HERE ARE SOME ARTICLES ----

http://www.mcall.com/news/local/all-a1_5shotgun.6246815jan28,0,3728680.story

http://local.lancasteronline.com/4/215747  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2008-01-28 22:29:57 --

Here's Bluetick's summary of the meeting--


First thing - if anyone can correct or fill in any blanks or misunderstanding on my part please do so. Tough at times to hear what is going on and write at the same time.

I make a good effort to get the "gist" of the testimony. This to convey the general thoughts of the person testifing. I do try to use their words - although most is shortened up.

Meeting started on time with a full auditorium and lobby area. Several were standing. Pretty much a packed house.

BOC President Boop stated that there was 62 people signed up to speak.

A large portion of them were people attending the meeting in opposition to the proposed rule making concerning the Conure-Nanday. Basically a type of parrot.

The long and short of all testimony on this was the bird is no threat. It could not survive the weather in PA. They would also quickly become hawk food as well. opponents also provided proof that there were no health issues with the birds.

I will skip over the folks testifying to this issue.


#1

Major theme was harvest reporting and deer management.

* wanted a system similar to New York state. Phone and internet system with an emphasis on honesty in the system.
* Deer management - Thought the GC could do better if not by WMU's. The gentleman couldn't understand the management goals. Ultimately wanted to return to the county management system.


#2 Father of three boys - Anniheim PA (hunts Bedford County)

* Few deer seen.
*Kids losing interest in hunting deer.
* He does support habitat improvement through deer program -
*Make driving deer on public land illegally.
* Make doe tag legal on private land only.

#3 Ken Kane Consulting Foresters, Kane, PA

* maintain deer program as is.
* No need to modify concurrent season.
*The organization will work for a license increase.
*Keep current season and bag limits to maintain consistency of data.


#4 Unknown

*stop doe hunting
*will not purchase hunting license next year
* poaching is as big a problem as the doe harvests


#5 Governors Youth Advisory Council

They as a group decided and testified that:

* they support a license increase for the GC
They would like this to restore the many programs canceled or suspended due to funding issues. Such as Women in the Outdoors Program, pheasant stocking (restore to full program), and the donation of Game News to school libraries.

* They thanked the GC BOC for the Mentored Hunter Program.
* They asked for an expanded mentored youth hunting opportunities to include fall turkey and waterfowl
* Yes to Sunday hunting

#6 Unk

*Wants the GC to provide more recreational activity
* He proposed a four week crossbow season to start two weeks after the fall archery season
* extend the early muzzleloader season to a full two weeks

#7 Todd Spark Hancock forest Management

* Manages 116,000 acres in the NC region
* Supports scientific management of the deer herd
*keep the two week concurrent season as is and DMAP
* They think reducing the concurrent season will make the harvest hard to manage
* increase doe harvest in all of 2g - or if better to target the areas needing more thinning realign the boundary to a north and south unit (sub-unit) and target the southern portion
* DMAP should be available for lease holders and all property owners

#8 Dan Devline Director DCNR Forestry

* Congratulated the GC on it's science based management
* He stated he understood the challenges of satisfying a large stakeholder group(hunters)
* Stated that people need to understand the forest and deer and deer management are linked
* Without hunter the forest health would suffer
* He agreed with the GC that the best indicator of forest health is regen monitoring
* Many parts of the state forest system are improving
* many areas of the state forest show reduced browsing pressure
* Some biologists and others are seeing plants growing they have never seen before
* DMAP is a great tool
* The Forestry Department of DCNR is taking a hard look at DMAP areas - adding and deleting as required

* still - many areas showing little or no regen - mostly in the northern areas
* stated the oak component of the state forest is reduced (bad for wildlife)
*maple, black birch are replacing oaks and can not support wildlife
* the decisions we make today will affect the next generation (hunters / people)
* DCNR Forestry opposed WMU changes
Reasons - reduced opportunity to hunt and harvest - limits or changes the data for future decisions - large portions of some remote areas are still under hunted

////// This testimony is usually posted on the DCNR site. I will try to post it when it becomes available///


#9 UNK from NWTF

* Seeks continued shortened fall turkey season in 2F
* called attention to the lack of turkey information in the annual report published in the January Game News
* Wants article detailing turkey study and other involvement of the NWTF published in Game News


#10 Sampson - Forest land Group

* Expand mentored youth hunting
* Expand small game hunting though the fall uninterrupted
* add antlerless deer for mentored youth
* supports license increase
* Does not support the first week buck second week concurrent proposed season calling it deer for dollars
*Deer for dollars will result in lessened opportunities in those four WMU's

#11 ?

