Beaver County Sportsmen's Conservation League

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

SEMIAUTOMATIC SHOTGUNS APPROVED FOR DEER, BEAR AND ELK HUNTING

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Permitted for years in Special Regulations Areas, semiautomatic slug guns get statewide approval.

Semiautomatic centerfire shotguns that propel single-projectile ammunition will be lawful sporting arms in most of Pennsylvania’s firearms deer, bear and elk seasons in 2018-19.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave unanimous approval to regulatory changes that permit these sporting arms for deer, bear and elk hunting. For elk, the shotgun needs to be 12-gauge or larger.

The Game Commission historically has permitted the use of semiautomatic shotguns for deer and bear seasons within its special regulations areas near Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.

With today’s vote, such authorization is extended to the remainder of the Commonwealth, as well as to the state’s elk hunters.

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

SOMERSET WILD PHEASANT RECOVERY AREA DISSOLVED

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Area will be reopened to hunting released propagated birds.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today voted to dissolve the Somerset Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRA), one of the state’s four WPRAs.

The Somerset WPRA was created by the Game Commission in 2009. Like other WPRAs, it was selected because its habitat gave pheasants the greatest chance to establish wild populations.

The Somerset WPRA received 964 trapped-and-transferred wild pheasants over three years, but surveys showed that the Somerset WPRA’s population failed to take hold.

Habitat conditions, weather severity, or a combination of these factors, impeded the chances of achieving a sustainable pheasant population on the WPRA.

Because WPRAs generally are closed to pheasant hunting, and the release of propagated pheasants is prohibited within WPRAs, dissolving the Somerset WPRA benefits pheasant hunters.

With the Somerset WPRA dissolved, the area will be reopened to either-sex pheasant hunting and will be eligible for game-farm pheasant releases.

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

WILDLANDS CONSERVANCY HELPS AGENCY ADD 428 ACRES TO GAME LANDS

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Acquisition of tract on the Blue Mountain’s north slope resolves long-standing boundary dispute.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved the purchase of 428 acres in East Penn Township, Carbon County, adjoining State Game Lands 217 to the west and National Park Service property to the south, from Wildlands Conservancy Inc., of Emmaus, for $400 an acre.

The parcel will be paid from third-party commitments for compensation of habitat and recreational losses occurring in previously approved projects on state game lands.

The tract is located on the Blue Mountain’s north slope, and is forested with oak, poplar, maple and pine along the ridge, and transitions into a savanna-like field of greenbrier and fern interspersed with trees at lower elevations.

The property’s acquisition resolves a long-standing boundary dispute with the tract’s previous owners.

The new property can be accessed by Blue Mountain Road from the west and Sunset Road from the east.

The Game Commission has a long history of working with conservancies, noted Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans.

“It’s hard to imagine how much more limited public lands would be in Pennsylvania without the assistance of Pennsylvania’s land conservancies,” Burhans said. “They’ve made an enormous difference for the Game Commission, other state agencies and, of course, wildlife and Pennsylvanians.”

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

 

BOARD APPROVES ENERGY AGREEMENT

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Natural-gas agreement adds more than $2 million to Game Fund.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners approved a five-year, non-surface-use agreement with Greylock Production LLC, to develop natural gas under 724 acres of State Game Lands 223 in Whiteley Township, Greene County.

The energy-development agreement is expected to result in an approximate $2.15 million bonus payment to the agency’s Game Fund, or into an interest-bearing escrow account to be used for the future purchase of wildlife habitat.

Oil and gas development under the agreement will be regulated by the Commonwealth’s oil and gas regulations and the agency’s Standard Non-Surface Use Oil and Gas Cooperative Agreement.

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

BOARD ENACTS MORATORIUM ON GAME LANDS WIND ENERGY PROJECTS

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None of 19 wind-energy proposals on game lands have been permitted; resolution makes stance clear.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission over the years has received 19 proposals develop wind energy on state game lands. All have been denied, due to potential adverse impacts on wildlife.

