PGC Press releases

PLAINS MAN CHARGED WITH POACHING
Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Peter
Sussenbach, of Monroe County, recently filed charges against a Luzerne County
man for his alleged involvement in the unlawful killing of a white-tailed deer.
Michael Ostopik, 29, of Plains, was charged with one count each of unlawful
taking or possession of a white-tailed deer and using bait as an enticement to
attract wildlife. If found guilty of both counts, Ostopik faces up to $1,100 in
fines and the loss of his hunting and trapping privileges for several years.

YORK COUNTY AND MARYLAND RESIDENTS PLEAD GUILTY
Pennsylvania Game Commission officials announced that a York County resident
and two residents of Maryland pled guilty to a variety of criminal wildlife
charges that occurred on and prior to Nov. 19.

The citations had been filed by Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer
(WCO) Guy Hansen before District Justice Nancy Edie, Brogue.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170187

GAME COMMISSION'S PROJECT WILD HELPS EDUCATORS WITH WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
CURRICULUM

With the school year underway, imagine you are an educator who needs an
activity to help teach conservation specific skills and concepts, is exciting
and engaging for students, complements the curriculum and helps meet the state
Department of Education's Environment and Ecology State Education Standards.
Whether you teach afternoon kindergarten, middle school social studies, high
school science or lead a youth group, you could be on your way to the
schoolyard, the copy machine, the classroom or the computer with a variety of
Project WILD activities to supplement your curriculum, courtesy of the
Pennsylvania Game Commission.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170264

GAME COMMISSION INTENSIFIES EFFORTS TO HELP ENDANGERED BIRDS

Their foothold in Pennsylvania was never more than a few beachfronts on Presque
Isle State Park in Erie County. And, to most beachgoers, their presence was
largely undetected. But the loss of these handsome shorebirds as nesters is
unfortunate, and something the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other partners
are trying to reverse.

Piping plovers nested on the outer shores of Presque Isle into the early 1950s,
and then apparently pulled stakes on their nesting grounds. It was a recurring
reaction that haunted piping plovers throughout the Great Lakes region until
their population collapsed under increasing - but unintentional -competition
with humans for beachfront.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170446

RABIES CONFIRMED IN FISHER IN CAMBRIA COUNTY

Dr. Walter Cottrell, Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife veterinarian, today
announced the state Department of Health's laboratory in Lionville, Chester
County, has confirmed that a fisher recovered near St. Michaels, Cambria
County, was rabid. This particular fisher had become a part of the Game
Commission's ongoing research project seeking to learn more about this member
of the weasel family.

"This is the first recorded case of rabies in this species in Pennsylvania,"
said Dr. Cottrell. "Like any mammal, fishers are susceptible to rabies, but it
has never been confirmed in this species before.

"With many Pennsylvanians, including hunters, trappers and hikers, preparing to
enjoy outdoor activities in Penn's Woods, we wanted to remind them to be
cautious if they encounter and wild animal acting in an unusual manner, and not
to handle wildlife they find dead."

In July, this fisher was trapped while stealing eggs from a farm in Cambria
County. After being radio collared, its apparently normal movements were
periodically monitored as part of the fisher study. On Oct. 27, the animal was
known to be alive. However, on Oct. 28, researchers began to receive a
mortality signal from its radio collar and, on Oct. 29, it was found dead
beneath a brush pile in a location where being hit by a car was a possibility.

"There was blood from multiple body orifices, but no other visible clues
suggesting a cause of death," Dr. Cottrell said. "Because the cause of death
was not obvious and the person who handled it did not wear gloves, Game
Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Shawn Harshaw recommended that it be
submitted for rabies testing."

While awaiting the results, the fisher was transferred by another individual to
Dr. Cottrell at the Animal Diagnostic Laboratory at Penn State University. The
necropsy revealed extensive lung bruising and blood in the urine, but little
else.

"Since the animal tested positive for rabies, no further examination of the
tissues taken at necropsy will be done," Dr. Cottrell said. "The actual cause
of death will not be determined. We know that the rabies virus moves
relatively slowly from the site of the bite or exposure to the brain where it
replicates and then migrates to the salivary glands. Only then does the animal
become clinically affected and shed the rabies virus, usually by way of a
bite."

Without a conclusive necropsy, Game Commission researchers will be left to
wonder if this fisher was struck by a vehicle, which made him seek shelter
under the brush pile, or if it was experiencing clinical rabies - the so called
'dumb' form of rabies - and seeking solitude in that brush pile.

"Even though we won't ever know, we are left with a reminder that handling
wildlife - even by trained professionals - can potentially place an individual
in contact with a serious disease, such as rabies."

In the past, two fishers had been tested at the state Department of
Agriculture's veterinary laboratory for rabies, and both tests were negative.

Created in 1895 as an independent state agency, the Game Commission is
responsible for conserving and managing all wild birds and mammals in the
Commonwealth, establishing hunting seasons and bag limits, enforcing hunting
and trapping laws, and managing habitat on the 1.4 million acres of State Game
Lands it has purchased over the years with hunting and furtaking license
dollars to safeguard wildlife habitat. The agency also conducts numerous
wildlife conservation programs for schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's
clubs.