* wants the GC to be creative
* wants habitat stamp
* no deer - there is little quality public hunting ground
* Graded the GC on many issues. Overall the GC got a failing grade...
* supports and demands the addition of prescribed burning to forestry practices


#12 Paul miller Department of AG - representing self -

/// couldn't hear - people talking//


#13 Blake Fuller - Collins Timber

* seeing improvement of regen due to less browsing
* recovery of the forest takes time
* wants the GC to use science not emotion and politics to make decisions
* opposes the split buck/concurrent season. Asked the GC to review their new deer management book - asked what changed...
* wants large landowners to be able to issue DMAP tags directly
*expand mentored youth hunting


#13 ? Penn State Ag/Forest Committee (?? noisy best I could do)

* strongly support concurrent season
* strong support for Sunday hunting
* DMAP is a success story - make it available for all land owners
* WMU's are to big
* Make no changes to the two week concurrent season
* yes to license increase.

#14 Phil Wagner - Union County 4D

* Giving up on deer management - no change is coming
* reiterated his soil test testimony from a year ago
* deer conditions are bad in Union County
* wants to know if the GC is checking the DCNR DMAP data they use for tags

#15 Steve Mohr - President USP - former GC Commissioner

* handed in petition on deer management
* Made a statement about the birders being here instead of hunters
* Compared deer season being canceled at the last minute to the Super Bowl being canceled at the last minute
* stated he was not here as the enemy
* claimed deer are being controlled by deep pockets and special interest

#16 * missed name noise and people moving governor's Advisory Council

* support license increase
* support Sunday hunting
* expand mentored Youth hunting
* vacancies in the GC at about 109
* please publish wildlife management plans


#17 Ryan Becker Susquehanna Beagle Clubs

* add rabbit hunting (over dogs0 to the mentored hunt
* Vermont allows this for mentored youth
8 Explained how it works using the rules in place. Very interesting presentation.

#18 ?

* has hunted for 30 years
* in conjunction with QMDA planted 1600 trees and food plots
* volunteers are an untapped resources that should be taken advantage of by the GC
* want a reg for no-driving on SGL's
* doe tags for private land only

# 19 Casey

* bear issues in 3D
* end extended bear season in 3D

#20 Mr. White

* got rid of 23 doe tags in four years
* Gives up - no license purchase / tag
* blames the timber and insurance companies
* QDM = Quick Deer Massacre
* to few deer to hunt

#21 ?

* wants a regulation added to exceptions in title 34 (article cited) to allow pistols up to .45 cal in 5C


#22 Robert ?

* GC and GC BOC brainwashed into thinking deer are a problem
*There are no deer problems in West Virginia and New York
* DCNR is doing a wonderful job of brainwashing

#23 PA Forest product Association

* Opposed to four WMU split season
* split season not based on science
* split season will not support program goals
* the four WMU's equate to 20% of all WMU acreage
* Damages data collection
* Weather will have more impact on harvests

#24 ?

* there are no deer in north Potter Co - public or private land
* I know of eight camps - only 13 deer killed
* no luck in three years hunted all season
* son stated he didn't want to go back
* finally teamed up with other camps to do small drives
* started killing deer
* Put out trail cams and never would have believed the deer numbers (went on in some detail on numbers of deer)
* Opposes the changes to the four WMU's - a step backwards
* hopes the proposed change isn't politically motivated
* Hope the proposed change is not to appease politicians - if so we lose.

