Nearly 100 lucky participants in Pennsylvania’s 2018 elk hunt have taken home a trophy.

Ninety-nine elk were taken by 125 hunters during the regular one-week elk season that ended Nov. 10. And for those licensed to hunt antlered elk, also known as bulls, the success rate was 96 percent, with 25 of 26 tags filled.

The 2018 harvest included some large elk. Thirteen bulls each were estimated to weigh 700 pounds or more, with two of them going more than 800 pounds. The heaviest bull taken in this year’s hunt was estimated at 894 pounds. That bull, which sported an 7-by-8-point rack, was taken in Gibson Township, Cameron County by Richard L. Reicherter I, of Wynnewood, Pa.

Meanwhile, an 806-pounder with a 10-by-7 rack was taken in Goshen Township, Clearfield County by Mark D. Copp, of Wellsboro.

Official measurements of bull racks taken in the hunt cannot be recorded until the antlers have air dried for at least 60 days after the animal was harvested.

There also were some large antlerless elk taken in the harvest. Eight of the 74 cows taken by hunters during the one-week season weighed over 500 pounds.

Thirty-nine elk – nine bulls and 30 cows – were taken on the opening day of the elk season Nov. 5.

“Overall, the 2018 elk season was fairly typical with a slightly lower success rate for antlerless elk hunters,” said Jeremy Banfield, Game Commission elk biologist.

One difference from previous years was the distribution of elk harvests across all the hunt zones, Banfield noted.

“Normally we’d like at least a 50 percent success rate in each zone, where this year several zones had 100 percent success, while others reached only 20 to 40 percent success.

“Poor weather on Monday, Tuesday, and again on Friday might have contributed to the lower harvest, but most hunters recognize the rarity of having an elk tag and will hunt hard no matter the weather. Several hunters reported seeing elk while hunting and just not being able to connect with them.”

Successful hunters within 24 hours of harvest are required to bring their elk to a check station, where tissue samples are collected to test for chronic wasting disease, brucellosis, and tuberculosis. To date none of these diseases have been detected in Pennsylvania elk.

To participate in the elk hunt, hunters must submit an application, then must be selected through a random drawing and purchase a license. The drawing annually attracts more than 30,000 applicants.

Release # 74-18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 16, 2018

For Information Contact:

Travis Lau  717-705-6541   [email protected]

Courtesy of PA Game Commission

While it might be winter, landowners can begin making plans to help wildlife this spring – and beyond – by planting tree and shrub seedlings offered by the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Howard Nursery.

The 2019 seedling order form is available online, and sales are set to begin Jan. 7 at 7 a.m.

The Howard Nursery grows tree and shrub seedlings for state game lands, participating Hunter Access cooperators, the Seedlings for Schools program and the Game Commission’s conservation partners. Any remaining surplus is available to Pennsylvania residents for purchase for wildlife food and cover, watershed protection, soil-erosion control, and for reclamation of disturbed areas, such as surface mine sites and utility rights-of-way.

The selection of seedlings changes from year to year due to available seed, seedling germination, or growing conditions.

“Last year, game lands and partner demands for seedlings was greater than our supply,” explained Brian D. Stone, manager at Howard Nursery. “This year, after fulfilling our commitments to our game lands projects and our partners, we will have a limited supply of surplus available for public sale.”

Seedlings are sold in units of 25. The 2019 order form contains a selection of shrubs and nut-bearing trees, most of which are native to Pennsylvania and collected from Pennsylvania sources. The order form also offers seedling descriptions, site preferences and benefits.

Those species available are: buttonbush, graystem dogwood, Northern bayberry, ninebark, chokecherry, common elderberry, arrowwood viburnum, Washington hawthorn, black walnut, black locust, and black-gum.

Many of the seedlings offered for sale can be purchased at a discounted price.

Orders of 12 or more total units qualify for applicable discounted pricing. With the discount, prices are as low as $5.50 per unit. Regular price ranges from $7.50 to $9.50, depending upon the seedling species.

