Pennsylvania Game Commissioners Adopts 2010-11 Seasons and Bag Limits

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2010-11, including broad changes to deer, bear, turkey and small game seasons.    

Following are several articles on meeting highlights.  

BOARD ADDS OTHER WMUS TO SPLIT RIFLE DEER SEASONS

The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a slate of deer seasons for the 2010-11 seasons that includes holding a split, five-day antlered deer season (Nov. 29-Dec. 3) and seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 4-11) in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. The package retains the two-week (Nov. 29-Dec. 11) concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer season in the remaining 14 WMUs.

Two other changes adopted are to eliminate the two-week antlerless deer season held following the close of the regular firearms season leading up to Christmas in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, and to run a concurrent antlered/antlerless deer season for late-season archery hunters in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D from Dec. 27-Jan. 29.

Hunters with DMAP antlerless deer permits may use them on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Nov. 29-Dec. 11 in WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E.

Fees for DMAP permits are $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.

BOARD APPROVES ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSE ALLOCATIONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved antlerless license allocations for each of the 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) for the 2010-11 seasons.  After hunters purchase a general hunting license, they may apply for antlerless deer licenses based on staggered timelines, which are outlined in the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest presented to each license buyer.

Based on a motion by Game Commissioner Thomas Boop, the antlerless deer license allocations approved by the Board will be reduced by the number of Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) antlerless deer permits issued in each WMU for the 2009-10 seasons.  This reduced number will then be set aside as a maximum number of DMAP permits that will be made available for landowners during the 2010-11 seasons.  

Boop's motion also prohibits the issuance of more DMAP permits for the 2010-11 that were issued for the 2009-10 seasons for each WMU without further Board action.

WMU 1A allocation will be 41,705, which is decrease from last year's allocation of 42,000.

WMU 1B allocation will be 27,844, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 30,000.  

WMU 2A allocation will be 54,879, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 55,000.  

WMU 2B allocation will be 68,000, which is the same as last year's.  DMAP is not available this year for WMU 2B.

WMU 2C allocation will be 44,107, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 49,000.  

WMU 2D allocation will be 50,123, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 56,000.  

WMU 2E allocation will be 20,407, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 21,000.  

WMU 2F allocation will be 22,148, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 28,000.  

WMU 2G allocation will be 15,210, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 26,000.  

WMU 3A allocation will be 25,247, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 26,000.  

WMU 3B allocation will be 33,761, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 43,000.  

WMU 3C allocation will be 26,358, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 27,000.  

WMU 3D allocation will be 31,622, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 37,000.

WMU 4A allocation will be 27,521, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 29,000.  

WMU 4B allocation will be 22,148, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 23,000.  

WMU 4C allocation will be 34,351, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 35,000.  

WMU 4D allocation will be 30,052, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 40,000.

WMU 4E allocation will be 26,899, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 30,000.  

WMU 5A allocation will be 18,269, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 19,000.  

WMU 5B allocation will be 50,812, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 51,000.  

WMU 5C allocation will be 121,960, which is an increase from last year's allocation of 113,000.  

WMU 5D allocation will be 22,000, which is the same as last year's.  DMAP is not available this year for WMU 5D.

BOARD ADDS NEW WILD PHEASANT RECOVERY AREA FOR 2010-11

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to continue with three Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas (WPRAs) for the 2010-11 seasons, which is an effort designed to re-establish wild pheasant populations in Pennsylvania.

The Board also gave preliminary approval to create a fourth WPRA, which is to be designated the Hegins-Gratz Valley WPRA, and will need to be approved by the Board in June before taking effect. Wild caught pheasants will be released in this WPRA in 2011.

The agency's Ring-necked Pheasant Management Plan seeks to restore self-sustaining and huntable populations of wild pheasants in suitable habitats, and specifically calls for the creation of four WPRAs by 2015.  The agency is releasing wild-trapped pheasants into these areas, with a goal of achieving a density of 10 hen pheasants per square mile.