#25 Tioga Co Farmer

* was told there were 800 bear in Tioga Co
* wants a change in depredation permits to add bear
* has a lot of damage on his farm
* lets people hunt on his property
* opposes any changes to deer season in 3A
* stay the course on deer

#26 John Pries NWTF

* please vote to repeal the use of FO in spring turkey season
* add fall turkey to Mentored Youth hunting
* make the youth hunt for spring turkey all day or add a few days (time and weather issues)
* proposed a study on all day spring turkey hunting for four years. Re-evaluate then

#27 Steve Trupe PA QDM

GalThatFishes will post testimony for him -


#28 Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
/// this is not their exact testimony - but the overall content is the same//

http://www.paconserve.org/pressroom/pdfs/Eradication%20and%20Prevention%20of%20Feral%20Swine.pdf

#29 ?
* wants driving deer eliminated
* had several negative stories to back his position

#30 ?
* used the theme of sportsmanship in regard to improper atv use
* atv's trespassing on SGL's
* legislature doing little to help
* magistrates letting people off and giving the lest fine
* wants Title 75 enforced by all law enforcement

#31 Keystone Trail Association
* GC is revising the trail policy
* they seek to continue their work in conjunction with the GC

#32 ? 3C
* hunts on public land
* proud of what the GC has done on deer management
* happy to see the four WMU split season proposal
* thinks things can be change to improve deer numbers though
* look close at tag numbers and adjust the doe tags up to account for fewer days

#33 Charles ?
* close doe season in 2G for several years

# 34 A Forester // Missed most of his testimony//
* listen to your staff biologists

#35 ? Mifflintown
* walked seven miles and only cut three tracks
* put deer back on SGL's
* small game is down as well

#36 Rep Levdansky
* update on the Legislative Finance and Budget Committee plan for the deer audit
* RFP (request for proposal) might be sent to specific companies before the end of the month
* thinks this does need done by a company outside the state
* time to put the anger and fighting over deer away - time to move forward
* outlined some of the parameters they are asking to be looked at
* promised to work on getting the GC funded through a license increase as well as his general funding bill

Day Two

#37 Henry Carcat (sp - sorry) PFB
* 5C shotgun only proposal does not agree with the LFBC study - BOC needs to re-look this issue
* Supports the early and extended deer seasons
* the proposed change to four WMU's contain 13,584 farms and 2 million acres - changes are not based on science. Deer are the number one source of damage to crops after weather.
* passing the changes will hurt farmers

/// BOC member asked how many farms used DMAP in 5C - answer pending)

#38 Ken Bectel (sp) PFB Wildlife Damage Committee
* His personal farm damage (crops) is being increased by surrounding posted property
* wants the rules concerning having others do animal control / crop damaged relaxed remove DMAP and Red Tag restrictions and allow all that is allowed under HB 881 (passed)
* Ferrel hogs/pigs/boars - the BOC needs to go with limited hunting let the USDA trap them
* Ferrel hogs/pigs/boars - they need eliminated totally

#39 Audubon PA
* wants science based deer program
*Ferrell hogs/pigs need eliminated from PA
* remove requirement for tagging one deer before killing another
* opposes the four WMU split season proposal
* hogs pigs in five counties - they need eradicated
* they oppose hunting in favor of trapping so they do not further disperse.
#40 GalThatFishes

She will post her final testimony

#41 Tom Mckinney Stoney Valley

#42 Greg Shank ?
* whats the need for the four WMU change
* better to change harvest by using tag allocations
* if approved - switch the weeks - concurrent first - buck second week
* Has issues on the results of FLIR results - not accurate. In his area the deer gravitate to the feeders making the results inaccurate.
* suggested "flipping" around pheasant stocking. For every pheasant stocked release three quail. They are cheaper and more reuseable  ... for the average hunter.

# 42 Ed Wentzler UBP
* supports 5C boundry realignment
* Make exception for .22 caliber rifles for predators and chucks
* expand Mentored hunting to include does in the early season

# 43 John Pries - as individual
* ferrel hogs need eliminated
* not allowing unlimited hunting allows them to go unchecked 2/3 of the year
* not hunting them allows the numbers to increase twice a year
* by not recognizing them as invasive you in essence protect them
* hogs need unlimited killing throughout the year

#44 Representative Robert Godshall

' hunted hogs in California and Texas. They seem to get along good with deer. Something to hunt when there are no deer'.

