Game Commissioners Adopt 2009-10 Seasons and Bag Limits

Game Commissioners

Adopt 2009-10 Seasons and Bag Limits

HARRISBURG, Pa., April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2009-10, including an antlerless deer license allocation for the 22 Wildlife Management Units and a new hunting hour table for the new license year.

Following are several articles on meeting highlights.

BOARD ADOPTS MODIFICATION TO EXPANDED USE OF CROSSBOWS


The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a regulatory change that would allow hunters to use magnifying scopes on bows or crossbows during the archery deer and archery bear seasons. On March 5, in a notational vote, the Board gave preliminary approval to the modification. (For more information, see "News Release #029-09" in the "News Release" section of the agency's homepage - http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/.)

At its January meeting, the Board gave final approval to a regulatory change to permit the use of crossbows in archery deer and bear seasons. Prior to that vote, however, the Board accepted an amendment to prohibit the use of magnifying scopes during the archery deer and bear seasons.

"Shortly after that vote, the agency began to receive significant public comment about that magnification prohibition," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "The Board decided it would be appropriate to revisit this aspect of the recently approved use of crossbows in the state's archery seasons."

As approved in January, the Board's amendment to include a sunset date for the expanded crossbow use remains in place. This provision will require a future Board to consider the impact of expanded use of crossbows, if any, before June 30, 2012, and whether the privilege should continue into the future.

For the 2009-10 seasons, a crossbow must have a peak drawn weight of at least 125 pounds, and a bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inches with at least two cutting edges on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and shall not exceed three inches in length. There is no maximum draw weight.

Crossbows may only be used during the early and late muzzleloader season when they overlap with archery seasons and an archery license is required.

DEER SEASONS TO BE SIMILAR FOR 2009-10

The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a slate of deer seasons for the 2009-10 seasons that retains all of the opportunities provided in the past to address the goals of the agency's deer management plan. The only significant change was the Board's vote to extend the late flintlock season for Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 2B, 5C and 5D to run from Dec. 26 to Jan. 23.

Hunters in WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B will again have a five-day, antlered deer only season starting the Monday after Thanksgiving, followed immediately by seven days of concurrent, antlered and antlerless deer hunting. The proposed package retains the two-week (12-day) concurrent, antlered and antlerless season in the remaining 18 WMUs.

On Monday, the Board received a presentation by the Bureau of Wildlife Management regarding the study that has begun to evaluate the impact of split seasons in WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B on hunter success rates for future use as a new management tool. (For more information on the study, please see "News Release #012-09 in the "News Release" section of the agency's website - http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/.)

Roe noted that, in 2008, the four WMUs chosen for this split season were because: WMUs 2G and 4B have ongoing deer research in them; WMU 2D is an area where antler restrictions are set at four points on one side, and is where the agency previously had deer research conducted; and WMU 3C is an area where antler restrictions are set at three points on one side, and is an area of the state where no extensive deer research has been conducted.

"Antlerless deer harvest versus number of days of opportunity, or the overall season length, will be evaluated, and we will conduct annual surveys of hunters to address other aspects of the program," Roe said. "Stakeholders may be able to provide input by sharing whether they'd like more opportunity via time, such as two weeks or more, or more people involved through perhaps more tags and shorter seasons."

The Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that addresses landowner deer management objectives within WMUs remains in place. Hunters with DMAP antlerless deer permits may use them during any established deer season, and will continue to be permitted to harvest antlerless deer from Nov. 30-Dec. 12 in WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B.

"DMAP provides a tool to harvest antlerless deer on specific properties to lessen deer impacts for landowners and the habitat," Roe said. 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) based on measurements of deer health; habitat health; and level of deer-human conflicts based on Citizen Advisory Committee (CAC) input; as well as deer population trends.

The agency continues to seek a decrease in the population trends in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, which are the three most developed areas of the state. Based on CAC input, and supported by scientific measurements, the agency is continuing to allow for an increase in the population trend in WMUs 4E and 5A. In all other WMUs, the agency continues to seek stabilization of population trends. The only WMU to see an increase in its allocation is WMU 5C, which increased from 92,000 last year to 113,000 for the 2009-10 seasons.