To give these wild pheasants the best opportunity to establish naturally reproducing populations, the Board has banned pheasant hunting or the releasing of any artificially propagated pheasants – including Game Commission-raised pheasants – within these WPRAs. Also, to limit disturbances to nesting hen pheasants, dog training of any manner and small game hunting will be prohibited in WPRAs from the first Sunday in February through July 31 each year.

"Working with major partners, such as Pheasants Forever, the California University of Pennsylvania and local landowners, we already have a jump-start on creating WPRAs," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "These groups have invested in creating the necessary pheasant habitat in these four areas of the state.  

"The Game Commission will continue to raise and release pheasants on public lands with suitable pheasant habitat each fall. And, should we receive additional revenues, we plan to increase our pheasant production level to 250,000 birds, as noted in the Ring-necked Pheasant Management Plan."

For the 2010-11 seasons, the WPRAs will be defined as follows:

(1) Pike Run WPRA: The portion of Washington County, WMU 2A, bounded on the east by the Monongahela River, on the north by I-70, on the west by PA Rt. 917 to Swagler Rd. to Spring Valley Rd. to PA Rt. 2015 to Lone Pine Rd. to the intersection with Tenmile Creek in West Zollarsville, and bounded on the south by Tenmile Creek.

(2) Somerset WPRA:  That portion of Somerset County, WMU 2C, bounded on the western side starting at the intersection of Coleman Station Rd. and Stutzmantown Rd. proceeding south on Coleman Station Rd., crossing SR 31, to Brotherton Rd., continuing south to Round Hill Rd., then east onto Wills Church Rd., then to Archery Rd.  The boundary then follows Berlin Plank Rd. (US Rt. 219) south into the town of Berlin where it joins the Mason Dixon Hwy. (US Rt. 219) proceeding south to Pine Hill Rd. to Walker School Rd. then east on Maple Valley Rd., to Sawmill Rd. to the Cumberland Hwy. (SR 160).  The boundary then follows the Cumberland Hwy. (SR 160) south to Salco Rd. and then proceeds north on Salco Rd. to Huckleberry Hwy. (SR 160) in the town of Berlin.  The boundary follows Huckleberry Hwy. (SR 160) north, crossing SR 31, to the intersection of Roxbury Rd., then north to Shanksville Rd. The boundary then proceeds north to Stutzmantown Rd., then west to the beginning at the intersection of Coleman Station Rd.

(3) Central Susquehanna WPRA:  Portions of WMU 4E in Northumberland, Montour, Columbia and Lycoming counties from the West Branch of the Susquehanna River south to the intersection with PA Rt. 642 and the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in Milton.  The southern boundary is defined by PA Rt. 642 east from Milton to Mausdale, then north on PA Rt. 642 to just south of Jerseytown, proceeding east on Eyersgrove Rd. to Eyers Grove at PA Rt.42.  Proceeding south on PA Rt. 42 to Mordansville, northeast of Mordansville along Robbins Rd. (Rt. 600) to Mordansville Rd. (Rt. 541), south on Millertown Rd. (Rt. 4011), then continuing east to follow Mount Pleasant Rd. (Rt. 4020) and Mount Pleasant St. (PA Rt. 4034) to Orangeville at the southeast corner of the WPRA.  PA Rt. 487 lines the eastern boundary from Orangeville north to Maple Grove/intersection with PA Rt. 254.  The northern boundary begins with PA Rt. 254 west of Maple Grove to the intersection with Winters Rd. (Rt. 459) proceeding west to the intersection with Austin Trail (PA Rt. 4039).  Continuing west on Owl Rd. (Rt. 599), north and west on Reese Rd. (Rt. 578), and north and west on Trivelpiece Rd. (Rt. 576).  Eagle Rd. (PA Rt. 4037) then continues northwest to the intersection with Whitehorse Rd./Whitehorse Pike (Rt. 661) heading west to just south of Sereno, and then south on PA Rt. 42 to Millville.  From Millville, proceeding southwest on PA Rt. 254 to Jerseytown.  Then northwest on PA Rt. 44, north on Swartz Rd., west on Shultz Rd., north on Ants Hill Rd., west on Wolf Hollow Rd., then north on Katy's Church Rd.  Crossing into Lycoming County and proceeding northwest on G Wagner Rd., west on Ridge Rd., crossing into Montour County, southwest on County Line Rd., south on Muncy Exchange Rd. (PA Rt. 1003), west on Hickory Rd. (PA Rt. 1008), west on Mingle Rd. (Rt. 433), west on Hickory Rd. (PA Rt. 1008) for the second time, and proceeding north on Gearhart Hollow Rd. (Rt. 441). Continuing west on Showers Rd. (PA Rt. 1010), crossing into Northumberland County, proceeding north and west on Pugmore Lane, north on Hockley Hill Rd. (PA Rt. 1011), west on Miller Rd. (Rt. 653), continuing southwest on Balliet Rd. (Rt. 664).  Proceeding northwest and west on Schmidt Rd. (Rt. 564). continuing north on Susquehanna Trail (PA Rt. 1007), continuing west on Hughes Rd. (Rt. 655), crossing under I-180, proceeding south on Crawford Rd. (Rt. 507) to PA Rt. 54.  Proceeding northwest on PA Rt. 54 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

