Can hunting endangered animals save the species? - CBS News

Can hunting endangered animals save the species? - CBS News

Here is a good read, I think hunters are the ultimate conservationist, investing their money into saving all wild life. What are your thoughts?

Black market for porcupine meat spurs hunting issue in Pa. | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/28/2012

Black market for porcupine meat spurs hunting issue in Pa. Philadelphia Inquirer 01/28/2012

Hey, got any porcupine meat? This is the first I have read about porcupines and how they are a delicacy, what are your thoughts ?   My first thought is, who looks at a porcupine and says mmm gotta eat me some of that...

I do not believe in hunting animals that I am not going to consume.    I can't say that I have a burning desire to track down a porcupine and make shish kebab for dinner this evening .

Maybe I am missing out on a real treat, but I think I will stick with Deer and Turkey for now.... Besides how much meat can be on one of those little guys?

Pa 2012-13 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

PROPOSED 2012-13 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 – Oct. 6-12 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 13-Nov. 24; Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 23 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 13–Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 26 (2 daily, 4 possession). 

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 6-13 (4 daily, 8 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 20-Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 23 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 6-13 (2 daily, 4 in possession).  Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 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 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B – Oct. 20-Nov. 24. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 20-Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 2 (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. 20-Nov. 24 (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 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 1-April 7, 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 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 27-Nov. 16 and Nov. 22-24; WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D – Oct. 27-Nov. 10 and Nov. 22-24; WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E – Oct. 27-Nov. 16 and Nov. 22-24; WMU 5A – Oct. 30-Nov. 1; 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 20, 2012.  Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 27-May 31, 2012. Daily limit 1, season limit 2.  (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)  From April 27-May 11, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 13-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Archery: Nov. 12-16. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 17, and Nov. 20-21. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E): Nov. 28-Dec. 1. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Designated Areas): Nov. 26-Dec. 1. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

- WMUs 3A and 3C;
- Portions of WMU 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; and
- Portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and 3B in Lycoming County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44, 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 2B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 15-Sept. 28. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 29-Nov. 10. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) muzzleloader: Oct. 13-20. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 1A, 2B, 5B, 5C & 5D): Nov. 26-Dec. 8. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 5-10.  Only one elk may be taken during the license year. 

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 12-17. 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. 1-Nov. 10.  One elk tag for one antlered or antlerless elk will be auctioned at the Safari Club International Banquet.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 15-28, and Nov. 12-24.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Jan. 14-26. One antlered deer per hunting license year.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Sept. 29-Nov. 10 and Dec. 26-Jan. 12. 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: Nov. 26-Dec. 8.  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: Nov. 26-30. 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. 1-8.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 18-20.  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. 13-20.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. 

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 12.  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. 26.  One antlered deer 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. 26-Jan. 26. 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. 

Pa BOARD MAKES EXPANDED USE OF CROSSBOWS PERMANENT

BOARD MAKES EXPANDED USE OF CROSSBOWS PERMANENT

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to make permanent the lawful use of crossbows in archery deer and bear seasons.  The Board took this action by removing the sunset date inserted into the regulations in 2009, which required the Board and agency staff to review the impact of expanded use of crossbows on the deer and bear resource before June 30, 2012.  The Board must give final adoption to this action in April.

Pa Crossbow Hunting

I think this is great information for all the folks against hunting with a crossbow.  It seems legalizing crossbow hunting in Pa has not killed off all the deer...

Outdoors Notebook: Crossbows placed in crosshairs, again

Sunday, January 22, 2012

 

BY John Hayes, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

At its winter meeting next week, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will cross-reference archery license sales, crossbow-user harvest reports, deer population estimates and other data to get a snapshot of the crossbow's impact on deer. At issue is the sunset date applied to the controversial 2009 decision making crossbows legal statewide during all rifle and archery deer seasons, rifle and archery bear seasons and turkey seasons. As part of the vote, the board stipulated that the sporting arm's impact on wildlife populations was to be evaluated before June 30, 2012.

A preliminary look at resident archery license sales shows a 2.86 percent increase following the crossbow vote, from 277,393 (June 12, 2010-Dec. 31, 2010) to 285,244 (June 13, 2011-Dec. 31, 2011).

The total estimated deer harvest increased slightly, from 308,920 in 2009-2010 to 316,240 in 2010-2011.
Can't make it to Harrisburg? The meeting will be webcast Jan. 30-31 at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Hunting With a Disability

Here is a great article by Dave Wolf in the Lebanon Daily News about my friend Matt Geyer.  It's great that both Dave and Matt are spreading the word about disabled hunting.  Its good to know others are out there advocating for us all.

PENNSYLVANIA NASP STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS

PENNSYLVANIA NASP STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS TO BE HELD ON MARCH 9
Registration open from Jan. 27 until Feb. 17

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission officials are encouraging all schools participating in the National Archery in the Schools (NASP) to register for Pennsylvania’s 2012 NASP State Tournament, which will be held on Friday, March 9, at the Penn State Multi-Sport Facility in University Park, Centre County. 

