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Release #068-05
GAME COMMISSION PROVIDES TESTIMONY ON FINANCIAL SITUATION TO JOINT MEETING OF SENATE AND HOUSE GAME AND FISHERIES COMMITTEES
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today delivered a presentation to a joint meeting of the Senate and House Game and Fisheries committees regarding the agency's financial situation.
Today's joint meeting was the culmination of a series of updates regarding the agency's growing need for additional revenues, and followed meetings between agency senior managers and Reps. Bruce Smith (R-York) and Edward Staback (D-Lackawanna), who serve as Republican and Democratic chairmen of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, respectively. Sen. Joe Conti (R-Bucks), who chairs the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, opened the meeting and joined other House and Senate members in asking questions.
"The last license fee increase approved by the General Assembly in 1998, which took effect on July 1, 1999, did not keep up with the rate of inflation and, given fixed costs and stable license sales, the agency's revenues will continue to fall behind the cost of doing business and result in future cuts in programs and services," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director.
According to Game Commission estimates, agency revenues from a general adult hunting license in 1985 was $12.75, and revenues from a general adult hunting license in 1999 was $19. However, by 1999, using the Consumer Price Index to determine the rate of inflation, the agency's revenues from a general adult hunting license should have been $19.68. For the 2005 license year, continuing to use CPI for inflation, a general adult hunting license should cost $23.19.
"As the members of this committee know, the majority of our revenues come from the sale of hunting and furtaker licenses," Ross said. "In 2004, all license fees accounted for just under $39 million of our total revenues. Additional funding is received from our share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which amounts to between $7 million and $9 million annually. Another major source of funding is from our timber management program."
In 2004-05, timber revenues amounted to $14.9 million.
Ross noted that while the overall license revenues have been stable, there have been increases in various license categories due to expanded hunting opportunities approved by the agency's Board of Game Commissioners. For example, youth hunting licenses sales have increased from 100,845 in 1998, to 109,644 in 2004.
"Much of this increase in youth license sales can be attributed to the expanded youth hunting opportunities we have been offering," Ross said. "Specifically, the Board created a youth spring gobbler season, initiated in 2004; a youth pheasant hunt, initiated in 2002 and expanded in 2005; a youth waterfowl hunt, initiated in 1996 and expanded in 2005; special antlerless deer harvesting opportunities, 1998 and expanded in 2001; a youth squirrel hunt, initiated in 1996 and expanded in 2004; and youth field days, established in the early 1990s."
Also, as part of the license fee increase approved in 1998, the General Assembly created a junior combination license that packages regular license privileges with archery, flintlock and furtaking opportunities for $9, compared to the regular junior license price of $6.
Ross added that the agency has realized increases in bear license and muzzleloader stamp sales, as hunting opportunities have increased for both categories. In 2000-01, we sold 104,279 bear licenses and 137,737 muzzleloader stamps. In 2004-05, we sold 132,181bear licenses and 200,193 muzzleloader stamps.
"Shortly after becoming executive director, I saw that the new revenues of the 1998 fee increase would need to be stretched so that we could delay the need to return to seek another fee increase," Ross said. "To begin addressing this, we started to implement internal cuts in the agency's budget. Our goal was to not impact public services and expectations. However, there was no way to prevent internal cuts from having some impact on the public.
"For example, cuts in overtime budgets eventually translates into fewer services, such as not having employees available for a public or school program, or results in longer response times, such as wildlife nuisance calls or responding to road-kills.
"Also, for the past four years, we have had a zero-growth Game Fund budget. During that time, inflation has taken more of a bite out of our revenues - such as gasoline increases, and the cost of vehicles - and we have been cutting other costs to keep a zero-growth Game Fund budget while trying to maintain services to the public."
In addition to the increased costs of doing business, Ross pointed out that the agency also has other mandated costs beyond senior managers' control, such as contract salary increases, which will mean another $4 million plus over the next two years in addition to the $1 million increase last year.
"This means that, unless we have a license fee increase soon, because of our license year structure, the long term effect will be a leaner 2006-07 and an even leaner 2007-08, which will require additional spending cuts that will further impact our ability to deliver programs and services to the public," Ross said.
Ross also noted that, at the direction of the General Assembly, the agency put in place a meaningful Strategic Plan that lays out the core programs and services that should and must be provided to the public by the agency. However, due to its financial situation, the agency is unable to fund many of its programs to meet goals.
"Also at the direction of the General Assembly, we have begun to explore other financial avenues," Ross said. "For example, the Board of Game Commissioners recently received IRS approval for the creation of the Wildlife For Everyone Endowment Foundation. As designed, the Foundation will be able to raise, receive, acquire and distribute funds and other property for education and research for the conservation of wildlife; to increase and improve habitat; and to promote our hunting and trapping heritage in Pennsylvania."
Ross noted that the Foundation will be separate and independent from the Game Commission with a separate Board of Directors.
"Also, in discussions with some members, we have found a willingness to create a Pennsylvania-version of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, or the establishment of an inflationary indexed fee increase that will automatically adjust on an annual basis to keep up with the cost of living," Ross said. "In review, I believe that you will find that the Game Commission has been an excellent steward of hunters and trappers dollars and of Pennsylvania's wildlife and habitat. We already do a lot for all citizens with hunters' dollars, but would like to be able to expand our programs. With increased resources, we can bring programs up to previous levels and do more to manage wildlife and serve all Pennsylvanians."
# # # GAME COMMISSION ADDRESSES CONCERNS ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS ON LICENSES
HARRISBURG - In response to concerns received from hunting and furtaker license buyers, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials took action to remind all license issuing agents of their obligation to protect the confidentiality and security of license buyers' information, especially social security numbers.