The Game Commission does not receive any general state taxpayer dollars for its
annual operating budget. The agency is funded by license sales revenues; the
state's share of the federal Pittman-Robertson program, which is an excise tax
collected through the sale of sporting arms and ammunition; and monies from the
sale of oil, gas, coal, timber and minerals derived from State Game Lands.

CITIZENS HELP END FULTON COUNTY TROPHY-DEER KILLING SPREE
"One of the finest cases of citizen involvement I've seen in a long time," is
the way Pennsylvania Game Commission Southcentral Region Director Don Parr
described a recent Fulton County case in which Commonwealth Wildlife
Conservation Officers (WCOs) filed 37 counts on men from West Virginia and
Maryland involved in shooting trophy white-tailed deer and removing their
antlers or heads.

Charged before Magisterial District Judge Carol Jean Johnson of Needmore, were
Joshua M. Smith, 24 of Williamsport, Maryland, and Julian C. Hoffman, 21, of
Berkley Springs, West Virginia. Smith was charged with 19 counts and Hoffman
with 18 counts, including unlawful use of lights while hunting, unlawful taking
or possessing of game or wildlife, spotlighting after legal hours and loaded
guns in vehicles. Wildlife officers from Maryland and West Virginia assisted
Pennsylvania in investigating these poaching cases.

If convicted of all counts, Smith faces fines of up to $8,100 and Hoffman faces
fines of up to $7,300. Additionally, both face the loss of their hunting and
trapping privileges for 24 years and 21 years respectively.


BRADFORD COUNTY DEER POACHING CHARGES FILED
With the assistance of local police from two municipalities, Pennsylvania Game
Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Joe Wenzel, of Bradford County,
recently filed multiple charges against three individuals for poaching at least
11 deer from earlier this year. All charges stem for an incident that occurred
in the evening of June 27.

Andrew Mathews, 30, of Sayre, was charged for Game and Wildlife Code violations
by WCO Wenzel. Mathews faces one count of possessing a loaded firearm in a
vehicle, one count of unlawful use of lights, and 11 counts of unlawful taking
and possession of game or wildlife. If convicted of all Game and Wildlife Code
charges, he faces up to $10,000 in fines, and the loss of his hunting and
trapping privileges for 35 years. Mathews, who has had his hunting and
trapping privileges revoked since 1989, has been previously convicted of
poaching in 1989, 1992, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2004. He also has not paid
previous fines.

Additionally, Mathews was charged with various Crimes Code violations by Athens
Township Police Officer Richard Horton and Sayre Borough Police Officer Derek
Watkins. He was charged with two counts of simple assault; two counts
aggravated assault; one count resisting arrest; one count disorderly conduct;
one count corruption of a minor; three counts endangering the welfare of a
child; and one count defiant trespass.


For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170509

ELK HUNTERS HAVE GREAT SEASON

As part of the state's sixth modern-day elk season, which ran from Nov. 6-11,
40 licensed elk hunters harvested 33 elk: 14 antlered and 19 antlerless. The
40 hunters awarded licenses were selected at a public drawing from a field of
nearly 19,000 entrants on Sept. 23.

"Elk are one of North America's premier big game animals," said Carl G. Roe,
Pennsylvania Game Commission executive director. "Pennsylvania is privileged
to offer this unique hunting opportunity, a product of successful wildlife
management that helps to finance wildlife conservation and supports
Pennsylvania's rich hunting heritage. It's an unparalleled experience for
hunters, particularly those who can't afford to go on an expensive one- or two-
week guided elk hunt out West."

Jon DeBerti, Game Commission elk biologist, said that this year's hunting
season went well.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170523

GAME COMMISSION PREPARES TO COLLECT SAMPLES FOR CWD TESTING
While there continues to be no known cases of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in
the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Game Commission, joined by veterinarians and
laboratory technicians from the Pennsylvania and U.S. departments of
Agriculture, is stepping up its efforts next week to verify that fact.

GAME COMMISSION TO CONDUCT CWD RESPONSE DRILL
To better prepare should chronic wasting disease (CWD) be identified in the
state, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe has planned
a CWD-response drill in the first quarter of 2007, for the agency to test its
CWD response plan and preparedness. The decision to hold the drill was a
product of two recently held meetings to review and update the state's response
plan, as well as the agency's internal operational plan.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170558

SCI MAKES DONATION TO GAME COMMISSION DEER RESEARCH

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's deer research program will benefit from the
recent donation of $6,380 from the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Safari Club
International. The money will purchase two telemetry receivers that enable
researchers to remotely download location data from new GPS collars. The new
GPS collars are being purchased by the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit with $50,000 in funding secured by the Quality Deer
Management Association (QDMA) from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170586

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS 'WILD' GIFT GIVING IDEAS

Is the thought of struggling through "Black Friday" shopping crowds
unbearable? Are you looking for that really "wild" holiday gift for that
hunter, trapper or other conservation-minded person on your list? Dozens of
wildlife-related gifts are just a click away at "The Outdoor Shop" on the
Pennsylvania Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170600

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS ADVICE TO PREVENT HYPOTHERMIA

Pennsylvania's unseasonably warm weather will soon give way to cold, windy and
wet weather, so Keith Snyder, Pennsylvania Game Commission Hunter-Trapper
Education Division chief, is reminding hunters, trappers and other outdoors
enthusiasts to plan well to avoid hypothermia.

