THREE ELECTRONIC DEVICES COULD BE APPROVED FOR HUNTING
It’s unlawful to hunt with electronic devices unless they’re permitted by exception.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a measure that would make three additional electronic devices lawful to use while hunting.
If the measure is adopted, hunters would be able to use electronic decoys in hunting waterfowl; electronically heated scent or lure dispensers; and electronic devices that distribute ozone gas for scent-control purposes.
The measure is scheduled to be brought back to the September meeting for a final vote. The board indicated it will consider adding electronic mourning-dove decoys to the list when it’s brought up for a final vote.
Electronic devices generally are prohibited for hunting use in Pennsylvania, but the Game Commission over the years has received requests to review several specific electronic devices, and has approved some of them for hunting use. As part of the review process, the Game Commission evaluates to what degree a given device might negatively impact the principles of resource conservation, equal opportunity, fair chase and public safety.
In reviewing the devices that today were preliminarily approved for hunting use, the Game Commission identified no negative impacts that would result from their use.
Other electronic devices that are permitted for use while hunting or trapping in Pennsylvania are:
Firearms that use an electronic impulse to initiate discharge of their ammunition
Electronic sound-amplification devices incorporated into hearing protection devices and completely contained within the hunters’ ear
Electronic devices used for locating dogs while training and hunting
Electronic illuminating devices affixed to the aft end of a bolt or arrow and used solely for locating or tracking a bolt or arrow after it is launched
Electronic crow decoys used solely for hunting crows
Electronic rangefinders, including handheld devices and those contained within a scope or archery sight, so long that it does not emit a beam
AMENDMENT ADDRESSES SPECIAL REGULATIONS AREAS
Air guns, some semiautomatic rifles could become lawful hunting arms within Special Regulations Areas.
When the Pennsylvania Game Commission in April approved the use of semiautomatic rifles and air guns for hunting small game and furbearers, the provision could not be extended to the state’s Special Regulations Areas, which are covered under a separate section of the law.
But a measure preliminarily approved today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners would allow hunters and trappers within Special Regulations Areas also to use semiautomatic rifles and air guns.
Only rimfire ammunition would be allowed when hunting or trapping with semiautomatic rifles in Special Regulations Areas, based on the proposal, which is scheduled for a final vote at the September meeting.
Special Regulations Areas include all of Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties, and Ridley Creek and Tyler state parks during special controlled hunts.
Hunters within Special Regulations Areas must follow different guidelines than in other parts of the state, and are limited to using manually operated rimfire rifles, shotguns, muzzleloading long guns and archery equipment.
The amendment would add air rifles to that list, and lift the requirement that rimfire rifles be manually operated.
Air guns would need to be between .177 and .22 caliber when used within Special Regulations Areas to hunt small game, woodchucks or furbearers, based on the preliminarily approved measure.
Semiautomatic rifles would need to be .22 caliber or less to hunt small game, woodchucks or furbearers within Special Regulations Areas.
If the measure is adopted at the Sept. 26 meeting, it likely would take effect sometime in November or December.
Regulatory changes become official upon their publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, which usually takes about six weeks from the time a board approves such a change.
DEER-BAITING PERMITS TO CONTINUE IN SOUTHEASTERN COUNTIES
Board votes to keep baiting as an option in Southeast Special Regulations Area.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today ensured deer hunters in the Southeast Special Regulations Area will continue to have the option to apply for permits to use mechanical feeders to dispense bait at hunting locations on private property.
The board first voted to create deer-attractant permits in 2014, but attached to the measure a sunset clause that would force the board to revisit the issue in 2017.
The board today gave final approval to a measure that removes the sunset clause to allow the permits to continue being issued.
The use of mechanical feeders that dispense bait at fixed times during lawful hunting hours is intended to increase hunter success in an area of the state where deer populations are high, but hunter access is limited.
For information about the permit and how to obtain one, please see the Game Commission’s website at www.pgc.pa.gov.
MORE FALCONERS HAVE CHANCE AT PEREGRINE PERMIT
Board removes requirements that only master-class, resident falconers may apply.
