Game Commissioners Adopt 2011-12 Seasons and Bag Limits

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2011-12, including big and small game seasons and furbearer seasons.

The Board also adopted antlerless deer license allocations for the 22 Wildlife Management Units, and are listed in the article below.

For those unable to view the webcasts, a three-part "on-demand" video recording of the staff reports from April 11 and today's Board actions can be viewed by going to www.livestream.com/pennsylvaniagamecommission and clicking on the "April 2011 Board Meeting" icon.  

Following are several articles on meeting highlights.  

BOARD ADOPTS EXPANDED SPLIT RIFLE DEER SEASONS

The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a slate of deer seasons for the 2011-12 seasons that expands the split, five-day antlered deer season (Nov. 28-Dec. 2) and seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 3-10) to a total of 11 Wildlife Management Units.  The list includes (WMUs) 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. The package retains the two-week (Nov. 28-Dec. 10) concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer season in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.

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. 28-Dec. 10 in WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E. Fees for DMAP permits are $10 for residents and $35 for nonresidents.

Additionally, the Board also gave final approval to extend the statewide late archery and late flintlock muzzleloader seasons, which will open on Monday, Dec. 26, 2011, and run until Monday, Jan. 16, 2012.

ANTLER RESTRICTIONS CHANGE IN FOUR-POINT AREA

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today took the final step to make changes to the antler restriction definitions in the current four-point area in the western Wildlife Management Units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D.  Under the new antler restrictions, hunters in these five WMUs need to identify three antler points, not including the brow tine, which is the point immediately above the antler burr. This regulatory change requires three points on the main antler beam, excluding the brow tine, for a buck to be legal.

"The idea of changing antler restrictions in the four-point area began a year ago when Game Commissioner Robert Schlemmer and I were hearing from many sportsmen about the difficulty of seeing brow tines," said Game Commissioner Ralph Martone. "Recently, when Cal DuBrock, Bureau Director for Wildlife Management, reported on research showing that such a change would affect only a small percentage of antlered deer, Commissioner Schlemmer and I asked the Executive Director to prepare language eliminating the need to identify brow tines in the four-point areas for inclusion in the agenda for January's Board meeting."

This is the first change in antler restrictions since 2002.

FIRST STEP TAKEN TO OPEN MYHP TO HARVEST OF ANTLERLESS DEER

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today took the first regulatory step toward allowing an adult mentor to transfer an antlerless deer license to a Mentored Youth Hunting Program participant, provided that the General Assembly enacts the enabling legislation before the Board's next meeting in June.

If the enabling legislation is signed into law before the Board meets on June 27-28, the Board would be in a position to give final adoption to the proposed regulatory change so that it could take effect for the upcoming 2011-12 deer seasons.

Senate Bill 274, sponsored by Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chairman Richard Alloway II, has been approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee, and is awaiting further consideration by the Senate. If approved by the Senate, SB 274 would be sent to the House, which passed an identical measure last session.  If approved by both chambers, the bill would be sent to Gov. Tom Corbett for his consideration.

At its October meeting, the Board unanimously approved a resolution, introduced by Game Commissioner Jay Delaney, to support legislative efforts to allow for adult mentors to transfer one antlerless deer license or permit to a youth under the age of 12 participating in the MYHP.  

Under the MYHP, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual at least 21 years of age who will serve as a guide to a youth while engaged in hunting or related activities, such as scouting, learning firearms or hunter safety and wildlife identification. A mentored youth is identified as an unlicensed individual less than 12 years of age who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or related activities.

The regulations require that the mentor-to-mentored youth ratio be one-to-one, and that the pair possesses only one sporting arm when hunting. While moving, the sporting arm must be carried by the mentor. When the pair reaches a stationary hunting location, the youth may take possession of the sporting arm, but must remain within arm's length of the adult mentor at all times while in possession of the sporting arm.

Legal species presently approved for the MYHP are squirrels, groundhogs, coyote, antlered deer and spring gobbler.

All youth participating in the MYHP must obtain a permit through the Game Commission's Pennsylvania Automated License System (PALS), which costs $2.70. Of that fee, one dollar goes to the Game Commission, one dollar goes to the issuing agent who processes the permit application, and 70 cents goes to the company managing PALS.

BOARD SETS ANTLERLESS DEER LICENSE ALLOCATIONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today set antlerless license allocations for each of the 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) for the 2011-12 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.

BOARD ADDS NEW WILD PHEASANT RECOVERY AREA

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to create a fifth Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRAs) as part of the agency's ongoing effort to re-establish wild pheasant populations in Pennsylvania.

The fifth WPRA has been designated the Franklin County WPRA. It is expected that wild-caught pheasants will be released in this WPRA beginning in 2012.

Additionally, based on comments from hunters, Game Commissioner Gregory Isabella offered an amendment, that was unanimously approved, to allow groundhog and waterfowl hunting to occur during established seasons in WPRAs during the period in which other small game hunting is closed from the first Sunday in February through July 31.