Today, the Board of Game Commissioners adopted a resolution declaring a moratorium on all future wind energy development on state game lands.

The resolution is as follows:

“WHEREAS, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (Commission) has received numerous solicitations from various industrial wind energy developers interested in erecting wind turbines on State Game Lands (SGLs) over the past few years; and

“WHEREAS, the Commission recognizes the significant value of exploring alternative energy resources and renewable energy initiatives within this Commonwealth; and

“WHEREAS, the Commission has determined that the protection of wildlife habitat values and their associated recreational use of SGLs are one of the Commission’s highest priorities; and

“WHEREAS, The Commission has further determined that evaluation and approval of wind energy projects on SGLs must be completed in strict accordance with the mandates of the Game and Wildlife Code (34 Pa.C.S. §§ 101 et seq.)(Code) to ensure the protection and conservation of the Commonwealth’s wildlife resources and promotion of recreational opportunities on SGLs; and

“WHEREAS, the Commission drafted guidance in 2005 to aid in its evaluation of proposed wind energy development on SGLs; and

“WHEREAS, nineteen (19) SGLs have been targeted by industrial wind energy developers since 2005, some multiple times; and

“WHEREAS, to date, all of the wind energy proposals submitted to the Commission were determined to have a high probability of adversely impacting wildlife resources and the recreational uses associated with SGLs and were therefore not approved; and

“WHEREAS, the Commission has recognized the need to provide a clear policy concerning the potential for future wind energy development on SGLs.

“WHEREAS, the Commission has generally determined that the high probability of adverse impacts to wildlife resources and recreational uses caused by wind energy development on SGLs is incompatible with its mandates under the Code to protect, propagate, manage and preserve the game and wildlife of the Commonwealth and promote recreational opportunities on SGLs.

“NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners of the Pennsylvania Game Commission does hereby declare a moratorium on all future wind power development on State Game Lands within this Commonwealth.

“Given under the hand and seal of the Board of Commissioners of the Pennsylvania Game Commission on this 24th day of April, 2018.”

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

Pennsylvania’s spring turkey season opens April 28

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Pennsylvania’s spring turkey season opens April 28. Share your passion for hunting by mentoring a new hunter.

Each year when hunting season arrives, we have a great opportunity to make sure our loved ones and friends have the chance to experience that same love of the outdoors we enjoy. Perhaps more important, with Spring turkey season upon us, you have the chance to spend quality, one on one time with those you care about the most. Pennsylvania’s mentored hunting programs allow an experienced hunter to take a newcomer hunting prior to the completion of hunter education. Quality time in the wood will be something remembered for years to come. Use this Spring turkey season to share your love of hunting with someone new.

Teach someone new the tricks of hunting wild turkeys, calling birds, placing decoys, setting up and hunting safety. Pass along your love of the turkey woods to someone new, and get excited about hunting again. Buy your license today.

Learn more about Pennsylvania’s mentored hunting programs.

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

SPRING GOBBLER SEASON HOLDS PLENTY OF POTENTIAL

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The approach of spring gobbler season has Pennsylvania hunters eager to get afield. That they’ll be participating in the state’s 50th anniversary spring-gobbler hunt further sweetens the pot.

Properly licensed junior hunters and mentored youth can head afield Saturday, April 21 to participate in Pennsylvania’s annual youth spring turkey hunt. A week later, on April 28, all hunters can head into Penn’s Woods in pursuit of spring gobblers.

The forecast for the coming season is a statewide turkey population numbering between 210,000 to 220,000 birds, said Mary Jo Casalena, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s wild turkey biologist.

“Pennsylvania’s turkey population will provide plenty of excitement for those who choose to head afield for the Commonwealth’s golden anniversary spring turkey hunt,” Casalena said. “Make no mistake, Pennsylvania remains one of America’s premier turkey-hunting destinations.”

