Wednesday, January 29, 2014

2014-15 PA Hunting/Trapping Seasons Receive Preliminary Approval

Many seasons will start later in coming license year.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2014-15 license year.
Hunters and trappers – particularly those setting vacations for this fall and winter – are advised that, once again, several seasons in the 2014-15 license year will open or run about a week later than they do in many years to accommodate calendar swings related to the timing of Thanksgiving.
Other modifications proposed for the 2014-15 seasons include: changes to fall turkey seasons in several Wildlife Management Units; new extended bear hunting opportunities in WMUs 2C and 4B; an expansion of the fisher trapping season to WMUs 1B, 3B and 3C; and increased possession limits for small game.
The public may offer comments on all proposed 2014-15 seasons and bag limits, as well as other board actions, between now and the board’s next meeting, April 7 and 8, at which time the board is scheduled to finalize seasons and bag limits for 2014-15.
Also, the board will receive staff recommendations for antlerless deer license allocations for the 23 WMUs at its April meeting. Deer harvest estimates for the 2013-14 seasons will be available in mid-March.
Following are several articles on meeting highlights.

SPLIT FIREARMS DEER SEASONS UP FOR APRIL APPROVAL

The Board of Game Commissioners adopted a slate of deer seasons for 2014-15 that retains the split, five-day antlered deer season (Dec. 1-5) and seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 6-13) in 12 Wildlife Management Units. The list includes (WMUs) 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. The package also retains the two-week (Dec. 1-13) concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer season in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.
Hunters with Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) antlerless deer permits may use the permits on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Dec. 1-13 in WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. Fees for DMAP permits are $10.70 for residents and $35.70 for nonresidents.
DMAP permits also may be transferred to Mentored Hunting Program participants.
The board retained antler restrictions in place for adult and senior license holders since the 2011-12 seasons. It remains the “three-up” on one side, not 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. Those exempt from these antler restrictions are junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty military on leave.

BOARD PROPOSES EXPANDED BEAR SEASONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today proposed opening up extended bear hunting opportunities to two additional WMUs in 2014.
WMUs 2C and 4B each would be open to bear hunting for four days in deer season, beginning the first Wednesday of the 2014 statewide general deer season Dec. 3.
Game Commission staff had recommended the additions based on increases in the bear populations within those WMUs.
WMU 2C has had a slightly increasing bear population trend. Highway mortalities of bears have been slowly increasing in the area, and there’s been a noticeable increase in human-bear conflicts there.
WMU 4B also has had an increasing trend of human-bear conflicts, and several incidents in recent years involving home entry or injury to pets and people. Highway mortality of bears also has increased there, as has the bear harvest, which has increased by about 20 percent annually since 2003. 
The Board retained expanded bear seasons in the state’s most urban Wildlife Management Units – WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D – and will continue to allow the harvest of black bears with a bear license during all deer seasons from September through early December in these WMUs.
The extended bear season dates for 2014 are:
- Sept. 20-Nov. 15 in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, for archery only;
- Oct. 4-Nov. 15 in WMU 5B, for archery only;
- Oct. 18-25 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, for muzzleloaders only;
- Oct. 23-25 and Dec. 1-13 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D, using any legal sporting arm for juniors and seniors, disabled person permit holders to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty in armed services.
The statewide five-day archery bear season opens Nov. 17 and runs through Nov. 21. The four-day statewide bear season is slated to open on Saturday, Nov. 22, and then continues on Monday and runs through Wednesday, Nov. 24-26.
Extended bear seasons have been proposed as follows:
- Dec. 3-6 in WMUs 2C, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E; and
- Dec. 1-6 in WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D.
- Dec. 1-13 in WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D.