"Anyone heading afield for the remainder of this year's rifle deer season or
other late hunting and trapping seasons should be aware of the threat of
hypothermia and how to combat it," Snyder said. "Hypothermia occurs when
exposure to the wind, cold and wetness drain heat from the body faster than it
can be produced.

"Extreme cold is not required for hypothermia to develop, and most cases occur
when the air temperature is between 30 and 50 degrees. The best way to combat
hypothermia is to dress properly and avoid getting wet."

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170677

PRELIMINARY BEAR HARVEST MOVES TO SECOND PLACE

With an additional 465 bears taken during the extended bear season that was
open last week in certain parts of the state, Pennsylvania Game Commission
preliminary harvest reports reached 3,099 bears, which moves this year's
harvest into the number two overall position in state bear harvests. Updated
preliminary results also now show that the first-ever, two-day archery bear
season resulted in a harvest of 74; the traditional, statewide three-day season
resulted in a harvest of 2,560.

Official total bear harvest figures for all three seasons won't be available
until early 2007, after a detailed review of the harvest data is completed.

"While this year's bear harvest appears to pale in comparison to the 2005
season, hunters still registered an impressive harvest," said Mark Ternent,
Game Commission bear biologist. "This year's harvest falls in line with the
harvests of 2000 through 2004."

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170712

HUNTING DEER OVER BAIT LEGAL IN FIVE COUNTIES AFTER CHRISTMAS
Beginning Dec. 26, hunters in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and
Philadelphia counties may hunt for deer over bait on private property as a
result of regulatory changes approved recently by the Pennsylvania Game
Commission.

Recommended in the agency's Urban/Suburban Deer Management Plan and finalized
by the state's Board of Game Commissioners in October, the regulations permit
hunters to use baiting to increase the deer kill in the state's highly-
developed southeastern counties, where deer conflicts are difficult for some
residents, and where hunters have had challenges getting close to deer, because
of access issues and safety restrictions.

AGENCY PROVIDES GUIDANCE ON USING BAIT IN DEVELOPED AREAS
The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Deer Management Section has developed
recommendations and guidelines on how hunters in those counties where the use
of bait has been permitted can use bait efficiently to increase deer
harvests.

The Deer Management Section highly recommends using an automatic feeder to
distribute bait at times when you expect to be hunting to increase your chances
of success and reduce visits by non-target species, such as raccoons and
squirrels.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170775

VENANGO COUNTIAN PLEADS GUILTY TO SHOOTING BEAR IN RESIDENTIAL AREA

On Nov. 21, the second day of Pennsylvania's bear season, a call from a
concerned citizen sent Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation
Officer (WCO) Clint Deniker to the intersection of 15th Street and Tingley
Avenue in the Franklin Heights area of Franklin, Venango County. The caller
told a dispatcher at the agency's Northwest Region Office that an individual
was shooting at a black bear in a residential area.

WCO Deniker was assisted on scene by Deputy WCO Janet Baker, Land Management
Group Supervisor Jim Deniker, and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Waterways Conservation Officers Mark Kerr and Gregg Pochron.


For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170803

CAPOUILLEZ NAMED WILDLIFE HABITAT MANAGEMENT BUREAU DIRECTOR

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today announced
that William Capouillez has been appointed the agency's new Bureau of Wildlife
Habitat Management director. Capouillez fills the vacancy created by the
reassignment of Scott Klinger, who recently accepted a position in the Bureau
of Wildlife Management.

"With the many challenges facing the Game Commission, I know that I can rely on
Bill Capouillez's ability to evaluate a situation and chart a course of action
that is best for wildlife and for our hunting and trapping heritage," Roe
said. "I have been very impressed with Bill's efforts on previous assignments
and have no doubt that he will bring that same level of commitment to his new
role within the Game Commission."

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=170824

GAME COMMISSIONERS PROPOSE 2007-08 SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to
hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2007-08, including increased
antlerless deer seasons in the state's three most developed Wildlife Management
Units (WMUs) 2B, 5C and 5D; a continuation of archery and extended black bear
seasons; and an increased September elk hunt.

The public may offer comments on all proposed 2007-08 seasons and bag limits,
as well as other Board actions, between now and the Board's next meeting, April
17-18, at which time the Board will finalize seasons and bag limits for 2007-
08. Also, the Board will take action on setting antlerless deer license
allocations for the 22 WMUs at its April meeting. Deer harvest estimates for
the 2006-07 seasons will be available in mid-March.

For more information, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=171083