For more information on these measurements, both the quantitative thresholds and qualitative labels, please see "Deer Program" on the agency's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/) in the "Quick Clicks" box in the right-hand column of the homepage.

Following is a listing of the approved allocations for each WMU, along with last year's allocation. More detailed information for each WMU allocation will be posted on the agency's website in the near future, in the "Deer Program" section.

WMU 1A allocation will be 42,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 1B allocation will be 30,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 2A allocation will be 55,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 2B allocation will be 68,000 to continue to decrease the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 2C allocation will be 49,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 2D allocation will be 56,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 2E allocation will be 21,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 2F allocation will be 28,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 2G allocation will be 26,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 3A allocation will be 26,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 3B allocation will be 43,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 3C allocation will be 27,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 3D allocation will be 37,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 4A allocation will be 29,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 4B allocation will be 23,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 4C allocation will be 35,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 4D allocation will be 40,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 4E allocation will be 30,000 to allow an increase in the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 5A allocation will be 19,000 to allow an increase in the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 5B allocation will be 51,000 to continue to stabilize the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

WMU 5C allocation will be 113,000 to continue to decrease the population trend, up from last year's allocation of 92,000.

WMU 5D allocation will be 22,000 to continue to decrease the population trend, which is the same as last year's.

PHEASANT SEASON CHANGES TO ENHANCE WILD RECOVERY PROJECT

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to a major change in pheasant hunting designed to be the first major step toward re-establishing wild pheasant populations in Pennsylvania.

Under the agency's recently approved Ring-necked Pheasant Management Plan, the Game Commission calls for restoring self-sustaining and huntable populations of wild pheasants in suitable habitats called "Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas" (WPRAs), and defined as the Pike Run, Somerset and Central Susquehanna WPRAs. The agency will facilitate the release of 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 the release 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 will be prohibited in these WPRAs from the end of small game season in early February through July 31 each year.

"Working with major partners, such as Pheasants Forever, the University of California 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 three areas of the state. To make the best use of the agency's resources, and with the support of these partners, we are going to establish these areas as the first WPRAs in the state.

"While we hope to identify more, 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 2009-10 seasons, the WPRAs are defined as the following geographic locations:

(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.

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 (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/), select "Hunting" then click on the photograph of the pheasant.

BOARD ADJUSTS EXTENDED BEAR SEASONS

The Board of Commissioners today gave final approval to the traditional three-day statewide black bear season before Thanksgiving, extended bear seasons in certain portions of the state concurrent with the first week of the firearms deer season and a two-day archery season.

While most bear seasons remain the same, extended hunting opportunities were added for WMUs 5B and 5C, in the southeastern portion of the state, and will run Dec. 2-5, Wednesday through Saturday, along with the concurrent firearms deer season in these units. However, the Board removed WMU 3C, in the northeastern corner of the state, from the extended season, due to a declining bear population trend.

Pennsylvania's extended modern-day bear hunting started in 2002, when bear hunters were given the opportunity to fill their tags the first week of the firearms deer season in Carbon, Monroe and Pike counties. With the advent of the state's 22 WMUs, the extended season was held in WMU 3D in 2003. In 2004, the number of WMUs open for the concurrent deer/bear season was expanded, and the Board has made adjustments to those areas that are included or closed based on population trends.

Bear licenses must be purchased prior to the opening of the firearms deer season.

BOBCAT SEASON EXPANDED TO WMUS 4A AND 4E

After nine bobcat seasons, the Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to add Wildlife Management Units 4A and 4E to the list of WMUs in which bobcats can be taken by those hunters/trappers who are selected for a permit. The upcoming public drawing to award bobcat permits, which will be held in September, will continue to guarantee permits to those who have earned a certain number of preference points.

The decision to add WMUs 4A and 4E to the bobcat hunt/trap area is based on the increased number of incidental bobcat captures and bobcat sightings in these areas.

Beginning in 2003, the Game Commission began awarding preference points to individuals who apply for and do not receive a bobcat harvest permit during a given year. This preference point system was designed to incrementally increase the probability of receiving a permit each year that an applicant is unsuccessful. Bobcat permits are awarded using a random computer drawing from an applicant database. The number of preference points is applied to the applicant's name prior to the drawing. Under this system, the odds of being selected increase significantly as points are accrued, but new applicants always have a chance of being selected. Applicants who are selected and receive a permit are prohibited from applying the following year and their preference points are set back to zero.

