PA GAME COMMISSION NEWS

PA GAME COMMISSION NEWS

MORE THAN 525 SLATED TO PARTICIPATE IN PENNSYLVANIA NASP STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS ON MARCH 9 - Students from 17 schools will compete
HARRISBURG –Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced that 525 students from 24 schools throughout the state will compete in the National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) 2012 State Tournament

SNOW GEESE MAKE MIDDLE CREEK SPARKLE EVERY SPRING - But many are missing this adventure and the magic of myriad geese
KLEINFELTERSVILLE – A sudden rising chatter signals the greater snow geese on Middle Creek’s calm, icy waters are synchronizing for their morning departure.

Northcentral Field Officer Report - March 2, 2012

Centre County WCO Dan Murray cited an individual for hunting and killing a bobcat with a rifle during the bobcat trapping season, and another individual was cited for late spotlighting.

Clearfield County WCO David L. Stewart said the relatively mild winter has not impeded turkey trapping efforts. “To date, the team has baited and trapped turkeys on two locations, successfully processing 16 hens, of which three now sport telemetry monitoring devices,” he said. “The biggest obstacle we have had to overcome, thus far, has been too many turkeys occupying the trapping areas. Both locations had flocks of more than 80 birds frequenting the bait sites.”

Tioga County WCO Robert F. Minnich reports that the hunting season was, once again, safe in his county. “Fortunately, we did not have any hunting-related injuries reported,” he said. “This always makes for a good hunting season no matter what.”

Tioga County WCO Robert F. Minnich noted that furtakers and late-season hunters are having a hard time due to the lack of snow cover. “Furtakers cannot pattern wildlife and trails, and hunters cannot see sign of where wildlife has been located and congregating,” he said. “Trail camera watchers are seeing signs of wildlife moving and some antlered deer are still showing up on cameras. Several nice bucks have been seen meaning they have made it through another hunting season and will be nicer for next year. Shed hunters are out looking for sheds and areas to watch for next year.”

Tioga County WCO Robert F. Minnich said bald eagles stayed in the area all winter due to the lack of ice so far and fishing being easier for them. “Some nesting activity has been seen taking place, as mating rituals and nest refurbishing and building has been observed,” he said.

Lycoming County WCO Harold Cole noted that WCOs are in the process of changing gears. “Most of the hunting and trapping seasons are done, and now the other season starts, training season,” he said. “Officers get their yearly update training in firearms, defense and control tactics, communications, first aid and CPR, as well as legal updates. Also, our volunteer HTE instructors get their update training.”

Potter/Tioga County LMGS Denise H. Mitcheltree said that the mild winter temperatures and conditions have Food and Cover Corps crews dealing with ankle-deep mud rather than hip-high snow and ice while cleaning out nesting structures.

Lycoming/Union Counties LMGS Thomas M. Smith said that the Lycoming County Food and Cover Corps crew started cutting a 44-acre project on SGL 134 to benefit grouse, golden-winged warblers and other species that rely on early successional habitats. “We teamed up with the Ruffed Grouse Society and Range Resources to accomplish the project,” he said. “This past fall, the area received an herbicide treatment to kill the undesirable understory, mainly birch and beech brush. Now working together are two tracked skid steers with shears, one belonging to the Ruffed Grouse Society and the other to the Game Commission, to open up the canopy and allow daylight to reach the ground. Next summer, a deer exclosure will be erected around the project.”