"It was brought to our attention that a few vendors were not following the proper procedures to safeguard license sales book information, particularly social security numbers," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission Bureau of Administrative Services director. "We received reports of vendors allowing applicants to fill out the license book, which allows them to see confidential information of other licensees, or that license books were left on counters making the same information easily accessible to other customers.
"As a result, we have provided direction to all vendors that they are responsible to fill out the license book and to protect confidential information. We also emphasized that, when not in use, these license sales books are to be removed from the public's view."
State law prohibits the disclosure of license information. Failure to properly safeguard license information, especially social security numbers, can result in revocation of a vendor's privileges as a license agent. Additionally, disclosure of confidential information is a violation of state law.
Over the past few years, U.S. Congress has enacted a number of new laws to improve enforcement of child support obligations. As part of a broad welfare reform effort, the U.S. Congress required states to implement new requirements to encourage payment of child support. States that failed to implement these requirements faced possible loss of federal welfare funds.
The federal welfare reform includes provisions that affect recreational licenses holders, including those who buy hunting and furtaker licenses. One provision requires states to deny hunting and fishing licenses to certain persons in arrears on child support when a court issues an order revoking or denying such licenses. Another provision requires government agencies to obtain social security numbers from applicants for recreational licenses, including hunting and furtaker licenses.
In 1997, the Pennsylvania General Assembly enacted comprehensive legislation to implement the new federal requirements at the state level. This law addressed hundreds of issues and, as with the federal law, one provision of the state law requires the collection of social security numbers of applicants for various licenses, including hunting and furtaker licenses.
The state law also provides for the denial or suspension of hunting licenses of persons three or more months in arrears on child support, if a court issues an order requiring such action.
"The overwhelming majority of our issuing agents are following the correct procedures," Roe said. "However, public concern has compelled us to remind all of them of the seriousness of safeguarding license information."
Consistent with the new state law, the Game Commission began asking license buyers to provide social security numbers in 1998. However, in 2003, in response to concerns about social security numbers being printed on licenses, the Game Commission started putting a series of Xs in the social security number block on the back of licenses.
"If a license buyer believes his or her social security number still is legible, they may take a marker or pen and further blacken this particular block, as the intent of the Game Commission was to make social security numbers illegible," said Michael Dubaich, Bureau of Law Enforcement director. "However, hunters and furtakers may not make any other alterations to their licenses, which would be a violation of state law."
License buyers who encounter problems at any issuing agent should contact the Bureau of Law Enforcement at (717) 783-6526, or the License Division at 717-787-2084.
# # # Release #059-05
GAME COMMISSION
PRAISES GOVERNOR RENDELL FOR SIGNING BILL THAT
FUNDS CRITICAL AGENCY NEEDS HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania
Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross today expressed his gratitude to
Gov. Edward Rendell for signing into law a measure to authorize the Game
Commission to receive a portion of a $625 million-bond issue to fund critical
renovations and repairs to the agency's aging infrastructure and properties
throughout the state. "It's hard to imagine
how we would have continued without the considerable help this bond issue
provides," emphasized Ross. "We needed a funding infusion that the
agency's existing revenue streams couldn't provide. Now we have it. "We praise Gov.
Rendell, as well as the General Assembly, for helping our agency address
infrastructure problems that hinder operational efficiency and reduce or
eliminate services to hunters and trappers, other wildlife conservationists and
our state's wildlife resources. Most of these problems stem from an inability to
modernize facilities or repair damages caused by storms. In addition, this
funding will help finance environmental improvements - such as wetlands
development and stream-bank protection - that will further increase the appeal
of State Game Lands and cooperating private landowner properties to wildlife. "I also offer our
thanks to the hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians who voted in May to
approve this bond issue and cleared the way for these funds to be made available
to the Game Commission. Our residents have a history of being forward-thinking
conservationists who solidly support environmental initiatives. We really needed
their help on this, and they came through." During the May primary,
Pennsylvanians who supported the ballot referendum voted to protect the state's
declining number of working farms; preserve natural areas and open spaces;
improve the water quality of waterways; further fund abandoned mine reclamation
and clean-up of contaminated industrial sites, improve state parks; assist local
governments with recreational needs; make improvements to Pennsylvania Fish and
Boat Commission fish hatcheries and repair Game Commission infrastructure and
strengthen habitat development programs. The Game Commission
maintains buildings, parking areas, shooting ranges, educational facilities,
roads, dams, and bridges that support its wildlife conservation mission and the
activities of countless Pennsylvanians. Their maintenance is largely funded
through revenues generated through the sale of hunting and furtaker licenses,
and a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition. Unlike Project 70 and
Project 500 of the 1960s, the last two bond issues the Game Commission received
funding from, this bond issue is providing the Game Commission money to maintain
or repair, not to expand its recreational land holdings and establish
infrastructure on the new properties. The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area
in Lebanon and Lancaster counties serves as the agency's key acquisition under
Projects 70 and 500. But even Middle Creek, now almost 40 years old, requires
significant improvements. The bond issue, an
expansion of the state's current Growing Greener program, will provide $20
million to the Game Commission over six years. Funding cannot be used for land
acquisition. The law requires the agency to provide to the House and Senate Game
and Fisheries committees' Republican and Democratic chairmen an annual report
detailing projects to be funded under the program, the amount of each project
and the anticipated environmental benefit of the project. The report also will
be presented on the Game Commission's website. Although it manages
wildlife for all Pennsylvanians, the Game Commission currently does not receive
any state taxpayer dollars. Most of the agency's operations are funded through
the sale of hunting and trapping licenses, as well as the sale of timber, and
mineral and oil rights on State Game Lands. The Game Commission last received
license fee increases in 1998. # #