Turkeys are coming through a relatively mild winter, and they again had a tremendous acorn crop last fall to help them with winter survival. A light fall harvest – preliminarily estimated at 11,780 – sparked by greater supplies of fall foods and fewer hunters afield also has helped kindle increased expectations for the spring hunt.

“Last spring, hunters took 38,101 birds in the state’s turkey seasons,” Casalena said. “I expect a similar harvest this spring, somewhere between 36,000 and 38,000 turkeys.”

Hunters should note the second spring gobbler license only is on sale prior to the start of the season. Once April 28 rolls around, it’s too late to purchase one.

“So, hunters who want to ensure their best opportunity to hunt as many days of the season as they can need to buy the license soon,” Casalena said. “There’s promise for a great season.”

Read more:

  • Youth Hunt
  • Hunting Hours
  • Licensing and Other Regulations
  • Reporting Harvests
  • Harvest Photo Contest

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

BLUEBIRD NEST BOXES HELP CONNECT WITH WILDLIFE

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The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Howard Nursery wants to help you “spring” into the season and connect with wildlife in your backyard.

 

Bluebird nesting boxes built by staff at Howard Nursery are available for sale at the nursery office, as well as the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters, region offices, and the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area. Nesting-box kits also are available.

 

Nursery staff build bluebird and other nesting boxes during the winter for annual sales to the public. A single box sells for $11.66, including sales tax. When purchasing two or more boxes, the cost is $10.60 each, including sales tax.

 

Customers can select pre-built boxes or choose kits that can be assembled as a wood-working project. The kits provide a great opportunity for Scout troops, summer camps and other conservation groups to get involved with helping wildlife. Special pricing is available for organized educational activities. Call the Howard Nursery or region offices for details.

 

“Building and placing nesting boxes is a great project for individuals, families or civic organizations interested in connecting with wildlife in a natural way,” said Bryan Burhans, Game Commission Executive Director. “What better way to usher in spring than attracting bluebirds to backyards and properties.”

 

A brochure of the Game Commission’s bluebird nesting boxes and other wildlife structures is available online by navigating to the Howard Nursery page at www.pgc.pa.gov. Place your cursor on the “Information & Resources” tab at the top of the homepage, then click “Get Involved,” and select “Howard Nursery” to find the “2018 Wildlife Homes Order Form.”(PDF)

 

The Game Commission’s Howard Nursery has been manufacturing bluebird nesting boxes and box kits for more than 30 years. Each year, the nursery produces an average of 4,000 bluebird boxes and 10,000 kits. In addition to being sold to groups and individuals, they are also available to cooperators in the Game Commission’s Hunter Access Program.

 

The nesting boxes constructed at the Howard Nursery are approved by wildlife biologists, and have been proven to attract bluebirds and other native species, such as tree swallows and house wrens. Bluebirds are beautiful songbirds native to Pennsylvania. They are cavity nesters that became less common because of a lack of suitable nest sites. Many nest sites have been lost through changing land-use practices, as well as urban and suburban sprawl. The decline in bluebird numbers is also due in part to non-native species, such as starlings and house sparrows, taking over bluebird nesting cavities.

 

Bluebirds are early nesters, and according to Game Commission biologists, now is the time to place new nest boxes, as well as to clean and repair existing boxes.

 

Learn more about proper bluebird box placement.

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

GAME COMMISSION RECOGNIZED FOR GIS ACHIEVEMENT

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The Pennsylvania Game Commission was selected as a 2018 Special Achievement in Geographic Information System award recipient in recognition for the outstanding work by agency staff Jeremy Diehl, Steve Ferreri, Dan Jones, Paul Lupo, Mark Niessner and Thomas Makibbin. The award is given to user sites around the world to recognize the leaders in the field of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology. In receiving the award, the Game Commission stood out from more than 100,000 other organizations.

 

GIS provides tools for mapping and exploring data and discovering location-based insights. It creates deeper understanding to quickly see where things are happening and how information is connected.

