Commissioners Extend Shooting Hours; Game Commission Awards Funding for Priority Wildlife Projects; Board Approves Acquisition of 87 Acres; Board Takes Action on Other Items
       By: Pennsylvania Game Commission
Posted: 2007-04-19 06:51:04
The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval today to a measure to extend legal hunting hours to one-half-hour after sunset for all game and the September Canada goose season.

Under the change, the only exceptions are for migratory game birds and waterfowl, which are governed by the federal guidelines of the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act. For those species, the federal guidelines require daily hunting hours to close at sunset. However, federal guidelines provide states with the flexibility to extend shooting hours for resident populations of Canada geese during the September season.

Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs.

The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.

GAME COMMISSION AWARDS FUNDING FOR PRIORITY WILDLIFE PROJECTS

The Pennsylvania Game Commission today approved two projects that will benefit northern goshawks and eastern red bats. Funded from an allocation provided by the State Wildlife Grant (SWG) Program and regional endangered species funds, administered through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Federal Aid Program, the projects will be provided a combined $37,000.

The State Wildlife Grants program focuses on endangered species prevention and ensuring that common species remain common. To remain eligible for future SWG appropriations from the federal government, Pennsylvania developed a "Wildlife Action Plan" that concentrates on low and declining species that are in great need of proactive conservation, by monitoring more abundant species for which Pennsylvania bears a special responsibility in their long-term conservation, and by emphasizing habitat-level management rather than case-by-case, species-specific intervention.

"State Wildlife Grants have made a tremendous difference for wildlife throughout the Commonwealth," noted Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. "The management of Pennsylvania's birds and mammals covers a broad front that becomes more challenging -- and usually more expensive -- with each passing year. When we can get some help from universities, conservation organizations and specialized researchers, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we welcome it.

"None of these projects will lead to a net reduction in the Game Fund. But they do provide a way for educational and conservation institutions to help us learn more about and better manage wildlife species of greatest conservation concern."

The U.S. Congress has recently reauthorized the State Wildlife Grants Program in the 2007 fiscal year; Pennsylvania will receive $1.96 million ($1.96 in 2006).

Pennsylvania's Wildlife Action Plan can be viewed on the internet by going to the Game Commission's website at http://www.pgc.state.pa.us and clicking on "Wildlife" in the left column, and then selecting "State Wildlife Grants" in the "Wildlife" box atop the right column. Finally, select "Wildlife Action Plan."

The projects approved by the Board of Game Commissioners are as follows:

Migration Telemetry for the Eastern Red Bat: This $27,000 project will finance the capture, radio tagging and tracking -- via telemetry -- of red bats during migrations to collect information on migratory patterns and mortality at wind-energy facilities. The project will be jointly funded by the Wild Resource Conservation Fund and will be conducted by Mountain Watershed Association, Inc.

Northern Goshawk Status and Response to Forest Management: This $10,000 project assesses northern goshawk populations using standardized protocols to evaluate their response to forest conditions and to update population modeling for this bird of prey. The project will be jointly funded by the Wild Resource Conservation Fund and will be conducted by Slippery Rock University.

Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs.

The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.

BOARD APPROVES ACQUISITION OF 87 ACRES

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved four options that will increase the State Game Lands system by about 87 acres.

In Haycock Township, Bucks County, the Board approved the purchase of property adjoining SGL 157. The parcel -- 50 acres of mostly forested land with a three-acre wetlands -- is being purchased through the Natural Lands Trust, of Media, and the Bucks County Open Space Program, through funding by a Bucks County bonding initiative, and provides exceptional white-tailed deer habitat. An unnamed tributary of Haycock Creek runs through the parcel. The purchase price is $82,000, with no new reservations. It will be paid using escrowed funds provided by Ladner Inc., of Hummelstown, for a mining lease on SGL 264 in Dauphin County.

In Shade Township, Somerset County, the Board approved the donation of 30 acres near SGL 93 from Waste Management Inc. of Latrobe. The donation, made possible through the Wildlife For Everyone Foundation, State College, will provide additional protection from development of the Flight 93 flight path. The wetland property, developed from mitigation for wetlands impacted by a nearby landfill, provides waterfowl habitat.

In Montgomery Township, Indiana County, the Board approved a land exchange involving two lots of SGL 262 totaling 1.67 acres that will allow Arcadia Industrial Corp, of Indiana, to expand its current manufacturing facilities. Safety zone conflicts with the plant already impede hunter use of the land being offered. In exchange for the lots, the Game Commission will receive 6.68 acres in Grant Township adjoining SGL 262. The parcel is forested riparian habitat and will provide additional road frontage/access along Pine Vale Road. The acquisition of this land will further protect a portion of Little Mahoning Creek, a trout stream.

In St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County, the Board approved a land exchange involving a 150-foot by 337-foot easement (1.16 acres) on SGL 42 that will be used to construct an emergency spillway on the existing High Ridge Water Authority reservoir adjacent to the game lands. In exchange, the Authority will convey a 2.93-acre parcel and an easement that will provide improved access to a large portion of SGL 42. Sugar Run passes through the tract being acquired by the agency.