FALL TURKEY SEASONS CHANGES MOVED FORWARD

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to fall turkey seasons for 2014 and spring gobbler dates for 2015.
Decreasing populations in WMUs 3A, 3B and 3C prompted the preliminary adoption of a two-week fall turkey season in those WMUs. Previously, there had been a three-week season there.
The three-day Thanksgiving season segment would continue in WMUs 3A, 3B and 3C despite the one-week decrease in the earlier segment.
Also, 2014 marks the final year of the hen harvest rate and survival rate study. So those WMUs in the study area will continue with the season lengths implemented last year.
And the board also proposed retaining a three-day fall turkey season in WMU 5A, but shifting it from midweek to a Thursday-through-Saturday framework.
The fall season dates for 2014: WMU 1B, Nov. 1-8 and Nov. 27-29; WMU 2B (shotgun and bow only), Nov. 1-21, and Nov. 27-29; WMUs 1A, 2A, 2D, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B and 3C, Nov. 1-15, and Nov. 27-29; WMUs 2C, 2E, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E, Nov. 1-21, and Nov. 27-29; and WMU 5A, Nov. 6-8. WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D will remain closed for the fall seasons.
For the 2015 spring gobbler season, which is proposed to run from May 2-30, the board continued the change in legal hunting hours to reflect the following: from May 2-16, legal shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise until noon timeframe; and from May 18-30, hunters may hunt all day, from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.
The board proposed holding the one-day Spring Gobbler Youth Hunt on April 25, 2015, which will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon. All junior license holders and Mentored Youth Hunting Program permit holders can participate in this special one-day hunt, as well as the other spring season dates.

PROPOSED 2014-15 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct. 11-17 (6 daily, 18 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 18-Nov. 29; Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 21 (6 daily, 18 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 18–Nov. 29, Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24 (2 daily, 6 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 11-18 (4 daily, 12 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 25-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 21 (4 daily, 12 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 11-18 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – – Oct. 25-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 21 (2 daily, 6 in possession). There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 25-Nov. 29 (4 daily, 12 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26–Jan. 1, in all WMUs except WMUs 3B, 3C and 3D, where season will run from Dec. 26-29 (1 daily, 3 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except on Sundays and during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.

PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31, except during overlap with the regular firearms deer season. Daily limit of three, season limit of 10.

CROWS: July 4-April 5, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMU 1B – Nov. 1-8 and Nov. 27-29; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Nov. 1-21 and Nov. 27-29; WMUs 1A, 2A, 2D, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B and 3C – Nov. 1-15 and Nov. 27-29; WMUs 2C, 2E, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E – Nov. 1-21 and Nov. 27-29; WMU 5A – Nov. 6-8; WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 25, 2015. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): May 2-30, 2015. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From May 2-16, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 18-30, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Archery: Nov. 17-21. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 22-26. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2C, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 3-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 1-13. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D): Dec. 1-6. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 20-Nov. 15. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMU 5B) archery: Oct. 4-Nov. 15. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) muzzleloader: Oct. 18-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) special firearms: Oct. 23-25, for junior and senior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty military.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 3-8. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 10-15. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven’t harvested an elk by Nov. 8, in designated areas.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 20-Oct. 3, and Nov. 17-29. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Jan. 12-24. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 4-Nov. 15 and Dec. 26-Jan. 10. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Dec. 1-13. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 1-5. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period.)

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 6-13. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 23-25. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in
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. 18-25. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 10. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 24. One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS EXTENDED REGULAR FIREARMS: (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties): Dec. 26-Jan. 24. 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.


PROPOSED 2014-15 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange. During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtaker license.

RACCOONS and FOXES: Oct. 25–Feb. 21, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays. No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 20-Feb. 10. One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.


PROPOSED 2014-15 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINKS and MUSKRATS: Nov. 22–Jan. 11. Unlimited.

COYOTES, FOXES, OPOSSUMS, RACCOONS, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 26–Feb. 22. No limit.

COYOTES and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 22. No limit. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.

BEAVERS (Statewide): Dec. 26–March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).

BOBCATS (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 20-Jan. 11.
One bobcat per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

FISHERS (WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4D and 4E): Dec. 20-25. One fisher per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.


PROPOSED 2014-15 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS,

SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARES, RINGNECK PHEASANTS (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31. Daily and Field Possession limits vary. (Migratory game bird seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in accordance with federal regulations in August.)

No open season on other wild birds or mammals.

Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons to be established in accordance with federal regulations this summer.

