Macungie Rod & Gun Club, Inc.

GAME COMMISSION TO PROVIDE WILDLIFE WORKSHOPS FOR TEACHERS

With summer recess for schools just around the corner, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is announcing a series of exciting wildlife education workshops for educators and scout and youth group leaders in June. The three programs, which are Act 48-approved for educators and include standards-based activities to help address the Environment and Ecology Standards, are Wild about Owls, WILD about Watersheds and WILD about Schoolyard Habitat.

Dress is causal for all three workshops, and participants should bring a lunch.

For a summary of the three programs, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=174121

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS ADVICE ON HOW TO AVOID ATTRACTING BEARS

With spring blossoming around the state, many Pennsylvanians are seeing signs of new life in the outdoors as migratory birds continue their northward migration and other wildlife shake off their winter slumber. Among the wildlife becoming more visible are Pennsylvania's roughly 14,000 black bears, all of which will be looking for food.

Since bears are found throughout a large part of the state, Mark Ternent, Pennsylvania Game Commission black bear biologist, said that bear sightings are common during this time of year. Food for bears is typically scarce in the spring until vegetation begins to green-up, but bears emerging from dens need to find food after fasting for several months. Thus, sightings and, in some cases, conflicts increase as bears look for food, including in backyards.

"Now is the time to keep bears from becoming a nuisance later in the summer," Ternent said. "Bears that wander near residential areas in search of food are less likely to stay or return if they do not find anything rewarding. Conversely, if bears find food in your backyard they quickly learn to associate residential areas with food and begin to spend more time in those areas. Encounters between humans and bears increase, as does property damage, the risk of human injury and vehicle accidents involving bears."

Ternent noted capturing and moving bears that have become habituated to humans is a costly and sometimes ineffective way of addressing the problem, especially when faced with the possibility of merely moving a problem bear from one area to another. That is why wildlife agencies around the country tell people that a "fed bear is a dead bear."

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=174016

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS UPDATE ON WILD TURKEY BANDING STUDY

The Pennsylvania Game Commission and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF), along with wildlife officials in Ohio and New York, are continuing a joint four-year study to estimate the spring gobbler harvest rates in each of the three states.

"In Pennsylvania, as spring gobbler hunters prepare to head into the woods tomorrow, we are pleased to report that we have successfully banded 332 gobblers, which is 10 percent more than our banding goal," said Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist. "We are indebted to the NWTF for covering the cost of Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State to coordinate this tri-state effort and analyze the data.

"Mild winter weather made turkey trapping conditions difficult in Ohio, and the state consequently banded only 222 of the 300 it sought. The tri-state annual goal of 900-banded males was exceeded because Pennsylvania banded 332 and New York banded 350. In Pennsylvania, we banded 149 adult gobblers and 183 juveniles (jakes). New York banded 150 adults, 200 jakes and Ohio banded 79 adults, 143 jakes."

To date, Casalena noted the three states have banded 2,613 male turkeys: 668 in Ohio, 914 in Pennsylvania and 1,031 in New York. She added that the study will allow comparisons of harvest and survival rates among the three states, with their varying harvests, hunter numbers and hunter densities.

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=174009

GAME COMMISSION ANNOUNCES GYPSY MOTH SPRAYING PLANS

In an effort to protect wildlife habitat, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today announced they have scheduled gypsy moth spraying for a total of 42,731 acres of its more than 1.4 million acre State Game Lands (SGLs) system. Spraying will cover 38 different SGLs, and will occur in late April to early May, as soon as leaves pop out and gypsy moth egg masses hatch.

"Those participating in spring gobbler seasons may encounter helicopters or other aircraft spraying State Game Lands or other forested areas," said William Capouillez, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management director. "We want those hunters to rest assured that the spray being used is not harmful to humans, and only will impact gypsy moth caterpillars when they ingest the spray."

To conduct this spraying, the Game Commission will pay $1,349,993.58 out of agency's Growing Greener II funding to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, which oversees the Statewide Cooperative Spray Program for gypsy moths.

