade school.

To find a state qualifier tournament in your area, use the NASP Tournament website, http://nasptournaments.org.

Teams are reminded they must be NASP schools and participate in a state qualifier for a chance to qualify for the state championships.

NASP helps school districts in Pennsylvania meet physical-education curriculum requirements standards set by the state Department of Education, and at the same time introduces students to the world of competitive archery.

Tournaments are held at the state, national and international levels, and Pennsylvania sent over 160 students to the 2016 national competition, which was held in Louisville, Kentucky.

To get NASP started in a Pennsylvania school, contact Todd Holmes, at the Game Commission headquarters, at 717-787-4250 (ext. 3330). Also, “PA NASP” can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/PennNASP.

Pennsylvania Game Commission | 2001 Elmerton Ave | Harrisburg, PA 17110
www.pgc.pa.gov

New web cams promise sharper views of Pittsburgh-area eagles

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By Mary Ann Thomas
Published: Monday, January 2, 2017, 10:18 p.m. Tribune-Review staff writer

Read Story Here        http://triblive.com/local/valleynewsdispatch/11711120-74/nest-harmar-eagles

New webcams were installed at the bald eagle nests in Harmar and Pittsburgh’s Hays neighborhood Thursday and Friday, promising better views for the 2017 nesting season.

Mary Ann Thomas is a Tribune-Review staff writer. She can be reached at 724-226-4691 or [email protected].

 

NRA LIFE MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS UNTIL MARCH 31ST

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NRA LIFE MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS UNTIL MARCH 31ST

$600 Life Membership

Due to the popularity of current membership specials.

We are authorized to sell the NRA Life Membership for $600 fully paid through March 31, 2017!

The $600 Life Membership is not eligible using Easy Pay (EPL) and must be paid in full.

Use this opportunity to buy an NRA Life Membership for a fraction of the full price!

BUY NRA LIFE MEMBERSHIP

1/3/17

REPORT YOUR HARVEST

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It only take a minute to report your harvest online.    

REPORT YOUR HARVEST

REPORT YOUR HARVEST

Other ways to report

  1. By PHONE: Call toll-free to 1-855-724-8681 or 1-855-PAHUNT1 and follow the prompts.
  2. By MAIL: Tear out the harvest report card in your current Hunting and Trapping Digest, fill it out with the correct information and drop it off at your local post office. No postage necessary if mailed in the United States.

REPORT IT ON LINE

http://www.pgc.pa.gov/HuntTrap/Pages/Report-a-Harvest.aspx

GAME COMMISSION REMINDS DEER HUNTERS OF RIFLE RESTRICTIONS

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11/23/2016  MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau – 717-705-6541

GAME COMMISSION REMINDS DEER HUNTERS OF RIFLE RESTRICTIONS

STORY LINK    http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Game-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=85

As the statewide firearms deer season approaches, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reminds deer hunters that rifles used during the season must be manually operated.

Earlier this month, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed legislation that will enable the Pennsylvania Game Commission to regulate the use of semiautomatic rifles and air rifles for hunting, and the bill was signed into law this week.

But the Game Commission has not yet made any changes to the lists of lawful arms and ammunition for any hunting season.

For deer hunters in the upcoming firearms deer season, that means all centerfire rifles, handguns and shotguns to be used must be manually operated. The only exception is that semiautomatic shotguns may be used to hunt deer in five counties – Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery – that are defined as Special Regulations Areas.

Semiautomatic rifles generally are not permitted for any type of hunting in any part of the state at this time.

Things could change in the coming months. At its upcoming meetings, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will be discussing the newly signed legislation and the possibility of adding semiautomatic rifles and air rifles to the lawful arms and ammunition list for various hunting seasons. But any changes must follow the schedule dictated by required procedure.

STATE’S HUNGRY THANKFUL FOR HUNTERS, DONATED VENISON

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STATE’S HUNGRY THANKFUL FOR HUNTERS, DONATED VENISON

11/22/2016 MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau – 717-705-6541

STORY LINK       http://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/Game-Commission-Details.aspx?newsid=84

When they sit down at the dinner table on Thursday, Pennsylvania’s hunters will have plenty for which to be thankful.

It’s prime time for Pennsylvania hunting and, with any luck, some game bags or ear tags have been filled already, or are nearly about to be.

But as hunters are giving thanks, they should know also they’re in a prime position to receive thanks for what they might choose to give.

Each year, the generosity of Pennsylvania’s hunters results in about 200,000 meals for the state’s hungry.

By donating venison through Hunters Sharing the Harvest – a program that works through a network of meat processors to channel venison donations to local food banks, soup kitchens and hungry families – hunters extend their helping hands to those in need.

And for the second straight year, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other partners are making it easy for hunters to help out. Once again this year, the Game Commission donated $20,000 to the program – money that enables Hunters Sharing the Harvest to accept venison donations without charging hunters. In prior years, hunters who donated venison needed also to pay a $15 tax-deductible fee to cover deer-processing costs. Visit Hunters Sharing The Harvest to find a participating processor.

By helping to remove the fee, the Game Commission hopes to spur additional venison donations, allowing the program to feed more people, said R. Matthew Hough, the agency’s executive director.