SHOOTING-RANGE PERMIT A FAKE, PENALTY TOPS $1,000

A Pittsburgh man has been fined $1,100 after he presented a wildlife conservation officer with a phony shooting-range permit he could have bought legitimately for $30.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission views the case as a timely reminder for those who take target practice at ranges on state game lands, where most participants who do not possess valid hunting or furtaker licenses must hold permits to use the range. Both hunting licenses and shooting-range permits for 2013-14 go on sale soon.

Hunting licenses go on sale June 10, three weeks before the start of the new license year. Those needing shooting-range permits for 2013-14 must wait until July 1 to buy them. The permits that are on sale now are valid until June 30. The next permit period runs from July 1 to June 30, 2014.

Those who will need licenses and permits in the coming months might be able to save themselves some trouble by buying them soon after they go on sale.

The Game Commission in 2011 began requiring permits for range shooters without hunting licenses as a way to make sure all who use the agency’s firearms ranges contribute to the cost of their upkeep. Licensed hunters and furtakers are required to carry their licenses with them while using the ranges.

The range at which the counterfeit permit was presented is part of State Game Lands 203 in Allegheny County.  Wildlife Conservation Officer Dan Puhala said the range sees heavy use and he often patrols there.

While at the range on March 13, Puhala observed a target shooter fire a series of about 10 shots, which he said was in violation of range rules that dictate a three-shot limit. Puhala asked to see the man’s shooting-range permit, and while the man presented a permit to the officer, it turned out to be counterfeit.

While shooting-range permits can be purchased online and printed at home, they have distinguishing markings that identify them as authentic, Puhala said.

The man was charged for the range violation and for possessing the counterfeit permit, and he pleaded guilty on Thursday to both counts. All told, the man was fined $1,100 and he faces a possible five-year revocation of his shooting-range permit and hunting-license privileges. 

Shooting-range permits cost $30 per year for residents and nonresidents. Those 15 years of age and younger do not need a permit if they are properly accompanied by a licensed or permitted person 18 years of age or older. Additionally, each licensed hunter or range permit holder can bring along one unpermitted or unlicensed guest.

Like hunting licenses, shooting-range permits are valid from July 1 to June 30 each year. The permits can be purchased online at “The Outdoor Shop” on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us). Following the purchase, which requires payment by credit or debit cards, a downloadable permit is provided and can be printed on a home computer. The agency sells the permits through its Harrisburg headquarters and six region offices. However, since the purchase will be processed through “The Outdoor Shop,” only credit and debit cards are used for payment.

Hunting licenses also can be purchased online through the Game Commission’s website, and are available through a host of issuing agents. Countywide lists of issuing agents also are available at the commission’s website.

Spring Turkey Is a Bust

30 May was the last chance for me to fill my Spring turkey tag and I did not get it done.  Adam and I hunted hard yesterday in the 85 degree temperatures but could not get a bird to come into our decoy set.

After several hours I could not take the heat any longer and had to pack it in.  On the way out of the ground blind location we seen four Jakes in a yard close to a guys front porch.... Yes we were thrilled at that.  That's why it's called hunting folks.

Almost Out of Time

The last day of Spring Turkey is 31 May, it's getting down to hours left to hunt.  I plan on going out later today and hopefully catch a Tom coming into roost, wish me luck.  Otherwise it's tag soup for me and I hate soup.

How did you do this Turkey season?

IBO Qualifier 3D Shoot at Falcon Archers

ARCHERS:   Don't forget, the IBO Qualifier 3D Shoot at Falcon Archers in Canonsburg, PA is this weekend on June 1 & 2.

Don't miss out if you need this qualifier to go to the IBO Worlds in August. 

It's $20.00 to qualify; $10.00 for the local shoot. Shoot a second time on Sunday for $5.00 (for qualifiers and regular shooters).

If a qualifier shoots a second score on Sunday, we'll submit your best of the two scores to IBO for the qualifier.

Thank You Veteran's !

Not Much Time Left

If It Was Only True

Calling Turkeys

35 Degree's today

It was only 35 degree's this morning at 5 am when I rolled out of my van and into my ground blind.  I thought this was Spring turkey season, not winter...ugh

I did not even hear a bird today let alone see one.  I am hoping for better luck and warmer weather later this week.  Don't forget, today starts all day hunting here in Pa.  Good luck, shoot straight, and be safe.

What a Great Hunter

IBO World Qualifier Shoot

New Darkwoods Ground Blind

A Darkwoods Ground blind and trailer system was recently donated to www.wpawoundedwarrior.org it looks like a great wheelchair accessible ground blind.  I can't wait to try this baby out.

Men in Black

ALL-DAY SPRING GOBBLER SEASON TO BEGIN MAY 13

Pennsylvania turkey hunters are permitted to hunt from one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset, beginning Monday, May 13. The expanded hunting hours continue through the last day of the season, Friday, May 31.

 

All-day hunting during the second half of the spring season began in 2011 to provide interested hunters with more time to be afield.“By the second half of the season, hunter participation decreases significantly and nesting hens are less prone to abandon nests,” said Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist. “All-day hunting during this portion of the season has had minimal impact to nesting.”

 

Casalena said the overall spring harvest since 2011 has not increased from previous harvests.  Since 2011, afternoon and evening harvests have comprised 6 percent of the total reported harvests and 22 percent of harvests during the all-day portion of the seasons. In other words, even during the all-day portions of the season, 78 percent of the harvests have occurred before noon.

Casalena said the majority of the afternoon and evening harvests have occurred between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. Last year’s latest reported harvest was 8:50 p.m., about 20 minutes before the close of hunting hours in the western part of the state

Getting Closer

No Spring gobbler yet, but I'm close to tagging one, I can feel it !

Starting The Day at Sunrise

It's a great day to be alive and in the woods before sunrise.  Getting into a ground blind using a wheelchair accessible van with a lowered floor is thinking outside the wheelchair.

Get outside and enjoy all nature has to offer today, use what you have, don't dwell on the abilities you don't.  Shoot straight and be safe.

PA's Second Disease Management Area Created In Response To CWD

PA's Second Disease Management Area Created In Response To CWD : The Outdoor Wire

This is a serious problem that could cause a drastic reduction in our deer population.  I hope our wildlife biologist know what they are doing and we stop CWD in Pa.

One Turkey Down

 

My good friend Boo and his buddy were able to take this Tom early this morning in the spot I was hunting Saturday morning, congratulations boy's nice bird !

 

The weather is warming up and the birds are becoming more active, this could be a great week in the ground blind.  Good luck, shoot straight and always be safe.