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Bull Creek To Host Advanced Turkey Hunting Class

On April 5th 2014 from 8 AM to 5 PM Bull Creek Rod and Gun Club will host a PA Game Commission sanctioned advanced turkey hunting course. You MUST register in advance online.  To register, click hereOnly 20 seats are available first come first served so don't wait!

Whether you are new to tur­key hunting and want to gain many seasons’ worth of knowledge and skills in one day or an experienced tur­key hunter wanting to learn new skills and concepts to help you increase your chances of success in the turkey woods, this course is your ticket. Successful Turkey Hunting will make sure you really enjoy your next turkey hunting experience.

Even before you attend a class, you’ll discover a lot about the wild tur­key and turkey hunting by reviewing the online student guide. A printed copy is yours to keep at the end of the course and can be mailed ahead of time if you prefer it to the online guide. During the day in the “classroom,” you’ll learn orienteering skills to help you navigate the back country in search of wary birds; scouting methods and hunting techniques, including the effective use of decoys; shot selection methods to increase your success rate, enhance your hunting experience, and keep you safe; proven distance estimation techniques to fine tune both your eye and your shotgun to consistently bag more birds; and calling techniques using most of the popular call types available today. You may even bring your own turkey gun (12- or 20-gauge) to class to learn how to maximize its effectiveness by practicing on the range. Ammunition is provided, and if you don’t have a shotgun, one will be available for you to use.

Successful Turkey Hunting is a new voluntary, advanced, one-day hunter education training program. Prior to attending, you should complete the independent study part of this program online or by using a printed copy of the student guide. The independent study part of the training should take about six to eight hours. To receive a training certificate recognized by other states (Delaware requires one to hunt turkeys) or provinces, you must pass an open-book, written exam at the conclusion of this class.

The course fee of $15 includes a diaphragm call that is yours to take home as well as the ammo and targets used during the class. A printed copy of the 144-page Successful Turkey Hunting Student Manual includes information on turkey biology and behav­ior, scouting, sporting implements, safety, hunting techniques, field care and recipes, and is yours to keep!

This advanced hunter education oppor­tunity fulfills an objective of the agency’s Strategic Plan to provide advanced train­ing courses. The National Wild Turkey Federation assisted in the development of this course by providing training DVD’s, many conceptual ideas and much of the content for the student manual. Funding to support it comes from the Federal As­sistance Program


ABOUT THE PROGRAM

Overview

Do you want to learn how to be a successful turkey hunter, both spring and fall? Then this advanced training class is for you! Our Successful Turkey Hunting program will give you the skills and knowledge you need to really enjoy your next turkey-hunting experience. Even before you attend a class, you’ll discover a lot about the wild turkey and turkey hunting by reviewing our online student guide. A printed copy is yours to keep at the end of the course!

Details

In our classroom, we’ll teach you the orienteering skills needed to navigate the back country in search of wary birds, plus shot selection methods to increase your success rate, enhance your hunting experience, and keep you safe. Next, you’ll learn both basic and advanced calling techniques using most of the popular call types available today. We’ll even give you a turkey call to take home after the class!
Moving outside, you’ll learn scouting methods and hunting techniques, including the effective use of decoys. Then we’ll show you how to fine-tune both your eye and your shotgun to consistently bag more birds.
Bring your 12-gauge or 20-gauge shotgun to the class! On our range, we’ll show you how to maximize its effectiveness. No ammunition is required – we’ll provide it. If you don’t have a shotgun, we’ve got one for you.

More Information

IMPORTANT: This is a voluntary, advanced, one-day hunter education training program. To receive a training certificate recognized by other states or provinces, you must pass an open-book, written exam at the conclusion of this class.
Prior to attending, you should complete the independent study part of this program by clicking on the link below. If you don’t want to study online, please telephone the PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015 (M-F from 8:00am to 4:00pm) to request a printed version of our Successful Turkey Hunting! Student Manual. The independent-study part of the training will take about 6 to 8 hours to complete.

Link to Student Manual

Massive New Great American Outdoor Show Debuts

In the year since one of America's biggest outdoors shows shot itself in the foot, the National Rifle Association has retooled the event, attempting to recast its public image as a family-oriented advocate of the outdoors lifestyle.