"In the summer of 2007, a statewide inventory of gypsy moth impacts on SGLs identified defoliation on more than 93,000 acres," Capouillez said. "To prioritize and focus spraying efforts, we looked at a series of factors, including: the importance of oaks on a particular SGL; socio-political impacts of each SGL; whether there were existing Important Bird Areas, Important Mammal Areas or critical/unique habitats on the SGL; past gypsy moth impacts and resulting forest habitat conditions; and financial values of timber stands."

From this point, the agency identified the 42,731 acres in most critical need of treatment to prevent similar defoliation or loss due to the expected gypsy moth hatch this year. Based on the present data, all spraying will occur in the Northcentral (5,970 acres), Southcentral (27,818 acres), Northeast (1,116 acres) and Southeast (7,827 acres) regions. The Northwest and Southwest regions, which suffered little to no gypsy moth defoliation, are not slated for spraying at this time.

For more information, including a listing of each SGL slated for spraying, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=174002

GAME COMMISSION LAND ACQUISITION HELPS WILD BIRDS

 The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved a land exchange/purchase that will preserve more than 90 acres of land adjoining State Game Land (SGL) 314 that provides an important stopover for migratory birds passing over Lake Erie.

BOARD APPROVES SURFACE MINING PROJECT ON SGL 77

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved a surface mining coal lease with P&N Coal Company Inc., of Punxsutawney, for 121 acres of SGL 77 in Sandy Township, Clearfield County.

OIL/GAS LEASE CORRALS 139 ACRES FOR WILDLIFE AND HUNTERS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved an oil/gas lease with Atlas America LLC, of Moon Township, to tap reserves from beneath SGL 223 in Dunkard and Greene townships, Greene County, in exchange for 139 acres of land adjacent to SGL 265, royalties and free natural gas.

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=173995

RUFFED GROUSE HUNTING RE-OPENED IN ALL OF SGL 176

This fall, for the first time since 1989, ruffed grouse hunting will be opened in all areas of State Game Land 176 in Centre County, based on a unanimous vote today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners. Ruffed grouse season dates are: Oct. 18-Nov. 29, Dec. 15-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 24. The daily limit is two and the possession limit is four.

BOARD TAKES ACTION TO LIFT PROTECTION ON WILD BOARS

 Based on a motion by Game Commission David W. Schreffler, of Bedford County, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today unanimously voted to direct the Executive Director to use his regulatory authority to issue an order to remove protection on wild boars, also known as feral swine.

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=173988

GAME COMMISSIONERS ADOPT 2008-09 SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2008-09, including a slate of antlerless deer license allocations for the 22 Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).

For several articles on meeting highlights from today, please visit the Pennsylvania Game Commission - State Wildlife Management Agency website: http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=11&Q=173981

SPRINGTIME ALERT: DO NOT DISTURB YOUNG WILDLIFE

Whether hiking in the woods, driving through the countryside or simply enjoying nature, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials encourage outdoor enthusiasts to leave wildlife alone and not remove it from the wild, especially young of the year.

"Being outdoors in the spring is an enjoyable way to spend time and learn more about nature," said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. "In the coming months, it will become common to find young deer, rabbits, birds, raccoons or other wildlife that may appear to be abandoned. Rest assured that in most cases, the young animal is not an orphan or abandoned and the best thing you can do is to leave it alone."

DuBrock noted adult animals often leave their young to forage for food. Also, wildlife often relies on a natural defensive tactic called the "hider strategy," where young animals will remain motionless and "hide" in surrounding cover while adults draw the attention of predators or other intruders away from their young.

"While it may appear as if the adults are abandoning their young, in reality, this is just the animal using its natural instincts to protect its young," DuBrock said. "Nature also protects young animals with camouflaging color and by giving them little scent to avoid being detected by predators.

"Wild animals are not meant to be pets, and we must all resist our well-meaning and well-intentioned urge to want to care for wildlife. Taking wildlife from its natural settings and into your home may expose or transmit to people or domestic animals wildlife diseases. Wildlife also may carry parasites - such as fleas, ticks or lice - that you wouldn't want infesting you, your family, your home or your pets."

