Lehigh Valley Wild

Apply For Pa. Antlerless Deer Licenses July 13

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe wants to remind hunters that county treasurers will begin accepting antlerless deer license applications three weeks earlier than in past years. Applications from resident hunters will be accepted by county treasurers starting Monday, July 13; nonresidents on Monday, July 27.

For the 2009-10 license year, antlerless deer license fees are

the same as they have been since 1999. However, there is a 70-cent transaction fee attached to the purchase of each license and permit, which is paid directly to Automated License Systems, the Nashville-based company that runs PALS. This transaction fee, which already applies to each Pennsylvania fishing license and permit sold by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission through PALS, means that residents will need to write checks made payable to “County Treasurer” for $6.70, and nonresidents for $26.70.

By state law, antlerless deer licenses will continue to be sold only by county treasurers, so hunters will need to prepare and mail separate applications for antlerless deer licenses. A listing of all county treasurer addresses can be found on page 48 of the 2009-10 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is provided free to each license buyer.

Roe noted that hunters must use the new pink envelopes, which are provided to each license buyer by the issuing agents, and that the previously used yellow envelopes should be thrown away. For those who order licenses via the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), a new Digest and two pink envelopes will be included in the package, along with the licenses, which will arrive in seven to 10 business days from the date of order.

“As county treasurers will be set up with PALS, hunters will be able to submit an application to any county treasurer, and the application will list the hunter’s first three choices, in order of preference, for a specific Wildlife Management Unit antlerless deer license,” Roe said. “If an applicant’s first choice of WMU has exhausted its allocation of antlerless deer licenses, the county treasurer will move to the second preference – and third, if necessary.

“This new process will nearly eliminate the chance that a hunter will not be able to receive at least one antlerless deer license during the processing of regular antlerless deer licenses.”

Also, Roe said that the early start to the antlerless deer license application process will help ensure that county treasurers will be able to mail antlerless deer licenses back to hunters prior to the opening of the archery season. The first such season opens with the antlerless archery season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D on Sept. 19. The opening date of the general statewide archery deer season is Oct. 3.

Under the new timeline, residents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on July 13; nonresidents will apply for regular antlerless deer licenses on July 27. After this, residents and nonresidents will apply for the first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 3, and residents and nonresidents will apply for the second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses on Aug. 17.

County treasurers will have to mail regular and first round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than Sept. 14, and second round of unsold antlerless deer licenses no later than the Sept. 28.

Beginning August 3, for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D only, there is no limit to the number of unsold antlerless deer license applications an individual can submit until the allocations are exhausted.

Beginning Aug. 24, county treasurers will begin accepting applications over-the-counter and may immediately issue antlerless deer licenses. Hunters may apply over-the-counter to county treasurers for any other WMU with antlerless license allocations on Nov. 2.

Roe noted that, this year, in conjunction with the move to PALS, the Game Commission will roll out a new online reporting system for antlered and antlerless deer, as well as fall turkey and spring gobbler. Postage-paid report cards still will be available in the Digest, but the agency is encouraging hunters to report online to save on the cost of postage and data entry.

“Reporting online also will ensure your harvest data will not be lost in the mail,” Roe said. “So report online and the agency will be able to direct its limited resources to other important wildlife conservation work. Thanks in advance for helping to improve harvest data collection!”

Roe noted that antlerless deer licenses, as well as general hunting licenses, still will need to be displayed by hunters.

Avian Influenza Info On PGC Website

As hunters prepare for waterfowl and migratory game bird seasons, the Pennsylvania Game Commission urges hunters to review information posted on its website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) about avian influenza and wild birds. The information can be accessed by selecting "Wildlife" in the

left-hand column of the agency's homepage, and then scrolling down and clicking on “Avian Influenza” in the “Wildlife Diseases” box.

“We have compiled a list of important facts, answers to common questions and links to more detailed information on our website,” said Dr. Walt Cottrell, Game Commission wildlife veterinarian. “Migratory birds – typically waterfowl and shorebirds – are considered the natural reservoir for Avian Influenza viruses. But, these are the low-pathogenic strains of the disease, a far cry from the virus that is causing so much trouble in domestic poultry elsewhere in the world.”