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 WPRAs.  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 is limited to groundhog and waterfowl in WPRAs from the first Sunday in February through July 31 each year.

"Working with 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 2011-12 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).

(5) Franklin County WPRA. That Portion of Wildlife Management Units 4A and 5A in Franklin County from PA Rt. 30 on the northern border to the Pennsylvania/Maryland state border on the southern border, and from Cove Mountain on the western border to the towns of Laurich and Williamson and the Conococheague Creek on the eastern border. The WPRA is bounded on the north by PA Rt. 30 (Lincoln Highway). Beginning at the town of Fort Loudon at the intersection of PA Rt. 30 (Lincoln Highway) and PA Rt. 75, proceed east on PA Rt. 30 (Lincoln Highway), through St. Thomas, and continue east to Laurich. Just east of Laurich, proceed south along Back Creek to SR3012 (Jack Road). Proceed west along SR3012 (Jack Road), then south along Weber Road. Continue south and southwest along Weber Road to the intersection of Weber, Grapevine and Jacks Mill Roads. Proceed southwest along Grapevine Road and then northwest to intersection with SR 3013. Turn south onto SR 3013 (St Thomas Williamson Road) and then west onto State Rt. 995. Proceed west and then south on State Rt. 995 through Williamson to the West Branch of the Conococheague Creek (northeast of Welsh Run). Proceed along the West Branch of the Conococheague Creek to the confluence with Conococheague Creek. Follow the Conococheague Creek south to the Pennsylvania/Maryland state border. Proceed west along the PA/MD state border to State Rt. 456. Proceed northeast along State Rt. 456 to State Route 16. Proceed east on State Route 16 to Mountain Road. Proceed northeast on Mountain Road to State Rt. 75. Proceed northwest on State Rt. 75 to the intersection of State Rt. 75 and State Rt. 30 at Fort Loudon.

BOARD ESTABLISHES SPECIFIC SEASON FOR PORCUPINES

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, based on a request from Game Commissioner David Putnam at the Board's October meeting, and an amendment offered today by Game Commissioner David Schreffler, gave final approval to a specific hunting season for porcupines.  

Under the new season, hunters can take porcupines from Sept. 1 through March 31.  The daily limit is six and the field possession limit is 12.

Hunters pursuing porcupines may use any legal sporting arm, and must wear 250 inches of fluorescent orange material.  Porcupines may be harvested from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

Among other states in the Northeast that allow the harvesting of porcupines are Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York, as well as the Canadian province of Nova Scotia.

BOARD MAKES OTHER CHANGES TO SEASONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a regulatory change to allow for the hunting of starlings, English sparrows, opossums, skunks, porcupines, groundhogs and weasels during legal hunting hours of the spring gobbler season. The Game Commission staff noted that this change will increase opportunities for hunters pursuing these species without creating unacceptable conflicts with spring gobbler hunters.

Based on a motion by Game Commissioner Ralph Martone, the Board unanimously approved extending the closing date of the late squirrel season from Feb. 4 to Feb. 25.  The late squirrel season, as adopted, will run from Dec. 26-Feb. 25.

Game Commissioner Jay Delaney offered an amendment, which was unanimously approved by the Board, to establish the bobcat hunting season dates of Jan. 17-Feb. 7.

For the 2011 elk season, the Board approved an allocation of 18 antlered and 38 antlerless elk licenses, in addition to the one Elk Conservation Tag, which was auctioned at this year's Safari Club International convention on Jan. 28.  Applications for the public drawing to award elk licenses will be accepted June 13 through Aug. 26.  The date for the public drawing will be announced later this year.

BOARD EXPANDS BEAR SEASONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Commissioners today gave final approval to a slate of bear seasons for 2011 that includes concurrent bear and deer seasons in specific Wildlife Management Areas (WMUs) and portions of WMUs, as well as extending the traditional statewide bear season to four days.

While bear hunters are permitted to harvest only one bear per license year, they now have the opportunity to hunt during a statewide five-day archery bear season (Nov. 14-18); a four-day statewide bear season that will open on Saturday, Nov. 19, and then continue on Monday through Wednesday, Nov. 21-23; and a concurrent bear/deer season in WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5B and 5C on Nov. 30-Dec. 3.  

Also, a concurrent bear/deer season has been approved for Nov. 28-Dec. 3 in the following:

• in WMUs 3A and 3C;
• in portions of WMU 3B, that are East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42; and
• in portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and WMU 3B in Lycoming County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

The sale of bear hunting licenses will open in mid-June and close the day before the four-day bear season opens on Nov. 19. Once the four-day season ends, bear licenses sales will re-open until the Sunday before the two-week firearms deer season opens, so hunters traveling to areas where concurrent deer/bear seasons will be held can purchase a bear license.  

Roe reminded those last-minute bear license buyers to purchase licenses only at issuing agents with over-the-counter services, because licenses purchased over the internet must be mailed and won't be received in time for use during the season.

TURKEY SEASONS ADOPTED FOR 2011-12

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to fall turkey seasons for 2011, and spring gobbler dates for 2012.

