BOARD APPROVES ACQUISITION OF NEARLY 160 ACRES; BOARD APPROVES MINING SUPPORT
LEASE/LAND EXCHANGE; BOARD APPROVES GREENE COUNTY LAND EXCHANGE

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=171097

EAGLES SCORE!

Despite the Philadelphia Eagles football team's loss this past weekend,
Pennsylvania's bald eagles that winter over at Huntingdon County's Raystown
Lake have scored big.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's annual midwinter eagle survey, which was
conducted the week of Jan. 8, produced the highest number of birds sighted
since the survey began in 1990.

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=171013

PENNSYLVANIA BEARS DENNING IN WINTER

Unlike all other wildlife, early January marks the time when Pennsylvania's
black bears are giving birth to their young, which weigh less than one-half
pound, according to the Pennsylvania Game Commission.

"Despite the time of year, survival of these newborns is relatively high, and a
litter can range in size from one to five, with the average being three," said
Mark Ternent, Game Commission bear biologist. "Amazingly, this entire process
occurs while bears are in hibernation.

"In Pennsylvania, bears den up and become dormant during the winter. Females,
which will be producing cubs, may begin hibernating as early as mid-November.
Hibernating bears, unlike other hibernating wildlife, are awake and aware of
their surroundings, but usually will not leave a den site until spring. Body
temperature, respiration and heart rate might decline, but not noticeably.
They do not urinate or defecate while dormant. At the time cubs are born,
females will groom their cubs daily, so hibernation for bears is more like a
prolonged rest than a deep sleep that is common of other hibernators, such as
woodchucks or chipmunks."

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=170992

CORRECTION ISSUED REGARDING EXTENDED ARCHERY SEASON FOR ANTLERLESS DEER IN WMUS
2B, 5C AND 5D

HARRISBURG - Yesterday, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave
preliminary approval to a slate of seasons and bag limits for 2007-08.
However, News Release #010-07 incorrectly listed information about extended
archery deer seasons for Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D, the three
highly developed units of the state that cover the southwestern and
southeastern portions of the state.

As part of the season frameworks given preliminary approval, the Board provided
for extended archery seasons for antlerless deer only in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, to
be held Sept. 15-28, and Nov. 12-24, in addition to the statewide season
dates. The Board also gave preliminary approval to an archery deer season for
antlerless deer only in WMU 2B from Dec. 10-22.

It was incorrectly noted in this news release that these extended seasons were
for antlered and antlerless deer.

Following is the corrected portion of the season table for deer:

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 15-28, and Nov. 12-
24. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMU 2B: Dec.10-22. One antlerless deer with
each required antlerless license.

The next Board meeting will be held on April 17-18, at which time Game
Commissioners will take final action on the 2007-08 seasons and bag limits and
establish antlerless deer license allocations for the 22 WMUs.

News Release #010-07 has been changed to reflect the correct information on the
agency'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=171083

GAME COMMISSION RELEASES OFFICIAL 2006 BEAR HARVEST

According to official 2006 bear harvest figures released today by the
Pennsylvania Game Commission, hunters took a total of 3,122 bears, which
included 79 bears during the first ever archery bear season, Nov. 15-16; 2,569
bears during the statewide 3-day season, Nov. 20-22; and 476 bears during the
extended season, Nov. 27-Dec. 2, that was open in select areas of the state.

This harvest ranks second only to the 2005 harvest, which set a record of 4,164
bears harvested. Other recent harvests were: 3,075 in 2000; 3,063 in 2001;
2,686 in 2002; 3,000 in 2003; and 2,972 in 2004.

Mark Ternent, Game Commission bear biologist, noted that bears were taken in 52
counties. The largest bear taken was a 693-pound (estimated live weight) male
taken in West Branch Township, Potter County, by John Eppinette of Adamstown on
Nov. 20. In all, 11 bears taken by hunters weighed 600 pounds or more. In
addition, female hunters took 55 bears and junior licensed hunters took 93
bears during all three seasons.

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=171139

Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency eAlert: Newsroom
Release #017-07

ILLEGAL KILLING OF BEAR AND DEER CASE RESULTS IN OTHER CHARGES
A Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer filed multiple
charges against David N. Hartzell Jr., 28, of Centre Township, Perry County,
for his involvement in the illegal killing of a black bear and two deer. All
charges were filed with District Justice Donald F. Howell in Newport on Feb.
14.

OHIO RESIDENTS PLEAD GUILTY IN CLEARFIELD COUNTY DEER CASE
What started out as an investigation about illegally dumped deer carcasses
resulted in six Ohio residents pleading guilty to numerous charges filed by
Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) Dave Stewart
for illegally killing five deer in Clearfield County.