The new NRA-sponsored Great American Outdoor Show debuts Feb. 1-9 in Harrisburg at the site of the former Eastern Sports and Outdoors Show.

Last January, weeks after the Newtown, Conn., shooting tragedy, the 65-year-old expo's British owners announced a ban on the sale of semi-automatic rifles. In an internationally publicized demonstration of pro-gun solidarity, hundreds of vendors boycotted the event including non-firearms firms such as Bass Pro Shops, ThermaCell and the Pennsylvania Independent Oil and Gas Association. The vendor boycott killed the expo, costing the Harrisburg business community some $80 million and many jobs.

The NRA is promoting the new expo as the world's biggest outdoors show with more family activities, country music concerts and, of course, more guns including the high-performance modern sporting rifles that had been at the center of the controversy.

Jeremy Greene, NRA director of general operations, said reviving the expo was good business.
"We had been a participant in that show in Harrisburg for over 35 years ... [and have] 900,000 members within 300 miles of Harrisburg," he said. "The media pick up on our Second Amendment stand, but in addition we advocate for firearm safety, marksmanship and education training. The NRA has always been very much in tune with the outdoors industry in general. This isn't a gun show, it's about the lifestyle."

Seminars and celebrity speakers will focus on fishing, hunting, cooking and other outdoor lifestyle activities -- not firearm advocacy. But there will be guns -- an entire "shooting sports hall" filled with them. Buyers, however, can't just walk out with a new toy. They'll be processed through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System. The exchange will not take place at the venue. Approved buyers can pick up their guns at a federally licensed firearm dealer located near their homes.

Saturday, January 25, 2014

BIG PA BEARS, BIG PA HARVEST

Fifty-eight bears topping 500 pounds part of fifth-largest harvest in Pennsylvania history.


          Pennsylvania hunters harvested a total of 3,510 bears in 2013, the fifth-highest tally in state history, the Pennsylvania Game Commission reported today.
          The final total continues a trend of recent bear seasons taking their place in the record books. With harvest totals for 2013 now official, three of the five highest harvests have occurred in the past three years.
          The all-time high was recorded in 2011, when 4,350 bears were harvested. In 2012, Pennsylvania hunters harvested 3,632 bears – the third-largest harvest in state history.
          What might place 2013 in a class of its own is the number of large bears taken. Hunters in 2013 harvested 58 bears that weighed 500 pounds or more, and nine of those bears weighed 600 pounds or more.
          While 2012 saw a higher number of bears harvested statewide compared to 2013, fewer large bears were taken. Forty-five of the bears in the 2012 harvest weighed 500 pounds or more, with five of them weighing 600 pounds or more.
          “Seeing large bears in the harvest speaks well to the health of our bear population, but it also shows the opportunity that exists to harvest a truly, trophy-sized animal,” said Mark Ternent, the Game Commission’s bear biologist.
          The harvest’s heaviest bear, taken in Lackawanna County on Nov. 25 by Daniel J. Beavers, of Covington Township, Lackawanna County, weighed an estimated 772 pounds.
          The second- and third-heaviest bears of 2013 were taken later in the season. Nicholas Corridoni, of Duryea, turned the extended bear season in Luzerne County into a successful one by taking a bear estimated at 656 pounds during a Dec. 5 hunt in Pittston Township. And Derek A. Long, of Yukon, harvested a bear estimated at 640 pounds during the final day of the general season while hunting in Covington Township, Clearfield County.
          One bear on the 2013 top 10 list – a male with an actual live weight of 598 pounds – was taken in the statewide bear archery season. Randall E. Tressler, of McVeytown, took the bear Nov. 20 with a crossbow in Wayne Township, Mifflin County.
          Overall, 197 bears were taken during the statewide archery season in 2013.
          The remaining bears on the top 10 list all were taken in the four-day general season, which had a total harvest of 2,521 bears. They include: an estimated 632-pounder taken Nov. 23 in East Providence Township, Bedford County, by Michael L. Truax, of Everett; an estimated 628-pound bear taken Nov. 27 in Texas Township, Wayne County, by Matthew F. Doherty, of Honesdale; an estimated 627-pound bear taken Nov. 23 in Bloss Township, Tioga County, by Wayne A. Gehers, of Mohnton; an estimated 616-pounder taken Nov. 23 in Union Township, Tioga County, by Bradley S. Rohrer, of Lancaster; an estimated 601-pound bear taken Nov. 25 in Shrewsbury Township, Sullivan County, by Jeffrey C. Kratz, of Collegeville; and an estimated 597-pound bear taken Nov. 23 in Greene Township, Pike County, by Jenna L. Schoenagel, of Greentown.
          Extended bear seasons played a significant role in the overall harvest in 2013. Statewide, 780 bears were taken during extended seasons, which are open in select wildlife-management units. The total represents an increase compared to the 672 bears harvested during extended seasons in 2012.
          Tioga County claimed the highest harvest in extended seasons, with 100 bears taken after the close of the general statewide bear season. Other top counties, and their harvest totals during the extended seasons, were: Wayne, 66; Bradford, 65; Pike, 60; and Potter, 54.
          Bears were harvested in 53 of the state’s 67 counties. And unlike many years, when the top counties for bear harvests come exclusively from the Northeast and Northcentral regions, the Northwest Region also is represented on the top five counties list in 2013. Meanwhile, one of the usual leaders, Clinton County, dropped from the list. Among counties leading the bear harvest were: Tioga, 286 (227 in 2012); Lycoming, 234 (341); Potter, 196 (179); Pike, 150 (108); and Warren, 148 (94).
          Ternent said changes in the top five counties list this year have their explanations. Acorns are a highly sought-after food by bears in the fall. And in years like 2013 when acorns are scarce, northcentral counties like Clinton, which are made up mostly of oak forest, tend to see harvest decline. Meanwhile, counties farther north, like Tioga and Potter, increase their harvests because beech and cherry are more common.
          A shifting of the harvest is not permanent though, Ternent said, and hunting prospects in Clinton County should be exceptional next year.
          Likewise, Ternent said, the gains seen in places like Warren County reflect expansion of the state’s bear population into an area that once was considered on the fringe of the statewide range. The expansion has been followed by growth in the region’s bear population, and correspondingly, increasing harvests, he said.
          Final county harvests by region (with 2012 figures in parentheses) are:

