Doe tag allocations reduced For 2010

From the Post Gazette... Click here for map of PA WMU's Fewer antlerless deer licenses will be available in 19 of 22 Wildlife Management Units in the 2010-11 hunting seasons. At last week's meeting of the board of Pennsylvania game commissioners, members agreed to cut regional allocations by the number of Deer Management Assistance Program permits issued in each WMU during the 2009-10 seasons. The current number of DMAP tags issued in most WMUs will become the maximum available to landowners in the 2010-11 seasons. The DMAP program (not related to Red Tag) helps landowners reduce deer populations by increasing doe harvest limits on enrolled properties during deer seasons. DMAP is less popular in southwest Pennsylvania, where state parks and state forests are among its biggest users. A recent independent audit of the agency's Deer Management Plan recommended that DMAP permits be fully incorporated in antlerless allocation procedures, and that the agency, "better highlight to the public the fact that DMAP is an important contributor to antlerless harvest in some WMUs.". The greatest cuts in allocations will occur in central and northern tier areas where DMAP is popular. WMU 2G, where 2006-07 DMAP kills totalled nearly 24 percent of the total doe harvest, according to auditor Quality Deer Management Assoc., will lose 10,790 tags this year. 4D will lose nearly 10,000, and 3B allocations will drop by 9,239. In 2F, where DMAP kills totalled more than 25 percent of the doe harvest from 2005-07, the allocation dropped from 28,000 to 22,148, reflecting last year's decrease in DMAP permits. In southwest Pennsylvania, WMU 2D allocations will drop from 56,000 in 2009-10 to 50,123 in 2010-11. Most units will see less significant cuts: 2A, 55,000 to 54,879; 2C, 49,000 to 44,107; 1A, 42,000 to 41,705. WMU 2B will get 68,000 tags, the same as last year, and DMAP permits will not available this year. Visible blinds Hunters who use blinds for deer, elk and bear may soon have to augment their camouflage with 100 square inches of fluorescent orange. The Game Commission gave preliminary approval to changes that could have the greatest impact on archery hunters, who are often well camouflaged. The rule would require that the orange material be posted within 15 feet of the blind and visible from all angles. Hunters would be required to wear orange while inside the blind. "Archery deer hunters, who [currently] don't need to wear orange, would have to display the orange band as noted if they are using a manufactured blind," said PGC spokesman Jerry Feaser. The ruling would include, "any artificial or manufactured blind consisting of all man-made materials of sufficient density to block the detection of movement within the blind from an observer located outside of the blind." More Game Commission news • Deer: The board approved a split deer season -- a five-day antlered season Nov. 29-Dec. 3, and a seven-day concurrent season Dec. 4-11, in WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. A two-week antlered and antlerless deer season will run Nov. 29-Dec. 11 in the remaining 14 units. The board removed the two-week doe hunt between the close of firearms season and Christmas in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, and will offer an antlered/antlerless season for archery hunters in those units Dec. 27-Jan. 29. Over-the-counter application for unsold antlerless licenses in all WMUs was advanced by a month to Oct. 4. Over-the-counter sale of doe tags for WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D will continue to be available Aug. 24. • Bear: A statewide five-day archery bear season will be held Nov. 15-19, and a three-day statewide season will open Sat., Nov. 20, and continue on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 22-23. All extended bear seasons held during the firearms deer season were eliminated. • Turkey: Fall season, Nov. 13-19 and Nov. 25-27 in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D; Nov. 6-19 and Nov. 25-27 in WMUs 2B, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E; Nov. 16-18 in WMU 5A. No fall turkey season in WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D. Spring gobbler season, April 30-May 31, 2011. • Pheasant: A Wild Pheasant Recovery Area was added in Schuylkill/Dauphin counties, bringing the number to four in the state including two in Washington and Somerset counties. • Rabbit: A new junior rabbit season will be held Oct. 9-16, open to junior hunters age 12-16 when accompanied by an adult not required to have a license. Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10115/1052810-358.stm Doe licenses Here is a look at the number of doe licenses that will be available this year compared to last for some of the state's wildlife management units. Unit: 2010-11 license allocation/2009-10 license allocation 1A: 41,705/42,000 1B: 27,844/30,000 2A: 54,879/55,000 2B: 68,000/68,000 2C: 44,107/49,000 2D: 50,123/56,000 2E: 20,407/21,000 2F: 22,148/28,000 2G: 15,210/26,000 3A: 25,247/26,000 4A: 27,521/29,000 4D: 30,052/40,000

Valley Trap League Shoots at Bull Creek

This Tuesday, April 27th, Frazier will visit Bull Creek for Bull Creek's first home shoot of the year. So far we have had about 30-35 members participate. Sign-ups are 5PM to 8PM. See the link above for more details. Even if you have never shot trap before you can come out and shoot a practice round. You do not need to be a member of any club to shoot.

Richoches can be Dangerous!

Read before Watching: This guy is shooting a 50 CAL. Watch the dust when he fires. The target is a steel plate, 1000 yards away. You can hear the ping of the hit, and then the bullet comes back and hits the ground just in front of his position, then tumbles up hitting the earmuffs, knocking them off of his head. The footage is amazing. You can hear the bullet as it tumbles through the air on its course back toward the shooter. He's lucky it hit the dirt first. He is okay, and obviously very lucky. The bullet grazed his temple. What a difference a half an inch makes! Richoches can be Dangerous!

