Thursday, January 31, 2013

Pa 2013-14 HUNTING/TRAPPING SEASONS

2013-14 HUNTING/TRAPPING SEASONS RECEIVE PRELIMINARY APPROVAL
Many seasons will start later in coming license year.

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2013-14 license year. The package includes allowing qualified adult mentors to transfer one Deer Management Assistance Program antlerless deer permit to a youth they are mentoring as part of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program.

Hunters and trappers – particularly those setting vacations for this fall and winter – also are advised that several seasons will open or run about a week later in the 2013-14 license year to accommodate calendar swings – related to the timing of Thanksgiving – that occur about every seven years.

Other modifications proposed for the 2013-14 seasons include: changes to fall turkey seasons in several Wildlife Management Units; an earlier start to the junior and regular squirrel seasons; four changes to extended bear hunting opportunities; increased daily and season bag limits for beavers in certain WMUs; the addition of WMUs 3A, 3D and 4E to the list of WMUs open for fisher trapping; and a return of the statewide snowshoe hare hunting season with a shortened season in WMUs 3B, 3C and 3D.
 
Another proposed change is to eliminate the extended regular firearms season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. Only the Special Regulations Area counties – Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties – will retain the extended regular firearms season.

The public may offer comments on all proposed 2013-14 seasons and bag limits, as well as other Board actions, between now and the Board’s next meeting, April 14-15, at which time the Board is scheduled to finalize seasons and bag limits for 2013-14.

Also, the Board will receive staff recommendations for antlerless deer license allocations for the 22 WMUs at its April meeting. Deer harvest estimates for the 2012-13 seasons will be available in mid-March.
 
Following are several articles on meeting highlights.

BOARD OPTS TO RETAIN SPLIT RIFLE DEER SEASONS

The Board of Game Commissioners gave adopted a slate of deer seasons for 2013-14 that retains the split, five-day antlered deer season (Dec. 2-6) and seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 7-14) in 11 Wildlife Management Units. The list includes (WMUs) 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. The package also retains the two-week (Dec. 2-14) concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer season in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.
 
Hunters with Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) antlerless deer permits may use them on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Dec. 2-14 in WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. Fees for DMAP permits are $10.70 for residents and $35.70 for nonresidents.

To expand offerings of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, the Board also adopted allowing an adult mentor to transfer a DMAP antlerless deer license to a Mentored Youth Hunting Program participant.
 
The Board retained the antler restrictions in place for adult and senior license holders since the 2011-12 seasons. It remains the “three-up” on one side, no counting a brow tine, provision for the western Wildlife Management Units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, and the three points on one side in all other WMUs. Those exempt from these antler restrictions are junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty military on leave.
BOARD VOTES TO EXPAND BEAR SEASONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today proposed four changes to the 2013 extended bear seasons lineup designed to make it easier for hunters to understand.
 
The Board retained expanded bear seasons in the state’s most urban Wildlife Management Units – WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D – and allowing the harvest of black bears with a bear license during all deer seasons from September through early-December, which were first adopted as part of the 2012 seasons.

The extended bear season dates for 2013 are:
- Sept. 21-Nov. 16 in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, for archery only;
- Oct. 5-Nov. 16 in WMUs 5B, for archery only;
- Oct. 19-26 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, for muzzleloaders only;
- Oct. 24-26 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, for any legal sporting arm for juniors and seniors, disabled person permit holders to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty in armed services; and
- Dec. 2-14 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D.

The 2013 statewide bear seasons are the statewide five-day archery bear season (Nov. 18-22); and the four-day statewide bear season that will open on Saturday, Nov. 23, and then continue on Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 25-27.
 
Extended bear seasons have been proposed as follows:
- Dec. 4-7 in WMUs 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E; and
- Dec. 2-7 in WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D.
- Dec. 2-14 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D.

BOARD MOVES TO CHANGE UP FALL TURKEY SEASONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to fall turkey seasons for 2013 and spring gobbler dates for 2014. A population decline has become apparent in WMU 1B, and to be consistent with guidelines for setting fall season length outlined in the Turkey Management Plan, the second week of the season was eliminated.

Also, 2013 marks the third year of the hen harvest rate and survival rate study. The study design calls for switching from a two-week fall season to a three-week season for 2013 and 2014 in Study Area 1 (WMUs 2C, 2E, 4A, 4B, and 4D), and switching from a three-week season to a two-week season in Study Area 2 (WMUs 2F and 2G). Simultaneously increasing the season in Study Area 1 and shortening the season in Study Area 2 will allow the Game Commission to detect differences in harvest rates within study areas, and improve wild turkey management.
 
