Ben Moyer: Pennsylvania lags behind in debate over use of trail cameras
This frequently happens when I search the Pennsylvania House or Senate websites for specific information. I’ll encounter something else that’s unrelated, but interesting.
That’s how I learned about House Bill 59, which was introduced in the House and referred to the Game and Fisheries Committee. From what I can tell, HB 59 hasn’t progressed beyond committee, but its intent remains of interest, especially when considered along with developments in some other states. This bill would amend Title 34, the Game and Wildlife Code, to make it illegal to steal a hunter’s trail camera.
Ben Moyer: Pennsylvania lags behind in debate over use of trail cameras Read More »
Ben Moyer: Still water and sunfish offer fun fly-fishing lessons
I have been thinking about fly-fishing. That’s likely due to going on a couple of trips recently with people whose skills exceed my own.
Visions of their smooth and effortless casting keep surfacing in my head. Is such grace, I wonder, the result of perfectly matched rod, line, leader and fly? Or is that angler’s muscle-memory simply better coordinated than mine?
Ben Moyer: Still water and sunfish offer fun fly-fishing lessons Read More »
Ben Moyer: Taking a close look at paper calling for federal leadership in deer management
The prior issue of this publication carried a story about researchers who collaborated to publish a paper titled: “Where have all the flowers gone? A call for federal leadership in deer management in the United States.”
That’s a name that’s sure to spark boiling opposition among deer hunters and state wildlife agencies. The states, legally and traditionally, have purview over deer management within their borders. Sensing our readers’ interest, I searched for the paper online, then read the nine-page text.
Ben Moyer: Planning, teamwork make kids’ fishing events successful
Owing to commitment and generosity among the outdoor public, kids’ fishing events are frequent at this time of year.
All these experiences are positive contributions to the future. They boost youth interest in fishing and help build the angling and resource stewardship community. An organization with which I’m affiliated has offered many such events. Below are a few observations about how to make a kids’ fishing experience successful.
Ben Moyer: Planning, teamwork make kids’ fishing events successful Read More »
Ben Moyer: Notice of Stocking is a positive start for Pennsylvania fisheries
Progress in natural resource conservation is always welcome news.
Same thing for managing outdoor recreation, which is why it’s good to know the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission’s Notice of Stocking regulation is in operation and, apparently, well received by many anglers and commercial fish producers. Establishing the rule, by which individuals or organizations intending to stock fish of any kind in the state are required to notify the Fish & Boat Commission was not easy.
Ben Moyer: Notice of Stocking is a positive start for Pennsylvania fisheries Read More »
Ben Moyer: Hemlock birds merit place in Pennsylvania’s marten decision
Few topics beyond deer management have prompted more discussion across these pages than reintroducing the American marten to Pennsylvania forests.
Still, anyone on either side can benefit from reading “American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan for Pennsylvania,” the document prepared by Game Commission biologists to explain the proposed reintroduction. The plan illuminates the marten’s niche here before extirpation, examines habitat and diet in diverse regions of North America, and assesses public opinion. You can learn more about martens there than would be possible through an arduous search.
Ben Moyer: Hemlock birds merit place in Pennsylvania’s marten decision Read More »
Ben Moyer: Outdoors make Ohiopyle, Pa., Northeast’s ‘Best Small Town’
As a rule, this column looks for topics of appeal to readers across Pennsylvania. But the hope is that readers will excuse this deviation to brag about something more locally (to me) focused. Readers of USA Today recently voted Ohiopyle, Pa., as the “Best Small Town in the Northeast.”
Ohiopyle is the smallest small town among places that made USA Today’s Top 10. With 13 permanent year-round residents, the tiny Fayette County borough is less populous than the police forces of other candidates like Montpelier, Vt., and Morristown, N.J.
Ben Moyer: Outdoors make Ohiopyle, Pa., Northeast’s ‘Best Small Town’ Read More »
Ben Moyer: Quail release an uplifting development in Pennsylvania
I count myself fortunate to have been invited to the March 19 release of wild bobwhite quail, trapped the previous day in Florida, onto the Letterkenny Army Depot in Franklin County, Pa.
It’s doubtful those quail felt as fortunate, at least initially. A stiff northwest wind bored down off the crest of Blue Mountain. Against those gusts, the mid-40s temperature that greeted the north-Florida bobwhites felt like the winter we never had, at least to the assembled humans.
Ben Moyer: Quail release an uplifting development in Pennsylvania Read More »
Ben Moyer: Don’t take public land objections from politicians lightly
It’s not a surprise that some Pennsylvania senators recently expressed the opinion that the Game Commission owns too much land. They stated these views during the commission’s annual interview with the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee.
So, there, senators referred specifically to game lands. But their statements reflect a broader dissatisfaction with public lands in general, including state forests, state parks, and national forests.
Ben Moyer: Don’t take public land objections from politicians lightly Read More »