Species that qualify for the discount are marked on the order form.

Stone said those who are interested might want to call Howard Nursery at 814-355-4434. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Orders can be placed by telephone, as well.

The order form and information about the seedlings for sale will be available at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov. Place your cursor over “Information & Resources” in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, then click on “Make a Purchase” and select the option to order products from Howard Nursery to find the 2019 Seedling Order Form.

If you have problems downloading the order form, you likely need to install the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader, which can be found by doing an Internet search and downloaded for free.

The order form can be completed and submitted online, or printed out and faxed or mailed. Payment is not due until the order is confirmed by Howard Nursery. For those without Internet access, order forms can be obtained at Game Commission offices or various displays or booths at shows in which the agency participates through the spring or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Howard Nursery, 197 Nursery Road, Howard, PA 16841.

The preferred method of delivery is by United Parcel Service (UPS). Shipping and handling charges do apply.

Orders are shipped only Monday through Wednesday to assure delivery for weekend planting. However, orders also may be picked up in person at the nursery once buyers are notified the order is ready.

Generally, seedlings ship in the month of April.

Release # 01-19

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Jan. 3, 2018

For Information Contact:

Travis Lau     717-705-6541    [email protected]

Courtesy of PA Game Commission

12/19/2018

PARTNERSHIP CONSERVES 750 ACRES

HARRISBURG, PA – The Pennsylvania Game Commission and The Conservation Fund announced today the purchase of 752 acres of forestland near Red Rock.

Bordered on three sides by Ricketts Glen State Park and State Game Lands (SGL) 13 and 57, the property provides habitat for a variety of migratory birds, popular game animals, aquatic life and threatened and endangered species. The newly protected area in Sullivan County features wetlands, swamps and forested headwaters for two miles of the high-quality Mehoopany Creek, including core habitat for natural heritage areas important for preserving biologic diversity and water quality of the North Branch of the Susquehanna River and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

“While this is a large acquisition for the Game Commission in terms of acreage, the overall impact is larger still,” said Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “The acquisition pushes the total acreage of State Game Lands 13 to over 50,000 acres, and it creates nearly 100,000 acres of contiguous state game lands because State Game Lands 13 and 57 border one another. For hunters, trappers and all users of game lands—and importantly, for wildlife—the acquisition is an important achievement in conservation. On behalf of these parties and the Game Commission, allow me to thank The Conservation Fund for its efforts.”

The Pennsylvania Game Commission purchased the land on December 18 with transactional support from The Conservation Fund and funding from Williams in connection with the construction and operation of the company’s Atlantic Sunrise natural gas pipeline project. Now part of SGL 13, the land is open to the public for hiking, hunting, fishing and wildlife-viewing, activities that support the outdoor recreation economy of the Endless Mountains Heritage Region. Additional funding for the acquisition was provided by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

“This is a great place to visit and experience the outdoors. In addition to wildlife and bird watching, the property has high quality habitat for game species and will prove a worthy addition to the opportunities afield for Pennsylvania hunters.” said Kyle Shenk, Pennsylvania State Director for The Conservation Fund. “Securing large contiguous forest as public land prevents fragmentation of habitat—which is good for wildlife, the forest products industry and local economies.”

Located within the Audubon Society’s designated Loyalsock North Mountain Forest Block Continentally Important Bird Area (IBA) and among more than 109,500 acres of protected public lands, the property supports breeding habitat for 75 species of migratory birds and bats, including state listed species like the American bittern, yellow-bellied flycatcher, American woodcock, Louisiana waterthrush and the silver-haired bat.

About The Conservation Fund

At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states since 1985 to protect more than eight million acres of land, including more than 106,000 acres in Pennsylvania. Visit conservationfund.org for additional information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau – 717-705-6541  PA Game Commission

Courtesy of PA Game Commission