#
GAME COMMISSIONERS GIVE FINAL APPROVAL TO 2005-2006 SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS HARRISBURG -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2005-2006, including expanded hunter opportunities through the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP); more bear hunting; increased elk hunting; and new and expanded youth-only hunting seasons. The new seasons take effect July 1. Seasons and bag limits for migratory game birds and waterfowl will be approved and announced in late July and mid-August, respectively, once the agency receives seasonal frameworks from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Following are several articles on meeting highlights. GAME COMMISSION SETS DEER SEASONS AND ANTLERLESS ALLOCATIONS The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to the 2005-2006 deer seasons, while approving antlerless deer license allocations that are substantially lower in many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) than last year. The season framework nearly mirrors that of the previous three years, with the exception of expanded antlerless deer hunting in Wildlife Management Unit 5C, in the southeast portion of the state. The late antlerless deer season for WMU 5C and 5D will be Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28. For the highly urbanized WMUs - WMU 2B, 5C and 5D - the Board approved an antlerless allocation of 159,000, which is the same as last year's. However, the Board approved an antlerless deer license allocation for the remaining WMUs of 720,000, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 880,000. Following is a listing of the antlerless deer license allocation by Wildlife Management Unit, with last year's allocation in parenthesis: WMU 1A, 40,000 (48,000); WMU 1B, 27,000 (33,000); WMU 2A, 55,000 (55,000); WMU 2B, 68,000 (68,000); WMU 2C, 53,000 (75,000); WMU 2D, 56,000 (58,000); WMU 2E, 21,000 (23,000); WMU 2F, 30,000 (44,000); WMU 2G, 29,000 (52,000); WMU 3A, 27,000 (32,000); WMU 3B, 41,000 (48,000); WMU 3C, 32,000 (37,000); WMU 3D, 38,000 (50,000); WMU 4A, 35,000 (43,000); WMU 4B, 35,000 (49,000); WMU 4C, 39,000 (44,000); WMU 4D, 40,000 (55,000); WMU 4E, 38,000 (38,000); WMU 5A, 28,000 (32,000); WMU 5B, 56,000 (64,000); WMU 5C, 71,000 (71,000); and WMU 5D, 20,000 (20,000). "Our recommendation for the upcoming seasons is to reduce the harvest while retaining the season structure we have in place," said Dr. Christopher Rosenberry, who recently was named the agency's new Deer Management Section Supervisor. "We can accomplish this by reducing the antlerless deer license allocation as needed in each WMU." Rosenberry noted that the Game Commission staff recommended changing the allocations, but not season lengths for the following reasons. First, shorter seasons do not ensure a reduced harvest. In 2000, Pennsylvania hunters harvested more than 300,000 antlerless deer with a three-day season with favorable weather conditions. However, if hunters don't have a license - due to the reduction in the allocation - they won't be able to legally harvest a deer. Second, results of a recent survey conducted by Responsive Management of hunters' attitudes that stated "lack of time" was the second most important factor for why hunters are giving up hunting. The top reason was age and health related issues. "We can't do anything about hunters' age and health, but we can provide them more time to hunt - more time to use the licenses they have purchased - as a means of preserving, protecting and promoting our state's hunting heritage," Rosenberry said. Finally, from a management point of view, continuing with the current season lengths reduces the potential impact of weather on the antlerless deer harvest, which allows the agency to have a better handle on the effectiveness of antlerless deer licenses from year to year. "It's important to Pennsylvania's deer program to maintain the seasonal framework it has used for the past two years, because those seasons provide harvest data that can be used to measure harvest trends," Rosenberry said. "Changing to some other seasonal framework, or going back to what the Commonwealth had used three years ago, means starting back at square one in the agency's ongoing effort to improve its population estimates. "For most WMUS, we are recommending a reduction in allocations, because population indices have declined in recent years, and because we are at a point where we should assess the results of our population reductions. Therefore, the intent of the allocation approved for the upcoming year is to stabilize deer populations in most WMUs as we continue assessing our deer population using multiple measures." Antler restrictions will continue for the 2005-2006 seasons. "Preliminary analysis of deer hunter surveys conducted from 2002 through 2005 indicate strong support for antler restrictions in the four-point WMUs, as well as the three-point WMUs," said Bret Wallingford, a wildlife biologist with the Game Commission's Deer Management Section. "Also, based on field research, hunters have demonstrated that they have adjusted well to the antler restrictions." Specifically, the Board approved: -- In WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, hunters will be required to abide by the four points on one side antler restriction; -- In all other WMUs, hunters will be required to abide by a three points on one side antler restriction; and -- Statewide, all junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle and active duty U.S. Armed Services personnel may abide by the old antler restrictions of one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points. Following is an overview of the adopted seasons. * A concurrent antlered/antlerless rifle deer season from Nov. 28-Dec. 10. To harvest an antlerless deer, hunters must possess a valid, WMU-specific antlerless deer license for the unit in which they are hunting or a DMAP permit. * A firearms antlerless deer season from Oct. 20-22, for junior and senior license holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) holders, or Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services, who possess the appropriate WMU-specific antlerless deer license or DMAP permit. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach age 65 in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. * A muzzleloader season for antlerless deer from Oct.15-22. The flintlock muzzleloader season, Dec. 26-Jan. 14, continues to be an antlered or antlerless season for hunters with primitive flintlock ignition firearms, provided the hunter possesses the appropriate license(s). * Archery seasons will be Oct. 1-Nov. 12, and Dec. 26-Jan. 14. * Antlerless deer hunting in WMU 2B will be Dec. 26-Jan.14. * Antlerless deer hunting in WMUs 5C and 5D will be Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28. The Board also gave preliminary approval to remove the deadline for hunters to purchase a muzzleloader stamp. There has long been a deadline for purchasing a muzzleloader stamp in place, but the Board has determined that there is no longer a need to continue this deadline. The deadline was initially established to prevent an uncontrolled number and distribution of hunters who do not fill their deer tags during the regular seasons. If approved at the June meeting, this proposed regulation would take effect for the 2005-06 seasons. In addition, the Board retained the use of crossbows statewide for bear and elk and during any of the firearms deer seasons - including the regular two-week concurrent deer season, the early muzzleloader season and the late flintlock season - and in all deer seasons in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, the most urbanized areas in the state. Statewide, hunters using crossbows during the early muzzleloader season or late flintlock season must have a muzzleloader stamp in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license. However, late-season hunters having a muzzleloader stamp but choosing to use a crossbow are permitted to take an antlered