Northwest (466): Warren, 148 (94); Jefferson, 70 (51); Venango, 70 (62); Clarion, 59 (77); Forest, 50 (56); Crawford, 36 (6); Butler, 24 (11); Erie, 6 (7); and Mercer, 3 (1).
Southwest (335): Somerset, 106 (94); Fayette, 67 (79); Indiana, 49 (24); Armstrong, 43 (35); Westmoreland, 41 (37); Cambria, 26 (11); and Allegheny, 3 (4).
Northcentral (1,430): Tioga, 286 (227); Lycoming, 234 (341); Potter 196 (179); Clinton, 133 (265); Clearfield, 125 (102); Cameron, 108 (67); McKean, 108 (134); Elk, 103 (76); Centre, 96 (143); and Union, 41 (82).
Southcentral (273): Huntingdon, 67 (125); Bedford, 55 (86); Mifflin, 31 (62); Blair, 29 (50); Juniata, 28 (37); Fulton, 19 (25); Snyder, 18 (14); Perry, 16 (32); Franklin, 9 (14); Cumberland, 1(2); and Adams, 0 (2).
Northeast (919): Pike, 150 (108); Wayne, 127 (73); Sullivan, 105 (60); Luzerne, 98 (100); Bradford, 96 (86); Monroe, 79 (102); Wyoming, 66 (57); Carbon, 57 (67); Susquehanna, 55 (41); Lackawanna, 48 (37); Columbia, 24 (36); Northumberland, 14 (26); and Montour, 0 (3).
            Southeast (87): Schuylkill, 35 (39); Dauphin, 23 (48); Northampton, 18 (21); Lebanon, 7 (4);
Berks, 4 (7); and Lehigh 0 (3).
The final bear harvests by Wildlife Management Unit (with final 2012 figures in parentheses) were: WMU 1A, 16 (4); WMU 1B, 94 (38); WMU 2B, 4 (6); WMU 2C, 247 (268); WMU 2D, 171 (162); WMU 2E, 93 (50); WMU 2F, 309 (285); WMU 2G, 575 (829); WMU 2H, 87 (0); WMU 3A, 362 (342); WMU 3B, 364 (279); WMU 3C, 195 (146); WMU 3D, 393 (305); WMU 4A, 80 (139); WMU 4B, 67 (84); WMU 4C, 93 (163); WMU 4D, 275 (403); WMU 4E, 68 (110); WMU 5A, 0 (1); WMU 5B, 1 (2); and WMU 5C, 16 (16).
          Numbers at the WMU level might be a bit misleading because of the creation of WMU 2H, which previously was part of WMU 2G.
          In any case, Pennsylvania’s 2013 bear harvest ranks as one of the largest on record.
          “The totals provide further proof that there’s never been a better time to hunt bears in Pennsylvania,” Ternent said.