"The Game Commission's ability to purchase and preserve lands for wildlife and for public hunting and trapping has always been limited by rising property values and the availability of funds," said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. "The agency's last license fee increase was in 1999, and since that time, we have made considerable cuts in the agency's budget to keep pace with inflation and to offset reduced license sales. Consequently, for the foreseeable future, it seems likely that most of this agency's land acquisitions will be tempered by the availability of escrowed funds, assistance from conservation partners and property donations. We'd like to do more, but it's a financial impossibility."

In addition to relying on the agency's land purchase escrow funds, Roe noted that the agency has maximized land acquisition efforts by working closely with conservation partners, such as land conservancies.

"Conservation-minded individuals and organizations are helping the Game Commission leave a legacy for all Pennsylvanians to admire," Roe said.

For more information on how to contribute either land or money, visit the Game Commission's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on "Wildlife Donations" on the homepage.

The Game Commission has been purchasing State Game Lands since 1920. The State Game Lands system currently contains more than 1.4 million acres. Under state law, the Game Commission is authorized to purchase property for no more than $400 per acre from the Game Fund, with certain exceptions regarding interior holdings, indentures and for administrative purposes. Any purchase that equals or exceeds $300,000 must be approved by the General Assembly and Governor through the capital budget appropriation process.

"State Game Lands represent a tangible asset that hunters and trappers of this state can literally point to as a product of their license fees," Roe said. "In addition to the bountiful wildlife in our state, this is one more reason to view the price of Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker licenses as a bargain."

Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs.

The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.

BOARD TAKES ACTION ON OTHER ITEMS:

In other action today, the Board of Game Commissioners:

-- Gave unanimous approval to a resolution endorsing the Game Commission's new Cooperative Wind Energy Agreements, which were designed to ensure that wind energy companies work with the Game Commission and other state agencies to avoid, minimize and mitigate impacts on bats and birds. The agreements were signed by Executive Director Carl G. Roe and wind energy company officials following the Board's meeting;

-- Gave final approval to technical changes to reorganize the police powers of Wildlife Conservation Officers outlined in Title 58 (Game Commission regulations) to be consistent of provisions of Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code);

-- Gave final approval to technical changes to cable restraint devices and expanded the list of those individuals who may take the course;

-- Gave final approval to allow flintlock hunters to use muzzleloading long guns that are .44 caliber or larger and muzzleloading handguns that are .50 caliber or larger;

-- Gave final approval to allow the use of aperture or peep sights during the flintlock muzzleloader season;

-- Gave final approval for elk hunters to use center-fire firearms .27 caliber or larger that propel a projectile with a minimum of 130 grains, muzzleloading firearms .50 caliber or larger that propel a single-projectile with a minimum of 210 grains, or shotguns that are 12-gauge or larger;

-- Gave final approval for bowhunters to hunt with both a bow-and-arrow and a muzzleloading firearm during the early muzzleloader and late flintlock seasons, providing they have both an archery and muzzleloader license and meet the fluorescent orange clothing requirements of the muzzleloader season. Hunters still will be required to abide by the appropriate safety zones, which are 50 yards for bow and crossbows and 150 yards for all firearms;

-- Gave final approval for hunters using a blind during any firearms season for deer, bear and elk to either wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on their head, chest and back, or display a minimum of 100 squares of fluorescent orange material within 15 feet of the blind that is visible in a 360 degree arc;

-- Gave final approval to a regulation to increase Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) antlerless deer permits from $6 for residents and $26 for nonresidents to $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents;

-- Gave final approval to a regulation that makes it illegal to release any member of the suidae family into the wild;

-- Gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to provide additional deer control opportunities to crop farmers enrolled in the agency's Agricultural Deer Control Program, also known as "Red Tag," by setting a uniform closure period of May 16-June 30, which avoids the peak fawning season;

-- Gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to permit the use of muzzleloading firearms that are discharged by using an electronic pulse. If approved in June, hunters would be permitted to use these electronic-pulse-fired muzzleloaders during the early October muzzleloader season and any other firearms deer season. They would not, however, be permitted in the late flintlock season, which requires hunters to use flintlock-ignition only muzzleloaders;

-- Gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to permit the use of illuminated nocks for arrows and bolts, which can be affixed at the aft end of an arrow or bolt and aid in tracking or locating the arrow or bolt after being launched; and

-- Gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to clarify what is considered a "loaded" sporting arm, which may not be in, on or leaning against any vehicle. This current prohibition is intended primarily to protect the safety of persons traveling in the vehicle or the immediate area, and the regulatory change would clarify how muzzleloaders and crossbows are to be stored in order to be considered unloaded; and

-- Announced the next scheduled meeting of the Board will be held Monday and Tuesday, June 25-26, in the auditorium of the agency's Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Ave. Other meetings set by the Board, all of which will be held in the agency's headquarters in Harrisburg, are: Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 1-2; and Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 20-22, 2008.
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