deer or an antlerless deer anywhere in the state with their unused antlered deer tag, just like other late-season flintlock hunters. In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, hunters planning to use a crossbow during the archery seasons must purchase an archery stamp in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license. Disabled hunters must obtain a permanent or temporary disabled hunter permit to use a crossbow during the statewide early archery season outside of WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. DMAP EXPANDED TO FURTHER FOCUS HUNTER PRESSURE The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to an expanded form of the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that addresses specific deer management objectives within the Wildlife Management Units (WMUs). "DMAP helps build a better relationship between hunters and landowners," said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. "By linking landowners and interested hunters, we hope to lessen deer impacts for the landowner and the habitat." Under the proposal given final approval, landowners now are permitted to give up to two DMAP coupons to a licensed hunter, who will then apply for the DMAP permits. This will enable hunters to possess up to two DMAP permits for a specific DMAP area beginning with the 2005-2006 season. Also, for 2005-2006, the Board expanded the list of eligible landowners for DMAP to include: public lands; private lands where no fee is charged for hunting; and hunting clubs established prior to Jan. 1, 2000, that's owned in fee title and have provided a club charter and list of current members to the agency. Previously, private hunting clubs were required to own a minimum of 1,000 contiguous acres before being eligible for DMAP. Completed DMAP landowner applications must be submitted to the appropriate regional office by July 1. Upon approval of the application, landowners will receive one coupon for each DMAP permit allocated for their property, and the DMAP permits will be allocated based on one for every five cultivated acres and one for every 50 forested acres. As in the past, landowners may receive more DMAP coupons than the standard rate if they present a deer management plan that is approved by the Game Commission. DMAP permit allocations will be made separate from the general antlerless deer license allocations, but will follow the same fee schedule ($6 for residents and $26 for nonresidents). The Board also gave final approval to a regulatory measure that makes any DMAP permit holder who fails to complete and submit the mandatory harvest report and survey information from the prior season ineligible for coupons/permits and refunds in the upcoming season. BEAR SEASON EXTENSION EXPANDED TO ADDITIONAL WMUS The Board of Commissioners today gave final approval to a three-day, statewide bear season the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 21-23) before Thanksgiving that has become traditional with Pennsylvania bruin hunters. At the same time, the Board expanded areas where bear hunting will run concurrent with the first week of the firearms deer season (Nov. 28-Dec. 3) where human-bear conflicts are the greatest. In Wildlife Management Units 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E, in the northeastern and northcentral part of the state, the extended bear season will open Monday, Nov. 28 and run through Saturday, Dec. 3. Last year, the Board approved the extended bear season for only portions of certain WMUs. However, to simplify the matter for hunters, the Board decided to include entire WMUs. "By expanding bear hunting opportunities in these WMUs we hope to begin to address the growing number of conflicts between humans and bears," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. In addition, the Board gave final approval to allow those deer hunters who obtain permission to hunt on the State Correctional Institution at Rockview in Centre County to hunt for bear during the first week of the rifle deer season provided they have a valid bear license. Extended modern-day bear hunting first started in 2002, when bear hunters were given the opportunity to hunt during the first week of the firearms deer season in Carbon, Monroe and Pike counties. With the advent of the state's new Wildlife Management Units, the extended season in 2003 included all of WMU 3D. Finally, the Board gave final approval to a measure to cut off all sales of bear licenses prior to the opening of the two-week firearms deer season. This change will prohibit the sale of bear licenses after opening hours of the regular firearms deer season on Nov. 28, 2005. BOARD ADOPTS EXPANDED ELK SEASON The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to Pennsylvania's upcoming elk season and, at the request of farmers around St. Marys, Elk County, added an extra opportunity for hunters to take part in a late-September hunt in 2006. The Board approved 40 licenses (10 for antlered elk and 30 for antlerless elk) for the 2005 season, slated for Nov. 7-12; and 10 licenses (2 either sex elk and 8 antlerless elk) for the 2006 season to be held Sept. 18-23. While the 40 licenses for the November 2005 season are allocated for several elk management areas, the 10 licenses for the September 2006 hunt will be allocated for one elk management area. "Farmers are suffering severe crop damage, and rather than shoot the elk for crop damage, they would like to allow hunters an opportunity to harvest the animals," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. "Farmers have told us that elk remain in their fields through the fall and do extensive damage to their crops. Only after farmers harvest their crops do the elk leave the area, which is before the regular elk season. This early season will help reduce the damage elk are doing to these farmers' crops, and provide a unique hunting opportunity when bull elk are bugling. This is a win-win situation for farmers and hunters." In addition, the Game Commission announced that adjustments have been made to the boundaries of the 11 elk management areas. (Details on the new boundaries will be announced in the near future.) Both antlered and antlerless elk will be legal in both seasons. Successful applicants will be determined through public drawings scheduled at a later date. The drawing held this year will award elk licenses for the November 2005 and the September 2006 hunts. To accommodate hunter interest in the two elk seasons, the Board also gave preliminary approval to allow hunters to apply for an elk license in each season. However, it still will be unlawful to apply for more than one license in each season. Interested hunters can make application for the elk seasons through the mail or by going to the agency's webpage (www.pgc.state.pa.us) later this year. In addition, hunters will be able to apply at sports shows and fairs this year. All applications must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $10 application fee. FINAL APPROVAL GIVEN TO TWO-BIRD SPRING GOBBLER SEASON The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval for staff to create a system for hunters to purchase a special wild turkey license that will enable them to take a second spring gobbler in the 2006 season. Fees set by state law for the special license are $21 for residents and $41 for nonresidents. Applications for special wild turkey licenses will be submitted to the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters via the Internet or a paper application submitted by mail. Under the expanded hunting opportunity, hunters will be allowed to submit only one application for the special wild turkey license during a license year. According to Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist, research has shown that properly timed and implemented multiple-bird spring limits have not caused population declines in other