THREE PLEAD GUILTY TO POACHING DEER IN TWO COUNTIES
In a case that Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officers (WCOs) said
proves "there is no honor among poachers," multiple charges were filed against
four residents from northwestern Pennsylvania for unlawful use of lights while
hunting, unlawful possession of a loaded firearm in a vehicle and unlawful
possession of a deer that was killed by another group of unidentified
poachers. The charges were the result of several years worth of information
provided by concerned citizens.

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=171195

Governor's Outdoor Conference
Opportunity to attend Governor’s Outdoor Conference

Stakeholders who want to explore ideas about keeping people connected with the
outdoors will be interested in the Governor’s Outdoor Conference being held
March 18-20 in State College. To include a broad range of interests,
nominations for individuals and organizations who would like to attend are
being accepted.

“Our quality of life depends on our ability to understand, appreciate and enjoy
Pennsylvania’s natural bounties,” Governor Edward G. Rendell said. “We simply
cannot afford to lose our connection with the outdoors. It’s a rich part of our
heritage and provides the balance we need for a prosperous future.”

Mirroring national trends, Pennsylvania’s aging population, declining numbers
of hunters and anglers, loss of open space, increased competition for leisure
time and a drop in environmental literacy have combined to cause concern.
These and other indicators suggest a meaningful decline in people’s connections
to their outdoor environment, which can have consequences on our communities,
our economy, and our natural resources

The conference, which will be held at the Penn Stater Conference Center in
State College, will gather policy makers, business representatives, sportsmen’s
groups, conservation organizations and representatives of the health and
education sectors to analyze current trends and consider solutions to expand
people’s connection to the outdoors. There is a $275 registration fee to
attend.

For more information about the conference visit www.connectoutdoors.state.pa.
us. To nominate an attendee or request an invitation, email
connectoutdoorsinfo@state.pa.us.

HABITAT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT SET FOR SCHUYLKILL COUNTY
Pennsylvania Game Commissioner Gregory J. Isabella is urging local sportsmen to
join him and Game Commission personnel from the Southeast region office for a
day of border-edge cutting on State Game Land 229 in Reilly Township,
Schuylkill County. The event is set for 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 3.

"This border-edge cutting event will give hunters and sportsmen who hunt this
area an opportunity to come out and do some habitat work to benefit wildlife,"
Isabella said. "It also offers hunters an opportunity to get in some scouting
prior to the upcoming spring gobbler season."

MINUTES FROM BOARD'S JANUARY MEETING POSTED ON WEBSITE
Minutes from the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners meeting on Jan. 23
have been posted on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us). To review a
copy, click on "Reports/Minutes" in the left-hand column of the homepage, then
choose "January 2007" in the "Board Meeting Minutes" section.

Minutes from all Board meetings held in 2006 also are available for review

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=171223

GAME COMMISSION POSTS TURKEY MANAGEMENT PLAN ON WEBSITE

After reviewing public comments and making revisions, the Pennsylvania Game
Commission has posted the updated wild turkey management plan for 2006-2015 on
its website. The 71-page report can be viewed on the agency's website (www.pgc.
state.pa.us), by selecting "Hunting" in the left-hand navigation column on the
homepage, then clicking on the photograph of the wild turkey and choosing "Wild
Turkey Management 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=171349

GAME COMMISSION COMPLETES CWD DRILL
Following a week-long drill and review, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive
Director Carl G. Roe announced that he is pleased with the progress that the
agency is making to response should chronic wasting disease (CWD) be found in
the state.

"Currently, there are no confirmed or suspected cases of CWD-infected deer or
elk in Pennsylvania, and we are working to ensure that it stays that way," Roe
said. "While there always is room for improvement, I believe that, having gone
through this planning exercise, our agency response plan provides a solid
foundation should CWD be identified within our borders.

"Working through this drill, we have identified certain equipment, materials
and contact information we must refine in order to improve our preparedness.
We also look forward to the next meeting of the statewide CWD Task Force, so
that we can share what we have learned and what we believe we need to address
in the overall state response plan."

HUNTER-KILLED ELK TEST NEGATIVE FOR CWD
Samples taken from hunter-killed elk during the state's 2006 hunting season
have all tested negative for chronic wasting disease (CWD), according to Dr.
Walt Cottrell, the Pennsylvania Game Commission's wildlife veterinarian. Of
the 35 elk taken during the season, samples were successfully collected from 28
hunter-killed elk.

Based on a significant increase in the number of deer samples collected for
testing, Cottrell noted that the Game Commission still is awaiting the results
of the more than 4,200 hunter-killed deer samples collected during the 2006
rifle deer season.

GAME COMMISSION TO TEST TWO SIKA DEER REMOVED FROM WILD
Samples were collected for chronic wasting disease (CWD) testing from a male
and female Formosan sika deer removed from the wild by a Pennsylvania Game
Commission officer late yesterday morning along Interstate 81 outside of
Harrisburg. It is believed that a third male sika still may be in the area.