Each year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) allocates permits that allow licensed falconers in states throughout the Atlantic Flyway a chance to capture migrating Arctic peregrine falcons.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners in 2015 adopted a measure that allows the state’s falconers to apply for any permits the USFWS allocates for Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania issued its first permit last year, and thus far has accepted permit applications only from master-class falconers who reside in Pennsylvania. That limits the pool of applicants, and eventually could create a situation where there are more permits than people eligible to apply for them, especially if the allocation continues to rise.
To address this issue, the Board of Commissioners today gave final approval to a measure that expands the eligibility requirements to include a greater range of falconers. Under the proposal, holders of general-class falconry permits would be eligible to apply for a peregrine permit. Nonresident general-class falconers could apply if they live in a state that allows Pennsylvania residents to take migrating Arctic peregrine falcons there.
However, applications from nonresidents would be only entered into the drawing for permits if the total number of permits allocated exceeds the number of applications submitted by Pennsylvania falconers.
Still, accepting permits from nonresidents is another way to ensure the number of permits allocated to Pennsylvania can be awarded each year.
ACREAGE ADDED TO GAME LANDS
Parcels donated, lands exchanged.
The state game lands system would grow by about 4 acres through a land donation approved today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.
Virginia R. Romanishan has offered to donate two parcels adjoining State Game Lands 168 in Northampton County. Both tracts are forested with mixed hardwoods, and lie on the south slope of Blue Mountain.
In other business, the board approved a land exchange whereby the Game Commission and National Park Service would exchange equal-value 2.25-acre tracts. The tracts are about a mile from one another.
The Game Commission-owned tract is located with Lower Towamensing Township, Carbon County, and Moore Township, Northampton County, and is bisected by the Appalachian Trail. The Park Service-owned tract is located entirely within Eldred Township, Monroe County, and does not contain any portion of the Appalachian Trail, but contains a 100-foot-wide overhead electric transmission right-of-way.
The primary purpose of the exchange is to encourage responsible future energy-corridor development, namely natural gas and petroleum pipelines, across Blue Mountain and State Game Lands 168. By allowing for pipeline or utility co-location along the existing right-of-way, additional forest fragmentation can be avoided.
Co-location within the existing corridor also would minimize future adverse impacts to the Appalachian Trail, which is located on or near the summit throughout this area.
Meanwhile, hunters and trappers also benefit from the exchange creating a sole connection between northern and southern tracts of State Game Lands 168 in this area.
With the exception of the existing overhead transmission line, the tracts approved for exchange both consist of typical dry oak mixed hardwood forest ranging in age from about 80 to 125 years.
THREE ENERGY DEALS APPROVED
Board approves projects in Bradford, Indiana and Lycoming counties.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today approved energy-development agreements on three tracts of state game lands.
Amerikohl Mining Inc., of Butler, Pa., was approved to remove an estimated 15,840 tons of Lower Kittaning coal under about 13 acres on State Game Lands 276 in Burrell Township, Indiana County.
Amerikohl is developing a surface mining project for coal on private land situated between State Game Lands 276 and 153. Allowing that project to extend onto the game lands for complete removal of the Lower Kittaning coal crop will eliminate the potential for future downgradient mine discharges on game lands.
The board also approved an agreement with Chief Oil & Gas LLC, of Dallas, Texas, to develop the Game Commission’s oil and gas rights under about 499 acres of State Game Lands 36 in Franklin and Monroe townships, Bradford County.
Chief has a strong, privately owned oil and gas lease position surrounding this portion of game lands, and has the ability to develop the reserve without any surface disturbance to the game lands.
This agreement will result in a one-time bonus payment of about $1 million.
The board also approved a five-year option to enter into an agreement with Seneca Resources, of Pittsburgh, to develop the Game Commission’s oil and gas rights under about 2,151 acres of State Game Lands 133 in Gamble, Lewis and Cascade townships, Lycoming County. Seneca also has the ability to develop the reserve without any surface disturbance to the game lands.
As part of the agreement, Seneca will transfer to the Game Commission an 80-acre interior tract within State Game Lands 62 in Hamlin Township, McKean County.
MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau - 717-705-6541
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