states. "Pennsylvania, however, is unique with its large number of wild turkey hunters and large harvests," Casalena said. "Therefore, it is imperative that sufficient population monitoring occurs prior to any additional season changes. We regularly recommend the change in seasons remain in place for at least three years to assess any biological and social impacts caused by that change, after which additional changes can be made, such as extending hunting hours beyond noon." On July 2, 2004, legislation sponsored by Rep. Merle Phillips was signed into law by Governor Edward G. Rendell to empower the Game Commission to sell special licenses allowing hunters to take an additional wild turkey beyond the two (one fall turkey and one spring gobbler) currently provided for as part of the general hunting license. The measure, House Bill 2042, passed the state House and Senate unanimously. The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, a statewide organization with more than 25,000 members, supported the bill. "The law creating this special wild turkey license enables the Game Commission to provide Pennsylvania hunters with an opportunity to hunt and harvest a second spring gobbler in the same season," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. "This will in no way impact hunters' current ability to harvest one spring and one fall turkey as part of their general hunting license privileges. "I want to offer my thanks to Rep. Phillips for introducing this measure, all legislators for supporting it and Governor Rendell for signing it into law." Revenues from the special licenses could be used to implement and fund the Game Commission's turkey management plan and further educate turkey hunters, thereby promoting additional recreation and safe hunting practices. Ross noted that Rep. Phillips, a lifelong turkey hunter, has been actively involved in hunting and fishing issues and in the past has worked with the Game Commission to create special youth projects, including the youth spring turkey hunt. BOARD APPROVES EXPANDED YOUTH PHEASANT AND GOOSE SEASONS The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to an expanded youth pheasant season for 2005. In the past, the youth pheasant hunt was a two-day event. The Board established the 2005 youth pheasant season as Oct. 8-14, which runs concurrently with the youth squirrel season. "The youth season takes into account that most students are off school on Monday, Oct. 10, the Columbus Day holiday, as well as on Saturday, Oct. 8," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. "The remainder of this youth season - Oct. 11-14 - takes place before the change of daylight savings time, which gives students an opportunity to go hunting after school, which is a long-standing tradition in many rural parts of the state. "Part of the Game Commission's overall vision is to promote our state's rich hunting and trapping heritage. The future of hunting and trapping is directly related to the continuing participation of young Pennsylvanians in our hunting and furtaking seasons. The challenge is to successfully compete with all the other activities and recreational opportunities that vie for a teenager's time." Under the youth pheasant and squirrel hunts, participants are not required to purchase a junior hunting license, but they must have passed a Hunter-Trapper Education course. As with all junior hunters, those 12 and 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other family member 18 years or older, and those 14 and 15 years old must be accompanied by a person 18 years or older. In addition, the Board adopted a change in regulation that will enable the agency to hold special youth-only waterfowl hunting days at both the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on the Lebanon/Lancaster county line and at the Pyamtuning Wildlife Management Area in Crawford County. The change allows for a special drawing of applications submitted by junior license holders prior to the regular drawing for goose blinds. An application for this drawing will be included in the 2005-2006 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is provided to each license buyer, and on the Game Commission's website. Only one application will be accepted per junior hunter. The exact dates of the special, youth-only hunt will be decided later this year. Other recent Game Commission initiatives to promote youth hunting opportunities include: a youth spring gobbler season (initiated in 2004); a youth pheasant hunt (2002); a youth waterfowl hunt (1996); special antlerless deer harvesting opportunities (1998); and youth field days (early 1990s). Also, as part of the license fee increase approved in 1998, the General Assembly created a junior combination license that packages regular license privileges with archery, flintlock and furtaking opportunities for $9, compared to the regular junior license price of $6. HUNTERS REMINDED ABOUT PROCESS FOR SETTING WATERFOWL SEASONS While the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval for the 2005-2006 seasons and bag limits, there is one group of seasons that won't be considered until August: waterfowl and migratory bird seasons. On Aug. 5, the Game Commission and waterfowl hunting organizations will host a public briefing on the status of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal seasonal frameworks for the 2005-2006 hunting seasons. This year, the briefing will held at the Pyamtuning Wildlife Management Area in Crawford County. In addition to reviewing frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for upcoming waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, Game Commission staff, along with representatives of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and USFWS, will provide updates on current and planned research and management programs, as well as past hunting results. Based on public comments received and gathered at the meeting, Game Commission staff will prepare and present recommended composite waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the USFWS for final approval. All migratory bird hunting seasons and bag limits must conform to frameworks set by the USFWS. States select their hunting seasons within these established frameworks. By mid-August, once the final selections are made, the Game Commission will print and distribute brochures outlining the seasons and bag limits for waterfowl and migratory bird seasons to U.S. Post Offices, where hunters may purchase their mandatory federal duck stamp. The brochure also will be posted on the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) along with a news release announcing the agency's final selections by mid-August. Early Canada goose seasons and migratory bird seasons (doves, woodcock, rails, moorhens, gallinules and snipe) are announced via a news release in late July. ADOPTED 2005-2006 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 8-14 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day). SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Fall Season - Oct. 15-Nov. 26; Late Seasons - Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day). RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 15-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28 (2 daily, 4 possession). There is no open season for taking ruffed grouse in that portion of State Game Lands No. 176 in Centre County which is posted "RESEARCH AREA - NO GROUSE HUNTING." RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (4 daily, 8 possession). PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 8-14 (2 daily, 4 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D - Oct. 22-Nov. 26. Male and female in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B and 4D - Oct. 22- Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (2 daily, 4 in possession). BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 22-Nov. 26 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.) HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26-31 (1 daily, 2 possession). WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays, during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season. CROWS: July 1-Nov. 27 and Dec. 30-April 2, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit. STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season. No limit. WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A and 1B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 29-Nov. 12; WMU 2A and 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 29-Nov. 19; WMUs 2C, 2E, 4A, 4B, and 4D - Oct. 29-Nov. 12; WMUs 2D, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E - Oct. 29-Nov. 19; WMUs 5A and 5B - CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING; and WMUs 5C and 5D (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 29-Nov. 4. (1 bird limit, either sex). SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 29-May 27, 2006. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license - April 22, 2006. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during the license year. BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 21-23. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E): Nov. 28-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. BLACK BEAR (Rockview State Correctional Institution): Nov. 28-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. Prior approval must be obtained from prison to hunt. ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 7-12. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 18-23, 2006. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct.1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 26-Jan. 14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Nov. 28-Dec. 10. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. ANTLERLESS DEER (Statewide): Oct. 20-22. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 15-22. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 14. One antlered per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B): Dec. 26-Jan. 14. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 5C and 5D): Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. ADOPTED 2005-2006 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any deer or bear season, coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtakers license, and without wearing orange. During any archery deer season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or with a furtaker's license. During the regular firearms deer and any bear seasons, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or bear, or with a furtaker's license while wearing 250 square inches of fluorescent orange. During the spring gobbler season, may be taken by persons who have valid tag and meet fluorescent orange and shot size requirements. RACCOON & FOXES: Oct. 15-Feb. 18, unlimited. OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except for prior to noon during the spring gobbler season. No limits. BOBCAT (WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D): Oct. 15-Feb. 18. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.) ADOPTED 2005-2006 TRAPPING SEASONS MINK & MUSKRAT: Nov. 19-Jan. 7. Unlimited. COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS, WEASELS: Oct. 16-Feb. 18. No limit. BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26-March 31, 2006 (Limits vary depending on WMU). BOBCAT (WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D): Oct. 16-Feb. 18. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.) ADOPTED 2005-2006 FALCONRY SEASONS SQUIRRELS (combined), QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31. Daily and Field Possession limits vary. No open season on other wild birds or mammals. Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this summer. # # #
2004 - 2005
Hunting Digest
I get a lot of questions from sportsmen about the game and fishing laws. Trust me when I tell you I probably know less than you do. Many of the laws governing our favorite pastimes are excruciatingly detailed and can be confusing. However, we have the luxury of two very well organized fish and game organizations that will provide all the answers. Jerry Feaser is the public relations man at the Pennsylvania Game Commission. If you write a column about the outdoors for very long and don't get very familiar with the staff at the two state wildlife agencies, you're just not "gittin' it done." Feaser is not just a mouthpiece as some spokespeople tend to be. He's a sportsman. Feaser and Tom Grohol, Administrative Division Chief in Law Enforcement at PGC, helped answer some fairly complicated questions last week. A hunter asked last week if, while muzzleloader deer hunting, it was legal to travel from point A to point B, on private land, with a loaded smokepole in the gun holder of his ATV. "No," was the initial response from Grohol, but on further explanation he said it could be legal. Referring to the 2004-05 game digest, Grohol explained that if the powder or percussion cap are removed from the muzzleloader, it is legal to transport in this situation. He clarified that this does not mean this would be as safe as firing the weapon into the ground before transporting it. The digest reads, "primitive firearms are considered unloaded when all powder is removed from the flashpan, or the percussion has been removed from the nipple. For complete safety the muzzleloader should be fired into soft ground before being transported." Another hunter asked if he could participate in a muzzleloader hunt without a muzzleloader tag. He wanted to participate in a drive. The answer is no. "[The hunters] must have the appropriate tag for any season they are participating in. In this case the hunter must have a muzzleloader tag," Grohol said. He explained the same would be true whether the hunter was carrying a weapon or not. The hunter is legal if he has an archery tag because the two seasons overlapped this past week. The last question I fired at Feaser and Grohol was: is it legal to use a crossbow to harvest furbearers? The answer is no. Crossbows can be used statewide for bear and elk and for deer during any firearms deer season. In the special regulations areas crossbows can be used during any archery deer season as well. Crossbows are also legal during the two muzzleloader seasons with a muzzleloader stamp and appropriate doe tags. That's the first time I didn't refer to them as cross bolts. I feel dirty. The PGC is trying to move towards electronic licensing and reporting. It takes many legal maneuvers to get this done, but progress is being made. It costs the PGC $150,000 a year just to handle harvest cards. And the cost would be twice that if all hunters took the time to send them in. One way to get better, more accurate and revenue-saving data is on-line. Effective immediately, hunters with Deer Management Assistance Program antlerless deer permits can file their reports on-line. Just go to http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/ and click on DMAP in the quick clicks box. There is a bill in the state senate that will allow the PGC to accept all harvest report information on-line and through toll free numbers. When passed, H.B. 2326 will improve the efficiency of reports, boost the number of reports submitted simply because it will only require a phone call or two-minute click through and save a lot of much needed revenue. Revenue that can be put to much better use by being used for things like purchasing more state game lands. October 24, 2004 6:09 AMPENNSYLVANIA FURBEARER SEASONS UNDERWAY
HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania's furbearer hunting and trapping seasons, which began in mid-October, annually provide the best hope for relief to some residents bothered by nuisance furbearers such as raccoons, skunks, muskrats and coyotes.