* recounted his travel to camp this year and stopping in a restruant. Usually filled with hunters, few there.
* ' I have no idea what scientific deer management the GC is using'
* scientific deer management... ' they need to talk to hunters... they are hurting good people... needs to have more in it than tree's and browsing'.

* saw few or no deer at camp
* In Reference to Rep Levdansky -
* 'the study will probabley be done, they need to bring in DCNR and DEP ( into to it??), it (study) needs to tell us the number of deer"

#45 Paul Shup - Save Stoney Creek
_________________________
Hunting - more than just buying a license. Get involved!  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2008-01-28 23:17:27 --

Today (Tuesday) should be the fireworks.  Let's here them if ya got them...

Here are the BOC[s final proposals ----

GAME COMMISSIONERS PROPOSE 2008-09 SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2008-09.  

The public may offer comments on all proposed 2008-09 seasons and bag limits, as well as other Board actions, between now and the Board's next meeting, April 21-22, at which time the Board will finalize seasons and bag limits for 2008-09.  

Also, the Board will take action on setting antlerless deer license allocations for the 22 WMUs at its April meeting.  Deer harvest estimates for the 2007-08 seasons will be available in mid-March.

Following are several articles on meeting highlights.  


CHANGES PROPOSED FOR 2008-09 DEER SEASONS
The Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a slate of deer seasons for the 2008-09 seasons, which retains nearly all of the opportunities provided in the past to address the goals of the agency's deer management plan.  

The only substantial change for the deer hunting seasons is a proposal to have a five-day, antlered deer only season in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B starting the Monday after Thanksgiving, followed immediately by seven days of concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer hunting. The proposed package retains the two-week (12-day) concurrent, antlered and antlerless season in the remaining 18 WMUs. The change to the four WMUs is to evaluate the impact of changed season length on hunter success rates for future use as a new management tool.

"The goals of the deer management plan have not changed," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.  "The proposed changes to these four WMUs will give us another 'tool in the toolbox,' as we move forward with our deer management plan."

Roe noted that the four WMUs chosen were because: WMUs 2G and 4B have ongoing deer research in them; WMU 2D is an area where antler restrictions are set at four points on one side, and is where the agency previously had deer research conducted; and WMU 3C is an area where antler restrictions are set at three points on one side, and is an area of the state where no extensive deer research has been conducted.

"Antlerless deer harvest versus number of days of opportunity, or the overall season length, will be evaluated following this year of five days of antlered deer and seven days of concurrent seasons," Roe said.  "Also, we will conduct annual surveys of hunters to address other aspects of the program.

"In the future, stakeholders may be able to provide input by sharing whether they'd like more opportunity via time, such as two weeks or more, or more people involved through perhaps more tags and shorter seasons."

Additionally, the Board specifically directed staff to prepare a four-year study to determine the impact and effectiveness of the proposed five-day antlered/seven-day concurrent season on the deer management plan before additional WMUs may be considered for this season configuration.

As part of the 2008-09 deer season frameworks, the Board proposed to continue to permit the use of crossbows statewide for hunting bear and elk and during any of the firearms deer seasons - including the regular firearms deer seasons, the early muzzleloader season and the late flintlock muzzleloader season - and in all deer seasons in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, which are the most urbanized areas in the state.

Statewide, hunters using crossbows during the early muzzleloader season or late flintlock season must have a muzzleloader stamp in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license.  Late-season hunters with a muzzleloader stamp, but using a crossbow, are permitted to take an antlered deer or an antlerless deer anywhere in the state with their unused antlered deer tag, just like other late-season flintlock hunters.  

In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, hunters planning to use a crossbow during the archery seasons must purchase an archery stamp in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license.

Disabled hunters must obtain a permanent or temporary disabled hunter permit to use a crossbow during the statewide early or late archery seasons outside of WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D.

The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that addresses landowner deer management objectives within Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) remains in place.  

"DMAP provides a tool to harvest antlerless deer on specific properties to lessen deer impacts for landowners and the habitat," said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director.  Fees for DMAP permits are $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.


WMU BOUNDARIES PROPOSED FOR CHANGES
The Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change that seeks to shift some of the boundaries of the present 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).

