GAME COMMISSION TO STOCK 16,500 PHEASANTS FOR YOUTH-ONLY SEASON
HARRISBURG - Young Pennsylvania hunters will have 18 different mentored youth pheasant hunts to choose from thanks to the efforts of sportsmen's clubs that stepped forward to sponsor the programs as part of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's annual youth pheasant season, which will be held on Oct. 6-12.
This hunting opportunity is open to youth ages 12 to 16 who have successfully completed a Hunter-Trapper Education course, and there is no requirement that they purchase a hunting license. However, Roe stressed, this youth pheasant hunting opportunity is not included the Mentored Youth Hunting Program for those under the age of 12.
"The future of hunting is directly related to the continuing participation of young Pennsylvanians in our hunting seasons," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "One of the keys to promoting youth hunting is the tremendous effort of our hunting clubs. These groups are the grassroots organizations that sponsor Youth Field Day events and Hunter-Trapper Education courses throughout the year."
Working with the Pennsylvania State Chapter of Pheasants Forever, the Game Commission's Youth Pheasant Hunt Committee prepared a "Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt Planning Guide" to enable groups to develop and sponsor a mentored youth pheasant hunt program.
Also, the youth pheasant hunt overlaps with the state's youth squirrel hunt, which also runs Oct. 6-12.
"Holding concurrent youth seasons for squirrels and ring-necked pheasants will offer variety to youths who participate in these small game-hunting opportunities," Roe said. "The state's long-standing daily bag limit of two pheasants will apply to junior hunters participating in this season. Also, hens remain protected in the male-pheasant-only zones."
The Game Commission will release 15,000 pheasants on land open to public hunting prior to the start of the seven-day season, and an additional 1,500 pheasants will be divided and shipped to the 18 sportsmen's clubs that have signed up to host a mentored youth pheasant hunt. Hunters, however, are not limited to hunting in only those areas where pheasants have been stocked. The pheasant stocking locations and pheasant hunting area maps are outlined on pages 26-28 of the 2007-08 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, as well as on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).
"On behalf of the Game Commission, I would like to extend my sincere thanks and praise to the members of these clubs for sponsoring a mentored youth pheasant hunt, and for all that they do to preserve and pass along our state's rich and proud hunting heritage to a new generation," Roe said.
Following is a county listing of the clubs that are hosting mentored youth pheasant hunts on Saturday, Oct. 6, as well as information about the hunts:
Allegheny County
Bull Creek Rod & Gun Club will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt in Fawn Township for 30 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. To register, contact Randy Strzeszewski at 724-224-7047 or jally17@verizon.net .
Armstrong County
The Apollo-Spring Church Sportsman's Club will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at their club near Apollo for 40 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. To register, contact Daniel Shaffer at 724-681-2834 or roco_1@exeite.com.
Bedford County
Bedford-Fulton Pheasants Forever will host a Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt for 30 youth on SGL 97 Elk Lick Rd. near Everett. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. To register, contact Jeff & Wanda Green at 814-652-6796 or jeff@green-ranch.com or wanda@green-ranch.com.
Berks County
The Bally Sportsman Club hosts their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at the Bally Gun Club for 25 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 10. To register, please contact Bruce Moll at 610-845-0224 or hillbilly88@netscape.com.
Centre County
The Three Point Sportsman Club will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at Sproul SF near Clarence. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Contact Steven Demyan to register at 814-387-6779 or smdguide@yahoo.com.
Clearfield County
Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited hosts a Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at Big "A" Hunting Lodge near Luthersburg for 25 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 12. To register, contact Laura Johnson at 814-371-4856 or lauraj@ducom.tv.
Elk County
Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 Elk County hosts their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at Johnson Run Pheasants Forever area near Elbon for 35 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Contact Leon Blashock to register at 814-885-8950 or rusty@usachoice.net.
Erie County:
Albion Sportsmen Club will host their Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at their club property. The deadline to register is Sept. 8. To register contact Paul E. Taylor at 814-756-4723 or paulpeg158@aol.com.
Luzerne County
Northeast PA Chapter of Pheasants Forever #803 will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant hunt for 50 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Contact Jay Delaney to register at 570-825-4424 or firehunt44@aol.com.
Montour County
Central Susquehanna Pheasants Forever and the North Montour Sportsman's Association will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt on PPL Montour hunting area near Washingtonville for 50 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Contact Jack Kile to register at 570-322-4630 or kile@epix.net.
Pike County
Promised Land Sportsman's Association will host a Mentored Youth Pheasant hunt at the Delaware State Forest near Promised Land State Park for 50 youth. The deadline to register was Aug. 15. Contact John Staton at 570-676-9448 or staton7@ptd.net.
Schuylkill County
The Valley View Gun Club hosts a Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at their club for 50 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 14. A $5 fee is charged to register, contact Kenneth Wetzel at 570-682-3971.
Warren County
Kalbfus Rod & Gun Club will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at the Hibner's property off Dalrymale Road out of Lander for 30 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 8. To register, contact Chuck Travis at 814-726-1913 or travis39@atlanticbb.net.
Westmoreland County
Kingston Veterans & Sportsmen's Club and Pheasants Forever will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt on their grounds near Latrobe for 50 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. To register, contact Kevin Adams at 724-423-8445 or adamsk@wpa.net.
The Little Sewickley Sportsman Association will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at Hunt's Farm, Latrobe for 50 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 9. To register, contact Jay Bossart at 724-423-6714.
Law Enforcement Officers of Westmoreland County will host their annual Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at Mammoth Park for 50 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 15. To register, contact Ed Farzati at 724-423-2931 or fraz66@zoominternet.net.
Derry Rod & Gun Club will host a Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at their club farm for 20 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 8. To register, contact Tom McWherter at 724-694-8649.
National Wild Turkey Federation Local #1 will host a Mentored Youth Pheasant Hunt at the Boytin property Brush Creek Rd. near Mt. Pleasant for 20 youth. The deadline to register is Sept. 10. To register, contact Rod Ansell at 724-547-6229.
More information about pheasant stocking for the general small game season will be released in the near future. For additional details about the Game Commission's pheasant program, visit the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Hunting" and then click on the pheasant photograph.
Other recent Game Commission youth hunting opportunities include: a youth spring gobbler season established in 2004; a youth squirrel hunt created in 1996 and expanded in 2004; a waterfowl hunt initiated in 1996; special antlerless deer harvesting opportunities opened in 1998, and expanded in 2000; and youth field days implemented in the early 1990s. In 2006, the Game Commission created the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, which permits a properly licensed individual 21 years of age or older to serve as a guide to a youth under the age of 12.