Thankful

I have to say I am so thankful for everyone's assistance. I would not be able to complete this blog or enjoy any of the benefits of the great outdoors without the assistance of friends and family.

I speak with individuals with disabilities who are not as fortunate as I am. They do not have family,  reliable personal care attendants, an adaptive vehicle, a service dog, a power wheelchair etc.  As a high-level quadriplegic (C4/C5) I am dependent on others for assistance with all my activities of daily living.

Every day is a challenge. Chronic pain and fatigue are a constant battle for me. Sometimes people look at my success and compliment me for achieving so much in my life. My success and achievements are the results of a safety net of individuals working on my behalf. There are many days I want to quit, give up and give in to the disability. It's these days that I am thankful to have friends and family support me and assist me the most.

Pa Hunting License On Sale Now

Hunting and furtaker licenses for Pennsylvania’s 2015-16 seasons are on sale now.

New licenses are effective July 1, and are valid through June 30, 2016. All license fees remain unchanged. Licenses can be purchased online through the Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS) website https://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com. 

Licenses also can be purchased over the counter at all Game Commission region offices and the Harrisburg headquarters, as well as through more than 600 in-state and out-of-state issuing agents. A list of issuing agents is available at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us.

The beginning of license sales for the upcoming seasons also serves as a reminder for Pennsylvania hunters who hold senior lifetime hunting or furtaker licenses, or combinations of those licenses. While those hunters need not pay a license or transaction fee, they must pick up new licenses and harvest tags.

Additionally, those who hold range permits that allow them to use shooting ranges at state game lands are reminded that now-valid permits expire on June 30, and that new permits will need to be purchased for range use on and after July 1.

The permits, which are required for range users not possessing a valid hunting or furtaker license, are $30 and must be purchased by credit card through The Outdoor Shop on the Game Commission’s website, or at any of the Game Commission’s region offices or the Harrisburg headquarters.

Licenses purchased through PALS are subject to a 70-cent transaction fee for each license or permit, and that fee is paid directly to the Nashville-based company that runs PALS.

Through PALS, hunters can purchase not only their general hunting and furtaker licenses, but add-on licenses needed for archery or muzzleloader hunting, specialty licenses to hunt bears or set out after a second spring gobbler, permits to trap fishers and otters, and more. In short, what can be purchased from an issuing agent, can be purchased online.

Hunters also can use PALS to apply for the elk-license drawing or purchase Deer Management Assistance Program permits. 

Elk licenses are awarded by lottery and the deadline to submit an application is July 31. It costs $10.70 to apply and application fees are nonrefundable. 

Antlerless deer permits issued through the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) also are available to purchase online for $10.70, and DMA 2 Antlerless Deer Permits are available for $6.70.

County treasurers statewide on July 13 will begin accepting applications for antlerless licenses. Pennsylvania residents can apply beginning July 13.Nonresidents can apply starting July 27. Beginning Aug. 3, treasurers will begin selling the remaining unsold licenses for any wildlife-management unit for which licenses remain available. A second round of unsold license sales will begin Aug. 17.

D-Day 1944... 71 Years Later

Today we remember the veterans of World War II. We are thankful for their service and sacrifice on our behalf. We are grateful for all of the freedoms we have today because of them.  Never forget.

Fred Bear Quote