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Lehigh valley outdoors

By Nick Hromiak

Pa deer hunters favor Saturday opener

2/19/2022

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Picture

The Pennsylvania Game Commission commissioned a study to determine hunters’ opinions on the move from the traditional Monday after Thanksgiving rifle deer hunting season opener to a Saturday after Thanksgiving. The result is that sixty percent of hunters surveyed favor the Saturday opener that began during the 2019 rifle deer hunting season. 

The 2021 survey was conducted through a phone survey performed by Responsive Management, a Virginia-based research firm specializing in natural resource and outdoor recreation issues. 

According to the PGC, and as a condition of the phone survey, hunters had to have hunted at least once during the firearms deer season in 2017 and 2018, when the opening day was Monday after Thanksgiving, and at least once during the 2019, 2020 or 2021 firearms deer seasons, all of which opened on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. That ensured those surveyed had the opportunity to hunt both on Monday openers and Saturday openers at some point in the past five years. The purpose was to determine how the change of opening day might have impacted their hunting participation and attitudes. 

According to the survey, 62 percent of hunters said the change of openers had no impact on their hunting. Twenty-five percent of hunters said the change to Saturday had a positive impact on their hunting, while only 11 percent (less than half as many), said it had a negative one. 

The survey also found a majority of hunters – 60 percent – hunted on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, the second day of the firearms deer season. 

The most common reasons given by those who oppose the Saturday opener were that the Monday opener was consistent with tradition, and their set up and enjoyment of hunting camp was rushed with the earlier start date. 

Other findings of the survey revealed support for the Saturday opener was higher among those 54 years old and younger. Support was also higher among those who have a child who hunts as opposed to those who don’t. 

Top reasons cited by hunters who support a Saturday opener are that they have work obligations on Monday so a Saturday opener provides increased hunting opportunities for themselves and others plus a convenience with their child’s school schedule. 

Conversely, opposition to the Saturday opener was higher among hunters 55 and older and among those who hunted from a hunting camp on opening day, compared to those who did not. 

With a Saturday opener, the PGC says it brought back what they termed “lapsed hunters,” meaning those who stopped purchasing licenses for a year or more, but bought a hunting license in 2020. It was the consensus that a Saturday opener had a positive impact on their decision to buy a license. In fact, 53 percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that they started to hunt again because of the Saturday opener. They also reactivated because their child or grandchild asked them to go hunting, or because they were invited by family and friends who favored the Saturday opener. 

The PGC added that the Saturday start allowed for broad participation by Pennsylvania hunters, especially working people and college students. Having the opportunity to hunt the first two days (Saturday and Sunday), meant hunters didn’t have to use up work vacation days.  

One benefit to the agency was that the Saturday rifle start provided increased hunting license sales which were on the decline before announcing a Saturday opener. 
​

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Pennsylvania bear harvest totals are in

2/14/2022

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PictureThe largest bear taken during the past hunting season was a 722-pound Franklin County male. Contributed photo

Pennsylvania’s bear harvest totals are in and hunters managed to make it the fifth largest harvest since 2011. 

Hunters took 3,659 bears during the recent seasons. This compares to 3,621 bears  harvested during the 2020 season. But it pales a bit compared to the 2019 season when 4,653 were taken. 
Of this year’s total, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) reports that the archery season contributed 680 to the recent seasons total, while the muzzleloader/special firearms season added 536.  

According to the PGC, bears were taken in 59 of 67 counties and 22 of Pennsylvania’s 23 Wildlife Management Units. 

The largest bear checked was a 722-pound male taken with a shotgun by Wade Glessner of Shippensburg during the extended season on Dec. 4, in Letterkenny Township, Franklin County. 
The heaviest Pennsylvania bear ever taken was an 875-pounder taken in 2010 in Middle Smithfield Township, Pike County. Since 1992, seven bears weighing at least 800 pounds were harvested in Pennsylvania hunting seasons, says the PGC. 