In 2003, the agency first approved a uniform system of 22 WMUs to replace the system of multiple, species-specific management units. The primary objective of WMU system was to simplify regulations, and develop and implement management decisions on a system of more homogenous units based on physiography; land cover and use; human population density; and land ownership.  Boundaries were defined using recognizable physical landscape features, such as rivers and highways, rather than political boundaries that are largely unmarked on the landscape.

"At the time of the approval of new units it was agreed to evaluate use of the units after five years," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.  "The 2007-08 seasons marked the fifth year of using the system.  Input on possible changes to WMUs was solicited from Game Commission headquarters and region staff. Wildlife population and harvest data also were analyzed. Recommended changes were relatively few."

The following WMU map revisions are proposed:

1) the boundary between WMUs 2C and 2E near Ebensburg was not clear on the state highway map or on the ground and needed correction;

2) new highway construction around Lewistown has changed the location of Route 22, the boundary between 4B and 4D, requiring a map correction;

3) the boundary between WMUs 3B and 3C between Towanda and Tunkhannock is Route 6, which closely follows the Susquehanna River.  Using the river as the boundary will reduce hunter access problems and property split problems and better-align WMU and township boundaries;

4) due to continuing increases in human populations in southeast Pennsylvania, the north/south border of WMU 5C around Reading and Allentown was shifted farther north, affecting boundaries with WMUs 5B, 4C and 3D; and

5) the east/west boundary between WMUs 5C and 5B were moved farther west to include more of Chester County and a portion of Lancaster County.

"These proposed changes to WMU boundaries will have minimal impact on wildlife databases," Roe said.

The Board tabled a proposal to align the "Special Regulation Areas" boundaries - currently county boundaries - within the WMU system.


MENTORED YOUTH HUNTING PROGRAM TO CONTINUE FOR 2008-09
The Mentored Youth Hunting Program, first implemented by the Board of Game Commissioners in 2006, will continue for the 2008-09 seasons.  The list of eligible game for those youth under the age of 12 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program will remain squirrel, woodchuck (groundhog), spring gobbler and antlered deer.

Youths participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program are required to follow the same antler restrictions as a junior license holder, which is two or more points on one antler or one antler three or more inches in length.  Mentored youth may only pursue antlered deer, and may only participate in seasons in which antlered deer are legal and must follow appropriate sporting arm restrictions.

The program also requires that both the mentor and the youth abide by any fluorescent orange regulations, and that the mentored youth must tag and report any antlered deer or wild turkey taken.

Under the program, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual at least 21 years of age, who serves as a guide to a mentored youth while engaged in hunting or related activities, such as scouting, learning firearm and hunter safety and wildlife identification.  A mentored youth is defined as an unlicensed individual less than 12 years of age who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities.

The mentor to mentored youth ratio may not exceed one mentor to one youth, and the pair may possess only one sporting arm while hunting.  While moving, the sporting arm must be carried by the mentor.  When the pair reaches a stationary hunting location, the mentor may turn over possession of the sporting arm to the youth and must keep the youth within arm's length at all times.


BOARD PROPOSES CONTINUED ARCHERY AND EXTENDED BEAR SEASONS
The Board of Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to the traditional three-day statewide black bear season before Thanksgiving, extended bear seasons in certain portions of the state that is concurrent with the first week of the firearms deer season and a two-day archery bear season in nine Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).

While most bear seasons remain the same, extended hunting opportunities were added for WMUs 4C, 4D and 4E, and will run Dec. 3-6, Wednesday through Saturday, along with the concurrent firearms deer season in this unit.  Also, the Board removed WMU 3D from this extended season.

Pennsylvania extended modern-day bear hunting started in 2002, when bear hunters were given the opportunity to fill their tags the first week of the firearms deer season in Carbon, Monroe and Pike counties.  With the advent of the state's 22 WMUs, the extended season was held in WMU 3D in 2003.  In 2004, the number of WMUs open for the concurrent deer/bear season was expanded.

Bear licenses must be purchased prior to the opening of the firearms deer season, Dec. 1.


