PRELIMINARY 2021-22 PA HUNTING/TRAPPING SEASONS APPROVED

 HARRISBURG, PA - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave
preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for the 2021-22 license year.

Modifications proposed for the 2021-22 seasons include:

A statewide, 14-day concurrent antlered and antlerless firearms season, which was proposed to simplify regulations and provide increased opportunity, especially for younger hunters.

Expanded Sunday hunting opportunity – The hunting Sundays during the archery deer and firearms bear seasons also would be open for other species (except migratory game birds and wild turkey) with seasons encompassing those dates. These expansions of Sunday opportunity are the only changes preliminarily proposed for small game and furbearer seasons.

The closure of the fall turkey season in WMU 5A and reductions in season length for 14 other WMUs due to declining population trends. The recommendations are in accordance with Wild Turkey Management Plan guidelines to increase hen survival.

The extended (post-Christmas) antlerless firearms season that traditionally has been held in certain counties in southeastern and southwestern Pennsylvania is proposed to be held in all of WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, given that antlerless harvests are evenly distributed throughout these WMUs regardless of firearms restrictions.

The antlerless designation is proposed to be removed from the late elk season to provide the Game Commission the flexibility to issue antlered elk licenses for this season, if and when appropriate. Specific license allocations for all elk seasons will be set in April.

The public may offer comments on all proposed 2021-22 seasons and bag limits, as well as other board actions, between now and the board’s next quarterly meeting, when 2021-22 seasons and bag limits will be finalized, and antlerless deer license allocations will be determined.

The board’s next quarterly meeting is scheduled to be held April 16 and 17 at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters.

Following are several articles on meeting highlights.

 STATEWIDE CONCURRENT FIREARMS DEER SEASONS UP FOR APPROVAL

The Board of Game Commissioners preliminarily approved a slate of deer seasons for the 2021-22 license year that would allow concurrent hunting for antlered and antlerless deer statewide through the duration of the firearms deer season.

The season is proposed to open on Saturday, Nov. 27. Deer hunting also would be allowed on Sunday, Nov. 28. This would be the only Sunday during firearms deer season when deer hunting is permitted. The season would close on Saturday, Dec. 11.

The board retained the antler restrictions that have been 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 mentored youth hunters, junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active-duty military on leave.

A change to a concurrent season is not intended to increase the antlerless harvest, as the antlerless allocation is the primary tool for managing deer populations. If the proposal for concurrent seasons is approved by the board at the April meeting, the antlerless license allocation will be reduced accordingly to reflect the additional seven days of hunting opportunities. The antlerless allocation is based on the estimated number of tags required for hunters to harvest the number of deer necessary to meet the population objectives within a WMU. If the season is extended an additional five days, fewer tags will be required to meet the population objectives than would have been required in a shorter season.

All preliminarily approved seasons and bag limits will be brought back to the April meeting for a final vote.

 FALL TURKEY SEASON CHANGES MOVE FORWARD

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to fall turkey seasons for 2021 and spring gobbler dates for 2022.

All recommendations on fall-turkey season length are made in accordance with guidelines in the Game Commission’s Wild Turkey Management Plan. The board also gave preliminary approval to a measure that would eliminate the use of centerfire and rimfire rifles for fall-turkey hunting. That proposal, which could be adopted in April and placed in effect for the 2021-22 license year, is detailed in a separate news release.

Regarding season length, the commissioners today preliminarily approved closing the fall-turkey season in WMU 5A and reducing season length in 14 WMUs, all due to declining turkey populations. If rifle use is eliminated, it is estimated that the fall harvest could decrease up to approximately 20 percent statewide, thereby giving the Game Commission another tool to address declining turkey populations without further reducing season lengths.

With final approval at the board’s next quarterly meeting, the fall season in WMUs 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E would be one week (Oct. 30-Nov. 6).

In WMU 2B, the season would run Oct. 30-Nov. 19 and a Thanksgiving season Nov. 24-26.

In WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C, the season would be Oct. 30-Nov. 13.

In WMUs 2C, 2D and 2E, the season would be Oct. 30-Nov. 13 and Nov. 24-26.

In WMU 5B, the season would be from Nov. 2-4.