The fall season dates for 2013: WMU 1B, Nov. 2-9 and Nov. 28-30; WMU 2B (shotgun and bow only), Nov. 2-22, and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 1A, 2A and 2D, Nov. 2-16, and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 2C, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D, Nov. 2-22, and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 2F and 2G, Nov. 2-16, and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E, Nov. 2-22, and Nov. 28-30; and WMU 5A, Nov. 5-7. WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D will remain closed for the fall seasons.
 
For the 2014 spring gobbler season, which is proposed to run from May 3-31, the Board continued the change in legal hunting hours to reflect the following: from May 3-17, legal shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise until noon timeframe; and from May 19-31, hunters may hunt all day, from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
 
The Board proposed holding the one-day Spring Gobbler Youth Hunt on April 26, which will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon. All junior license holders and Mentored Youth Hunting Program permit holders can participate in this special one-day hunt, as well as the other spring season dates.

PROPOSED 2013-14 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Sept. 7-13 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).


SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Sept. 14-Nov. 30; Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 22 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 19–Nov. 30, Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 25 (2 daily, 4 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 12-19 (4 daily, 8 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 26-Nov. 30, Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 22 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 12-19 (2 daily, 4 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B – Oct. 26-Nov. 30. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 26-Nov. 30, Dec. 16-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 1 (2 daily, 4 in possession). There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 26-Nov. 30 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26–Jan. 1, in all WMUs except WMUs 3B, 3C and 3D, where season will run from Dec. 26-28 (1 daily, 2 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except on Sundays and during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.

PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31, except during overlap with the regular firearms deer season. Daily limit of three, season limit of 10.

CROWS: July 5-April 6, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMU 1B – Nov. 2-9 and Nov. 28-30; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Nov. 2-22 and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 1A, 2A and 2D – Nov. 2-16 and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 2C, 2E, 4A, and 4D – Nov. 2-22 and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 2F and 2G – Nov. 2-16 and Nov. 28-30; WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E – Nov. 2-22 and Nov. 28-30; WMU 5A – Nov. 5-7; WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 26, 2014. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.
SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): May 3-31, 2014. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From May 3-17, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 19-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Archery: Nov. 18-22. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 23-27. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 4-7. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 2-14. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D): Dec. 2-7. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.


BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 21-Nov. 16. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 5B) archery: Oct. 5-Nov. 16. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) muzzleloader: Oct. 19-26. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) special firearms: Oct. 24-26, for junior and senior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty military.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 4-9. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 11-16. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven’t harvested an elk by Nov. 6, in designated areas.

Elk, Special Conservation Tag (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 2-Nov. 9. One elk tag for one antlered or antlerless elk will be auctioned at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation Banquet.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 21-Oct. 4, and Nov. 18-30. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Jan. 13-25. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 5-Nov. 16 and Dec. 26-Jan. 11. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Dec. 2-14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 2-6. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period.)

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 7-14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 24-26. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in 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. 19-26. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 11. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 25. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS: (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties): Dec. 26-Jan. 25. 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.

PROPOSED 2013-14 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS COYOTES:
No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtakers license.

RACCOON and FOXES: Oct. 26–Feb. 22, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 21-Feb. 11. One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.
PROPOSED 2013-14 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 23–Jan. 5. Unlimited.

COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 27–Feb. 23. No limit.

COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 23. 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, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 21-Jan. 12. One bobcat per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

FISHER (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3D, 4D and 4E): Dec. 21-26. One fisher per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

PROPOSED 2013-14 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE 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.)

Ground Blind Stakes


Okay, you just spent several hundred dollars on a super deluxe ground blind.  Here is a $4.00 suggestion on how to keep it from becoming a several hundred dollar camo kite.

Purchase yourself some good quality text stakes like these from Coleman  and always stake down all four corners.  The thin stakes most ground blinds come with do not do the job.  I like to leave my blind up in the field at least a few weeks prior to the hunt when possible and these stakes secure the blind well.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Wounded Warrior Shoot 17th Feb 2013

On February 17th 2013, California Hill Gun Club will hold a Ham & Bacon Shoot for the Western Pa Wounded Warriors .  Sign up's start at noon and shooting starts at 1 pm.

Come out to a great club and show your support for our veterans!  12 gauge only and shells are provided.  Closest to the X and most BB's in a circle win, everyone has a chance for a prize.

Friday, January 25, 2013

A Great Hunt

 Davin Fisher, 17, of Montauk, NY was an Accessible Hunter before Boy Scout Troop 136 did a fundraiser to purchase him an Action Trackchair in May 2012. He was born with Spina Bifida, which keeps him in a wheelchair most of the time, but that doesn’t keep him from getting around. He always pushes the boundaries of where his manual chair can go and now where the Action Trackchair WILL GO!!!