(4) Hegins-Gratz Valley WPRA: That portion of WMU 4E in Schuylkill and Dauphin counties from Matterstown Road (Rt. 1007), to PA Rt. 901 at Taylorsville. The WPRA is bounded on the north by the Mahantango Creek. Beginning at the town of Pillow in Dauphin county, proceeding east on Market Street (Rt. 1026) to the Mahantango Creek, which is the Northumberland and Dauphin county border until entering Schuylkill county at Klingerstown. Continuing northeast along the Mahantango Creek in Schuylkill county to Taylorsville Road (Rt. 4039) at Haas, to Taylorsville and then proceeding south on PA Rt. 901. Proceeding south and southeast on PA Rt. 901 to I-81. Proceeding southwest on I-81 and then west on PA Rt. 25, then from PA Rt. 25, proceeding south and west on Dell Road and then northwest and west on Pine Drive (State Hwy. 4009), continuing west on Pine Drive, T593 and north on T592 to Pine Creek. The southern boundary then follows Pine Creek west along the northern side of Broad Mountain to Spring Glen. From Spring Glen, continuing west on PA Rt. 25, crossing into Dauphin county to Gratz, then proceeding southwest from Gratz on Specktown Road (State Hwy. 1014) to South Crossroads Road (PA Rt. 1009). Proceeding south on South Crossroads Road (PA Rt. 1009) to PA Rt. 209 and southwest to Elizabethville. From Elizabethville continue west on Main Street (PA Rt. 209), then turn north onto Botts Road (T462). At the first intersection, turn north onto Feidt Road (T461), then turn 24 east onto West Matterstown Road (Rt. 4008), turn north onto Matterstown Road (Rt. 1007). Turn right or east onto Berrysburg Road (PA Rt. 25) which turns into Market St. Turn left or north onto Lykens St. Turn right or east onto Mountain Road (T639). Turn left or north on PA Rt. 225 into Pillow on PA Rt. 225, ending at Market St. (Rt. 1026).

A native of Asia, pheasants were brought to North America back in the mid 1700s, but these early attempts to introduce pheasants to the continent were unsuccessful. It wasn't until 1881, in the Willamette Valley of Oregon, that pheasants first became established.

During the early 1890s, Pennsylvania citizens purchased pheasants from English gamekeepers and released them in Lehigh and Northampton counties.  For several decades, many other small releases were made across the Commonwealth to establish pheasants for sport hunting.

In the early 1900s, the Game Commission set aside a special appropriation of funds to purchase and propagate game.  Pheasant eggs were purchased and given to agency refuge keepers, sportsmen's organizations and private individuals interested in raising pheasants.  The first stocking of pheasants by the Game Commission occurred by 1915.

