FORT INDIANTOWN GAP – Outdoor enthusiasts wishing to use Fort Indiantown Gap for hunting, fishing or wood gathering in 2007-08 will be required to attend a mandatory safety briefing and pay a $20 conservation fee.

The briefings will highlight the changes for this upcoming season, including a lottery system for deer season (formally known as rifle season) and the “earn a buck” policy for archery hunters.
The lottery system will require those who wish to hunt for deer season to pay an additional $5 fee, which will be used to manage a program so make sure the number of hunters do not exceed what natural resources can support.

The “earn a buck” policy requires doe hunters to first harvest a doe before they can harvest a buck. This is designed to help better manage the population in the archery-only hunting areas at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Briefings are scheduled for the following dates and times:

• Aug. 21 at 7 p.m.;
• Aug. 28 at 7 p.m.; and
• Sept. 23 at 2 p.m.

Participants only need to attend one briefing; each will be held at Fort Indiantown Gap in Building #8-80 off of Service Road and will last approximately two hours.

The mandatory $20 conservation fee and the optional $5 lottery fee covers the 2007 and 2008 hunting seasons. All fees collected are used for the protection, conservation and management of fish and wildlife at Fort Indiantown Gap, including habitat restoration and improvement, biologist staff and support costs, as well as related activities.

Individuals wishing to hunt must bring a valid hunting license, current driver’s license and vehicle registration. Wood gatherers must bring a current driver’s license and vehicle registration. Photocopies are acceptable. Anyone under the age of 18 is required to be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Applicants who attended a safety briefing in 2006 do not need to attend this year.

For more information call the Fort Indiantown Gap outdoor recreation program coordinator at (717) 861-2150.

If you are one of the unlucky ones to NOT get a draw to hunt deer your money IS NOT REFUNDED!!