He’s been out a few times for deer this season with some sightings but no take downs as of yet. His lottery number came up in the NYS Deer Management Permit lottery, so he’s had some extra time to hunt for his first deer.

On January 12, Davin, his father Bob Fisher and his friend Max Akkala got up before dawn to go duck hunting on Fort Pond in Montauk. They got to their spot and got Davin in his Action Trackchair. With 8 decoys set out off the shoreline and dawn about to break Davin began using his duck calls to lure the birds in.
 

Right away they could see ducks coming into the area and Davin was able to call a few close enough for a shot. They got a Mallard Drake and 3 Hooded Mergansers also known as Sawbills because of their serrated, hooked bills.
 

Later on that day Bob deboned the ducks and made a duck parmesan dish that Davin said “was very good!” but not his first time that way. With only a week left on his NYS DMP he’s hoping to get into the woods a couple more times. When asked if he’s waiting for a big buck for his first deer his response was “I just want a deer!”. Great job on your duck hunt! And good luck bagging your first deer!
 

 

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

PA 2012 FINAL BEAR HARVEST RANKS THIRD OVERALL


HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced that the final bear harvest results from the state’s recently concluded seasons show that hunters harvested 3,632 bears, which ranks as the third highest in Pennsylvania history.

The record bear harvest was set in 2011, when hunters took 4,350 bears. In 2005, hunters harvested 4,162 bears, which was the second highest in history.


The final harvest tallies by season are: 13 in the new, early seasons in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D; 262 bears taken during the statewide, five-day archery bear season; 2,685 bears taken during the four-day bear season, which included a Saturday-opener; and 672 bears taken during the extended bear season held in various WMUs during all or portions of the first week of the deer season.


In the 2005 bear season, hunters harvested 4,164 bears, and stood as the record harvest until 2011.


Other recent bear harvests include: 3,090 in 2010; 3,512 in 2009; 3,458 in 2008; 2,362 in 2007; 3,124 in 2006; 2,976 in 2004; 3,000 in 2003; 2,686 in 2002; 3,063 in 2001; 3,075 in 2000; 1,740 in 1999; and 2,598 in 1998.


The final bear harvests by Wildlife Management Unit (with final 2011 figures in parentheses) were: WMU 1A, 4 (13); WMU 1B, 38 (64); WMU 2B, 6 (1): WMU 2C, 268 (226); WMU 2D, 162 (150); WMU 2E, 50 (79); WMU 2F, 285 (345); WMU 2G, 829 (1,086); WMU 3A, 342 (564); WMU 3B, 279 (479); WMU 3C, 146 (299); WMU 3D, 305 (318); WMU 4A, 139 (72); WMU 4B, 84 (70); WMU 4C, 163 (148); WMU 4D, 403 (355); WMU 4E, 110 (79); WMU 5A, 1 (1); WMU 5B, 2 (0); and WMU 5C, 16 (1).


Bears were harvested in 56 of the state’s 67 counties; which also marked a record for the number of counties included. The top five bear harvest counties this year, once again, all come from the Northcentral Region: Lycoming, 341 (336 taken in 2011); Clinton, 265 (205); Tioga, 227 (381); Potter 179 (399); and Centre, 143 (129).


Final county harvests by region (with 2011 figures in parentheses) are:


Northwest: Warren, 94 (119); Clarion, 77 (47); Venango, 62 (56); Forest, 56 (90); Jefferson, 51 (45); Butler, 11 (9); Erie, 7 (7); Crawford, 6 (16); and Mercer, 1 (6).


Southwest: Somerset, 94 (75); Fayette, 79 (67); Westmoreland, 37 (24); Armstrong, 35 (66); Indiana, 24 (33); Cambria, 11 (35); and Allegheny, 4 (1).


Northcentral: Lycoming, 341 (336); Clinton, 265 (205); Tioga, 227 (381); Potter 179 (399); Centre, 143 (129); McKean, 134 (258); Clearfield, 102 (154); Union, 82 (49); Elk, 76 (153); and Cameron, 67 (100).


Southcentral: Huntingdon, 125 (73); Bedford, 86 (44); Mifflin, 62 (48); Blair, 50 (32); Juniata, 37 (33); Perry, 32 (13); Fulton, 25 (15); Franklin, 14 (13); Snyder, 14 (29); Adams, 2 (0); and Cumberland, 2 (4).


