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Release #041-12
April 24, 2012
For Information Contact:
Jerry Feaser
717-705-6541
[email protected]
GAME COMMISSIONERS ADOPTS 2012-13 SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2012-13, including a move to allow Mentored Youth Hunting Program participants to take part in fall turkey seasons and establishing antlerless deer license allocations.
Other changes include expanded bear hunting opportunities in urban/suburban Wildlife Management Units (WMUs); the extension of the fall archery deer season by one day to include Monday, Nov. 12; additional small game season dates prior to Christmas; the closing of the snowshoe hare season throughout the state, except in WMUs 2F, 2G and 3A; the addition of WMU 4C for bobcat hunting and trapping; the addition of WMUs 2G and 4D for fisher trapping; various changes to the beaver trapping seasons to reduce bag limits in WMUs 3A and 3D and to increase bag limits in WMU 5D to address nuisance complaints
Licenses for the 2012-13 seasons will go on sale in mid-June.
Following are several articles on meeting highlights.
BOARD RETAINS SPLIT RIFLE DEER SEASONS
The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a slate of deer seasons for 2012-13 that retains the split, five-day antlered deer season (Nov. 26-30) and seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 1-8) in 11 Wildlife Management Units. The list includes (WMUs) 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. The package also retains the two-week (Nov. 26-Dec. 8) concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer season in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.
Hunters with DMAP antlerless deer permits may use them on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Nov. 26-Dec. 8 in WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. Fees for DMAP permits are $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.
As part of the statewide archery deer season, the Board extended the closing day by one day to include Monday, Nov. 12, which is Veterans Day in 2012 and represents an additional day that some hunters may have off from work and be able to hunt. The statewide fall archery deer dates are from Sept. 29-Nov. 12.
Additionally, the Board also gave final approval to retain the use of crossbows in the archery deer seasons.
The Board retained the antler restrictions enacted for the 2011-12 seasons, which includes the "three-up" on one side, no counting a brow tine, provision for the western Wildlife Management Units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, and the three points on one side in all other WMUs.
BOARD SETS ANTLERLESS DEER AND ELK LICENSE ALLOCATIONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today set antlerless license allocations for each of the 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) for the 2012-13 seasons. After hunters purchase a general hunting license, they may apply for antlerless deer licenses based on staggered timelines, which will be outlined in the 2012-13 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest presented to each license buyer and published on the agency's website in early June. Licenses will go on sale in mid-June.
The Board also set the elk license allocation at 65 licenses (19 antlered elk and 46 antlerless elk) for the 2012 hunt. The allocation does not include the one Conservation Elk Tag, which was auctioned at the Safari Club International Banquet.
Beginning in mid-June, applications for the public drawing of the elk licenses will be accepted through the agency's online license sales system or when an individual purchases his or her 2012-13 license. The applications cost $10.70, and only one application may be submitted each license year. No mail-in applications are accepted.
Antlerless deer license allocations by WMU (along with the 2011-12 allocation figures) are:
WMU 1A allocation is 42,000 (42,000).
WMU 1B allocation is 33,000 (30,000).
WMU 2A allocation is 59,000 (65,000).
WMU 2B allocation is 67,000 (71,000).
WMU 2C allocation is 50,000 (58,000).
WMU 2D allocation is 62,000 (60,000).
WMU 2E allocation is 21,000 (25,000).
WMU 2F allocation is 27,000 (34,000).
WMU 2G allocation is 33,000 (23,000).
WMU 3A allocation is 26,000 (26,000).
WMU 3B allocation is 40,000 (40,000).
WMU 3C allocation is 35,000 (29,000).
WMU 3D allocation is 39,000 (39,000).
WMU 4A allocation is 29,000 (28,000).
WMU 4B allocation is 26,000 (23,000).
WMU 4C allocation is 35,000 (35,000).
WMU 4D allocation is 36,000 (37,000).
WMU 4E allocation is 28,000 (29,000).
WMU 5A allocation is 19,000 (19,000).