Dr. Cottrell noted that avian influenza viruses are classified as having low pathogenicity or high pathogenicity based on the severity of the illness they cause in poultry, and most are not considered a public health threat. Indeed, the impact of highly pathogenic H5N1 on migratory bird populations and the role that wild birds play in the spread of H5N1 is unclear.

“Scientists still are uncertain if wild birds are an important source of the highly pathogenic virus, since the vast majority of outbreaks do not include a history of wild birds mingling with domestic poultry,” Dr. Cottrell said. “The worry is that, once infected, wild birds could transport the virus to a new location, but it appears that these relatively few infected wild birds are rarely able to travel far.”

The highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza has not been detected in North America, in spite of testing more than 200,000 samples. However, this virus has caused the largest and most severe outbreaks in poultry on record in Asia, Africa and Europe. At present, the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus does not easily infect people and only very rarely spreads from person to person. In cases where this strain has infected humans, it is a serious disease. Most human cases of the virus have been as a result of very close contact with infected birds or consumption of raw or undercooked poultry. Even as serious as it is, it has not yet attained the capability to cause a human pandemic.

Since its discovery in China 14 years ago, the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain has spread to Asia, Europe and Africa, where it has primarily affected domestic poultry. Legal and illegal movement of infected birds, poultry products, contaminated materials, equipment and vehicles, as well as wild bird migration, are some of the ways that highly pathogenic virus can be spread.

Dr. Cottrell noted that if the highly pathogenic H5N1 is detected in wild birds in the United States, it does not necessarily pose a public threat. Even though the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been detected wild bird species, the actual number of wild birds infected with H5N1 has been relatively very low. There currently is no scientific basis for controlling highly pathogenic H5N1 by management of wild birds beyond physically segregating poultry from exposure to wild birds.

“For prevention’s sake, hunters should follow routine precautions when handling game birds,” Dr. Cottrell said. “Do not kill, handle or eat sick game. Wear rubber or disposable latex or nitrile gloves while handling and cleaning game, wash hands and thoroughly clean knives, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with game. Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling animals. All poultry should be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit as determined by a meat thermometer.”

Cottrell pointed out that a certain level of mortality in wild birds is normal, and that wild bird mortality can occur as a result of trauma, ingestion of pesticides, infections and accidents of nature, most of which pose no threat to the health of domestic animals or people. However, incidents of five or more ill or dead birds (not including pigeons) in the same geographic area over a one- or two-day period may indicate significant mortality and should be reported during regular business hours to the Game Commission Region Office that serves the area.

“Bag and refrigerate – but do not freeze – the birds in a cooler with ice until arrangements for pickup or disposal can be made,” Cottrell said. “Even in cases involving five or more birds, the cause of death can sometimes be determined without laboratory testing. Game Commission staff may make arrangements to acquire dead birds or recommend disposing of them in a plastic bag in household trash that ends up at a regulated landfill.”

In the past, the Game Commission’s wild bird mortality investigations have been part of a larger operation in cooperation with USDA Wildlife Services. In addition to following up on citizen reports of dead birds, Game Commission biologists have sampled mallards and other dabbling ducks statewide, as well as scaup (a species of diving duck) taken by hunters on Lake Erie, to test for avian influenza. Environmental samples also were taken by USDA from areas where waterfowl congregate and tested for avian influenza.

However, with the current economic conditions, this program has been eliminated by USDA in states like Pennsylvania that are considered low risk based on the number of migrating waterfowl and shorebirds. The Game Commission plans to continue responding to possible wild bird mortality events as resources allow.

DOVE & EARLY SEASON CANADA GOOSE SEASONS OPEN SEPT. 1

HARRISBURG – Hunters will see similar dove and early Canada goose seasons and bag limits, both of which open Sept. 1, as part of Pennsylvania’s 2009-10 migratory bird seasons announced today by

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.

Dove hunters, once again, will have the opportunity to participate in a triple-split season. During the first season (Sept. 1-26), hunting will start at noon and close at sunset daily. The second and third splits will be Oct. 24-Nov. 28, and Dec. 26-Jan. 2, with hunting hours a half-hour before sunrise until sunset. In all three seasons, the daily bag limit will be 15, and the possession limit will be 30.