 

Game Commission GIS staff work includes the agency’s forestry application, prescribed fire application, CWD disease management area application, wild pheasant release application and the public mapping center application.

 

“The ultimate goal is to provide better information to our customers and to help the agency accomplish its mission,” said Game Commission GIS Administrator Thomas Makibbin.

 

“These employees are at the forefront in developing technology that benefits our license buyers and improves our ability to manage wildlife and their habitats,” said Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “The fact that they were selected for this award from candidates worldwide speaks volumes on the level of service that they provide.”

 

The SAG Award ceremony will be held at the annual Esri International User Conference in San Diego, Calif. July 9-13, 2018.

“By embracing GIS technology, award recipient organizations have improved our world and set new precedents throughout the GIS community,” said Jack Dangermond, the president and founder of Esri.

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov

SPRING GOBBLER SEASON HOLDS PLENTY OF POTENTIAL News Release # 23-18

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The approach of spring gobbler season has Pennsylvania hunters eager to get afield. That they’ll be participating in the state’s 50th anniversary spring-gobbler hunt further sweetens the pot.

Properly licensed junior hunters and mentored youth can head afield Saturday, April 21 to participate in Pennsylvania’s annual youth spring turkey hunt. A week later, on April 28, all hunters can head into Penn’s Woods in pursuit of spring gobblers.

The forecast for the coming season is a statewide turkey population numbering between 210,000 to 220,000 birds, said Mary Jo Casalena, the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s wild turkey biologist.

“Pennsylvania’s turkey population will provide plenty of excitement for those who choose to head afield for the Commonwealth’s golden anniversary spring turkey hunt,” Casalena said. “Make no mistake, Pennsylvania remains one of America’s premier turkey-hunting destinations.”

Turkeys are coming through a relatively mild winter, and they again had a tremendous acorn crop last fall to help them with winter survival. A light fall harvest – preliminarily estimated at 11,780 – sparked by greater supplies of fall foods and fewer hunters afield also has helped kindle increased expectations for the spring hunt.

“Last spring, hunters took 38,101 birds in the state’s turkey seasons,” Casalena said. “I expect a similar harvest this spring, somewhere between 36,000 and 38,000 turkeys.”

Pennsylvania turkeys are coming off a trying year. Frequent spring and summer rains in 2017 hampered poult survival in some areas of the state. What has helped turkeys, though, has been recent mild winters.

“The lighter fall harvests, mild winters and increased acorn crops over the past two years, however, could support increased reproduction this spring, Casalena noted. “But our spring weather will have to cooperate.”

The turkey population remains below its peak of 280,000 in 2001 with substantial fluctuations every three to four years, likely due to fluctuations in recruitment, which is influenced substantially by the interaction of habitat quality, weather, predation and harvest, Casalena said. Overall, the population is slowly increasing from its most-recent low of 192,612 in 2010, with increases in the one- and two-year age classes.

Last spring, 5,049 turkeys were taken with a second spring gobbler license; 20,529 hunters purchased second gobbler licenses.

Hunters should note the second spring gobbler license only is on sale prior to the start of the season. Once April 28 rolls around, it’s too late to purchase one.

“So, hunters who want to ensure their best opportunity to hunt as many days of the season as they can need to buy the license soon,” Casalena said. “There’s promise for a great season.”

 

Youth Hunt

All participants in the youth hunt must be accompanied by adults as required by law. A complete list of regulations applying to mentored youth and junior hunters can be found in the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which may be purchased with a hunting license and is available online at www.pgc.pa.gov.

 

Hunting Hours

Hunting hours during the youth hunt end at noon. Junior hunters and mentored youth also may participate in the statewide spring gobbler season.

Hunting hours begin one-half hour before sunrise and end at noon for the first two weeks of the statewide season (April 28 through May 12). Hunters are asked to be out of the woods by 1 p.m. when hunting hours end at noon. This is to minimize disturbance of nesting hens.