While there is no fee to register, registration opens on Friday, Jan. 27, and closes on Monday, Feb. 17. Registration can be done through the NASP link in the “Education” tab of on the Game Commission’s homepage (www.pgc.state.pa.us), or directly through the NASP Tournament website (http://nasptournaments.org).

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, more than 350 students from a dozen school districts participated in the NASP state competition.  This year, event organizers are expecting nearly 600 students from even more school districts.

Diversity

Falcon Archers NFAA 300 Shoot

Friday, February 3, 2012	7:00 PM
Saturday, February 4, 2012	6:00 PM
Registration Fee - $10.00.  To Reserve a Shooting Line, contact Rich Paul at (412) 833-8851 or (412) 833-0916.

Only two Shooting lines are being offered.  Call and reserve your spot before they all are gone.

Directions and Club Information are on our website.  Call Darrell Shipley at (724) 518-6059 or Greg McBride at (724) 344-6099 for Shoot Information and Questions.

Snacks and Refreshments Will Be Available

Help Fund Kyle's Hunt

Kyle Stolarz is a 10 year old little boy who lives in NJ and is currently in the 5th grade. When Kyle was born his umbilical cord had strangled him causing multiple bleeds in his brain which in turn made him suffer a stroke. When Kyle was delivered he was having a seizure and barely breathing. His parents were told to not expect him to live thru the night. Kyle was transferred to the NICU where he stayed for two weeks. He was sent home with a diagnosis of seizures, apnea and cerebral palsy. His mom and dad were told they did not know what other problems Kyle would have as he got older as he suffered a lot of brain damage.

Thru the years Kyle's seizures remained uncontrolled and almost took his life on more than one occasion. Kyle has had to overcome many hurdles in his young life. He did not walk until he was two and did not really start speaking until he was about 7 years old.

In 2010 Kyle's seizures got worse and he was having them on a weekly basis. His seizures tend to last a very long time (45 mins to an hour-the longest lasting 7 hours). He was on so many medications that he could barely walk or even feed himself. He spent most of the school day sleeping at this desk or on the floor. What speech he had gained he was now losing and any memory he had was also fading very fast. His neurologist at CHOP asked that we bring Kyle in to have him evaluated for brain surgery. So in June '10 we headed to CHOP for a week and took Kyle off his medications to capture seizures in the hopes of removing that part of his brain that was causing the issues.

While we were there something happened that we did not expect. While off of all his medications Kyle only had one seizure!! This was a shock to everyone. So after a week we were sent home on one medication and told we would probably have to add on more. Kyle had a few small seizures with his last being in Sept 2010. Kyle has not had a seizure in over a year on just one medication!! This to us is truly amazing but we still do worry about them coming back. Once Kyle came off of all meds it was like he was reborn experiencing life for the first time. He could walk again, feed himself and was able to stay awake all day! Kyle has worked very hard to regain all that he has lost. Due to his brain damage learning is much harder for Kyle but he try’s his hardest.

Today Kyle is happy, healthy and awaiting the arrival of his new sibling which may share a birthday with him. Kyle's current diagnosis is Epilepsy, Cerebral Palsy and Mild Mental Retardation. Kyle is 10 in number but not mentally. His doctors have told us he may reach an age where he just stops learning. We will be sad when that happens but we still have our amazing Kyle who was not supposed to be here!!

Kyle's dad is an avid hunter and it is Kyle's dream to go hunting. He even has snow boots that are camo that he calls his "hunting boots". Kyle's dad would love to take him but it would be hard to watch both Kyle and Liam and feel he is keeping them both safe. I know when Kyle finds out he can hunt he will throw on his hunting boots and be ready to kill some deer (as he puts it!).

You can help fund Kyle's hunt by sending a donation to:

John R. MacCallum

847 Forest Avenue

Brown Mills NJ 08015

Follow Up to Matt's Hunt

Hi; I'm Dave Wolf an outdoor writer/photographer residing in Pa.  I just interviewed Matt for an upcoming article in the Lebanon Daily News and Potter-Leader Enterprise. The article in the LDN should appear both in print and online on January 22.

The PLE column will be on the newsstands on Jan. 25. Watch for it and link it here, if you like. I just wanted to say that Matt is a real advocate for disabled hunters and an inspiration to all of us. This site is doing everyone a great service. Keep up the good work! All the best, Dave

New Blog

Please check out my friend Stephens blog Adventures of the Rotund Huntsman .  He is a great outdoors man and writer.

Nikki's Hunt

Three years ago this little girl was unable to play organized sports or ride a bike and was very limited in her activities, her balance was off. A few years ago she was struggling in school with her grades; today she is one “B” away from being a straight “A” student. A few years ago she could not concentrate and did not fit in.

Yesterday this very same girl took life by the horns and embraced the experience of a life time and fulfilled a dream she has had for over 5 years. She has been dreaming of going hunting.

Nikki is 10 years old and was diagnosed with epilepsy a few years back, before that people thought she just couldn’t concentrate and hoped she would grow out of it. Come to find out her “day dreaming” episodes were seizures. She would have between 30 and 60 seizures a day. They were not violent shakes but rather a stillness and gaze.