The early statewide season for resident Canada geese will open Sept. 1, and continue through Sept. 25. However, John Dunn, agency Game Bird Section supervisor, noted that bag limits depend on the area being hunted.

In the Southern James Bay Population Zone, and on the Pymatuning State Park Reservoir and the area extending 100 yards inland from the shoreline of the reservoir, excluding the area east of SR 3011 (Hartstown Road), hunters will have a daily limit of three and a possession limit of six.

Also, in western Pennsylvania, the daily bag limit is one goose in the area south of SR 198 from the Ohio state line to intersection of SR 18, SR 18 south to SR 618, SR 618 south to US Route 6, US Route 6 east to US Route 322/SR 18, US Route 322/SR 18 west to intersection of SR 3013, SR 3013 south to the Crawford/Mercer County line. The exception to this is on State Game Land 214, where September goose hunting is closed.

The controlled hunting areas at the Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lebanon-Lancaster counties, as well as all of State Game Land 46, will remain closed to September goose hunting to address the decline in the resident Canada goose flock. And, in the area of Lancaster and Lebanon counties north of the Pennsylvania Turnpike I-76, east of SR 501 to SR 419, south of SR 419 to Lebanon-Berks county line, west of Lebanon-Berks county line and Lancaster-Berks county line to SR 1053 (also known as Peartown Road and Greenville Road), west of SR 1053 to Pennsylvania Turnpike I-76, the daily bag limit is one goose, possession limit two geese.

Excluding these areas, the early season in the remainder of the state retains a daily bag limit of eight Canada geese and possession limit of 16.

Dunn noted that recent liberalizations in Canada goose hunting opportunities, along with control programs being implemented by many municipalities and public and private landowners, finally might be stabilizing the growth of the state’s resident Canada goose population. The 2009 Pennsylvania resident Canada goose population was estimated at 289,879, which is similar to the recent six-year average of 278,787.

“Hunting remains the most effective and efficient way to manage resident Canada geese, provided hunters can gain access to geese in problem areas,” Dunn said.

Once again, young Pennsylvania hunters will be provided with a special day of waterfowl hunting on Saturday, Sept. 19. The Youth Waterfowl Day will be open to those 12- to 15-years-old who hold a junior hunting license. To participate, a youngster must be accompanied by an adult, who may assist the youth in calling, duck identification and other aspects of the hunt. During this special day-long hunt, youth can harvest ducks, mergansers, coots and moorhens.

In addition, because the Youth Waterfowl Day and the early Canada goose season overlap this year, youth and the adults accompanying them may harvest Canada geese. The daily limit for the Youth Waterfowl Day for Canada geese is the same as the daily limit for adults in the area being hunted, as noted above.

Youth Waterfowl Day bag limits for ducks, mergansers and coots will be consistent with the limit for the regular season, which will be announced in mid-August, after the annual Waterfowl Symposium on Aug. 7. The symposium will begin at 1 p.m., in the Stull Environmental Education Center at Presque Isle State Park, Erie County. Public comments will be accepted at the meeting or by sending a letter to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797; or via e-mail (waterfowlcomments@state.pa.us).

Pennsylvania’s woodcock season will open Oct. 17, and continue through Nov. 14. The daily limit is three, and the possession limit is six.

A season for common snipe will run from Oct. 17 to Nov. 28. The daily limit is 8, and the possession limit is 16.

Virginia and sora rail hunting will run Sept. 1-Nov. 9. Bag limits, which are singly or combined, are 3 daily or 6 in possession. The season for king and clapper rails is closed.

Hunting for moorhen and gallinules will run from Sept. 1 to Nov. 9, and the bag limits are three daily and six in possession.

Migratory game bird hunters, including those afield for doves and woodcock, are required to obtain and carry a Pennsylvania migratory game bird license ($3.70 for residents, $6.70 for nonresidents), as well as a general hunting, combination or lifetime license. All waterfowl hunters age 16 and older also must possess a federal migratory game bird and conservation (duck) stamp.