"Last year, we modified the selection process to provide guaranteed permits to applicants who earned the maximum number of preference points," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "We can provide this benefit without negating the chance of a new applicant to receive a permit or significantly reducing the odds of being drawn for an applicant with less than the maximum number preference points."

In order to receive a guaranteed permit for the 2009 drawing, an applicant will have to have applied without being drawn for five years, as well as apply this year, to have the maximum number of preference points of six and receive a guaranteed permit.

Residents and nonresident furtaker license holders, as well as combination license holders, are eligible for the public drawing to award bobcat permits.

In other trapping-related action, the Board gave final approval to a change in the cable restraint season to allow those eligible for the cable restraint season for foxes and coyotes to keep non-target furbearers that are incidentally captured in a cable restraint during seasons in which those furbearers are legal for harvest.

HUNTERS REMINDED ABOUT PROCESS FOR SETTING WATERFOWL SEASONS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to nearly all of the 2009-10 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 invite 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 (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/) along with a news release announcing the agency's final selections by mid-August.

ADOPTED 2009-10 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. 10-16 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 17-Nov. 28; Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 6 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 17-Nov. 28, Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 23 (2 daily, 4 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 24-Nov. 28, Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 6 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 10-17 (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. 24-Nov. 28. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs - Oct. 24-Nov. 28, Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 6 (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. 24-Nov. 28 (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: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season.

CROWS: July 3-April 4, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 31-Nov. 14; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 31- Nov. 21; WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 4A and 4B - Oct. 31-Nov. 14; WMUs 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E - Oct. 31-Nov. 21; WMUs 5A and 5B - CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING; and WMUs 5C and 5D (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 31-Nov. 4 (1 bird limit, either sex).

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth - April 24, 2010. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): May 1-31, 2010. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D) Bow and Arrow only: Nov. 18-19. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 23-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Portions of WMUs 3B, 4E and 2G): Nov. 30-Dec. 5. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. In the following portions:

-- The portion 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 WMU 4E, East of Rt. 42; and


-- The portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and WMU 3B in
Lycoming County that lies North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna
River from the Rt. 405 bridge, West to the Rt. 15 at Williamsport,
Route 15 to Rt. 220, North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of
SR 2015 to Rt. 150, East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Road and south of Lusk
Run Road to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001,
East of SR 1001 to Croak Hallow Road, South of Croak Hallow Road to
Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Road (the
intersection of SR1003, South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of S R 1006
to Sulphur Run Road, South of Sulphur Run Road 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.



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

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 2-7. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. The Board gave approval to an allocation of 59 elk license for the 2009 season. Further information about allocation of antlered and antlerless licenses, as well as allocations by zone, will be announced later.

ELK (Conservation Tag): Sept. 1-Nov. 7, in any Elk Management Zone. One antlered elk license awarded per Act 101 of 2008.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 19-Oct. 2, Nov. 16-28 and Dec. 14-23. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide, including WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Oct. 3-Nov. 14 and Dec. 26-Jan. 9. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 30-Dec. 12. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B: Nov. 30-Dec. 4. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period in WMUs 2B, 2G, 3C and 4B.)

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B: Dec. 5-12. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 22-24. 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. 17-24. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 9. One antlered 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. 23. One antlered 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. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 23. 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 2009-10 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. 24-Feb. 20, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays and prior to noon during the spring gobbler season. No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E): Oct. 24-Feb. 20. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)

ADOPTED 2009-10 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 21-Jan. 10. Unlimited.



COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 25-Feb. 21. No limit.

COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Jan. 1-Feb. 21. 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): Oct. 25-Feb. 21. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)

ADOPTED 2009-10 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), 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: PGCNews@state.pa.us

For Information Contact:
Jerry Feaser
717-705-6541
PGCNEWS@state.pa.us




Source: Pennsylvania Game Commission


CONTACT: Jerry Feaser of Pennsylvania Game Commission, +1-717-705-6541, PGCNEWS@state.pa.us

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