Published: May 10, 2008 11:55 pm            

Outdoor briefs 5/11

Big-game hunters reminded of deadline

BOLIVAR – The Pennsylvania Game Commission has issued a reminder that May 21 is the deadline to register for the Southwest Region’s June 21 big game scoring session. Reservations can be made by calling the region office at 724-238-9523 between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

In a change from past scoring sessions, owners of previously un-scored deer, bear or elk must register 30 days in advance of the scoring session and are required to rough score their trophies first. Only those within 10 points of the minimum for the species (or within one inch for bear) are eligible for an official measurement.

Blank score sheets may be downloaded from the game commission Web site (www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on “Hunting” in the left-hand column, selecting “Pennsylvania Big Game Records,” then scrolling down and choosing the appropriate score sheet.

Score sheets may also be obtained by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to: Pennsylvania Game Commission, Big Game Score Sheets, Dept. MS, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110- 9797.

Game commission lifts feral swine protection

HARRISBURG – Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe issued an order Thursday removing protection on wild pigs in 64 counties.

“We are maintaining protection on feral swine in Butler, Bedford and Cambria counties to facilitate trapping by the U.S. and Pennsylvania departments of Agriculture,” Roe said. “Trapping is the most effective way to remove feral swine from the wild, because it limits their dispersal into new areas. If funding is not available for trapping, we may consider lifting protection in these three counties, as well.

Roe said a “Feral Swine” section has been placed on the agency’s Web site (www.pgc.state.pa.us), with links to the executive order and a map of counties where wild pigs may be taken incidental to other hunting seasons.

Licensed hunters, including those who qualify for license and fee exemptions, are eligible to participate in the unlimited incidental taking of feral swine with manually-operated rifles, revolvers, shotguns, muzzleloaders, bows and crossbows.

All other methods and devices legal for taking feral swine must be conducted in compliance with the provisions of Section 2308 of Title 34 (Game and Wildlife Code), which can be viewed on the agency’s Web site (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in the “Laws & Regulations” section in the left-hand column of the home page.

Feral swine trapping, by permitted individuals, will only be allowed from the close of the flintlock muzzleloading season in mid-January to the beginning of spring gobbler season, and from the end of spring gobbler season until the beginning of archery deer season.

Roe noted that incidental taking of feral swine is permitted outside of trapping seasons in Bedford, Butler and Cambria counties.

Anyone who kills a feral swine must report it to an appropriate game commission region office within 24 hours.

Turkey chapter schedules banquet

Allegheny Plateau Chapter, National Wild Turkey Federation, will hold its 14th annual Hunting Heritage Banquet on June 18 at Ace’s, 316 Chestnut St. in the Cambria City section of Johnstown. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7.

The banquet will feature raffles and silent and verbal auctions. Among the auction items are artworks by Thomas Kinkade, Ned Smith, Terry Redlin, Jack Paluh, Dave Barnhouse, Tom Mansanarez, Darrell Bush and Bruce Miller. The gun of the year is a Weatherby Vanguard Deluxe .300-caliber Weatherby Magnum.

Also, there are early-bird ticket specials for the sportsman’s raffle. A Ladies’ Raffle has been added this year.

Information and tickets: Bill Nagy, 341-2008, or Bruce Eash, 536-6567.

        

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