BOARD CLOSES SEPTEMBER ELK SEASON
The Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to Pennsylvania's upcoming elk seasons, but dropped further September elk hunts beyond the previously-approved hunt set for Sept. 1-27, 2008, due to limited success and hunter satisfaction.  Those hunters for the upcoming September elk hunt were selected as part of the public drawing held on Sept. 15, 2007.

In 2006, the agency held its first September elk season in an attempt to provide farmers suffering severe crop damage relief by allowing hunters an opportunity to harvest the animals.  However, after two seasons, 20 hunters harvested only four elk due to the high proportion of private property and very limited hunter access to this property.

Despite extensions approved, hunters continued to record their dissatisfaction with the hunt, and farmers continued to endure damages.

The Board proposed the November 2008 elk hunt to be held Nov. 3-8.  The Board approved issuing 45 elk licenses for the November season.  Final determination regarding how many antlered and antlerless elk licenses, as well as the specific elk hunt zone allocations, will be made by the executive director at a later date. Applications will be accepted beginning in the spring, and the public drawing will be held in September.

Interested hunters can make application for the elk seasons through the mail, at Game Commission Harrisburg or region offices or by going to the agency's webpage (www.pgc.state.pa.us).  All applications must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $10 application fee.  Those selected for one of the limited licenses will need to purchase a general hunting license ($20 for residents and $101 for nonresidents), as well as the elk license, which costs $25 for residents and $250 for nonresidents.

Additionally, the Board gave preliminary approval to a technical change to refer to "elk hunt zones," consistent with the agency's elk management plan, rather than "elk management areas" or "elk management units."


BOBCAT PERMIT GUARANTEE SET FOR PREFERENCE POINTS
After eight bobcat seasons, the Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to several regulatory changes to add Wildlife Management Unit 4D to the list of WMUs in which bobcats can be taken by those hunters/trappers who are selected for a permit, to guarantee permits to those who have earned a certain number of preference points, and to allow nonresident furtakers to participate.

"After 30 years of protection and 15 years of intensive research, the Game Commission initially limited harvest opportunities by geographic area and restricted taking to resident furtakers," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.  "As the season has expanded in scope and permits now exceed 1,000 annually, we are moving to expand this opportunity to more areas that can sustain limited bobcat harvests, to guarantee those who have continued to apply an opportunity to earn a bobcat permit and include more interested trappers from other states."

Roe noted that the decision to add WMU 4D to the bobcat hunt/trap area is based on the increased number of incidental bobcat captures and bobcat sightings in this area.

Beginning in 2003, the Game Commission began awarding preference points to individuals who apply for and do not receive a bobcat harvest permit during a given year. This preference point system was designed to incrementally increase the probability of receiving a permit each year that an applicant is unsuccessful. Bobcat permits are awarded using a random computer drawing from an applicant database. The number of preference points is applied to the applicant's name prior to the drawing. Under this system, the odds of being selected increase significantly as points are accrued, but new applicants always have a chance of being selected. Applicants who are selected and receive a permit are prohibited from applying the following year and their preference points are set back to zero.

"Because the selection process is random it is possible that, under the current system, a person can maintain maximum preference points and never be selected to receive a permit," Roe said.  "It is also possible - and this has occurred numerous times - that applicants may be selected to receive permits multiple times over the years, while others are never drawn. Some bobcat permit applicants see these situations as inequitable.

"We believe that the selection process can be modified to provide guaranteed permits to applicants with maximum preference points but, due to random events, fail to receive a permit. Models based on past trends in the applicant database suggest that we can provide this benefit without negating the chance of a new applicant receiving a permit or significantly reducing the odds of applicants with lesser preference point status. The designation of a maximum preference of six or seven points would result in between 100 and 350 permits guaranteed during a given year with the remaining permits allocated by random drawing. If approved by the Board at its April meeting, this change would take effect for the 2008 bobcat permit drawing."

Roe noted that nonresident furtakers increasingly have expressed an interest in applying for the bobcat permit drawing.

"Nonresidents currently are afforded the opportunity to be permitted as only bobcat guides," he said.  "Nonresident furtakers make up less than one percent of licensed furtakers in Pennsylvania, and pay four times the resident price for their license. This proposed rulemaking would permit nonresident furtakers to submit an application for the bobcat permit drawing, beginning in 2008, and to receive a permit if drawn."