WMU 5B allocation is 51,000 (50,000).
WMU 5C allocation is 111,000 (117,000).
WMU 5D allocation is 19,000 (22,000).
BOARD CLOSES PIKE RUN WILD PHEASANT RECOVERY AREA
The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to retain four Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRAs) for the 2012-13 seasons, while closing the Pike Run WPRA in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The agency's Ring-necked Pheasant Management Plan seeks to restore self-sustaining and huntable populations of wild pheasants in suitable habitats, and specifically calls for the creation of WPRAs. The agency is releasing wild-trapped pheasants into these areas, with a goal of achieving a density of 10 hen pheasants per square mile.
"The Pike Run WPRA in southwestern Pennsylvania has concluded and habitat patch analysis shows that Pike Run meets only one of five targets in the pheasant habitat model," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Pheasant densities are at one hen per square mile, which is far short of the 10 hens per square mile objective.
"In light of the area's habitat characteristics and low pheasant densities, and in keeping with the pheasant management plan, Wildlife Management Unit 2A, which includes the previously designated Pike Run WPRA, will be reopened to hunting male pheasants and the stocking of game farm pheasants will be reinstated beginning with the 2012-13 season."
Under the WPRA program, small game hunting is prohibited in the designated areas, as well as the release of any artificially propagated pheasants - including Game Commission-raised pheasants. Also, to limit disturbances to nesting hen pheasants, dog training of any manner and small game hunting is prohibited in WPRAs from the first Sunday in February through July 31 each year.
The Board also took final steps to allow for crow hunting within WPRAs, which would be added to the exceptions that allow for groundhog and waterfowl hunting within WPRAs, and opened WMU 2B to the hunting of male and female pheasants.
"Working with major partners, such as Pheasants Forever, the California University of Pennsylvania and local landowners, we already have a jump-start on creating WPRAs," Roe said. "These groups have invested in creating the necessary pheasant habitat in these areas of the state.
"The Game Commission will continue to raise and release pheasants on public lands with suitable pheasant habitat each fall. And, with the additional revenues made available through Marcellus shale well leases on State Game Lands, we will increase our pheasant production level to 200,000 birds for the upcoming season."
BOARD ADOPTS MODIFIED EXTENDED BEAR SEASONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved expanded bear hunting opportunities in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D as a means of reducing bear-human conflicts in these urbanized areas of southwestern and southeastern Pennsylvania.
However, before approving the extended seasons, the Board removed WMU 1A which was part of the original list of units in which hunters will be able to harvest bears during all deer seasons from September through early-December, as well as during statewide bear seasons.
As approved, bear hunters will be able to participate in an archery bear season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D from Sept. 15-28; in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D from Sept. 29 until Nov. 10; a muzzleloader bear season in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D from Oct. 13-20; a firearms bear season in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, from Nov. 26-Dec. 8. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
"Pennsylvania's black bear population is larger and more widely distributed than ever, and bear-human incidents are becoming commonplace, especially in more developed areas," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Continued expansion of residential development into areas occupied by black bears has resulted in more frequent sightings and encounters between people and bears.
"In WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, all with relatively high human population densities, there currently are low bear densities. As part of the Game Commission's bear management plan, the agency wants to continue to have a minimum number of bears in these areas, and the agency wants hunters to have an opportunity to play an important role in bear population management in these urban/suburban areas."
The Board also retained the statewide archery bear season, four-day general firearms bear season and extended seasons in all or portions of certain WMUs. Those dates are: a statewide five-day archery bear season (Nov. 12-16); a four-day statewide bear season that will open on Saturday, Nov. 17, and then continue on Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 19-21; and a concurrent bear/deer season in WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E on Nov. 28-Dec. 1.
Also, a concurrent bear/deer season has been proposed to be held Nov. 26-Dec. 1 in the following:
- in WMUs 3A and 3C;
- in portions of WMU 3B, that are 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
- in portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and WMU 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.