And in WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D, the season would be closed for the fall seasons. WMU 5A has been open to fall turkey hunting in a limited season in previous years.

For the 2022 spring gobbler season, which is proposed to run from April 30-May 31, the board continued with legal hunting hours to reflect the following: from April 30-May 14, legal shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise until noon; and from May 16-31, 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 23, 2022, which will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon. All junior license holders and mentored hunters 16 and under can participate in this special half-day hunt, as well as the other spring season dates.

 PROPOSED 2021-22 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Sept. 11-25 (6 daily, 18 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Sept. 11-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21; Nov. 22-26; Dec. 13-24; and Dec. 27-Feb. 28, 2022 (6 daily, 18 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 16-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21; Nov. 22-26 and Dec. 13-24 (2 daily, 6 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 2-Oct. 16 (4 daily, 12 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 16-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21; Nov. 22-26; Dec. 13-24 and Dec. 27-Feb. 28, 2022 (4 daily, 12 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 9-16 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except within the Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area, as authorized by executive order.

PHEASANT: Oct. 23-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21; Nov. 22-26, Dec. 13-24 and Dec. 27-Feb. 28, 2022 (2 daily, 6 in possession). Male and female pheasants may be taken in all WMUs. There is no open season for taking pheasants in Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas, except within the Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area, as authorized by executive order.

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 23-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21, Nov. 22-26, Dec. 13-24 and Dec. 27-Feb. 28, 2022 (8 daily, 24 possession).

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 27-Jan. 1, 2022 in all WMUs (1 daily, 3 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): July 1-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21; Nov. 22-26 and Dec. 13-June 30, 2022. No limit.

CROWS: July 2-April 10, 2022, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the regular firearms deer season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMU 2B– Oct. 30-Nov. 19 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 1A, 1B, 4A, 4B, 4D and 4E – Oct. 30-Nov. 6; WMUs 2A, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D and 4C – Oct. 30-Nov. 13; WMUs 2C, 2D and 2E – Oct. 30-Nov. 13 and Nov. 24-26; WMU 5B – Nov. 2-4; WMUs 5A, 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored hunters 16 and under – April 23, 2022. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt. Hunting hours end at noon.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 30-May 31, 2022. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From April 30-May 14, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 16-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Sept. 18-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21 and Nov. 22-26. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMU 5B): Oct. 2-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; and Nov. 15-19. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR, ARCHERY (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Oct. 16-Nov. 6.

BLACK BEAR, MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 16-23. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR, SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide): Oct. 21-23, 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. 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. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 20; Sunday, Nov. 21; and Nov. 22-23. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E and 5A): Nov. 29-Dec. 4. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 29-Dec. 11. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

ELK, ARCHERY: Sept. 11-25.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 1-6. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

ELK, LATE: Jan. 1-8, 2022

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 18-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20, Sunday, Nov. 21; Nov. 22-26 and Dec. 27-Jan. 29, 2022. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license. One antlered deer per hunting license year.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 2-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-19; and Dec. 27-Jan. 17, 2022. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 16-23. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS SPECIAL FIREARMS (Statewide): Oct. 21-23. Junior and Senior License Holders, Mentored Youth Permit 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, REGULAR FIREARMS (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Nov. 27; Sunday, Nov. 28; and Nov. 29-Dec. 11. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 27-Jan. 17, 2022. 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 and 5D): Dec. 27-Jan. 29, 2022. 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: (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 27-Jan. 29, 2022. 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 2021-22 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.

FOXES: Oct. 23-Feb. 19, 2022; Unlimited. Sunday hunting permitted.

RACCOONS: Oct. 23-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21; Nov. 22-26; and Dec. 13-Feb. 19, 2022.

OPOSSUM, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except during the firearms deer season. No Sunday hunting with the exceptions of Nov. 14 and Nov. 21. No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 8-Feb. 2, 2022. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.

PORCUPINES: Oct. 9-Nov. 13; Sunday, Nov. 14; Nov. 15-20; Sunday, Nov. 21; and Nov. 22-Jan. 29, 2022. (3 daily, season limit of 10).

PROPOSED 2021-22 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINKS and MUSKRATS: Nov. 20-Jan. 9, 2022. Unlimited.

COYOTES, FOXES, OPOSSUMS, RACCOONS, STRIPED SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 23-Feb. 20, 2022. No limit.