Submitted by Jim martin

Connellsville native Mays receives outdoors honor

By Jason Black, DAILY COURIER, Monday, April 19, 2010 Edward Mays, like many others growing up in Connellsville, spent much of his youth hunting and fishing in area forests and streams. His love of the outdoors has continued to have a profound impact on his life, even after he suffered a difficult and life-altering experience. Mays, now a resident of Nags Head, N.C., was the winner of the 2009 Safari Club International Pathfinder Award, which is presented to a disabled sportsman who triumphs over their obstacles while working to improve the lives of others with disabilities. Mays received an all-expense paid trip to South Africa for a 10-day safari. Mays and his family will travel to London in July, then to South Africa for the safari and then to Paris. "I've never done anything for accolades," Mays said. "I do it for the smiles." Mays' childhood and adolescent years were very similar to many other area youths. "I grew up in a family that was always in the outdoors," Mays said. In 1979, Mays left Connellsville and joined the U.S. Army. While on a humanitarian mission in 1980, Mays' life was changed. He was on guard duty when lightning struck him, causing severe nerve damage. He was honorably discharged from the army the following year. In 1993, Mays was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, and he was confined to a wheelchair in 1995. He was diagnosed with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis in 1998. However, Mays, with the help of other paralyzed veterans, said he began to realize that being in a wheelchair was not a reason to stop enjoying the things he loved. "A group of paralyzed veterans got me back into the outdoors and showed me that being in a wheelchair wasn't something that was going to stop me," Mays said. In 2003, Mays and his wife Mary moved to North Carolina, where he began to advocate for disabled sportsmen. In 2005, Mays founded and became president of the North Carolina Handicapped Sportsmen. And in 2008, Mays helped develop a plan that would better allow the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission to address the needs of disabled sportsmen. He helped raise more than $140,000 for the purchase of adaptive hunting equipment for disabled sportsmen in North Carolina. Mays has also helped develop opportunities for disabled hunters. When Mays first began working with disabled sportsmen, North Carolina had just six hunts set up for handicapped hunters. Now, there are more than 100. "I went from being a beneficiary to being an advocate," Mays said. Mays also spends countless hours working with children with life-threatening illnesses, as well as combat veterans who return from battle with mental or physical scars. His goal is to help all of them enjoy the outdoors, despite their limitations. "It is absolutely phenomenal to be able to work with them," Mays said. "It's amazing to see these young men and women come back (from war), and they are so withdrawn. They go on these hunts, and the stress just rolls off their shoulders." Mays is also trying to work toward the development of more specialized hunting equipment for people who enjoy the outdoors now but may find things harder as they get older. "The biggest thing is the awareness for a need for equipment in the future," Mays said, noting that someone who's 45-50 years old may have limitations when they're 65-70. For all of his work, Mays was honored by Safari Club International at its annual convention earlier this year in Reno, Nev. "I'm shocked," Mays said. "As a disabled sportsman, I don't think there is a more distinguished award that you can receive." Mays will have the opportunity to harvest eight animals during the safari. "It's just amazing," Mays said. "It's the trip of a lifetime."

Manly BBQ...a Man's Grille!

Submitted by Dave Patz: Now this is a BBQ guaranteed to get everyone's attention......I think it should be towed with the barrel facing backwards...then you wouldn't have to worry about anyone tailgating you....I don't know for sure but my guess is the owner is from Texas!!!!!! BBQ RULES We are about to enter the BBQ season. Therefore it is important to refresh your memory on the etiquette of this sublime outdoor cooking activity . When a man volunteers to do the BBQ the following chain of events are put into motion: Routine... (1) The woman buys the food. (2) The woman makes the salad, prepares the vegetables, and makes dessert. (3) The woman prepares the meat for cooking, places it on a tray along with the necessary cooking utensils and sauces, and takes it to the man who is lounging beside the grill - beer in hand. (4) The woman remains outside the compulsory three meter exclusion zone where the exuberance of testosterone and other manly bonding activities can take place without the interference of the woman. Here comes the important part: (5) THE MAN PLACES THE MEAT ON THE GRILL. More routine... (6) The woman goes inside to organize the plates and cutlery. (7) The woman comes out to tell the man that the meat is looking great. He thanks her and asks if she will bring another beer while he flips the meat Important again: (8) THE MAN TAKES THE MEAT OFF THE GRILL AND HANDS IT TO THE WOMAN. More routine... (9) The woman prepares the plates, salad, bread, utensils, napkins, sauces, and brings them to the table. (10) After eating, the woman clears the table and does the dishes. And most important of all: (11) Everyone PRAISES the MAN and THANKS HIM for his cooking efforts. (12) The man asks the woman how she enjoyed ' her night off ' and, upon seeing her annoyed reaction, concludes that there's just no pleasing some women!

How To Break Up Two Fighting Buck!

This is not what you would expect. Watch it, even if you don't like hunting. Two deer are locked up in a fight and would have died a slow death. See what a hunter does with a bullet. It has a good ending. Have the volume turned up:

.45 caliber round makes a pretty big hole

Sent in by Dave Patz, this is too graphic to put on the main page. To view it, click here!

Valley Trap League Schedule Now Posted

Please see the link above or click here for the 2010 schedule and shooting details. This will be the first year since 2001 that we have had all 6 clubs participating. Welcome back Ford City and Frazier!