Habitat loss, from urban/suburban sprawl, to changes in agricultural practices, had an impact on Pennsylvania's naturally-reproducing pheasant populations.  Additionally, budget constraints forced the Game Commission, in 2005, to reduce its annual pheasant stocking allocation from 200,000 to 100,000.  

For more information on pheasants and the history of the agency's pheasant management plan and propagation program, visit the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), select "Wildlife," click on "Birds," and the choose "Pheasant Home."

BOARD RETAINS BOBWHITE QUAIL SEASON FOR 2010-11

Based on a recommendation from staff, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners reversed the proposed closure of the bobwhite quail season. Instead, a decision on the future of quail season will await the Bureau of Wildlife Management's efforts to finalize a Quail Management Plan.

Based on this reversal, quail season will be held Oct. 23-Nov. 27, and the daily bag limit is four, with a field possession limit of eight.  Also, as in the past, quail season will be closed in Wildlife Management Units 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.

Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director, noted that agency staff currently are working to complete a state bobwhite quail plan that carefully reviews the status and trend of Pennsylvania's quail population, restoration potential, and management practices.

"Once the draft plan is compiled, we will be seeking public comment, as we have with all other wildlife management plans, before presenting it to the Board," Roe said. "At that time, we will make a recommendation on whether it is appropriate to close the quail season."

BOARD CREATED JUNIOR RABBIT SEASON

To continue its efforts to recruit young hunters, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a special cottontail rabbit junior hunter season that coincides with the ring-necked pheasant junior hunter season in early October.  The proposal was requested by Game Commissioner Jay Delaney in July.

"Most people agree that one of the best ways to introduce youth to hunting and encourage their continued participation is via small game hunting," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Rabbits are an underutilized game mammal, and are a perfect addition to the junior season offerings that have been implemented by the agency over the years."

Under the new opportunity, the junior rabbit season will be held Oct. 9-16.  The season will be open to those juniors age 12-16, when properly accompanied by an adult as required by law, with or without a license.  The daily and field possession limits will be the same as the general rabbit season, four daily and eight in possession.

Roe noted that the junior rabbit season will not be part of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, which is for those youth under the age of 12.

In other small game season action, based on a recommendation from Game Commissioner Robert Schlemmer, the late cottontail rabbit season will be Dec. 27-Feb. 26, which equates to a three additional weeks of hunting. The Board also gave final approval to include the use of crossbows for small game seasons.

BOARD ADOPTS ADJUSTMENTS TO BEAR SEASONS

The Board of Commissioners today gave final approval to sweeping changes to black bear seasons for 2010-11.  Included in those changes are a statewide five-day archery bear season (Nov. 15-19), and a three-day statewide bear season that will open on Saturday, Nov. 20, and then continue on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 22 and 23. The Board also eliminated all extended bear seasons that previously were held during all or portions of the first week of the firearms deer season.

DRAMATIC CHANGES ADOPTED FOR 2010-11 TURKEY SEASONS

Several changes have been made to fall turkey and spring gobbler seasons under the 2010-11 seasons given final approval today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, including dramatic changes to the fall seasons and a partial extension of legal hunting hours for the 2011 spring gobbler season.

In response to opening bear season on Saturday, Nov. 20, the Board adopted an amendment made by Game Commissioner Ralph Martone to avoid overlapping fall turkey and bear seasons.  The new fall season structure sets season dates of Nov. 13-19 and Nov. 25-27 for Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D; Nov. 6-19 and Nov. 25-27 for WMUs 2B, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E. The closure from Nov. 20-24 was set to avoid overlapping with bear seasons.

Also, fall season dates of Nov. 16-18 were set for WMU 5A; and WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D will remain closed for the fall seasons.  

For the 2011 spring gobbler season, which is set to run from April 30-May 31, the Board approved a change to the legal hunting hours.  Under the change, legal hunting hours from the opening day of the spring gobbler season through the third Saturday (April 30-May 14) will retain the current one-half hour before sunrise until noon timeframe.  However, the remainder of the season (May 16-31) will be expanded to run all day, from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

The final turkey season change moves the closing day of the spring season to May 31. This later date provides additional recreational hunting without impacting the resource because disturbance of hens would be minimal since most hens would be in their later stages of nest incubation.