COYOTES and FOXES, CABLE RESTRAINTS (Statewide): Dec. 26-Feb. 20, 2022. No limit. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.

BEAVERS (Statewide): Dec. 18-March 31, 2022 (Limits vary depending on WMU).

BOBCATS (WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 18-Jan. 9, 2022. One bobcat per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.

FISHERS (WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 18-Jan. 2, 2022. One fisher per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.

RIVER OTTERS (WMUs 1A, 1B, 2F, 3C and 3D): Feb. 12-19, 2022. One river otter per license year. Licensed furtakers may obtain one permit each.

PROPOSED 2021-22 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined): Sept. 1-March 31, 2022 (6 daily, 18 possession).

BOBWHITE QUAIL Sept. 1-March 31, 2022 (8 daily, 24 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE Sept. 1-March 31, 2022 (2 daily, 6 possession).

COTTONTAIL RABBITS Sept. 1-March 31, 2022 (4 daily, 12 possession).

SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARES Sept. 1-March 31, 2022 (1 daily, 3 possession).

RINGNECK PHEASANTS (Male or Female combined) Sept. 1-March 31, 2022 (2 daily, 6 possession).

No open season during the regular firearms deer season.

No hunting on Sundays with the exceptions of Nov. 14 and Nov. 21.

No open season on other wild birds or mammals.

Good Luck Hunters! Be Safe And Make Good Choices!

 

20th Anniversary Youth Pheasant Hunt A Big Success!

 Amazing day on the 17th helping 24 kids age 12 to 16 take part in Bull Creek Rod and Gun Club's 20th anniversary PA state sanctioned Youth Pheasant Hunt!! Lilly and Brier (Llewellin Setters) were stars of the day. Teaching kids how to safely hunt birds over dogs.

Indian Summer Trap League Starts July 28th

New trap shooting league starts a week from Tuesday.  Open to the public.  You do not need to be a member of Bull Creek to shoot! 

‘WILDLIFE ON WIFI’ BRINGS OUTDOORS HOME

HARRISBURG, PA - While school buildings won’t reopen before the academic year ends, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is bringing wildlife education straight to students’ homes through a remote-learning campaign known as Wildlife on WiFi.

The campaign launched during National Environmental Education Week in late April and will continue through the end of the school year.

Wildlife on WiFi (WoW) provides parents, educators and students with wildlife-focused educational resources during these challenging times. It is comprised of three remote-learning resources:

• The Wildlife on WiFi remote learning hub offers dozens of home-based wildlife lessons and activities, nature-themed storybook readings, conservation-science videos, and livestream wildlife webcams. Through the end of Pennsylvania’s academic school year, the hub is updated each week with new activities.
• Regular social media-based activities and learning opportunities on the Game Commission’s Facebook pageOpens In A New Window. These include regular “Wildlife Challenges” to engage the online community with fun, educational content.
• Live virtual events and guest lessons from Game Commission educators for Pennsylvania school groups.

The Wildlife on WiFi remote learning hub presents lessons, activities, videos, and live wildlife webcams in three themes:

• Wildlife Science: You see wildlife on state game lands, in parks, and even your backyard. But have you ever wondered how biologists ensure our state’s wildlife populations thrive? Find out with this collection of lessons and videos.
• Discover Backyard Wildlife: You do not have to visit one of Pennsylvania’s state game lands or parks to view wildlife. It can be discovered at your doorstep! Check out this group of lessons for ways to explore wildlife right in your backyard.
• Celebrate Pennsylvania Birds: They flock, roost, fly, wade, and waddle! They also are some of our favorite members of the Pennsylvania wildlife family. Celebrate Pennsylvania birds with this collection of lessons and activities.

To check out WoW, go to www.pgc.pa.gov and select “Stay-at-home Learning” under Quick Clicks. To learn more about the WoW remote-learning campaign or inquire about any of the Game Commission’s educational resources, please contact wildlifeonwifi@pa.gov.lease contact wildlifeonwifi@pa.gov.

Bull Creek 3 Gun Tournament April 19, 2020

Open to the public!!