Other large bears taken in the 2021 seasons - all but one was taken with a rifle - includes a 681-pound male taken with a bow in archery season in Newport Township, Luzerne County; a 676-pound male taken in the regular statewide season in West Franklin Township, Armstrong County; a 649-pound male taken in the extended season in Spring Township, Snyder County; a 640-pound male taken in the regular season in Pike Township, Clearfield County; a 640-pound male in the extended season in Gamble Township, Lycoming County; a 614-pound male in the extended season in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County; with 605 and 602 pounders adding to the 600-pound and above list. 

Top bear producing counties include Lycoming with 232; Potter with 180; Pike with 167; Tioga with 166; and Clinton with 156. Rounding out the top 10 counties were; Bradford County (136); Sullivan (127); Wayne (120); Centre (118); and Huntingdon (115). 

As many Lehigh Valley area hunters likely hunt in the Northeast and Southeast regions, here is the harvest breakdown per county with last year’s harvest in parenthesis:  

In the Northeast Region there were a total of 1,121 (988) bears taken from the following counties: Pike, 167 (105); Bradford, 136 (108); Sullivan, 127 (71); Wayne, 120 (100); Luzerne, 111 (125); Carbon, 103 (97); Monroe, 95 (152); Susquehanna, 77 (54); Wyoming, 66 (42); Lackawanna, 62 (56); Columbia, 36 (53); Northumberland, 16 (22); and Montour, 5 (3). 

In the Southeast Region, there was a total of 156 (169) from: Schuylkill County, 61 (78); Dauphin 54 (37); Northampton, 13 (23); Berks, 12 (15); Lebanon, 8 (9); Lehigh, 6 (7); and Bucks, 2 (0). 

When looking at the number of bears harvested in local WMUs, those totals are as follows: WMU 3D, 426 (409); WMU 4C, 224 (228); WMU 5B, 1 (0); and here in 5C, 10 (22). 
​
If looking for a more productive county to hunt next bear season, these totals could serve as an indicator where the big bears are.    



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PA Fish Commission begins pre-season trout stocking Feb. 21

2/12/2022

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Beginning the week of Feb. 21, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission will begin stocking approximately 3.2 million adult trout in the states 696 streams and 128 lakes in preparation for the Apr. 2 trout season opener, and March 26 Youth Trout Day. 

Of the 3.2 million trout to be stocked, 2.2 million will be Rainbow Trout, 686,000 Brown Trout and 293,000 Brook Trout, all of which will average 11 inches in length, says the PF&BC. 

According to the agency, 70,000 trout will be brood fish that are 2.5 and 3.5-year-olds and measuring 14-20 inches. And 70 percent of these will be stocked preseason, while 30 percent will be stocked in-season. As a bonus, the PF&BC will include 13,000 golden Rainbow Trout, each will average 1.5 pounds. Eighty percent will be stocked preseason while the remainder will be planted in-season. 

The fish commission will again include in this year’s stocking list the Keystone Select Stocked Trout Waters, a program where sections of  24 streams across the state are stocked with large 14-20-inch trout that are managed under Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only or Miscellaneous Special Regulations. Under this program, approximately 10,000 large trout will be distributed among these streams at a rate of 175-225 per mile of stream. 

Unlike last year when volunteers weren’t allowed to help in stocking trout because of Covid concerns, the PF&BC will once again welcome volunteers. In the past, the agency has partnered with conservation groups, schools, and walk-up volunteers to help spread out the trout in local waterways. But volunteers are reminded to obey traffic laws while following stocking trucks and to stay home if not feeling well. 

Anglers should also keep in mind that fishing is not permitted on newly stocked streams and lakes from Feb. 21 to the Mentored Youth Trout Fishing Day when only youngsters may fish, and to the opening of the regular statewide trout opener April 2. 

To check in-season stocking dates go to www.fishandboat.com or mobile app and click on “stocking schedule” and for the region and county of interest.

PF&BC OFFERING INCENTIVES FOR VOLUNTARY PUBLIC STREAM ACCESS 

In an effort to offer more fishing opportunities, the PF&BC is offering incentives to landowners to open their private sections of streams to access and fishing. 