The Board also approved technical changes to update the regulations to reflect the current operational tagging procedures used in the bobcat management program.


BOARD PROPOSES CHANGES TO EXPAND OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
The Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a host of other seasons and bag limits designed to expand opportunities for hunters and trappers in 2008-09.  Among the changes, the Board proposed to:

* Extend by one day the special season for junior pheasant hunters to include an additional Saturday. Adding this Saturday will provide additional hunting opportunity of released game farm birds in farmland habitats;

* Extend the shooting days for crows to 120 days. By starting the season on the Friday closest to July 1 and running it every Friday, Saturday and Sunday continuously through the first weekend in April, the agency will provide 120 hunting days for crows. By law seasons must be set to avoid the peak nesting season, which falls between April 7 and the end of May;

* Eliminate the previously closed season on ruffed grouse in the portion of State Game Land 176 in Centre County, which has been posted "RESEARCH AREA - NO GROUSE HUNTING," and commonly referred to as the Barrens;

* Remove the protection afforded wild boars to allow their incidental taking during deer, bear and fall turkey seasons.  On Dec. 27, 2007, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that wild boars are protected mammals under the Game and Wildlife Code. As a result, the agency must take regulatory action to remove protection from wild boars to allow incidental taking during the fall big game seasons.

For more details on these seasons, please see the table of proposed 2008-09 seasons and bag limits at the end of this news release.


HUNTERS REMINDED ABOUT PROCESS FOR SETTING WATERFOWL SEASONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave preliminary approval to nearly all of the 2008-09 seasons and bag limits; however, there is one group of seasons that won't be finalized until summer: waterfowl and migratory bird seasons.

In July, in concert with federal frameworks, the Game Commission will set seasons and bag limits for September resident Canada goose and webless migratory birds, such as doves, woodcock, snipe and moorhens.

In August, the Game Commission and waterfowl hunting organizations will host waterfowl organizations, individual sportsmen and the public to attend a briefing on the status of waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal frameworks for the 2007-08 hunting seasons.  

In addition to reviewing frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for upcoming waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, Game Commission staff, along with conservation partners, will provide updates on current and planned research and management programs, as well as past hunting results.

Based on public comments received and gathered at the meeting, Game Commission staff will prepare and present recommended composite waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the USFWS for final approval.  All migratory bird hunting seasons and bag limits must conform to frameworks set by the USFWS.  States select their hunting seasons within these established frameworks.

By mid-August, once the final selections are made, the Game Commission will print and distribute brochures outlining the seasons and bag limits for waterfowl and migratory bird seasons to U.S. Post Offices, where hunters may purchase their mandatory federal duck stamp.  The brochure also will be posted on the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) along with a news release announcing the agency's final selections by mid-August.  


PROPOSED 2008-09 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 11-17 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Fall Season - Oct. 18-Nov. 29; Late Seasons - Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 7 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 18-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 7 (2 daily, 4 possession).  

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 25-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 7 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 11-18 (2 daily, 4 in possession).  Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B.  Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs.

PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B - Oct. 25-Nov. 29. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs  - Oct. 25-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 7 (2 daily, 4 in possession).

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 25-Nov. 29 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26-Jan. 1 (1 daily, 2 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season.

CROWS: July 4-April 5, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.  No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Nov. 1-15; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Nov. 1-22; WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 4A and 4B- Nov. 1-15; WMUs 2D, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E - Nov. 1-22; WMUs 5A and 5B - CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING; and WMUs 5C and 5D (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Nov. 1-7. (1 bird limit, either sex).

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license - April 18, 2009.  Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 25-May 25, 2009. Daily limit 1, season limit 2.  (Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D) Bow and Arrow only: Nov. 19-20. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 24-26. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3C and Portions of WMUs 3B, 4E and 2G): Dec. 1-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.  All of WMU 3C.  Also, in that portion of 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42.  Also, in that portion of WMUs 2G and 3B in Lycoming County that lies North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 bridge, West to the Rt. 220 bridge, East of Rt. 220 to Rt. 44 and East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 3-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Rockview State Correctional Institution): Dec. 1-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.  Prior approval must be obtained from prison to hunt.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 3-8.  Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 1-27, 2008.  Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 20-Oct. 3, Nov. 17-29 and Dec. 15-23.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide, including WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Oct. 4-Nov. 15 and Dec. 26-Jan. 10.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Dec. 1-13.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B: Dec. 1-5.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B: Dec. 6-13.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 23-25.  Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 18-25.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.  