See sign up information below

National Wild Turkey Federation Hunting Heritage Banquet

Register now for the annual National Wild Turkey Federation Hunting Heritage Banquet on January 24th, 2020. The banquet will be at the Springdale Veterans Association at 1151 Pittsburgh St., Springdale, PA 15144. Save the date! A great time is had by all!! For more information or to RSVP call Mike Zourellas at 724-265-0903 or email zfball@consolidated.net

RIP, Club Member Chester Hibbs

To All,

With sadness and with a heavy heart, we report that our dear friend and dedicated member Chester Hibbs has passed after his long and gallant fight with cancer.

His loving family was at his side through his last hours.

I ask that you all keep Chester along with his wife Judy, his children and grandchildren in your thoughts and prayers. And May Our Heavenly Father, grant Chester Eternal Peace.

REST IN PEACE CHESTER

We will pass along any arrangements when I receive them.

July 27th 2019 PA Hunter Safety Course At Bull Creek Now Registering!

Our Next course will be Offered on Saturday July 27th from 8AM to 4:00 PM. You may register for the  class by clicking here.

Sanctioned By
PA Game Commission







All Hunter Education classes MUST be registered for online. Click Here To Register for July 27th 2019 basic class

These Classes are FREE, but you must pre-register. Space is limited! Please register early!
Lunch and refreshments will be supplied by Bull Creek!!
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 March, 2018. 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:

Pennsylvania: Sunday Hunting Legislation Passes Senate, Moves to House

On June 26th, the Pennsylvania state Senate voted 36-14 to pass Senate Bill 147.  Your NRA would like to thank all of the Senators who voted in favor of this important pro-hunting reform bill.  It will now go to the House of Representatives for further consideration.  Please contact your state Representative and strongly urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 147. Senate Bill 147, sponsored by Senator Dan Laughlin, would expand hunting opportunities for Pennsylvania hunters by providing for three additional days of hunting on Sundays.  This legislation would allow hunters more time to take part in one of America’s oldest traditions.  Further, hunters are responsible for millions of habitat restoration and conservation dollars through Pittman-Robertson taxes paid on firearms and other hunting equipment.  Hunters should have access to hunting lands made possible by these funds.  Many hunters are prevented from introducing their children or friends to hunting because it is difficult to find the time and opportunities to hunt outside of the work or school week.  Countless hunters stop hunting because of this lack of opportunity.  Senate Bill 147 seeks to increase Pennsylvania hunters’ ability to enjoy our hunting heritage and will improve hunter recruitment and retention efforts. Again, please contact your state Representative and urge them to SUPPORT Senate Bill 147.

PA Hunting Licenses Go On Sale This Monday June 17th

BEAR HUNTERS

Modifications for the 2019 seasons include expanding the mid-October muzzleloader and special firearms deer seasons to include bears statewide; increasing to two weeks the length of the statewide archery bear season and shifting it to the two weeks following the muzzleloader and special firearms bear seasons; and expanding 4-day extended bear seasons to seven days in most wildlife management units (WMUs) where they are held.

Regular Firearms (Statewide) Nov. 23 & Nov. 25-27, 2019 

Archery (Statewide) Oct. 28- Nov. 9, 2019 

WMUs 2B, 5C & 5D Sept. 21-Nov. 29, 2019

WMU 5B Oct. 5-Nov. 16, 2019

Muzzleloader (Statewide) Oct. 19-26, 2019

Special Firearms (Statewide) Oct. 24-26, 2019

Extended Season 

WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C & 5D Nov.30-Dec.14, 2019

WMUs 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E & 5A Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2019

2019 Valley Trap League Schedule

2019 Valley Trap League Schedule

The public is welcome!

Valley League: The Valley League consists of 6 clubs roughly located along the Allegheny River valley north and east of Pittsburgh, PA. It's a 20 week league that starts April 9th, 2019 and ends with a presentation shoot September 7th, 2019. You do not have to be a member of a club to shoot in the league for that club.

The clubs involved are Bull Creek Rod and Gun, West View Sportsmen, South Buffalo Sportsmen, Tarentum Sportsmen, Ford City Sportsmen and Frazier Sportsmen. The shoots are every Tuesday evening, with sign-ups from 4:30pm to 8:00pm.

Costs: program - $10.00, Junior (under 18) - $5.00, Practice: - $8.00

Program shoots 50 targets from 16 Yards.