April 24, 2012
For Information Contact:
Jerry Feaser
717-705-6541
[email protected]
GAME COMMISSIONERS ADOPTS 2012-13 SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS
HARRISBURG - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2012-13, including a move to allow Mentored Youth Hunting Program participants to take part in fall turkey seasons and establishing antlerless deer license allocations.
Other changes include expanded bear hunting opportunities in urban/suburban Wildlife Management Units (WMUs); the extension of the fall archery deer season by one day to include Monday, Nov. 12; additional small game season dates prior to Christmas; the closing of the snowshoe hare season throughout the state, except in WMUs 2F, 2G and 3A; the addition of WMU 4C for bobcat hunting and trapping; the addition of WMUs 2G and 4D for fisher trapping; various changes to the beaver trapping seasons to reduce bag limits in WMUs 3A and 3D and to increase bag limits in WMU 5D to address nuisance complaints
Licenses for the 2012-13 seasons will go on sale in mid-June.
Following are several articles on meeting highlights.
BOARD RETAINS SPLIT RIFLE DEER SEASONS
The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a slate of deer seasons for 2012-13 that retains the split, five-day antlered deer season (Nov. 26-30) and seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 1-8) in 11 Wildlife Management Units. The list includes (WMUs) 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. The package also retains the two-week (Nov. 26-Dec. 8) concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer season in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.
Hunters with DMAP antlerless deer permits may use them on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Nov. 26-Dec. 8 in WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. Fees for DMAP permits are $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.
As part of the statewide archery deer season, the Board extended the closing day by one day to include Monday, Nov. 12, which is Veterans Day in 2012 and represents an additional day that some hunters may have off from work and be able to hunt. The statewide fall archery deer dates are from Sept. 29-Nov. 12.
Additionally, the Board also gave final approval to retain the use of crossbows in the archery deer seasons.
The Board retained the antler restrictions enacted for the 2011-12 seasons, which includes the "three-up" on one side, no counting a brow tine, provision for the western Wildlife Management Units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, and the three points on one side in all other WMUs.
BOARD SETS ANTLERLESS DEER AND ELK LICENSE ALLOCATIONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today set antlerless license allocations for each of the 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) for the 2012-13 seasons. After hunters purchase a general hunting license, they may apply for antlerless deer licenses based on staggered timelines, which will be outlined in the 2012-13 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest presented to each license buyer and published on the agency's website in early June. Licenses will go on sale in mid-June.
The Board also set the elk license allocation at 65 licenses (19 antlered elk and 46 antlerless elk) for the 2012 hunt. The allocation does not include the one Conservation Elk Tag, which was auctioned at the Safari Club International Banquet.
Beginning in mid-June, applications for the public drawing of the elk licenses will be accepted through the agency's online license sales system or when an individual purchases his or her 2012-13 license. The applications cost $10.70, and only one application may be submitted each license year. No mail-in applications are accepted.
Antlerless deer license allocations by WMU (along with the 2011-12 allocation figures) are:
WMU 1A allocation is 42,000 (42,000).
WMU 1B allocation is 33,000 (30,000).
WMU 2A allocation is 59,000 (65,000).
WMU 2B allocation is 67,000 (71,000).
WMU 2C allocation is 50,000 (58,000).
WMU 2D allocation is 62,000 (60,000).
WMU 2E allocation is 21,000 (25,000).
WMU 2F allocation is 27,000 (34,000).
WMU 2G allocation is 33,000 (23,000).
WMU 3A allocation is 26,000 (26,000).
WMU 3B allocation is 40,000 (40,000).
WMU 3C allocation is 35,000 (29,000).
WMU 3D allocation is 39,000 (39,000).
WMU 4A allocation is 29,000 (28,000).
WMU 4B allocation is 26,000 (23,000).
WMU 4C allocation is 35,000 (35,000).
WMU 4D allocation is 36,000 (37,000).
WMU 4E allocation is 28,000 (29,000).
WMU 5A allocation is 19,000 (19,000).
