Rule changes on Pennsylvania’s Raystown Lake upset bass anglers, tournament organizers
Tournament bass anglers and tournament organizers in Pennsylvania are upset about rule changes at Raystown Lake for 2024 that sharply reduce hours when events can occur.
A Jan. 16 news release from the Baltimore District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers asked fishing tournament directors to schedule the start and end times of their tournaments outside of peak capacity weekend hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays, between Memorial Day and Labor Day holiday weekends, “when first-come, first-served boating traffic is heaviest.”
Rule changes on Pennsylvania’s Raystown Lake upset bass anglers, tournament organizers Read More »
Mark Nale: Open Fields Doctrine is important for the protection of Pennsylvania’s wildlife
When I read the reader commentary in the Dec. 22 issue of Pennsylvania Outdoor News, I thought, “Wow – this guy makes sense.”
Wayne Bush of Roaring Spring, Pennsylvania, was commenting about two Clearfield County hunting clubs’ efforts to circumvent the “Open Fields Doctrine,” — a law that allows law enforcement officers, including game wardens, access to undeveloped private property. The clubs lost in court and then appealed the ruling.
Organized predator hunts scheduled across Pennsylvania
At least 25 organized predator hunts are scheduled across Pennsylvania, and hunters are eager to participate. Hunts began this month, with several already underway, and continue through early March.
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Pennsylvania bear hunters take fewer than 3,000 bruins for first time since 2007
Preliminary bear harvest figures indicate that hunters in Pennsylvania harvested 2,906 bears during all seasons in 2023. This is the first time in 16 years that the harvest has dropped below 3,000 bears.
The harvest was below 3,000 in 2007 and also in 2002, but you have to go way back to 1999 to find harvests consistently below 3,000.
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Mark Nale: Here’s my idea of a perfect Pennsylvania Game and/or Fish & Boat Commissioner
A bill before the Pennsylvania House of Representatives would give license buyers in specific districts a chance to select commissioners for both the Game Commission and Fish & Boat Commission. Currently, candidates are fielded by the Governor’s Council on Hunting, Fishing and Conservation, nominated by the governor, and then confirmed by the Senate.
License buyers — what should a candidate for commissioner look like? As a long-time purchaser of both hunting and fishing licenses, and also as someone who has attended numerous meetings held by both agencies, I will give you my take on the subject.
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Pennsylvania bear hunters do well in north-central and northeastern counties
Pennsylvania’s statewide regular firearms season for bears came to a close Nov. 21. Hunters in the traditional north-central and northeastern bear counties did well, but less so in non-traditional counties such as Huntingdon and Somerset.
Thus far this year, just 26 bears have been shot in Huntingdon County, and only 31 bears in Somerset County. These two counties have sometimes posted harvests of over 100 bears.
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Business as usual? All Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners reappointed
A new process for selecting commissioners for both the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission and the Game Commission was instituted by Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration earlier this year.
The new process was supposed to put new applicants for open seats an equal footing to those seeking reappointment. Is the new process doing what was promised? After all of the applications, interviews and feedback, all five of the sitting commissioners were reappointed for another four-year term.
Business as usual? All Pennsylvania Fish & Boat commissioners reappointed Read More »
Bill proposed in Pennsylvania allowing license holders to select fish, game commissioners politics in its truest form
State representative Dave Maloney introduced legislation that would allow agency license buyers to nominate and vote for commissioner candidates.
At present, commissioners for both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission are recommended by the governor and confirmed by the Senate. Prior to being nominated, they are interviewed and recommended to the governor by the Governor’s Advisory Council for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation.
Pennsylvania elk hunters enjoy big success
Pennsylvania general-season elk hunters endured rain on day one and some were treated to snow on the morning of the third day of the state’s limited-permit elk hunt.
Pennsylvania Game Commission elk biologist Jeremy Banfield described the remainder of the week as “great hunting weather, with temperatures that make meat care and preparation easy.” The good weather allowed hunters to build on their opening day success.
Pennsylvania elk hunters enjoy big success Read More »