From May 14 through May 31, hunting hours are from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset. The all-day season allows more opportunity at the point in the season when hunting pressure is lower and nesting hens are less likely to abandon nests.

 

Licensing and other regulations

During the spring gobbler season, hunters may use manually operated or semiautomatic shotguns limited to a three-shell capacity in the chamber and magazine combined. Muzzleloading shotguns, crossbows and long, recurve and compound bows also are permitted. For a complete list of regulations, consult Pages 40 and 41 of the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest.

Only bearded birds may be harvested during the spring season, and hunting is permitted by calling only. The stalking of turkeys is unlawful and unsafe.

There is no requirement for hunters to wear fluorescent orange during the spring turkey season, though it is recommended that orange be worn while moving.

Blinds used while turkey hunting must be manufactured with manmade materials of sufficient density to block movement within the blind from an observer outside the blind. Blinds must completely enclose the hunter on all four sides and from above. It is unlawful to hunt turkeys from blinds made of natural materials such as logs, tree branches and piled rocks.

Blinds that represent the fanned tail of a gobbler do not hide all hunter movement, and therefore are unlawful to use in Pennsylvania.

It is unlawful, as well as unsafe, to stalk turkeys or turkey sounds. All hunters need to wait patiently and identify their targets properly prior to pulling the trigger. When in a stationary position, a hunter should sit with his or her back against back against a large tree, rock or other barrier that shields movement and offers protection from others who might approach from the rear.

Turkey hunters should not wear any clothing that contains black colors like those of a turkey’s body, or red, white or blue, like those on a turkey’s head.

Pennsylvania hunters again this year can purchase a license to harvest a second gobbler in the spring season, but only one gobbler may be taken per day. This license must be purchased no later than April 27 – before the statewide season begins.

The $21.90 license ($41.90 for nonresidents) may be purchased online, but cannot be printed at home. Therefore, if a hunter expects to need the license early in the season, purchasing it directly from an issuing agent might be better. The same goes for general hunting licenses. General hunting licenses purchased online also are sent by mail, and shipping charges apply.

 

Reporting harvests

Successful turkey hunters must immediately and properly tag the bird before moving the bird from the harvest site, and are required by law to report the harvest to the Game Commission.

For most hunters, harvests must be reported within 10 days. Mentored youth and mentored adult hunters must report harvests within five days.

Reporting harvests enables the Game Commission to more accurately estimate harvest and population totals, and is important to effective management.

There are three ways harvests can be reported. Hunters can visit www.pgc.pa.gov, click the blue “Report a Harvest” button along the right side of the home page, then fill out a form and submit. Alternately, hunters can fill out and mail in the tear-out harvest report cards that are inserted into the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, or report the harvest by phone at 1-855-PAHUNT1 (1-855-724-8681).

In all cases, it is helpful to have your license with you, as well as the tag you used in the field after harvesting the bird.

“Even though the Game Commission is not currently conducting any large-scale turkey research, there are still leg-banded turkeys remaining throughout the state from recently completed projects,” Casalena said. “If you are lucky enough to harvest a leg-banded turkey please call the toll-free number on the band and we will provide details of when and where the bird was tagged.”

 

Harvest photo contest

A beautiful gobbler might not be the only prize a successful turkey hunter brings home this spring.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is sponsoring its second annual Turkey Harvest Photo Contest, and hunters submitting the photos of themselves with their 2018 Pennsylvania gobblers are eligible to win one of two personalized, engraved box calls.

Entries will be narrowed to a field of finalists in each the adult hunter and youth hunter category, with one winner in each category then selected by voters on the Game Commission’s Facebook page.

But you must enter to win. Hunters should be sure to submit photos of their 2018 Pennsylvania harvests by email to pgc-contest@pa.gov. Submissions should include the first and last name of anyone in the photo, the hunter’s hometown and the county the turkey was harvested.

The contest will run from youth season April 21 through Monday, June 4, with the winners selected shortly thereafter.

Courtesy PA Game Commission  www.pgc.pa.gov