Roe noted that, although hunting hours have been extended to one-half hour after sunset for big game (except spring gobbler), as well as small game and furbearers, federal regulations prevail for waterfowl and migratory game birds and shooting hours for these species will continue to close at sunset. The only exception to this is during the early September Canada goose season, in which the USFWS has permitted states to extend the hunting hours to one-half hour after sunset.

Annual migratory bird and waterfowl seasons are selected by states from a framework established by the USFWS. The Game Commission is expected to announce in mid-August the regular and late waterfowl seasons, after the agency holds its annual Waterfowl Symposium, Aug. 7.

The “Pennsylvania 2009-10 Guide to Migratory Bird Hunting” brochure will be posted on the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in mid-August, and the mass-produced brochure should be available at U.S. Post Offices in the state by the end of August.

Hunters are encouraged to use a toll-free number (1-800-327-BAND), e-mail address bandreports@patuxent.usgs.gov or via the U.S. Geological Survey bird banding website (www.pwrc.usgs.gov/bbl/) to report banded ducks, geese and doves they harvest. Callers will be requested to provide information on where, when and what species of waterfowl were taken, in addition to the band number. This information is crucial to the successful management of waterfowl.

Other Pa.Game Commission Items of Note

In other action, the Board of Game Commissioners on Thursday:

- Gave final approval to a regulatory change to specifically prohibit the use or possession of

drug paraphernalia on State Game Lands. Current regulatory provisions clearly prohibit the use and possession of controlled substances on State Game Lands;

- Gave final approval to a regulatory change to remove the one-way travel limitation for those who possess a disabled person permit to use a vehicle as a blind as it relates to travel permitted on designated State Game Lands’ roads and replace it with an open travel allowance that is subject to further limitation based upon existing weather or road conditions;

- Gave final approval to a regulatory change to permit persons who have previously hunted a controlled goose hunting area at the Game Commission’s Pymatuning or Middle Creek wildlife management areas to make application for unclaimed blinds on the morning of the designated shooting day, but only when there exists an absence of applications for the unclaimed blinds from persons who have not previously hunted a controlled goose hunting area;

- Gave final approval to a regulatory change to consolidate and make technical changes to the current provisions overseeing the issuance of guide permits for elk or bobcat. As part of the proposed change, permit fees for those seeking to guide elk hunters or bobcat hunters or trappers would increase to $25 for residents and $50 for nonresidents;

- Gave final approval to a series of technical changes to expand the agency’s ability to issue permits for the disposition of various wildlife killed on the highway, mistake kills, animals killed for crop damage, and illegal kills to Pennsylvania citizens;

- Gave preliminary approval regulations that would establish a special elk conservation license auction and license issuance process. On Oct. 9, House Bill 747 (Act 101 of 2008) was signed into law, and authorized the Game Commission to auction off one antlered elk license per license year through an eligible wildlife conservation organization. Due to the intermediary role the wildlife conservation organization serves in the sale of this license, the Game Commission has determined that the implementation of a voucher process will streamline and simplify the process of transferring the license to the winning bidder of the auction;

- Gave preliminary approval to sweeping changes to the agency’s falconry permit process to meet new U.S. Fish and Wildlife standards, as well as simplify, reorganize and enhance current state regulations. These changes are supported by the Pennsylvania Falconry and Hawk Trust. Presently, there are 168 permitted falconers in the state;

- Gave preliminary approval to regulatory changes designed to authorize political subdivisions to apply for an agricultural deer control permit for the limited purpose of managing the agricultural deer control activities occurring on a conglomeration of separate, but otherwise individually eligible properties within the boundaries of the political subdivision. This structure will not only reduce demands on each respective landowner, but it will enhance the effectiveness of a larger deer control plan promoted by the community by consolidating the management of the deer control activities into one central location; and

- Affirmed the final 2009 quarterly meeting will be held on Oct. 5-6, at the Holiday Inn Philadelphia Stadium, 900 Packer Avenue, Philadelphia. Also, the January 2010 meeting has been set for Jan. 24, 25 and 26, and will be held at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters.

Forget Crossbows, Bring On the Bunnies!

Crossbow issues certainly fueled the fire of the Pa. Game Commission quarterly meetings over the past two days, but lost in all that heat was some good news for hunters, particularly kids.

Commissioner Jay Delaney of Wilkes-Barre proposed adding cottontail rabbits to the species available for youth hunting days, giving youngsters ages 12-16 who have taken a hunter-trapper safety education course the chance to hunt them, along with squirrels and pheasants, during the same time period. Rabbits had been left off the list of available species for the youth hunt.

The proposal comes too late to be implemented for 2009-10, but you can bet that it will receive a boost from almost every member of the board of commissioners when it does come up for vote.

New game commissioner David J. Putnam is also a welcome addition to the board for those of us interested in small game hunting. He has a background with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, wetlands restoration and is thrilled about the prospect of introducing wild pheasants from out west into some protected areas in Pa. in an effort to re-establish a wild pheasant population. He also worked with the late Charlie Nehf, the conservationist who help establish some of the best and brightest ecological/conservationist projects in the area.

While Delaney voted against full inclusion of crossbows at this time, he said his reasons dealt more with the effect of harvesting more deer during archery season in the Northeast section of the state, and the decreased number of deer that could leave for firearms hunters, who are already complain about the number of deer remaining after archers get first crack during the pre-rut and rut.

Calmer Voices On Crossbows; Firearms Hunters Need To Take Notice

Unlike the public testimony given in January, calm voices and measured words were the order of the day during Wednesday morning’s public testimony during the first day of the two-day summer quarterly meeting of the Pennsylvania Game Commission at the agency headquarters on Elmerton Avenue in Harrisburg.
   Only 13 people offered comment during the morning session, and only nine offered testimony during the amendment proposed by Commissioner Ron Weaner to limit the use of crossbows during archery seasons for the 2009-10 season. The board voted for full inclusion of crossbows in April. Weaner’s proposed amendment would limit the number of days a crossbow can be used within archery season.
    Of the nine people who testified on the crossbow issue, four testified against the amendment, four testified for the amendment, and one testified to let it go to the House Game & Fisheries Committee, which is voting on Thursday on whether or not to forward several bills to the full house, one of which would combine crossbows into the definition of archery equipment.
    Rep. Dave Levdansky D-39th District, who is on the House GFC, testified that he believes the state house should table HB 965 and leave the decision to the PGC, which is empowered under Title 34 to regulate seasons, bag limits and methods of hunting.
   While there is no known impact of the use of crossbows on the deer population, firearms deer hunters need to keep an eye on this issue because any increased harvest during archery season will impact the available herd during firearms season.

PGC Proposed Amendment to Crossbow Hunting

PROPOSED RULE MAKING
F. Amend 58 Pa. Code §§139.4, 141.43 and 141.44.
Commentary: The use of crossbows in the archery seasons has been a difficult issue for the Board of Commissioners to address. The crossbow was included in all archery seasons by the Board of Commissioners in January 2009. Since that time, the composition of the Board has changed and some Commissioners believe the vote in January does not reflect the views of

the current board. As a result, the agenda item below has been introduced to change the season in which the crossbow can be used. This will result in less time available for the use of crossbows in the archery season.
CHAPTER 139. SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
§139.4. Seasons and bag limits for the license year.
(See Seasons and Bag Limits Table)
2009-2010 OPEN HUNTING AND FURTAKING SEASONS, DAILY LIMIT,
FIELD POSSESSION LIMIT AND SEASON LIMIT
OPEN SEASON INCLUDES FIRST AND LAST DATES LISTED
* * * * *
WHITE-TAILED DEER
Season
Species First Day Last Day Limit
Deer, Crossbow (Antlered & Antlerless) 2 Oct. 3 Oct. 17 One antlered and
(Statewide) an antlerless deer
with each required
antlerless license.
* * * * *
CHAPTER 141. HUNTING AND TRAPPING
Subchapter C. BIG GAME
§141.43. Deer.
(a) Archery deer season.
16
(1) Permitted devices. [It] Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), it is lawful to hunt deer during the archery deer season with any of the following devices:
* * * * *
(2) Prohibitions. While hunting deer during the archery deer season, it is unlawful to:
* * * * *
(iii) Except in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D, hunt or take deer with a crossbow without a valid disabled persons permit.
(a.1) Crossbow deer season.
(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the crossbow deer season with any of the following devices:
(i) A bow and arrow. A bow must have a peak draw weight of at least 35 pounds. An arrow must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.
(ii) A crossbow and bolt. A crossbow must have a peak draw weight of at least 125 pounds. A bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.
(2) Prohibitions. While hunting deer during the crossbow deer season, it is unlawful to:
(i) Use or possess a firearm, except a person may possess certain firearms during the crossbow deer season under the authorizations of section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).
(ii) Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.
(b) Flintlock muzzleloading deer season.
(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the flintlock muzzleloading deer season with [a flintlock muzzleloading firearm. The firearm must be an original or similar reproduction of muzzleloading firearm manufactured prior to 1800. The firearm's ignition mechanism must consist of a hammer containing a naturally occurring stone that is spring propelled onto an iron or steel frizzen which, in turn, creates sparks to ignite a priming powder. The firearm must have open sights and be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single projectile ammunition.] any of the following devices:
17
(i) A muzzleloading firearm. The firearm must be an original or similar reproduction of muzzleloading firearm manufactured prior to 1800. The firearm's ignition mechanism must consist of a hammer containing a naturally occurring stone that is spring propelled onto an iron or steel frizzen which, in turn, creates sparks to ignite a priming powder. The firearm must have open sights and be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single projectile ammunition.
(ii) A crossbow and bolt. A crossbow must have a peak draw weight of at least 125 pounds. A bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.
* * * * *
(c) Muzzleloading deer season.
(1) Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the muzzleloading deer seasons with [a muzzleloading firearm. The firearm's ignition mechanism must consist of a percussion cap, primer or flintlock fired design. The firearm must be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single projectile ammunition.] any of the following devices:
(i) A muzzleloading firearm. The firearm's ignition mechanism must consist of a percussion cap, primer or flintlock fired design. The firearm must be a .44 caliber or larger single-barrel long gun or a .50 caliber or larger single-barrel handgun that propels single projectile ammunition.
(ii) A crossbow and bolt. A crossbow must have a peak draw weight of at least 125 pounds. A bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.
* * * * *
§141.44. Bear.
(a) Archery bear season.
(1) Permitted devices. [It] Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2), it is lawful to hunt bear during the archery bear season with any of the following devices:
* * * * *
(2) Prohibitions. While hunting bear during the archery bear season, it is unlawful to:
18
(v) Except in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D, hunt or take bear with a crossbow without a valid disabled persons permit.
* * * * *
Recommendation: This is a Commissioner directed agenda item.

Crossbows May Be In Jeopardy for Archery Season

Crossbow hunters beware!

Pa. Game Commissioner Ron Weaner is trying to make a change to the new regulation that allows the use of a crossbow during all archery seasons. Weaner, bowing to pressure from the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, has proposed altering

the new inclusion of crossbows into all archery seasons for 2009-2010, and his preliminary proposal will come up for discussion at next week's quarterly meetings. Because the preliminary discussion is coming up so late, there is little to no chance it will change the crossbow regulations for this season.

Normally, such a change as the inclusion of crossbows would hold for a three-year period to examine its effects on the herd of animals and hunter success before being altered.

During the post-meeting media interview in April, Weaner said he raised the proposal because he agreed with the UBP members who testified at the PGC meetings in January. UBP members identified themselves as such, claimed they were testifying as private individuals, and then expressed disgust for the inclusion of crossbow use in archery season.

When reminded that more than 70 percent of those who identified themselves as UBP members railed on that the use of crossbows would bring unethical and slob hunters into the woods during archery seasons -- in effect calling all other hunters, including rifle and shotgun hunters slob hunters and unethical hunters, because those would be the ones using crossbows, -- Weaner sought to amend his remark.

The Board of Game Commissioners will hold its upcoming meeting on July 8-9, in the auditorium of the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters at 2001 Elmerton Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81 in Harrisburg.

On Wednesday, July 8, the Board will gather public comments and hear Game Commission staff reports beginning at 8:30 a.m. Doors open at 7:45 a.m. Registration for those interested in offering public testimony – limited to five minutes – also will begin at that time.

On Thursday, July 9, beginning at 8:30 a.m., the Game Commission will take up its prepared agenda, which will be posted on the agency’s website prior to the meeting. Among the items slated for final approval are regulatory changes to specifically prohibit the use or possession of drug paraphernalia on State Game Lands and to remove the one-way travel limitation for those who possess a disabled person permit to use a vehicle as a blind as it relates to travel permitted on designated State Game Lands’ roads.

Among those items slated for preliminary consideration is a proposal requested by Game Commissioner Ron Weaner to restrict the use of crossbows. Under the proposal, crossbows would be permitted to be used during the first two weeks of the statewide early archery deer season; would only be permitted to be used by disabled hunters with a permit to use a crossbow for the remainder of the early archery season, as well as all of the late archery season; would continue to be legal for all deer seasons, including the early and late archery seasons, in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D; would only be permitted to be used during the two-day archery bear season by disabled hunters with a permit to use a crossbow; and would be permitted to be used by muzzleloader deer hunters who have a muzzleloader license.

The minutes from the Board’s April 21 meeting were posted on the agency’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in the “Reports/Minutes” section in the left-hand column of the homepage.

Two New Pa. Game Commissioners Will Be Sworn In

With its upcoming meeting slated for July 8 and 9, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners is set to welcome two recently-confirmed members, David J. Putnam, of Centre Hall, Centre County, and Robert W. Schlemmer Sr., of Export, Westmoreland County.

Putnam was nominated by Gov. Edward G. Rendell on March 11, and confirmed by the state Senate on May 5. Schlemmer was nominated by Gov. Rendell on March 11 and

confirmed by the Senate on June 16. Putnam filled the vacancy created when Russell Schleiden’s term expired, and Schlemmer filled the vacancy created when Roxane Palone’s term expired.

Putnam, who served as a certified wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from 1979 to 2007, presently is a self-employed biologist.

Putnam started his career conducting studies on the Allegheny River basin, as well as on large U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects, such as the Tioga-Hammond reservoir project and the lock and dam systems on the Monongahela and Ohio rivers.

“For the past 20 years, I was involved in habitat restoration starting with wetlands and native warm-season grasses and stream-bank fencing and later including stream restoration,” Putnam said. “In that role, I worked extensively with the USDA, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Ducks Unlimited, Pheasants Forever, County Conservation Districts, and hundreds of private landowners.”

A 1970 graduate of Penn State University with a degree in forest science, Putnam’s graduate training at Penn State had him conducting research with Jerry Wunz, the late Pennsylvania Game Commission biologist who pioneered the trap and transfer of wild turkeys in the state.

“I worked with Jerry on numerous projects and we spent hundreds of hours discussing the philosophy of wildlife management,” Putnam said. “Prior to that, Jerry worked with my father, who graduated with the Fifth Class of the Game Commission’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation and served as a Game Warden, in the days before there were Wildlife Conservation Officers. My father, Jerry and other biologists of that day inspired me to pursue a career in wildlife management.”

Putnam is a member of the Ruffed Grouse Society, Ducks Unlimited, Woodcock Limited of Pennsylvania, Pheasants Forever and the Spring Mills Fish and Game Association. He also is a past president of the Pennsylvania Chapter of the Wildlife Society, and a lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs.

Schlemmer presently serves as founder and CEO of Delmont North Industrial Park, which he created in 1979.

“I plan to work with my fellow Board members and Game Commission staff, as well as elected officials and stakeholders in our Commonwealth’s wildlife resources and hunting and trapping heritage, to build on past successes,” said Schlemmer. “I have traveled to all corners of Pennsylvania and talked with many sportsmen’s clubs and other stakeholders about their thoughts on what direction our hunting and trapping heritage should take. Communication is vital when decisions made by the Board of Game Commissioners will impact the entire Commonwealth, and I stand ready to serve.”

Schlemmer graduated from Clarion University with a bachelor’s degree in biology, earth sciences and geography. He did post-graduate work under the direction of Woods Hole Institute at Solomon’s Island in Chesapeake Bay, which focused on pollution of the bay. Schlemmer also worked with biologists banding birds and studying owls and hawk habitat at Presque Isle State Park.

Schlemmer’s other public serve includes his recent tenure as chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation. He serves as a Department of Agriculture representative on the CWD Task Force to help prevent chronic wasting disease from entering Pennsylvania and impacting the state’s wild and captive deer and elk.

In addition to serving as volunteer Deputy Wildlife Conservation Office for the Game Commission since 1974, Schlemmer also served as vice-president of the Board of Directors, from 1972-1980, for the International Council for Outdoor Education, which developed hunter safety programs for numerous states and Canadian provinces, including Pennsylvania.

Locally, Schlemmer has worked with Murrysville Parks and Recreation Department to open public areas to archery and muzzleloader hunting, as well as the establishment of a deer/habitat management plan for community parks. He also is a member of the Murrysville Sportsmen’s and Landowners’ Alliance, where he helped to make the Haymaker Creek accessible for handicapped children for fishing. He also serves a volunteer fireman for Holiday Park, and is a member of the United Church of Christ and Masonic Lodge #721.

Schlemmer is a member of a number of sportsmen’s organizations, including the Westmoreland County Sportsmen’s League, the Connellsville Sportsmen’s Club, the Western Clinton County Sportsmen’s Association, the Pitcairn-Monroeville Sportsmen’s Club, the Allegheny County Sportsmen’s League, and the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Club. He is a contributing member to the Wildlife for Everyone Endowment Foundation, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the Ned Smith Center, Ducks Unlimited, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Safari Club International and the National Wild Turkey Federation.

Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director, noted that there remains one vacancy on the Board, which was created by the resignation of H. Daniel Hill III, when he was appointed Senior Policy Advisor and Counselor to U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper. On June 3, Gov. Rendell nominated Ralph Anthony Martone, of New Castle, Lawrence County, to this seat, and he is awaiting Senate consideration.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners is comprised of eight board members, each selected by the Governor and confirmed by majority vote of the state Senate. Title 34, also known as the Game and Wildlife Code, is the law that governs Board actions, duties and responsibilities. Title 34 requires that each member be a citizen of the Commonwealth, and well informed about wildlife conservation and restoration. Game Commissioners are appointed from various geographical districts of the state to ensure uniform representation for all residents. These districts are not the same as Game Commission agency regions.

Game Commissioners individually hold office for terms of eight years, but may remain seated for an additional six months if no successor is named. Members of the Board receive no compensation for their services, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses.

Game Commissioners function as a board of directors, establishing policy for the agency. They are not agency employees. Although they are selected by district, they represent all Pennsylvanians and the state's 467 species of wild birds and mammals.

Join the Bat Study

Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists and the White-Nose Syndrome (WNS) Maternity Colony Monitoring Task Group are seeking assistance from residents in a national monitoring effort to

collect bat maternity colony data this summer.

“The true impact of WNS on bat populations cannot be determined using estimates from winter hibernacula alone,” said Lisa Williams, Game Commission wildlife biologist and WNS task group member. “Now is the public’s chance assist us in our monitoring effort by hosting a bat count this summer.”

To obtain applications and information on how to participate, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on “Appalachian Bat Count” icon in the center of the homepage.

“Pennsylvania’s two most common bat species, the little brown bat and the big brown bat, use buildings as their summer roosts,” Williams said. “Abandoned houses, barns, church steeples – and even currently-occupied structures – can provide a summer home to female bats and their young.

“Monitoring these ‘maternity colonies’ can give biologists a good idea of how bat populations in an area are doing from year to year. With the occurrence of WNS in Pennsylvania this year, monitoring these colonies is more important than ever.”

Williams noted that the fieldwork isn’t difficult to do, and Pennsylvanians can play a huge role in helping the Game Commission get a better understanding of what is happening to bats this summer.

“We’re looking for some help, and we hope you’ll consider becoming part of the Appalachian Bat Count monitoring team,” Williams said. “It’s a chance to make a difference for bats, to help local bats and get involved in the fight against WNS. Please consider lending a hand. Bats need you more than ever.”

A multi-state State Wildlife Grant has been awarded and is being administered by the Game Commission to investigate and respond to WNS, and is part of the nationwide effort to collect data during summer months through maternity colony monitoring, wing assessments and acoustic sampling.

For more information on WNS, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on the “Report Sick Bats” icon in the upper left-hand corner of the homepage.