The Board gave final approval to set the one-day Spring Gobbler Youth Hunt on April 23, which will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon.

FINAL APPROVAL GIVEN TO EXPAND ELK HUNTING OPPORTUNITIES

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a regulatory change to allow any unfilled antlered or antlerless elk license awarded for an annual elk season to be valid for taking either an antlered or antlerless elk anywhere within this Commonwealth outside of the elk management area during any designated extended elk season following the regular elk season.

"From time to time, elk wander outside the boundaries of the area in which the Game Commission is attempting to contain them in," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Because of elk-human conflicts, we do not want to have elk establish populations in areas outside a certain area.

"For this reason, we want to allow elk license holders who have not taken an elk during the regular season to be able to participate in an extended season to target elk that have gone outside the elk management area."

The Board also approved the 2010 elk season to be held on Nov. 1-6, and to an extended elk hunting period for those with unfilled elk licenses to be Nov. 8-13.

In addition to the Special Conservation Tag, which will auctioned at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation annual banquet, the Board approved an elk allocation of 17 antlered and 33 antlerless elk licenses to be awarded at a public drawing in September.  Applications for the elk drawing will be accepted from June 15 through Aug. 27, which is when licenses for the 2010-11 licenses go on sale, for $10.  

The Special Conservation Tag was created by Act 101 of 2008. Under the law, the Game Commission is authorized to provide one antlered elk license to a wildlife conservation organization to auction.  Of the auction proceeds, up to 20 percent may be retained by the wildlife conservation organization and the rest is turned over to the Game Commission for elk management. The new law sunsets on July 1, 2013, and requires the General Assembly to re-authorize the authority to allow for the auction of one antlered elk license per license year.

In related action, with the agency continuing to work to update and implement the elk management plan, the Board gave final approval to regulatory changes to address a somewhat confusing aspect of elk management policy.  Under the proposal, terms such as "elk management area" and "elk hunt zones" will be clarified in the management plan and regulations.

Under the regulatory change, "elk management area" will be defined as that portion of Wildlife Management Unit 2G in McKean, Potter, Tioga, Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Lycoming, Clearfield and Centre counties, bounded on the north by Rt. 6, on the east by Rt. 287, on the south by Rt. 220 and I-80 and on the west by Rt. 219.

Also, "elk hunt zones" will be comprised of areas as established by the Executive Director on an annual basis prior to the opening of elk season. The divisional line between two or more elk hunt zones shall be the center of the highway, natural watercourse, other natural boundary or marked boundary.

ALL FURTAKERS HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR BOBCAT, FISHER

After 10 bobcat seasons with a specified number of permits, the Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to shorten the length of the overall bobcat season to three weeks (Dec. 18-Jan. 8 for hunting, and Dec. 18-Jan. 9 for trapping), and allow all licensed furtakers the opportunity to purchase one permit to harvest a bobcat in Wildlife Management Units 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E.  This action formally eliminates the need for the agency to hold a public drawing for bobcat permits.

The Board also approved the creation of a six-day fisher trapping season (Dec. 18-23) and will allow all licensed trappers the opportunity to obtain a fisher permit and try to trap one fisher in WMUs 2C 2D, 2E and 2F.

"Following careful review of recent seasons and, in consideration of hunter and trapper input received, beginning with the 2010-11 season, we are using season length to regulate bobcat taking in specified WMUs," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.  "All indications suggest that bobcat populations have increased significantly during the previous years.  

"In order to continue to assess interest, participation, effort and harvest, we believe it prudent to retain a permitting process. However, we believe that we can offer an unlimited number of permits to allow each licensed furtaker the opportunity to harvest one bobcat in the specified WMUs."

Additionally, the Board approved the creation of a limited, one-week fisher season, which was part of the Game Commission's initial plans when it reintroduced fishers back in the 1990s.