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=171363

GAME COMMISSION: TIME IS RIGHT FOR BLUEBIRD BOXES TO SPROUT

Despite winter's cold grip on the weather, Pennsylvania Game Commission
officials note that nesting activities begin early for the eastern bluebird, a
member of the thrush family and a voracious insect eater that can bring a
splash of color and a lyrical song to many homesteads.

"Now is the time to clean, repair or put up new homes for eastern bluebirds,
which have long been the displaced darlings of Pennsylvania's spring, as well
as the poster bird for what can go wrong when people introduce non-native
species to a new area," said Dan Brauning, Game Commission Wildlife Diversity
Section supervisor. "Bluebirds suffered considerable losses in the twentieth
century due to introductions of house (English) sparrows and European starlings
to America in the 1800s. Further complicating the bluebird's plight,
particularly in Pennsylvania, has been the loss of open spaces to development
or reforestation."

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=171377

RESEARCH MAY CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF WHITETAILS AND HUNTERS

It started as a study that would ultimately strengthen the Pennsylvania Game
Commission's deer management program. But its initial findings will likely be
surprising to many hunters and definitely don't support long-held beliefs.

Researchers from the Game Commission and Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and
Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State University recently completed the second
year of a female white-tailed deer study that focuses on their survival, and
the behavior of deer and hunters during hunting seasons.

"This study was designed to address needs in our deer management program," said
Dr. Christopher Rosenberry, Game Commission Deer Management Section
supervisor. "Gaining a better understanding of deer survival can improve our
ability to track deer populations and to adjust their size through the issuance
of antlerless deer licenses."

Since the spring of 2005, field crews have captured more than 250 deer in both
Wildlife Management Unit 2G - in northcentral Pennsylvania - and WMU 4B -ridge
and valley region comprising southcentral counties. Researchers placed radio
collars on female deer to monitor their survival and movements. During the
firearms hunting season, researchers take to the air and conduct aerial surveys
of hunter distribution and densities.

Preliminary results indicate non-hunting survival rates exceed 80 percent on
both study areas. Outside of the hunting seasons, deer-vehicle collisions and
deaths that could not be assigned a specific cause of death accounted for most
mortalities. Predators killed two adult female deer during the fall of 2006.

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=171391

GAME COMMISSION: 2006-07 DEER HARVEST FIGURES NOW AVAILABLE

Hunters harvested an estimated 361,560 deer in the 2006-07 seasons, similar to
the 2005-06 estimated harvest of 354,390, according to Pennsylvania Game
Commission figures released today.

Hunters took 135,290 antlered deer in the 2006-07 seasons, compared to the
previous year's harvest of 120,500.

Also, hunters harvested 226,270 antlerless deer in 2006-07, compared to 233,890
in 2005-06. The 2006-07 antlerless deer license allocation was reduced by two
percent, from 879,000 to 859,000.

Harvest estimates for 2006-07 seasons are based on 136,932 usable harvest
report cards (50,099 antlered; 86,833 antlerless) returned by hunters to the
Commission and 29,581 deer (10,283 antlered; 19,298 antlerless) examined by
Game Commission personnel in the field and at processors.

For a copy of the agency's deer harvest estimating procedure, which has been
peer-reviewed and published in the Journal of Wildlife Management (2004), visit
the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Deer Program" in
the "Quick Clicks" box in the upper right-hand corner of the homepage, then
choose "Communication, Education and Outreach to Citizens," and then choose
"Reporting rate variability and precision of white-tailed deer harvest
estimates in Pennsylvania."

For an easier-to-understand description of the process, choose "Research" from
the "Deer Program" page, and then select "Harvest estimates of Pennsylvania's
white-tailed deer."

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=171419

YOUTH HUNTER ESSAY CONTEST WINNERS HONORED
Devin D. Fester, of Bloomsburg, Columbia County, is headed for summer school
and, unlike most youngsters facing that task, he just can't wait to get
started.

Fester, 16, is the grand-prize winner of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's
2006 Youth Hunter Education Essay Contest.

YHEC COUNCIL TO HOST ANNUAL YOUTH HUNTER EDUCATION CHALLENGE
The Pennsylvania Youth Hunter Education Challenge Council, with the support of
the Pennsylvania Game Commission, will hold the 22nd Pennsylvania Youth Hunter
Education Challenge on June 23, at Scotia Range on State Game Land 176, just
outside State College, Centre County.

Following the selection of the Pennsylvania team, a practice weekend will be
held on July 7-8, at the Southern Clinton County Sportsmen's Club to prepare to
go to the NRA's Whittington Center for the International Youth Hunter Education
Challenge to be held July 23-27.


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=171433




 

BOARD OF GAME COMMISSIONERS TO MEET ON APRIL 17-18

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners will be meeting on Tuesday and
Wednesday, April 17-18, at the agency's Harrisburg headquarters, 2001 Elmerton
Ave., just off the Progress Avenue exit of Interstate 81. The meetings will
begin at 8:30 a.m. on both days.

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=171454