"Trappers, predator callers and houndsmen all make significant and annual contributions to the management of the Commonwealth's furbearer populations," noted Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross. "Residents who think nuisance wildlife problems are bad now can't begin to imagine how bad they'd get if trappers and hunters weren't removing some of the surplus furbearers our state produces annually.
"Each year, the state's residential and agricultural communities reap important benefits from the work of trappers and furtaker hunters as they remove troublesome beavers from municipal watersheds, take out livestock-killing coyotes and reduce the population of the state's primary rabies carrier, the raccoon. It's a great help to those people who are looking for relief from the troubles caused by nuisance furbearers."
For the most part, Pennsylvania's furbearer populations continue to thrive and furs remain a marketable item in international trade, although the demand does change from one species to another, sometimes unpredictably.
"Pennsylvania's trapping effort is directly linked to pelt prices," noted Tom Hardisky, Game Commission furbearer biologist. "So it's fair to say that Pennsylvania's ability to manage furbearers is directly linked to fur prices. When there's reduced interest in the fur market, fur prices drop and trappers don't spend as much time afield.
"Fur is a renewable resource, one that has supplemented the income of many Pennsylvanians over the years. But because it isn't cheap to outfit yourself as a trapper, and it's a lot of hard work running a productive trapline, a good number of the state's furtakers cutback on the effort when the market's lean."
In 2003, Pennsylvania sold 22,454 furtaker licenses, which was the largest since 1998, when 25,998 were sold. The Commonwealth began selling combination licenses (provides hunting and trapping privileges) for juniors and seniors in 1999, which has caused much of the decline in the total number of furtaker licenses that are sold. Yet, since 1999, furtaker licenses have rebounded from 17,604, which proves that trapping and furtaker hunting remain popular and necessary.
The hunting season for raccoons and foxes runs from Oct. 16 to Feb. 19. Coyotes, skunks, opossums and weasels may be hunted from July 1 to June 30.
The general trapping season for coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks and weasels started Oct. 17 and runs to Feb. 19. The mink and muskrat season runs from Nov. 20 to Jan. 8.
Trappers are encouraged to consider waiting to start setting traps until the pelts of furbearers are fully prime - and more valuable.
"For most terrestrial furbearers in most areas of the state, pelt primeness generally begins to occur during the first week of November and early November is an excellent time to start trapping for raccoons, foxes and coyotes," Hardisky said.
In 2003, furtakers took about 105,000 raccoons (106,000 in 2002); muskrats, 71,500 (75,000); opossum, 34,000 (34,500); red fox, 31,500 (33,000); gray fox, 16,000 (18,500); mink, 6,500 (10,000); coyote, 11,500 (11,500); and skunks, 9,500 (7,000).
The most noticeable harvest decline from 2002 to 2003 was that of the mink, a 35 percent drop. Hardisky, however, doesn't believe the decline is cause for alarm.
"Recent harvests have been relatively stable," he said. "Trapping conditions last year may have influenced the harvest. We have seen nothing to suggest the mink population has declined, and we do expect the harvest to rebound this year."
On the muskrat front, Hardisky said the species remains stable, but also depressed in many areas because of deteriorating habitat conditions.
"Muskrats are fairly resilient as a species so long as they have adequate habitat," he said. "When they don't, their population correspondingly drops.
"Productive marshes, ponds, streams and rivers are needed to support viable muskrat populations. Few watercourses contain the nutrient load needed for highly-productive riparian areas and aquatic plant growth. Without sufficient food and cover, predators are more efficient and can limit muskrat populations."
Muskrat harvests in Pennsylvania have slowly dropped over the past two decades. In the early 1980s, trappers were taking half a million muskrats or more annually. The 2002 muskrat harvest pales in comparison.
"Other than water trappers, few Pennsylvanians really pay much attention to muskrats, so their steady and dramatic decline hasn't raised too many eyebrows," explained Hardisky. "But the species is undergoing hard times in the state, and its habitat is becoming more fragmented by development with each passing year."
Another aquatic furbearer species that isn't suffering from the ills of habitat loss and deterioration is the beaver. Like muskrats, beavers are rodents, but their habitat requirements and preferences are quite different. Over the past 20 years, beavers - reintroduced in the state in 1917 - have been expanding their range as muskrats declined. Their expansion has occurred mainly in the Susquehanna and Delaware river systems. Overall, their population has remained relatively stable.
"Trappers have done an excellent job managing Pennsylvania's beaver population, particularly over the past 10 years," Hardisky pointed out. "Left unchecked beavers have the propensity to cause problems for waterfront property owners by building dams that inundate backyards, driveways and roads, and by cutting down shade trees."
In 2003, trappers took 6,757 beavers. The 2002 harvest of 4,538 marked a drop of more than 50 percent from the 2001 harvest of 10,934. In 2000, trappers took 8,408.