The restructured fall season dates for 2011 are: Oct. 29-Nov. 12 and Nov. 24-26 for Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D; Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 24-26 for WMUs 2B, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E.

Also, fall season dates of Nov. 1-3 were set for WMU 5A; and WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D will remain closed for the fall seasons.  

For the 2012 spring gobbler season, which will run from April 28-May 31, the Board continued the change in legal hunting hours to reflect the following: from April 28 until May 12, legal shooting hours will be one-half hour before sunrise until noon timeframe; and from May 14- 31, hunters will be able to hunt all day, from one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

The Board scheduled the one-day Spring Gobbler Junior Hunt on April 21, which will run from one-half hour before sunrise until noon.

HUNTERS REMINDED ABOUT PROCESS FOR SETTING WATERFOWL SEASONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to nearly all of the 2011-12 seasons and bag limits; however, there is one group of seasons that won't be finalized until summer: waterfowl and migratory game 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 2011-12 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 2011-12 waterfowl and migratory game bird seasons and bag limits.  

BOARD TAKES OTHER ACTIONS

In other action today, the Board of Game Commissioners:

• Gave final approval to allow the use of single projectile muzzleloaders and shotguns for bear hunting in Special Regulations Areas counties (Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia);
• Gave final approval to remove language from Title 58 (Game Commission Regulations) related to the now defunct baiting provisions that expired on March 31, 2010;
• Gave final approval to technical changes to fluorescent orange regulations for clarity and consistency.  No substantive changes were made to the requirements;
• Gave final approval to remove three redundant and outdated definitions, as well as add two definitions for consistency with recent changes in Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code);
• Gave final approval to make Title 58 (Game Commission Regulations) consistent with recent changes in Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code) related to fines, penalties and reporting periods;
• Gave final approval to a variety of amendments to define and clarify the standards relating to certain trapping activities. Among the changes are the clarification that the 20 trap or snare limitation is a statewide total - not a WMU, watercourse or waterway limitation – and that add definitions for "artificial cubby" and "foot encapsulating trap" as part of the definitions of what is legal for trapping;
• Approved a State Wildlife Grants (SWG) project for $28,807 to conduct research into unravel the mysteries associated with White-Nose Syndrome, which has killed millions of bats in the Eastern United States.  The research project will not require any net reduction in the Game Fund, since it is a cooperator project with Penn State University. The Game Commission will pay SWG-eligible costs from the Game Fund, which will be reimbursed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Aid program using SWG funds;
• Accepted updated management plans for beaver and bald eagles, which had previously been placed on the agency's website for public comment; and
• Re-affirmed the Board's remaining 2011 quarterly meetings will be held on June 27-28, and Oct. 3-4, at the agency's Harrisburg headquarters.  The Board also confirmed that the first meeting of 2012 will be held Jan. 29-31, at the agency's Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81.

ADOPTED 2011-12 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS (Combined Species): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct. 8-14 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS (Combined Species): Oct. 15-Nov. 26; Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 25 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 15–Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28 (2 daily, 4 possession).  

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 8-15 (4 daily, 8 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 25 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 8-15 (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. 22-Nov. 26. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (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. 22-Nov. 26 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26–Jan. 1 (1 daily, 2 possession).

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

PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31 (6 daily, 12 possession). Closed during the regular two-week firearms deer season.

CROWS: July 1-April 8, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.  No limit.

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

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 29-Nov. 12 and Nov. 24-26; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D – Oct. 29-Nov. 12 and Nov. 24-26; WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E – Oct. 29-Nov. 18 and Nov. 24-26; WMU 5A – Nov. 1-3; 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 21, 2012.  Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 28-May 31, 2012. 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 28-May 12, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 14-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Bow and Arrow only: Nov. 14-18. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 19, and Nov. 21-23. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5B and 5C): Nov. 30-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Designated Areas): Nov. 28-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

• WMUs 3A and 3C;
• Portions of WMU 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42; and
• Portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and 3B in Lycoming County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Oct. 31-Nov. 5.  Only one elk may be taken during the license year.  

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 7-12. 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. 5.  One elk tag for one antlered or antlerless elk was auctioned at the Safari Club International Banquet.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 17-30, and Nov. 14-26.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Oct. 1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28. One antlered deer per hunting license year.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 26-Jan. 16. One antlered deer per hunting license year.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 28-Dec. 10.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Nov. 28-Dec. 2. One antlered deer per hunting license year.   (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period.)

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 3-10.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 20-22.  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. 15-22.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.  

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 16.  One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.  

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 28.  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. 26-Jan. 28. 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 2011-12 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's license.

RACCOON and FOXES: Oct. 22–Feb. 18, unlimited.

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

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E):  Jan. 17-Feb. 7.  One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2011-12 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 19–Jan. 8. Unlimited.

COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 23–Feb. 19.  No limit.

COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 19.  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. 17-Jan. 8.  One bobcat per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

FISHER (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E and 2F): Dec. 17-22. One fisher per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2011-12 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

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