WMU 5B allocation is 51,000 (50,000).
WMU 5C allocation is 111,000 (117,000).
WMU 5D allocation is 19,000 (22,000).
BOARD CLOSES PIKE RUN WILD PHEASANT RECOVERY AREA
The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to retain four Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRAs) for the 2012-13 seasons, while closing the Pike Run WPRA in southwestern Pennsylvania.
The agency's Ring-necked Pheasant Management Plan seeks to restore self-sustaining and huntable populations of wild pheasants in suitable habitats, and specifically calls for the creation of WPRAs. The agency is releasing wild-trapped pheasants into these areas, with a goal of achieving a density of 10 hen pheasants per square mile.
"The Pike Run WPRA in southwestern Pennsylvania has concluded and habitat patch analysis shows that Pike Run meets only one of five targets in the pheasant habitat model," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Pheasant densities are at one hen per square mile, which is far short of the 10 hens per square mile objective.
"In light of the area's habitat characteristics and low pheasant densities, and in keeping with the pheasant management plan, Wildlife Management Unit 2A, which includes the previously designated Pike Run WPRA, will be reopened to hunting male pheasants and the stocking of game farm pheasants will be reinstated beginning with the 2012-13 season."
Under the WPRA program, small game hunting is prohibited in the designated areas, as well as the release of any artificially propagated pheasants - including Game Commission-raised pheasants. Also, to limit disturbances to nesting hen pheasants, dog training of any manner and small game hunting is prohibited in WPRAs from the first Sunday in February through July 31 each year.
The Board also took final steps to allow for crow hunting within WPRAs, which would be added to the exceptions that allow for groundhog and waterfowl hunting within WPRAs, and opened WMU 2B to the hunting of male and female pheasants.
"Working with major partners, such as Pheasants Forever, the California University of Pennsylvania and local landowners, we already have a jump-start on creating WPRAs," Roe said. "These groups have invested in creating the necessary pheasant habitat in these areas of the state.
"The Game Commission will continue to raise and release pheasants on public lands with suitable pheasant habitat each fall. And, with the additional revenues made available through Marcellus shale well leases on State Game Lands, we will increase our pheasant production level to 200,000 birds for the upcoming season."
BOARD ADOPTS MODIFIED EXTENDED BEAR SEASONS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved expanded bear hunting opportunities in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D as a means of reducing bear-human conflicts in these urbanized areas of southwestern and southeastern Pennsylvania.
However, before approving the extended seasons, the Board removed WMU 1A which was part of the original list of units in which hunters will be able to harvest bears during all deer seasons from September through early-December, as well as during statewide bear seasons.
As approved, bear hunters will be able to participate in an archery bear season in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D from Sept. 15-28; in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D from Sept. 29 until Nov. 10; a muzzleloader bear season in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D from Oct. 13-20; a firearms bear season in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, from Nov. 26-Dec. 8. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.
"Pennsylvania's black bear population is larger and more widely distributed than ever, and bear-human incidents are becoming commonplace, especially in more developed areas," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Continued expansion of residential development into areas occupied by black bears has resulted in more frequent sightings and encounters between people and bears.
"In WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, all with relatively high human population densities, there currently are low bear densities. As part of the Game Commission's bear management plan, the agency wants to continue to have a minimum number of bears in these areas, and the agency wants hunters to have an opportunity to play an important role in bear population management in these urban/suburban areas."
The Board also retained the statewide archery bear season, four-day general firearms bear season and extended seasons in all or portions of certain WMUs. Those dates are: a statewide five-day archery bear season (Nov. 12-16); a four-day statewide bear season that will open on Saturday, Nov. 17, and then continue on Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 19-21; and a concurrent bear/deer season in WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E on Nov. 28-Dec. 1.
Also, a concurrent bear/deer season has been proposed to be held Nov. 26-Dec. 1 in the following:
- in WMUs 3A and 3C;
- in portions of WMU 3B, that are 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
- in portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and WMU 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.