          Other recent bear harvests include: 3,090 in 2010; 3,512 in 2009; 3,458 in 2008; 2,360 in 2007; 3,124 in 2006; 4,162 in 2005; 2,976 in 2004; 3,004 in 2003; 2,686 in 2002; 3,063 in 2001; 3,075 in 2000; and 1,741 in 1999.

Thursday, January 23, 2014

PA Hunter/Trapper Education Class In March 2014 At Bull Creek Now Registering - Seats Are Limited

Our Next course will be Offered on Saturday March 22nd 2014 from 8AM to 4:30 PM. You may register for the March class here.

HUNTER-TRAPPER EDUCATION CLASSES

Sanctioned By
PA Game Commission

All Hunter Education classes MUST be registered for online 
Click Here To Register for March 2014 basic class



These Classes are FREE, but you must pre-register. Space is limitedPlease register early!

Bull Creek Rod and Gun Club's Hunter-Trapper Education classes are held twice a year, in early spring and mid summer. Our last class was held in July, 2013. Classes are taught by 4 or 5 certified instructors who are both Bull Creek club members and trained by the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Plus, volunteers from the club and community assist the instructors with presentations offered in:
  • History of Hunter-Trapper Education in Pa.
  • Knowledge of sporting arms, ammunition, and traps.
  • Safe handling of sporting arms and trapping equipment
  • Wildlife Conservation and Management
  • Wildlife Identification
  • Hunting and trapping laws
  • Hunter-Trapper/Landowner relations and ethics
  • Safe Clothing
  • Outdoor Safety (Emergency first aid and survival)
  • Field care of game
  • Game Law presentation by Game Commission Officers
  • Range Instruction
  • Walk through shoot/don't shoot course
  • Archery Demonstration
  • Tree Stand Demonstration
STUDENT EXAM FOLLOWS COURSE
Eligibility: Student must be 11 years of age or higher to register and receive a training certificate. You MUST have completed this mandatory training and have reached at least 12 years of age to hunt in Pennsylvania.

Call 1-800-243-8519 to reach the Southwest Region Office in Ligonier, PA, for other
class schedules near you.
THESE COURSES ARE FREE!

Read a testimonial:

Sunday, January 19, 2014

Newly Rebuilt Trap Range Now Open At Bull Creek!

On January 19th, 2014, Bull Creek inaugurated our new re-developed trap shooting range.  This is the biggest capital improvement project in club history.

We have gone from two 35+ year old trap ranges to three all new trap houses allowing us the flexibility of holding larger events for the club. This is the culmination of more than a year of planning and approvals by the Board of Directors.

The following are pictures taken during the first official shoot during the 2014 Winter Trap League:

Former Club President Craig Johnson (center) with sons
Adam (left) and Stephen


Membership Chairman Bill Motosicky (left) and club member Tim Cochran



Board member and former club president Bill Shaginaw workin' the kitchen

Club President Kevin Hamilton (right) with Vice President Bill Davis (center)
and junior member Hunter Denio


Club member Gayle Calendar keeping score

Bill Motosicky (left) and Tom Fawcett

Bill Motosicky (left) and Hunter Denio




Bill Shaginaw keeping an eye on the kitchen!
Club member Tony Dan, Kitchen Bitch

Signing up to shoot is Craig Johnson