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

Go Hunt Pa

GoHuntPa.org is a really good website to quickly find out some great information about hunting in Pennsylvania. The game commission also set up a nice application for smart phone users.

Information like, what is in season, Topographical Maps, Sunrise and Sunset times and more can all be easily found at this site.

Use this interactive map to find out what hunting area you are in. I posted about Go Hunt Pa in April but you can use it now to Plan ahead for purchasing your Doe license.  You can easily see if your new hunting area is 2B, 2A or 2D.

2015 Pa Spring Gobbler Season Ends

Today is the last day of the 2015 spring gobbler season here in Pennsylvania. Hopefully you were  able to harvest a mature spring gobbler this season. I was so glad to be able to tag a great Tom on the first day.

I did purchase an extra turkey tag this year, but  I never went out hunting after the opening day.  I can't wait to get my turkey back from the taxidermist. I know it will be a beautiful mount and always remind me of that morning.

Fawn's and Other Baby Wildlife

Now is the time of year when whitetail deer are having their fawns. If you happen to come across one of these beautiful little babies, please leave them alone.  Their mother will be close by, they are not abandoned, they are fine all on their own.

Memorial Day Weekend

I would like to wish everyone a safe and enjoyable Memorial Day weekend. As you are celebrating with your friends and family, Please remember the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms.

Big Missouri Turkey

Congratulations Scott Hettinger (C4/5 quadriplegic) on taking this outstanding Missouri gobbler this year. Scott was able to harvest this bird with his Stoeger 12 gauge at 38 yards.  The bird had a 10 3/4'' beard and 1'' spurs.

Moment of Freedom Project

The moment of freedom project  is providing wheelchair users greater access to the outdoors in Tennessee. They are putting in wheelchair accessible ground blinds and making fishing docks more accessible for everyone, making access to the outdoors in Tennessee easier.

 Please check out their video here    And their website here