Dec. 02–PGC checkpoints
Wildlife Conservation Officers from the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Northeast Region will conduct road checkpoints during the regular firearms deer season to target the illegal taking, possession and transportation of big game or wildlife. Officers will also be checking for the illegal transportation of loaded firearms and other safety violations.
Share the harvest
Hunters who are successful in the upcoming deer hunting seasons are encouraged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider participating in the state’s Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program, which channels donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens and needy families.
Pennsylvania’s HSH program is recognized as one of the most successful among similar programs in about 40 states.
“Using a network of local volunteer area coordinators and cooperating meat processors to process and distribute venison donated by hunters, HSH has really helped to make a difference for countless needy families and individuals in our state,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “Pennsylvanians who participate in this extremely beneficial program should be proud of the role they play. HSH truly does make a tremendous difference.”
Started in 1991, HSH has developed into a refined support service for organizations that assist the Commonwealth’s needy. Each year, Hunters Sharing the Harvest helps to deliver almost 200,000 meals to food banks, churches and social services feeding programs.
“This program is all about the generosity of hunters and their desire to help make a difference,” Roe said. “It’s a program that many hunters have become committed to and enjoy supporting. After all, what is more gratifying than helping others in need?”
As part of the program, hunters are encouraged to take a deer to a participating meat processor and identify how much of their deer meat — from an entire deer to several pounds — is to be donated to HSH. If the hunter is donating an entire deer, he or she is asked to make a $15 tax-deductible co-pay, and HSH will cover the remaining processing fees. However, a hunter can cover the entire cost of the processing, which is tax-deductible as well. Cash donations also are accepted.
HSH established a statewide toll-free telephone number — 1-866-474-2141 — which can answer hunters’ questions about where participating meat processors can be found or other general inquiries about the program.
To learn more about the program and obtain a list of participating meat processors and county coordinators, visit the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) and click on “Hunters Sharing the Harvest” in the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column of the homepage, or go to the HSH website (www.sharedeer.org).
Additional state forest roads open
When a new season begins Monday for Pennsylvania deer hunters, new hunting grounds will be available to them through additional state forest roads in 18 of the 20 state forest districts.
“When hunters seeking white-tailed deer head out for the opening of the state’s traditional season they will find more than 90 percent of all state forestland is now within one-half mile of an open road,” said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Acting Secretary Ellen Ferretti. “Since early October, we’ve opened more than 400 additional miles of state forest roads that are normally gated.”
Through the state’s archery season, which closed Nov. 16, and the state’s other deer hunting seasons, running into January 2014, hunters will find more than 3,000 miles of roadway open to them in state forestlands.
“Selective, temporary opening of state forest roads enables our forestry experts to channel deer hunting pressure where they think it is needed to benefit forest regeneration,” said Ferretti. “We’re also offering hunters, who we view as invaluable tools in both wildlife management and forest stewardship, access to sometimes remote areas.”
Ferretti noted some of these additional roads will be open only during deer season and at the discretion of the district forester. Others only will be opened for the second week of the traditional rifle season because they cannot withstand the expected heavy traffic of the first week. Two- or three-month long openings will be in effect only where there is minimal threat of damage or deterioration to road surfaces or forest surroundings.
Hunters traveling to northcentral areas of the state are reminded some hunting areas and travel routes may be impacted by Marcellus Shale-related activities. Some state forest roads may be temporarily closed during drilling operations or other peak periods of heavy use to reduce potential safety hazards. To avoid potential conflicts on state forest roads during times of high public use, DCNR will attempt to limit or restrict truck traffic at the outset of major hunting and fishing seasons.
A complete listing of open roads, effective dates and district office telephone numbers can be obtained at www.dcnr.state.pa.us. Select Bureau of Forestry, then “White-tailed Deer in Pennsylvania’s Forests.”
Marcellus Shale information can be found on the bureau page under “Natural Gas Drilling on State Forests.” Camping opportunities and details can be found on both the “Forestry” and “State Park” pages.