Payment, says the PF&BC, is based on several factors including the amount of stream frontage and value of the fishery. It’s a one-time payment provided by the Natural Resources Conservation Service which is a division of U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

The agreement under this program is voluntary and a permanent legal contract between the landowner and PF&BC. The easements provide a corridor along a stream that allows the public to wade in and walk along the stream bank for the purpose of fishing. Entering into the agreement preserves landowner rights and provides additional benefits. Landowners may limit public access for other purposes such as camping or hunting, says the PF&BC. 

Two creeks quickly come to mind that would be nice to have access to. For one, parts of the Jordan Creek that runs through GES Corporation property (Trojan Powder Co.), and areas of Trout Creek in Slatington. 
​
Interested landowners who want more information should contact PF&BC’s Scott Bollinger at 717-346-8196 or email him at scbollinger@pa.gov. 
 




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Pennsylvania's 2021 bear harvest was the fifth-best ever according to the PGC

2/6/2022

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PictureThe top bear this past hunting season weighed in at 722 pounds and was taken in Franklin County, Pa

Pennsylvania’s bear harvest totals are in and hunters managed to make it the fifth largest harvest since 2011. 

Hunters took 3,659 bears during the recent seasons. This compares to 3,621 bears  harvested during the 2020 season. But it pales a bit compared to the 2019 season when 4,653 were taken. 

Of this year’s total, the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) reports that the archery season contributed 680 to the recent seasons total, while the muzzleloader/special firearms season added 536.  

According to the PGC, bears were taken in 59 of 67 counties and 22 of Pennsylvania’s 23 Wildlife Management Units. 

The largest bear checked was a 722-pound male taken with a shotgun by Wade Glessner of Shippensburg during the extended season on Dec. 4, in Letterkenny Township, Franklin County. 
The heaviest Pennsylvania bear ever taken was an 875-pounder taken in 2010 in Middle Smithfield Township, Pike County. Since 1992, seven bears weighing at least 800 pounds were harvested in Pennsylvania hunting seasons, says the PGC. 

Other large bears taken in the 2021 seasons - all but one was taken with a rifle - includes a 681-pound male taken with a bow in archery season in Newport Township, Luzerne County; a 676-pound male taken in the regular statewide season in West Franklin Township, Armstrong County; a 649-pound male taken in the extended season in Spring Township, Snyder County; a 640-pound male taken in the regular season in Pike Township, Clearfield County; a 640-pound male in the extended season in Gamble Township, Lycoming County; a 614-pound male in the extended season in Penn Forest Township, Carbon County; with 605 and 602 pounders adding to the 600-pound and above list. 

Top bear producing counties include Lycoming with 232; Potter with 180; Pike with 167; Tioga with 166; and Clinton with 156. Rounding out the top 10 counties were; Bradford County (136); Sullivan (127); Wayne (120); Centre (118); and Huntingdon (115). 

As many Lehigh Valley area hunters likely hunt in the Northeast and Southeast regions, here is the harvest breakdown per county with last year’s harvest in parenthesis:  

In the Northeast Region there were a total of 1,121 (988) bears taken from the following counties: Pike, 167 (105); Bradford, 136 (108); Sullivan, 127 (71); Wayne, 120 (100); Luzerne, 111 (125); Carbon, 103 (97); Monroe, 95 (152); Susquehanna, 77 (54); Wyoming, 66 (42); Lackawanna, 62 (56); Columbia, 36 (53); Northumberland, 16 (22); and Montour, 5 (3). 

In the Southeast Region, there was a total of 156 (169) from: Schuylkill County, 61 (78); Dauphin 54 (37); Northampton, 13 (23); Berks, 12 (15); Lebanon, 8 (9); Lehigh, 6 (7); and Bucks, 2 (0). 

When looking at the number of bears harvested in local WMUs, those totals are as follows: WMU 3D, 426 (409); WMU 4C, 224 (228); WMU 5B, 1 (0); and here in 5C, 10 (22). 
​
If looking for a more productive county to hunt next bear season, these totals could serve as an indicator where the big bears are.    



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    Author

    Nick Hromiak has been an outdoors and automotive  writer for over 30 years. He's been published in numerous national and state-wide outdoor magazines and newspapers. 

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