Northeast: Pike, 108 (116); Monroe, 102 (88); Luzerne, 100 (99); Bradford, 86 (126); Wayne, 73 (208); Carbon, 67 (45); Sullivan, 60 (180); Wyoming, 57 (57); Susquehanna, 41 (92); Lackawanna, 37 (25); Columbia, 36 (26); Northumberland, 26 (11); and Montour, 3 (0).


Southeast: Dauphin, 48 (46); Schuylkill, 39 (34); Northampton, 21 (4); Lehigh 3 (3); Berks, 7 (2); and Lebanon, 4 (13).


According to final reports, 45 bears weighing 500 pounds or more were legally harvested during the four seasons, and 5 bears surpassed the 600 pound mark. The top 10 bears processed at check stations all had estimated live weights that exceeded 561 pounds. Joseph A. Spano, of East Stoudsburg, has harvested the largest bear so far this season. Taken Nov. 21, in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, the male bear weighed an actual live weight of 709 pounds.


Other large bears (all but one, are estimated live weights) included: a 706-pound male taken by James R. Weisbrod, of Quakertown, in Greene Township, Pike County, on Nov. 20; a 699-pound male taken by William M. Rising, of Indiana, in Hamlin Township, McKean County, on Nov. 19; a 652-pound (actual live weight) male taken by Timothy J. Moffett, of Barto, in Middle Smithfield Township, Monroe County, on Nov. 17; a 620-pound male, taken by Robert A. Pitts, of Meadville, in Roulette Township, Potter County, on Nov. 17; a 598-pound male, taken by Michael P. Intallura, of Renovo, in Noyes Township, Clinton County, on Nov. 17; 586-pound male, taken by Brian K. Stuebgen, of Renfrew, in Sergeant Township, McKean County, on Nov. 19; a 576-pound male, taken by Dana L. Landis, of Chambersburg, in Southampton Township, Bedford County, on Nov. 19; a 573-pound male taken by Michael J. Kelly, of Pittsburgh, in Harmony Township, Forest County, on Nov. 21; and a 562-pound male taken by Bryan L. Leabhart, of Dudley, in Carbon Township, Huntingdon County, on Nov. 19.


“While the Game Commission is not qualified to provide specific food safety advice, bear hunters need to be aware of the need for proper preparation of any bear meat,” said Dr. Walter Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian. “In addition to the advice already provided on safe handling of game in the field, certain recommendations can be made. If in the course of field dressing and processing game a successful hunter encounters no abnormal odors, colors, or textures to the meat it should be safe to consume if cooked to an internal temperature of 135F for mammals, and 165F for birds as determined by a meat thermometer used according to the manufacturers recommendations.”


To Connect with Wildlife, visit the Game Commission at the following:


Website: www.pgc.state.pa.us
Twitter: www.twitter.com/PAGameComm
YouTube: www.youtube.com/pagamecommission
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission

Sunday, January 20, 2013

FEBRUARY 2013 SW PA ARCHERY SHOOTS


WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 1, 2 & 3, 2013

FALCON ARCHERS – NFAA RULES 300 SHOOT (5-Spot or Single Blue & White Faces)

NFAA Membership NOT REQUIRED.

Location – 47 Papp Road, Canonsburg, PA
Friday, Feb. 1 @ 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 2 @ 6:00 p.m.
No Sunday Line
Contact Rich Paul (412) 833-8851 or (412) 833-0916 for reservations & info.
Men, Women, Youth Male & Female (17 & Under), Senior and Traditional Divisions. Awards for each Division.

MOUNTAIN BOWMEN – INVITATIONAL 600 SHOOT (3-Spot or Single Vegas Faces)

Location – Archery Road, Berlin, PA
Sunday, Feb. 3 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m. 
Contact Mark Cole (814) 289-3294 for reservations and info.


WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 8, 9 & 10, 2013

FLOOD CITY BOWMEN – INVITATIONAL 600 SHOOT (3-Spot or Single Vegas Faces)

Location – 507 Fulmer Road, Johnstown, PA 15904
Friday, Feb. 8 @ 7:00 p.m
Saturday, Feb. 9 @ 6:00 p.m
Sunday, Feb 10 @ 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Contact Chris Fedora (814) 421-5159 for reservations and info.


WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 15, 16 & 17, 2013

NO SW REGION SHOOTS ON FRIDAY 2/15 NOR SATURDAY 2/16.

MOUNTAIN BOWMEN – NFAA 300 SHOOT (5-Spot or Single Blue & White Faces)
Location – Archery Road, Berlin, PA
Sunday, Feb. 17 @ 9:00 a.m. & 1:00 p.m

Contact Mark Cole (814) 289-3294 for reservations and info.