"Through this limited season, we will be able to gather additional biological samples for demographic and genetic analyses," Roe said. "Mandatory reporting, along with fisher permits, is needed to better assess participation, effort and harvest for this new season."

Resident and nonresident furtaker license-holders, as well as combination license holders, are eligible to participate in both the bobcat and fisher seasons. Bobcat and fisher permits will be available through the agency's license sale system for $6.70 each ($5 for the Game Commission, which is the same as the previous application fee; $1 for the issuing agent; and 70 cents for the license sale system operator).

In other trapping-related action, the Board also gave final approval to open the cable restraint season on Dec. 26, rather than Jan. 1; and to increase the number of body-gripping traps that may be used to harvest beavers in Wildlife Management Unit 1B in northwestern Pennsylvania to address the increasing number of beaver nuisance complaints.

HUNTERS REMINDED ABOUT PROCESS FOR SETTING WATERFOWL SEASONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to nearly all of the 2010-11 seasons and bag limits; however, there is one group of seasons that won't be finalized until summer: waterfowl and migratory bird seasons.

In July, in concert with federal frameworks, the Game Commission will set seasons and bag limits for September resident Canada goose and webless migratory birds, such as doves, woodcock, snipe and moorhens.

In August, the Game Commission and waterfowl hunting organizations will host waterfowl organizations, individual sportsmen and the public to attend a briefing on the status of waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal frameworks for the 2009-10 hunting seasons.  

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 conservation partners, 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.  

ADOPTED 2010-11 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. 9-15 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 16-Nov. 27; Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Feb. 5 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 16–Nov. 27, Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Jan. 22 (2 daily, 4 possession).  

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 9-16 (4 daily, 8 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 23-Nov. 27, Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Feb. 26 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 9-16 (2 daily, 4 in possession).  Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 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, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B – Oct. 23-Nov. 27. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 23-Nov. 27, Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Feb. 5 (2 daily, 4 in possession).  There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 23-Nov. 27 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 27–Jan. 1 (1 daily, 2 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and during legal hunting hours of the spring gobbler turkey season.

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

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons and during legal hunting hours of the spring gobbler turkey season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow) –Nov. 13-19 and Nov. 25-27; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Nov. 6-19 and Nov. 25-27; WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D – Nov. 13-19 and Nov. 25-27; WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E – Nov. 6-19 and Nov. 25-27; WMU 5A – Nov. 16-18; 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 23, 2011.  Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 30-May 31, 2011. 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 (Statewide) Bow and Arrow only: Nov. 15-19. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

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

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

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 8-13. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven't harvested an elk by Nov. 6, in designated areas.

ELK, Special Conservation Tag (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 1-Nov. 6.  One elk tag for one antlered or antlerless elk will be auctioned at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation annual banquet.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 18-Oct. 1 and Nov. 15-27.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Oct. 2-Nov. 13 and Dec. 27-Jan. 29. One antlered deer per hunting license year.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

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

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 29-Dec. 11.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Nov. 29-Dec. 3. 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 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 4-11.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (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, 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. 16-23.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.  

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 27-Jan. 15.  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. 27-Jan. 29.  One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.  

DEER, ANTLERLESS (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D):  Dec. 27-Jan. 29. 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 2010-11 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 furtaker license, and without wearing orange.  During any archery deer season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or with a furtaker license.  During the regular firearms deer and any bear seasons, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or bear, or with a furtaker license while wearing 250 square inches of fluorescent orange.  During the spring gobbler season, may be taken by those with a valid tag and meet fluorescent orange and shot size requirements.

RACCOON and FOXES: Oct. 23–Feb. 19, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays and during legal hunting hours of the spring gobbler season.  No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E):  Dec. 18-Jan. 8.  One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2010-11 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 20–Jan. 9.  Unlimited.

COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 24–Feb. 20.  No limit.

COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 20.  No limit.  Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.

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

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

FISHER (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F): Dec. 18-23. One fisher per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2010-11 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE 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.  (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 will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this summer.  

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and the name of the organization you represent to: [email protected].

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission