Beaver County Sportsmen's Conservation League

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

2nd Amendment Rally June 8, 2020 Harrisburg Capitol Steps

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You are invited to join the Second Amendment supporters who still plan to attend and STAND for our RIGHTS.

Join us Monday, June 8th at 10 AM on the Harrisburg Capitol steps.

“We the People” desire a peaceful assembly. There have been reports that agitators will try to disrupt this event to silence our right to free speech and assembly.

But, we are free men and will not be bullied by leftists and anarchists who are threatening us. We will demonstrate peacefully as is our right.

Speakers who will be in attendance (more may be added later) include:

Dr. Val Finnell, Pennsylvania Director for Gun Owners of America

Representative David Maloney (R-130), GOA “A+” rated candidate.

Rick Saccone, former Representative in the General Assembly and former Congressional candidate

Open and concealed carry is permitted because the rally is outside the Capitol building. As a reminder, you are required by law to have a License to Carry Firearms (LTCF) to carry openly or concealed during a state of emergency.

Come join us!

In liberty,

Dr. Val Finnell

Pennsylvania Director

Gun Owners of America

Beaver County to begin issuing gun permits again

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Due to the COVID-19 crisis and the Governor of Pennsylvania subsequently placing Beaver County under a “Stay at Home” Order, changes have been made in the License to Carry Permit process. 

License to Carry Permit applications are available on the county’s website and can be mailed to Sheriff Tony Guy, 810 Third Street Beaver, PA 15009 along with a photocopy of their drivers’ license or state identification and a copy of their current permit, if applicable. Any questions can be directed to Guy’s office at 724-770-4614.

LINK TO Beaver County License To Carry Permit Page

http://www.beavercountypa.gov/Depts/Sheriff/Pages/License-to-Carry-Permits.aspx

DEER-ABUSE CHARGES FILED

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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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 34 Pa.C.S. § 2308(a)(10) – Unlawful Devices and Methods – S4
  • $150 to $300 in fines
  • Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 18 Pa.C.S. § 5533(a) – Cruelty to Animal – M2
  • Penalties to be determined in juvenile court system
  • Multiple years of hunting license revocation

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

  1. 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

 

 

PENNSYLVANIA SETS ALL-TIME RECORD BEAR HARVEST

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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

 

 

LEARN ABOUT BEAR HUNTING IN PENNSYLVANIA

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Hunting

Modifications for the 2019 seasons include expanding the mid-October muzzleloader and special firearms deer seasons to include bears statewide; increasing to two weeks the length of the statewide archery bear season and shifting it to the two weeks following the muzzleloader and special firearms bear seasons; and expanding 4-day extended bear seasons to seven days in most wildlife management units (WMUs) where they are held.

Bear Feeding Ban: It is unlawful to intentionally lay or place food, fruit, hay, grain, chemical, salt or other minerals that may cause bears to congregate or habituate an area. In addition, if nuisance bears are being attracted to an area by other wildlife feeding, game wardens can issue written notice to temporarily halt the activity.

Bear Hunting Link to PA Game Commission

Courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission

FIREARMS DEER SEASON TO BEGIN, SATURDAY NOV. 30, 2019.

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A Saturday opener for the firearms deer season and the possibility of more older bucks throughout the Commonwealth have many Pennsylvanians excited about Nov. 30 and the weeks to follow.

Last year’s firearms deer season saw rainy weather nearly statewide throughout much of the opening day. But even then, 30 percent of the antlered deer harvested in the 2018-19 firearms season were taken on opening day. It was the best day of the season for buck harvest.

It’s likely that opening day will continue to be the best for buck harvest this year, when the season will open on a Saturday, said Christopher Rosenberry, supervisor of the Game Commission’s Deer and Elk Section.

“We expect the opening Saturday to become the biggest harvest day for bucks,” said Rosenberry. “The first Monday will play a lesser role, but how much less remains to be seen. The second Saturday, since it is concurrent with the start of antlerless season, will probably become the second-biggest harvest day for bucks.”

And there now is a third Saturday in the season, as well, since the season was expanded from 12 days to 13 to accommodate a Saturday opener in which more hunters likely will be able to participate.

Pennsylvania’s firearms season historically has drawn the biggest crowds of all hunting seasons and consequently has been the state’s principal deer-management tool for more than a century. Its coming preoccupies many Pennsylvanians through their Thanksgiving meals and sends many more to a variety of outlets to fill their last-minute needs.

“Every deer hunter wants to be afield for the opener,” noted Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “They spend days and days, scouting, buying specialized gear and getting their packs ready.

“When they’re sitting in the dark, waiting for daylight and hoping for a big buck to come, most deer hunters couldn’t be happier, particularly if their son or granddaughter is joining them. It’s a fulfilling experience, regardless of what happens.”

“Older, bigger-racked bucks are making up more of the buck harvest than they have for at least a couple decades,” Rosenberry said. “Hunters like the bucks in Pennsylvania today compared to what many of them saw 30 years ago.”

Every year, Pennsylvania hunters are taking huge bucks. Some are “book bucks,” antlered deer that make the Pennsylvania Big Game Records book or Boone & Crockett Club rankings. Others simply win neighborhood bragging rights.

But it’s important to remember, every deer matters when only about a third of hunters harvest whitetails during Pennsylvania’s slate of deer seasons.

“Whether it’s a young hunter’s first deer, or a big buck that fell to a hunter on a dark-to-dark sit, they all matter to these hunters, their families and the communities in which they live,” emphasized Burhans. “Hunting deer has been an exciting Pennsylvania pastime for centuries, and it’s sure to remain that way for many generations to come.”

STATEWIDE SEASON

The statewide general firearms season runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 14. In most areas, hunters may take only antlered deer during the season’s first six days, with the antlerless and antlered seasons then running concurrently from the first Saturday, Dec. 7, to the season’s close. In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, however, properly licensed hunters may take either antlered or antlerless deer at any time during the season.

Rules regarding the number of points a legal buck must have on one antler also vary in different parts of the state, and young hunters statewide follow separate guidelines.

For a complete breakdown of antler restrictions, WMU boundaries and other regulations, consult the 2019-20 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is available online at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov.

Hunters statewide must wear at all times a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on their head, chest and back combined. An orange hat and vest will satisfy the requirement. Nonhunters who might be afield during the deer season and other hunting seasons are asked to consider wearing orange, as

HUNT SAFELY FROM TREE

STANDS- WEAR A HARNESS

Wearing a full-body harness is essential to staying safe when using a tree stand, but a harness can prevent falls to the ground only if it is connected to the tree.

“That means you must wear your harness, and be sure it’s connected to the tree, at all times you’re in the stand, as well as when you’re getting into and out of the stand, or climbing or descending trees,” explained Meagan Thorpe, Game Commission hunter-education chief.

A hunter using a climbing stand should tie-in the safety rope or strap that pairs with the harness before beginning to climb.

BEAR SEASON’S NOT OVER YET

As we are getting ready to close out the statewide firearms bear season, remember an opportunity to harvest a bear still exisits in many WMU’s throught the state during the firearms deer season.

EXTENDED BEAR SEASON DATES

Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2019

WMU’s: 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B,

4C, 4D, 4E, 5A

Nov. 30- Dec. 14, 2019

WMU’s: 2B, 5B, 5C, 5D

From all of us here at the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Happy Thanksgiving. Good luck and hunt safely!

Courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission

Birds Are In Trouble Here’s How You Can Help

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A recent State of the Birds report and Science article reveal that North America has lost nearly 3 billion breeding birds since 1970 – that’s a staggering 29 percent of all birds!

The results show tremendous losses across diverse groups of birds and habitats. However, the news is not all bad. Some bird populations, like waterfowl and raptors, have been improving due to dedicated efforts to understanding the problems and by developing science-based solutions. When we invest in wildlife, gains are made.

Among the steep continental declines are Eastern forest birds — 63 percent of species are declining, resulting in a loss of 166 million forest birds. One of those species, the wood thrush, is widespread throughout Pennsylvania and its beautiful song forms the soundtrack of Penn’s Woods.

In fact, Pennsylvania is home to more than 8 percent of the global population, yet it is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need throughout the northeastern United States due to habitat loss, habitat degradation and a nationwide population decline of approximately 50 percent since the mid-1960’s.

Aiming to develop solutions for wood thrushes in Pennsylvania oak forests, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Penn State University are conducting a study on state game lands to understand forest habitats that support a greater number of wood thrush nests and produce more young.

The practice involves creating small canopy gaps consistent with small-scale forest utilization (for example, sustainable firewood harvesting). If we find that this practice is successful, we’ll share the guidance so everyone in Pennsylvania will have a simple, effective means of managing forests for wood thrushes, an important, native component of Pennsylvania forest ecosystems.

But, wood thrushes are just one of 90 bird Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan. The Game Commission is your state wildlife agency responsible for ensuring native wild birds, mammals and the habitats that sustain them are here now and into the future. Yet, over 80 percent of the species under our care lack reliable funding to safeguard their survival. Here are a few ways you can help!

  • Take action. Check out these 7 Simple Actions you can take to #BringBirdsBack. Also, learn what actions you can take for birds and other Species of Greatest Conservation Need in a geography you care about through the Wildlife Action Plan Conservation Opportunity Area Tool.
  • Be a voice for birds. Ask your congressman or congresswoman to support bird-friendly bills, like the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, that will provide increased and reliable funding for states to develop and implement science-based solutions – like the wood thrush project – to prevent species from becoming endangered.
  • Share your love for birds, other wildlife, and the outdoors with friends and family, especially the next generation!

Courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission

Birds Are In Trouble

 

PENNSYLVANIA CONTINUES PUSH FOR DEDICATED FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FUNDING

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The Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission see today’s introduction of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act in the U.S. House of Representatives as landmark legislation that could provide more care for Pennsylvania’s and the nation’s growing list of fish and wildlife with the greatest conservation needs.

The bipartisan legislation introduced by Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-Neb.) with at least 61 bipartisan cosponsors, including four from Pennsylvania, would dedicate $1.3 billion annually by Congress to states to conserve troubled fish and wildlife.

Similar legislation was introduced in the 115th U.S. Congress in December 2017, calling for dedicated funding from $5 billion to $12 billion in annual revenues generated by energy- and mineral- extraction royalties currently collected by the federal government from industries on federal lands and waters. That bill, which had 116 cosponsors, reached the U.S. House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands. Hearings were held, but the bill went no further.

The legislation, now before Congress for its third consecutive year, has strong, bipartisan support for its innovative approach to solving America’s ongoing and deepening wildlife crisis. But like other historic conservation legislation – U.S. Migratory Bird Act, Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Act (Dingell–Johnson), U.S. Endangered Species Act – it takes time to build majority support in the House and Senate and for Americans to remind their legislators of this country’s lasting commitment to wildlife conservation.

The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act proposes to provide sufficient funding to states to proactively conserve imperiled species identified in State Wildlife Action Plans. It is championed by the Blue Ribbon Panel on Sustaining America’s Diverse Fish & Wildlife Resources, a think-tank of 26 energy, business and conservation leaders assembled in 2014 by the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, which serves North America’s state and provincial wildlife management agencies.

Pennsylvania currently receives about $1.5 million in federal State Wildlife Grant funds annually to manage the state’s 664 fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need and their associated habitats to work toward goals in the State Wildlife Action Plan.

Under the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act, Pennsylvania would receive dedicated annual federal fish and wildlife conservation funding that could exceed $30 million to better address the conservation actions for these species.

“Sometimes our actions in the crusade for American wildlife seem like listening to a broken record,” noted Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “But that repetition is needed to reach the masses and drive home our message that wildlife needs you to step up, get involved.

“The dividends this act can provide Pennsylvania should make its passage important to anyone who wants healthy and diverse wildlife communities and all the benefits those creatures provide daily to millions of Americans,” Burhans noted. “If we fail, wildlife everywhere loses, and our outdoors will relinquish more of its enchanting beauty. We’re approaching the eleventh hour. The time to act is now.”

The Fish and Boat Commission also recognizes the almost unprecedented value and expanded coverage this legislation could provide Pennsylvania’s fish and wildlife conservation.

“The state fish and wildlife agencies across the nation greatly appreciate the bipartisan recognition by Congress that our nation’s fish and wildlife are in peril and need help and attention,” said Fish and Boat Commission Executive Director Tim Schaeffer. “While additional funding will be directed towards fish and wildlife species of greatest conservation need, the conservation efforts that will be applied by the states will benefit all species and enhance fish and wildlife populations and communities for the benefit of all people who enjoy angling, hunting and wildlife-associated recreation.”

 

“The Recovering America’s Wildlife Act legislation not only provides the states the requisite funding to continue the job of fish and wildlife management and conservation,” noted Schaeffer, “but also provides the necessary security to ensure that our children and grandchildren can enjoy all of the species that rely on clean water and healthy habitats.”

The Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission are working closely with state and national conservation partners to bring this once-in-a-lifetime initiative to a vote in Washington, D.C. The need for long-term dedicated funding is obvious, and the agencies are urging all Pennsylvania voters and conservationists to let legislators know how important the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act is to them and Pennsylvania.

Estimates have a third of all American fish and wildlife as vulnerable or at risk.

Through federal funding provided by the State Wildlife Grants Program – created by Congress in 2000 – to support Pennsylvania’s species of greatest conservation need, conservation actions taken by the Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, and partners have averted federal endangered species listings, such as the golden-winged warbler, and led to state delisting of several species: bald eagle, osprey, silver chub and spotted darter. Right now, wildlife needs all the friends it can muster to get the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act across the finish line.

“Our existing funding model can no longer keep up with the needs of the full array of fish and wildlife in this country,” said Ron Regan, Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies executive director. “This bill will allow all Americans to become investors in conserving our nation’s fish and wildlife heritage.”

The emphasis of Wildlife Action Plans is proactive management that keeps marginal wildlife populations from slipping into more expensive care. In fact, most species identified in Pennsylvania’s Wildlife Action Plan do not appear on state or federal threatened or endangered species lists. But most also aren’t receiving sufficient care; there isn’t enough federal funding to provide it.

Pennsylvania is renowned for its enchanting mountains, meandering rivers and expansive marshes. But what value does it have without fish and wildlife? They’re the pulse of the Commonwealth’s great outdoors, what makes it so unforgettable.

To get involved, all Pennsylvanians are asked to contact their legislators in the U.S. House of Representatives and ask them to support the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. Let them know America’s conservation of imperiled fish and wildlife currently is insufficient and that the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act would bridge the funding shortfalls that make compromised fish and wildlife more vulnerable.

To learn more about the management of Pennsylvania’s wildlife and the state’s Wildlife Action Plan, visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission website at www.pgc.pa.gov. To learn more about the management of fish, reptiles, amphibians and other aquatic life, visit the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s website at www.fishandboat.com. To learn more about Recovering America’s Wildlife Act visit OurNatureUSA.com.

Courtesy of Pennsylvania Game Commission

All Out Assault On Your Second Amendment Rights

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Guys and Gals, hate to say this, but we have some bad news for you!

In the wake of the latest mass murders in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio, the calls for more gun control have become deafening. It looks as if we’re likely going to end up with some kind of new and additional restrictions on our Right to Keep and Bear Arms, which is becoming less of a right and more of a government privilege. This is unless enough of us push back.

Here are titles of a number of recent articles that give a flavor of the debate:

  • Republican Congressman from Illinois, Adam Kinzinger:  Serious movement brewing to overturn the entire 2nd Amendment.  Article
  • Biden says he’s coming for assault weapons, as 2020 Dems urge new ban in wake of shootings.   Article
  • Judge Andrew Napolitano: Second Amendment bars many gun restrictions being proposed after mass shootings.  Article
  • Trump Pushes Universal Background Checks   Article

These are all on the federal level, which this communication will mainly concentrate on, but it’s just as bad on the state level.

THIS LINK  Opens a PDF that: Will help your understanding of the current push for more gun control and provide a number of pathways to communicate your opposition to additional restrictions on the 2nd Amendment.

  • First a letter from Kim Stolfer, President of Firearms Owners Against Crime with four quick and easy ways that you, as an American gun owner, can make your voice heard.
  • Next, Gun Owners of America provides more information and links to send prewritten letters to President Trump and other Republicans who are abandoning their duty to defend the Constitution.
  • The Lehigh Valley Tea Party’s petition to “Stop Red Flag Laws” adds Pennsylvania State law makers as recipients.
  • Next, a quick review of Saul Alinsky’s 8 steps to create a socialist society. When you read these you should recognize all of them slowly being put into place in the United States.
  • Finally, applications to join two organizations that are working their butts off to resist the loss of our freedom. They need your help.

Please step up to the plate, help to preserve our freedoms now and ensure they can be passed on to the next generation.

October 26, 2019 Controlled Goose Hunt at Brady’s Run Park

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2019 Youth Goose Hunt will be Oct 26, 2019.

There will be 4 blinds with up to 16 hunters. Prospective hunters need to apply at the Beaver County Ice Arena by October 15, 2019.

Each of the 16 youth hunters will be selected by drawing on October 17th at noon.
• 2019 Adult Goose Hunts will be Oct 28, Nov 1, 4, 8, 12, 15. Adults can bring up to 3 additional hunters with them.
Prospective hunters need to apply at the Beaver County Ice Arena by October 15th and will be selected by drawing on October 17th at noon.
• Blind set up date will be announced. Please consider helping out.
• HELP!!! Is the key to these hunts being successful, and we need more of that.

Rich Kerlin