HARRISBURG, PA - A drawing will be held in less than two weeks for 39 lucky hunters to hunt in the controlled access areas of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area.
Hunting will be by special permits, which will be issued after a hunter is selected in a random drawing to be held Aug. 15. Consequently, time is of the essence in applying for these special dove hunts.
Through the drawing, hunters will be selected for specific hunting days and hunting zones at Middle Creek, located on the Lebanon/Lancaster county line. Hunts will be scheduled on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, from noon to one half hour after sunset over 13 hunting days from Sept. 1 to 29, 2018.
Drawn hunters will be assigned a hunt day and one of three zones established within the controlled access area. To participate, hunters must be properly licensed and possess a migratory bird license. Drawn hunters can be accompanied by up to three guest licensed hunters.
Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans believes this new opportunity will be warmly received.
“We’re glad to provide these exciting hunts for one of our state’s most challenging game birds,” Burhans said. “Selected hunters are in for a real treat and some fast action.”
Given the drawing short-application window, hunters must apply by calling the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center at 717-733-1512, or by emailing to gooseblindmc@pa.gov the following information: hunter name, complete mailing address, telephone number, and hunting license CID number.
Only one application per hunter may be submitted. Applications will be accepted through Tuesday Aug. 14. Days and hours of operation for the Middle Creek Visitors Center are Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 12 to 5 p.m. The facility is closed Mondays.
A public drawing will be held at the Middle Creek Visitors Center at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 15. There will be only one drawing to fill all hunting days and zones. The first 39 applications drawn will be assigned from earliest to latest hunt days, starting with Sept. 1. Hunting zones will be assigned randomly. Successful applicants will be notified by mail. Vacancies created by permit holders who do not participate in the hunt will not be filled.
Selected hunters must attend one of two pre-hunt meetings at the Middle Creek Visitors Center scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 26 at 1 p.m. and Wednesday Aug. 29 at 6 p.m. Additional hunt details will be presented at the pre-hunt meetings. Guests of selected hunters are not required to attend a pre-hunt meeting. Failure to attend an orientation meeting will void the permit.
The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area is located along Hopeland Road, 2 miles south of Kleinfeltersville.
MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau - 717-705-6541
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