 AMBRIDGE SPORTSMEN – ARA BRITTON 600 SHOOT (3-Spot or Single Vegas Faces)
Location – 2900 Ridge Road Ext., Baden, PA 15005
Sunday, Feb. 17 @ 10:00 a.m. & 2:00 p.m.
Contact Mark McAda.m.s (724) 266-0789 for reservations and info.

WEEKEND OF FEBRUARY 22, 23 & 24, 2013

CHARLEROI ARCHERY CLUB – 2013 PFATA INDOOR CHAMPIONSHIP
NFAA Blue & White 5-Spot or Single Spot Targets – 12 ends of 5 arrows. 300 – 60X highest possible score.
 Location – 194 Fremont Road, Charleroi, PA
Friday, Feb. 22 @ 7:00 p.m
Saturday, Feb. 23 @ 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 24 @ 1:00 p.m.
Contact Sam Steingrabe (724) 699-8745 for reservations and info.
NFAA or USAA and PFATA Membership required to shoot for awards. You can join at the shoot.
Guest Participants may shoot for the experience.

 

Friday, January 18, 2013

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Folding the Ameristep Blind




This is the best video on folding the Ameristep ground blind...

Late Season Hunt

 
 
I did manage to get out hunting yesterday with my good friend Mike. We had a fantastic time and the weather did cooperate.


The ground blind that Mike set up earlier in the week worked out fantastic. With Mike's help I was all set up by 3:15 PM and ready to hunt. It would not take long and I would see some action.


At 4:50 PM I heard some movement coming 45 yards out in front and to my right. I used my pencil in my mouth to take the safety off of my Tenpoint crossbow. I know from practicing that the safety makes a loud click and I was concerned about the noise.


The three doe were moving from my right to my left but there was no shot opportunity. As I watched the doe pass by, I noticed two of them were circling back, now moving left to right at 20 yards!


As I watched the two deer in my scope the lead doe spotted me sitting in the ground blind. She was not in my shooting lane but I thought I could get an ethical shot. So I activated my BMF trigger activator, releasing the bolt towards her.


I heard the bolt hit a branch and was concerned immediately with the shot.  Mike was watching from his treestand behind me. We waited a few minutes and for Mike to get down from his stand.


He quickly found my bolt and it was a miss. The broadhead had white hair from the does belly but no blood, fat or anything indicating a hit. I had hit a small branch causing me to shoot under the doe.


It seems this is the script for this year's hunting. There is not much time left in this season to redeem myself. But hopefully I get one more opportunity to fill my deer tag.


It was a fantastic evening with Mike and I am very thankful for his help.

 

 
 

From Drop Box

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Urban Hunting

I hope to do a little urban hunting today with my buddy Mike.  He set up a sweet natural ground blind for me last week.  The plan was to hunt today but I need some of the ice to melt away and freezing rain to stop first.  Wish me luck with the Tenpoint!






Monday, January 14, 2013

Sighting in my Tenpoint


I took advantage of the rare 60 degree temperatures this weekend to sight in my Tenpoint Maverick crossbow at Falcon Archers. 

It is driving tacks at 40 yards!  I am hoping to get out hunting one more day and get a shot at a mature deer in the second season.

Remember it's 20 clicks for one inch at 20 yards when sighting in your crossbow scope!

Also see http://accessiblehunter.blogspot.com/2011/08/shooting-in-your-crossbow.html

PENNSYLVANIA NASP STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 8


Registration open from Jan. 25 until Feb. 8

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are encouraging all schools participating in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) to register for Pennsylvania’s 2013 NASP State Tournament, which will be held on Friday, March 8, at the Penn State Multi-Sport Facility in University Park, Centre County.

While there is no fee to register, registration opens on Friday, Jan. 25, and closes on Friday, Feb. 8. Registration can be done through the NASP link in the “Education” tab on the Game Commission’s homepage (www.pgc.state.pa.us), or directly through the NASP Tournament website (http://nasptournaments.org). Teams are encouraged to register early this year as space is limited.

NASP helps school districts in Pennsylvania meet physical education curriculum requirements of the state Department of Education, while at the same time introducing them to the world of competitive archery.


Last year, 494 students from 23 school districts participated in the NASP state competition. This year, event organizers are expecting nearly 900 students from even more school districts and the 2013 tournament will be the largest NASP tournament to date for the agency.


“In addition to offering students a state archery championship for teams and individuals to compete for honors and trophies, the Game Commission is working with various partners to provide tournament participants and spectators the opportunity to visit a host of vendors, from archery equipment suppliers to a 3D range again this year for the Shooter’s Expo,” said Samantha Pedder, Game Commission outreach coordinator and state-level administrator for NASP.

Friday, January 11, 2013