Antlerless deer license allocations diminishing
If you haven’t given the upcoming hunting season much thought, now is the time to take notice. County treasurers have been accepting antlerless deer license applications for nearly two weeks.
While every county in the state still had licenses remaining, the latest figures show that the numbers are dwindling. The only reason several counties were not sold out is because there was an across the board increase in allocations statewide to get the Game Commission’s new deer management a jumpstart.
Locally, Somerset County, which has sold out in the first two weeks for the past several years, showed it had 1,738 licenses remaining as of last Thursday.
Clinton County was nearly sold out with only 580 licenses remaining, but most western Pennsylvania counties and the “big woods” counties still had licenses remaining.
Non-resident hunters can apply for licenses this week, so look for numbers to drop quickly after that, leaving many counties with no “extra” licenses to sell and others with very few.
Fayette County had 3,569 licenses remaining; Greene County, 13,220; Washington County, 24,181 and Westmoreland County, 13,300.
Other allocations for “big woods” counties were: Clearfield, 6,914; Elk, 4,582; McKean, 9,010; Potter, 5,200; Forest, 4,307 and Tioga, 11,000.
Cambria County’s allocation is almost exhausted with 1,214 licenses remaining; Huntingdon County has 6,000, Indiana County, 10,014, Bedford County, 8,307 and Jefferson County 6,635.
The complete list of licenses still available can be found on the Pennsylvania Game Commissions website at http://.state.pa.us.
HUNTER EDUCATION: I you have a first-time hunter in your household who has not completed the required Hunter-Trapper Education Course, sign him/her up for one before too long. Only a few more classes will be offered before hunting season begins, and the late classes have been filling up quickly.
DOVE SEASON: Dove and resident Canada geese seasons open in under two weeks (Sept. 2).
Dove season will be split into three segments, Sept. 2-Oct. 5; with hunting starting at noon and continuing until sunset and Nov. 2-30 and Dec. 26-Jan. 1, 2000 when hunting will be permitted from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset.
The daily bag limit is 12 with a possession limit of 24 after opening day.
The early resident goose season continues through Sept. 25 with a daily limit of five and a possession limit of 10.
All sportsmen afield for doves and woodcocks most possess a federal migratory game bird (duck) stamp.
Those hunting waterfowl must also have a duck stamp, except hunters under the age of 16.
I’ll pass along just one tip to those who plan to go dove hunting … practice.
Doves can be extremely hard to hit, so a couple rounds of sporting clays or skeet would be very beneficial, especially for young hunters who may be new to dove hunting.
I said one tip, but I’ll offer anther. Don’t buy cheap shells for practice for hunting. Better shotgun shells usually only cost about a buck more per box, but shells with heavier shot and power charges produce much better results when hunting doves or doing some serious target shooting.
LATE SEASON HUNT: A limited number of flintlock and archery hunters will be able to participate in a late season hunt at Washington County’s Mingo Creek Park, Dec. 26-Jan 11, 2003.
A non-fee permit is required, with a maximum of 150 permits issued for each day, except Sundays.
Applications for the hunt will be accepted by mail only, beginning Nov. 18.
Beginning Oct. 1, applications will be available at the Bentleyville Library, California Borough Building, Charleroi Chamber of Commerce, Washington County Tourism, Mingo Creek Park office and the Washington County Department of Parks and Recreation in the courthouse.
For more information call the department of Parks and Recreation at 724-228-6867.
Rod Schoener is the Herald-Standard outdoor editor.