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=173953

SECOND YEAR OF TIME-LIMITED COLLECTIBLE SERIES KICKS OFF

HARRISBURG - The second year of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's two, time-limited collectible series - the Wild Turkey Heritage Series and the Upland Game Bird Series - now are available for ordering. Orders will be taken, through Aug. 31, only by mail or by calling 1-888-888-3459 (toll-free). A downloadable application is available on the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on "Limited Collector's Series" icon in the right-hand column of the homepage. Delivery can be expected by December.

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS WILDLIFE ART TO EDUCATE AND ENJOY

To adorn any room in a wildlife watcher's home or office - and most particularly useful for any science classroom - the Pennsylvania Game Commission has wildlife art available in a variety of price ranges.

"The Game Commission has raised more than $2 million through the sale of wall charts, fine art prints and patches, and waterfowl management prints and stamps," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "The sale of these products has enabled the agency to better manage non-game wildlife, including the bald eagle, osprey, river otter and fisher, and to help acquire and manage more than 5,000 acres of wetlands for migratory bird conservation.

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=173939

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS TIPS ON BIRDING;

HARRISBURG - With the arrival of spring in the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is offering tips on how residents can take advantage of the many wildlife-viewing opportunities that will soon be literally flying into their backyards in April and May.

"All winter, Pennsylvanians have been enjoying cardinals, downy woodpeckers and black-capped chickadees, birds that make our state their year-round home," said Dan Brauning, Game Commission Wildlife Diversity Section supervisor. "Now that's changing with the increasing arrival of many songbirds that either are migrating through the state or coming to here to nest. Whatever the reason, though, it's really an exciting time to watch birds, regardless of whether you're a novice or a veteran. It's great fun for families, too.

GAME COMMISSION OFFERS PRODUCTS TO ASSIST BIRDWATCHERS

To assist beginning and long-time bird-watchers, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is offering a number of items through the "The Outdoor Shop" in the upper right-hand corner of its website (www.pgc.state.pa.us).

"About five million Pennsylvanians participate in wildlife-associated recreation, such as bird-watching, which is a growing number," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "The mission of the Game Commission is to manage all wild birds and mammals and their habitats for current and future generations. Part of that responsibility includes encouraging Pennsylvanians to connect with wildlife, and what better way to do that then to get outdoors and look at the abundance of bird life that inhabits our state."

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=173918

GAME COMMISSION SAYS SPRING GOBBLER SEASON HOLDS PROMISE

Pennsylvania Game Commission officials believe the upcoming gobbler seasons will provide excellent hunting opportunities for the nearly quarter million hunters who are preparing to participate.

The state's one-day youth spring gobbler season is April 19; the general spring gobbler season is April 26 to May 26, and includes the Monday of the Memorial Day holiday to afford those hunters who have off work or school an additional opportunity to participate in this season. In both seasons, shooting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon.

SPRING GOBBLER MENTORED YOUTH HUNTS

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Mentored Youth Hunting Program permits mentors to take youth under 12 years of age out to participate in either the "Spring Gobbler Youth Hunt" on April 19, or the general spring gobbler season, April 26-May 26.

TURKEY HUNTING SAFETY TIPS

While spring gobbler hunters are no longer required to wear fluorescent orange, the Pennsylvania Game Commission still encourages them to display a fluorescent orange alert band near their stationary hunting position, especially those who plan to call or use decoys. It may alert a hunter who is closing in on your call or decoys that a person is in the area.

WILD TURKEY FIELD REPORTS

Mary Jo Casalena, Pennsylvania Game Commission wild turkey biologist, has prepared a statewide field report, as well as a report for each Wildlife Management Units (WMU), to share agency field observations on wild turkey hunting prospects and population trends.

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=173897

GAME COMMISSION TO BEGIN ACCEPTING DMAP APPLICATIONS

Landowners looking to enroll in the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP), which is designed to help landowners manage deer on their properties, have until July 1 to submit an application addressed to "DMAP Application" to the appropriate Game Commission Region Office.

In addition, a map delineating the property boundaries must be enclosed with the application. Landowners may obtain DMAP applications from the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on "D.M.A.P." in the "Quick Clicks" box in the right-hand column of the homepage. Applications also can be obtained from any Game Commission Region Office or the Harrisburg headquarters.

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=173890