WILD Jaeger, Kodabow, J&J Custom Calls, Pitt Rehab, and many individuals gave donations to make her dream come true. John MacCallum of WILD Jaeger took Nikki on her first hunt. The hunts started right at John’s house with safety talks and target practice with Nikki. They would shoot 3D targets in his back yard practicing broadside shots, quartering away and quartering toward shots. She soon became very proficient with her Kodabow (100% American Made Crossbows) and her confidence was showing not just in the yard but in her actions everywhere. It was amazing to see this girl’s smile and her confidence soar.

When the hunt day came on Sunday we knew she was prepared. That morning it all came together, the pig came in to about 17 meters away and she said that was the animal she wanted. This was her first hunting trip ever. She set up her shooting sticks in preparation and set the Kodabow on top. She took her time, squeezed the trigger and followed through just as she practiced confidently. She placed the crossbow bolt exactly where it needed to be.

What a mountain this little girl has climbed. Thank you all for making this happen for her, you have no idea how happy and proud she is and her family. This has changed a little girl's life. People don’t realize how powerful a tool that hunting can be. Its not just about harvesting the animal, its much, much more...

Photograph and write up by John MacCallum

Dreams Become Reality Article

The Observer Reporter did a nice article about DBR and my MO Deer hunt, check it out here

Matt's 2011 Dream Season

   The New Year becomes a time to reflect on the past year. What went right and how can I make things better? These are the thoughts that most people are contemplating this time of year. I am looking back over my deer hunting accomplishments.

    I started off my 2011 deer season with a doe harvested with my muzzleloader in October. I made a great shot on this animal and put her down where she stood. I was so happy. This was my first deer in several years. I didn’t have a clue that the best was yet to come.

    On the first day of Pa. rifle season I had the opportunity to harvest an eight point buck. I was ecstatic. This was my first buck in a long time. This was the first buck I had shot since my disease has progressed limiting my mobility. I could not be more on cloud nine. I still look at the antlers which are mounted on my wall and feel a great sense of accomplishment.

This one event has done more to improve my hunting self-esteem than any I could imagine. The psychological toll that a disability takes on an individual when it limits the abilities is known only to those people who experience it. When this burden is lifted it provides a utopic sense of accomplishment.

    I pressed on, listening to that little voice in my head which kept saying the season is not over and you still have tags. The late season flintlock season was always one I enjoyed. The season definitely mirrors the saying” I like it but it does not like me”. The biting cold is something that doesn’t mix well with a neuropathy. I still wanted to prove to myself that I can face it. I did not expect to win, but I lined up my help and prepared.

     On Dec. 29 I had the opportunity to hunt on some land with a blind that was accommodating to me. The snow flurries were flying and the temperature was in the twenties. I was settled in to the blind which overlooked a field. I had been almost giddy with the expectation of shooting a deer with my flintlock. I had gone so many years without even getting the flintlock out of the gun safe.

     To my left I saw two deer enter the field, a six point and a four point; go figure. What are the chances of going so long not harvesting a buck; and then harvesting a buck in rifle season and the seeing two more buck in late season flintlock. This could only happen to me I thought. I figured these deer would stay around till dark, march all around me: and then when it is past legal shooting light herds of antlerless deer will show up. I sometimes still cling to my bad luck.

     As I sat watching the parading buck I saw several does appear at the edge of the field. I could not believe it. The does started to work toward me. I settled my shooting sticks and sights on a large doe. The doe fed broadside to me at about sixty yards. I was hoping for her to move closer. The deer remained broadside feeding for what seemed like an eternity. I decided it was now or never. If I waited and had to readjust my props and gun every deer in the field would be gone.

      I settled the sight on the doe’s shoulder pulled back the hammer and fired. The sparks the smoke and the downed deer; Yes, the downed deer put a smile on my face and my heart in hyper drive. I had done it, after many long years I had once again scored in late season flintlock.  I slowly made my way to the deer. I could see it was a very large doe. I was on cloud nine once again. My daughter who is only five was along with me. This was the icing on the cake for me. My daughter got to see her dad succeed in his passions. I was able to show her that despite a person’s limitations, with the help of others it can be done. The deer was prize three of my 2011 season and proved to me that I was still capable of hunting whitetail.

   

 The 2011 deer season will be something I will never forget. I was fortunate to be able to succeed in a sport that I am passionate about. I would never have been able to accomplish any of this without the help of my friends’ family and even strangers. These people will never know how much their assistance is appreciated. I have always stressed that if you want to do it, and you have plenty of help, that despite your limitations anything is possible. Bring on the 2012 deer seasons.....

Lumenok Bolt

This is what I shoot, what crossbow bolts do you use?

PA Game Commission Video

35 Yr Old Pa Black Bear

Amazing that a female bear lived to age 35 TOM VENESKY OUTDOORS The Times Leader, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton PA - Outdoors

I thought this was a fantastic story.  It's hard to believe this bear lived 35 seasons in the wild.  Nature is truly amazing.