"Weather conditions - deep snow and ice - can profoundly influence the state's beaver harvest by limiting trapper effort and access and consequently impacting their productivity. But the state's beaver trappers are a hardy and dedicated bunch and they generally don't throw in the towel without trying to set traps, even if they have to dig through two feet of snow and seven inches of ice."
Beaver trapping will open Dec. 26 and will continue until sunset March 31. Trappers are reminded that beaver bag limits for the upcoming season are set by Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). Consult page 86 of the 2004-2005 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest for WMU bag limits.
Beaver trappers also are advised that they no longer are required to have harvested beavers tagged by Game Commission personnel. The agency has terminated the tagging program because it no longer needs detailed harvest information to manage beaver and establish seasons and bag limits.
"We can make responsible management decisions with a less intensive data collection effort," Hardisky said. "We will rely primarily on the agency's Game-Take Survey to track beaver harvests, as we do all other furbearer species. If the status of beavers changes, we can always return to a more intensive data collection effort."
For the fifth consecutive year, Pennsylvania is holding bobcat hunting and trapping seasons. This year, the Game Commission awarded through a public electronic drawing 615 bobcat permits. The field of applicants totaled 4,262. Each permit holder may take one bobcat in either the bobcat hunting season - Oct. 16-Feb. 19 - or trapping season - Oct. 17-Feb. 19.
In 2003, 570 permits were issued and fur-takers took 140 bobcats. Harvest numbers by county were: Bradford, 22; Cameron, 4; Centre, 5; Clearfield, 8; Clinton, 9; Columbia, 2; Elk, 12; Forest, 4; Luzerne, 2; Lycoming, 15; McKean, 1; Monroe, 2; Pike, 1; Potter, 15; Sullivan, 15; Susquehanna, 1; Tioga, 12; Venango, 1; Wayne, 2; and Wyoming, 7.
Trappers are reminded that a furtaker license - or combination license - is required to trap in Pennsylvania. All traps must have an identification tag that provides the trappers name and address or a number issued by the agency. Body-gripping traps must be set within a watercourse or underwater. It is unlawful to set a trap with bait visible from the air, or to disturb the traps of another. Traps can't have a jaw-spread exceeding 6.5 inches. Traps must be visited by the owner at least once every 36 hours and each animal removed.
# # # Governor Rendell Convenes Task Force on Governor
Edward G. Rendell and members of his Task Force on the Pennsylvania Wilds today
outlined a new vision for encouraging growth in tourism and related businesses
throughout Northcentral The
task force meeting was the culmination of a two-day visit to the region by the
Governor and Judge Marjorie O. Rendell, the First Lady of the Commonwealth, and
members of the Administration. “Experiencing
this magnificent region -- with all its natural beauty, heritage and wildlife --
is an opportunity that should be not be missed,”
said Governor Rendell. “This trip reinforces my belief that we have something
very special in the Pennsylvania Wilds. Where else can you find
2
million acres of public lands -‑ teeming with wildlife and recreational
opportunities – that are virtually undiscovered?” The
Wilds includes all or portions of Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield Clinton, Elk, “Our
predecessors had the foresight to set aside these lands, protect them and
restore them, and now they present
a remarkable opportunity to improve our state’s economy through
nature tourism,” the governor said. “By properly developing a broad range of
recreational opportunities and enhancing existing fishing and hunting areas, the
Wilds can better serve all Pennsylvanians and more visitors to the state.” Governor
Rendell formed a Cabinet-level task force on the Pennsylvania Wilds in 2003 to
examine how the public lands in the Wilds can boost the region’s economy.
Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis is the lead
Cabinet official coordinating the work of the Task Force, which also includes
the PA Tourism Office, PennDOT, Department of Environmental Protection, Game
Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, area legislators and regional
organizations. The
Task Force’s goals are to encourage the growth of outdoor and heritage
tourism, promote the growth of private accommodations and service providers and
accelerate the implementation of the Elk
Watching and Nature Tourism Plan. This recently completed plan, which
focuses on the five counties that comprise the elk range, is a model for the
broader mission of the Task Force. The
membership of the task force originally focused on the counties of the elk range
but has been expanded to include the entire 12-county region.
The Governor today named six new members to the board: ·
Doug
Austen, executive director of the PA Fish and Boat Commission
. ·
Jerry Walls, Lycoming County Planning Director and
head of the County Planning Directors Association. Mark
Hamilton, Chairman of the ·
Ray
Werts, President, ·
Terri
Dennison, Director, Route 6 Association. ·
Jeff
Kochel, During
today’s meeting, members of the task force outlined an 18-month strategy for
the region that will assess outdoor recreation resources; the region’s lumber
industry heritage; opportunities for private concessions to support tourism;
public facilities and staffing needed to support the Pennsylvania Wilds; and
opportunities to stimulate purchase of Pennsylvania wood products and other
local goods and services through tourism. “Natural
resources are the basis of the region’s attraction, and it is our duty to
conserve and enhance them,” Governor Rendell said. “Cleaning up acid mine
drainage in the West Branch of the Susquehanna will be a priority. So will
infrastructure improvements to our parks and forests. “We
will work with local communities to identify projects that will serve the
visitor. We’ll help you capitalize on the lumber heritage of this region. But
most of all, we will work together on a strategy that sustains and creates jobs
that support this expanding nature tourism industry.” The
Commonwealth already has completed a few projects to facilitate visitor
navigation through the region such as signing the For
more information on the Pennsylvania Wilds, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us
and select PA Wilds under “Hot Topics.” For |
PA
HUNTING REPORTS & NEWS