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 10.  One antlered per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.  

DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D):  Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases):  Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.  

WILD BOAR: May be taken while lawfully hunting deer, bear or fall turkey.  Unlimited.


PROPOSED 2008-09 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

COYOTES: No closed season.  Unlimited.  Outside of any deer or bear season, coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange.  During any archery deer season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or with a furtaker license. During the regular firearms deer and any bear seasons, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or bear, or with a furtaker license while wearing 250 square inches of fluorescent orange.  During the spring gobbler season, may be taken by those with a valid tag and meet fluorescent orange and shot size requirements.

RACCOON & FOXES: Oct. 25-Feb. 21, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays and prior to noon during the spring gobbler season.  No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4D):  Oct. 25-Feb. 21.  One per permit.  (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)


PROPOSED 2008-09 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINK & MUSKRAT: Nov. 22-Jan. 11.  Unlimited.

COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS, WEASELS: Oct. 26-Feb. 22.  No limit.

COYOTE & FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Jan. 1-Feb. 22.  No limit.  Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.

BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26-March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4D):  Oct. 26-Feb. 22.  One per permit.  (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)


PROPOSED 2008-09 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31.  Daily and Field Possession limits vary.  (Migratory game bird seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in accordance with federal regulations in August.)

No open season on other wild birds or mammals.  Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this summer.  

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Sort of bummed out that the PGC caved on the doe season length issue after only 6 years.  Let's hope that this study area of 4 units provides the data they need in one year or two max.

They outcome will be interesting to say the least.  The PGC will either have egg on its face and the anti-pgc crowd will be singing and dancing or if the data shows that allocations effect harvest and not season length, the entire state back to weeks concurrent. If they have the balls to do it.  which I am not sure about these days.

Also, when allocations are announced, I will be highly disappointed if the allocations in those units are reduced.  They should not be if there is any weight to the study.

Quote :

Penn wrote : Could someone explain to me why have a BOC? All they are is a rubber stamp for what the heads of the PGC want per seasons and regulations.

They did table a proposal to have all counties within the SRA go to shotgun and rimfire only.  From what I heard only 2 people spoke out against this proposed change stating studies showing shotguns no more safer than rifles and 1 person citing the added expense of buying new guns to keep hunting in the same areas as in the past.

dpms, the "study" is now 4 years instead of 3 years.
I've already seen comment about; "the other 18 units won't be affected until 4 years down the road." Sounds like some think it is a done deal!

There was very significant opposition to this from informed and educated people in the industry and sciences, but it still passed --- what does that tell you?

I think the hullabaloo about deer numbers is our own diversion from the most important factor:
We can make all sorts of excuses but there is absolutely no doubt that this is a stumbling block to family participation.
No doubt whatsoever!

Requiring two seperate seasons for the licenses/permits for adults directly affects decisions and forces hard choices.
That simply is going backwards from a workable and opportuned situation that took 100 years to achieve!

I agree with you Bowbum.  How about the pressure on the button bucks that first saturday??  Something the PGC was trying to reduce with a 2 week season.

Unless  I am missing something, isn't this a way for the PGC to micromanage within The WMUs and see the real effects of changing seasons and limits instead of speculating what might happen?

Quote :

rich wrote : Unless  I am missing something, isn't this a way for the PGC to micromanage within The WMUs and see the real effects of changing seasons and limits instead of speculating what might happen?

It is a way of micromanaging but we had three day seasons for how long?  Then we had 2 week seasons for 6 years.  A statistician should be able to figure out allocations, season length and harvest relationships based on that data.

This is nothing more than a compromise for other gains.

Nothing like hard cold facts when you are doing a study.  Besides they get blamed for overworking the statisticians already when they figure out the deer kill for the year.  dd