You do not need to be a member of Bull Creek to shoot for Bull Creek!

2019 VALLEY TRAP LEAGUE SCHEDULE
Click on image to enlarge and print

PA Orange rules changes get preliminary approval | Bob Frye

Fall turkey hunters might soon no longer have to wear or post orange in Pennsylvania.
Photo: Howard Communications

This is proving the exception so far.

In January, Pennsylvania Game Commissioners preliminarily changed the opening day of the statewide firearms deer season, expanded bear hunting seasons, shortened fall turkey seasons and more.

All generated talk, some of it loud.

But not this.

Commissioners at their last meeting also preliminarily reduced how much fluorescent orange hunters have to wear, and when.

And the response from hunters?

“Crickets,” said commissioner Brian Hoover of Chester County of the silence.

Commissioners have talked about changing the rules for more than a year. Word was out that they were going to do something last month.

Still, they said they received no hunter feedback. Agency staff likewise heard nothing from sportsmen.

Under the proposal adopted — which must get final approval at the board’s April 8-9 meeting to go into effect on July 1 – there are two real changes.

First, archers, whether chasing deer or bear, would not have to wear orange at all, even when moving in or out of the woods. They would not need to post orange around their stand either.

Second, fall turkey hunters wouldn’t have to wear fluorescent orange material either, while moving or when set up.

Commissioner Scott Foradora of Clearfield County said the commission would “highly recommend” that both archers and turkey hunters wear orange while moving, especially at those times when their seasons overlap with others involving firearms.

But the board doesn’t want to require it.

Or, at least, most of the board doesn’t.

The rules changes didn’t pass unanimously. The vote was 7-1, with commissioner Jim Daley of Butler County registering an emphatic “no.”

A long-time hunter education instructor, Daley objected most vociferously to the elimination of orange requirements for fall turkey hunting.

Up until now, fall turkey hunters wore 250 square inches of orange while moving, and placed an orange band around a nearby tree when stationary.

Daley wanted at least some, if not all, of those requirements to remain.

“Why is turkey hunting different? Well, turkey’s different because I sit there and I make turkey sounds with a turkey call. So in many ways I’m imitating the game animal that I’m trying to pursue. The other thing is, while I’m imitating that game animal I may be working a box call so now I’ve added movement to that,” he said.

“That’s what adds danger. That’s why turkey is different.”

He shared the story of 24-year-old widow he met. Her husband was shot in the eye at 24 feet by a 60-year-old hunter. The younger hunter died, and his wife, the cousin he was hunting with, the older hunter who shot him and a 13-year-old accompanying him are all dealing with the consequences,

“Had (the victim) had an orange hat on, that would not have happened,” Daley said.

The majority of the board, though, disagreed.

In explaining their vote, they cited the fact there are fewer hunters in the woods chasing turkeys, and they’re usually using shotguns as opposed to rifles. It’s hard to hunt turkeys while wearing orange, they added, as the birds see color.

Their prime motivation, though, was simplification.

By the commission’s own admission, its rules regarding the wearing of orange are among the most complex anywhere. Even with the changes, the state would still be “one of the most restrictive” in the nation.”

Eleven states require no orange. Ten require it only when hunting big game, and 20 more only when hunting big game with a firearm.

The other nine, including Pennsylvania, “have a mixture of instances in which it is required.”

The commission wants to make things easier for everyone to understand, said commissioner Charlie Fox of Bradford County, who started the whole effort to address the orange rules.

This puts more of an onus on the hunter, he said.

“It’s personal responsibility,” Fox said.

The new rules wouldn’t totally eliminate the need to wear orange.

Hunters in deer, bear, elk firearms seasons, small game season, and those hunting coyotes during daylight hours within open deer, bear or elk firearms seasons, would still need 250 square inches of orange material on the head, chest and back combined, visible from 360 degrees, at all times. Woodchuck hunters would still need an orange hat.

Hunters pursuing deer, bear or elk from an enclosed blind would still be required to post a minimum amount of orange nearby, too.

All of those rules exist now.

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Bob Frye is the everybodyadventures.com editor. Reach him at 412-838-5148 or bfrye@535mediallc.com. See other stories, blogs, videos and more at everybodyadventures.com.