Field reports
Allegheny County: Wildlife Conservation Officer Douglas Bergman reports that many opportunities are available for early season goose hunters in his district. Hunters are encouraged to seek out permission to hunt on private properties, such as golf courses, where geese usually congregate and can cause issues for property owners and patrons. Lawful hunting opportunities are available for those who wish to put the time in to look for them and work with the landowners.
Allegheny County: WCO Douglas Bergman reports that charges will be filed against an individual from Latrobe who was found to be hunting over bait during the 2016-17 archery opener in WMU 2B in Allegheny County.
Allegheny County: WCO Tom Kline reports unlawful acts such as individuals hunting in baited areas or at night are being received from local residents who either call the region office or the Operation Game Thief tip line. “I encourage all law-abiding citizens to report any information they might have about unlawful hunting or trapping activity, even if it’s only a small detail,” Kline said. “Those who prefer to remain anonymous may do so through the Operation Game Thief form on the Game Commission’s website. Thank you to those who have reported these law-breakers who risk creating a bad reputation for all hunters and trappers.”
Allegheny County WCO Dan Puhala reports that the State Game Lands 203 rifle range has officially opened for public use. Range users are reminded that a Game Commission range-use permit or a valid Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker license is required to use the range. Range users also are reminded to review the range rules prior to using a range. The rules serve to keep range users and other people safe, and they are strictly enforced. The penalty for violating the regulations is a $100 to $200 fine, plus costs.
Armstrong County WCO Gary Fujak reports the amount of hard and soft mast available to wildlife seems to be very good this year. “I am seeing lots of red-, black-, chestnut- and white-oak acorns throughout the county, and in parts of Elk and Jefferson counties I recently scouted for deer season,” Fujak said. “Soft mast like apples and crabapples seem to very abundant, too. The hunters that can pattern the deer around these food sources should do well.”
Armstrong County: WCO Gary Fujak would like to take the time to thank all those people who stopped by the Game Commission display trailer at the Ft. Armstrong Folk Festival recently held in downtown Kittanning, and at the Dayton Fair. The visitors this year were very vocal in their support and appreciation of the effort game officers put forward in protecting Pennsylvania’s wildlife.
Greene County WCO Jeremy Febinger reports two Greene County residents are facing criminal charges for growing marijuana on Hunter Access property and unlawfully operating a motorized vehicle on the property to tend to the plants. Five marijuana plants were seized during the investigation.
Fayette and Westmoreland counties: WCO Andy Harvey reports charges have been filed against two individuals for harvesting a white-tailed deer out of season using a semi-automatic .22. This occurred within a safety zone and on private property the individuals did not have permission to be on.
Somerset County: WCO Zachary Edwards reports it has been a particularly bad year for littering and dumping on game lands and Hunter Access property. Through the summer, more and more dumpsites have been located. Everything from household goods, shingles, door frames, windows and trash have turned up. As an agency, we cannot stress enough to the hunting public how important it is to keep these areas clean and free from filth and debris. We all enjoy a nice hike in the woods and certainly love to get out in the fall in pursuit of game, but those who would use these areas as their own personal dumping grounds put the lands at risk of being closed to everyone. Hunter Access land makes up a very large chunk of the property open to public hunting in the Commonwealth. Graciously, many of these property owners open roads and trails to hiking, biking and of course hunting. If we, as a hunting public, cannot show that we are willing to take care of these properties, it is possible many of them will be closed. Please keep this in mind as you head into the woods this year, and remember, if you see excessive litter and dumpsites on game lands or Hunter Access properties, report them to the Game Commission office.
Somerset County: WCO Brian Witherite reports that two individuals have been cited for depositing a large quantity of trash on State Game Lands 104. Those responsible also are cleaning the site and verifying proper disposal.
Somerset County: WCO Shawn Barron reports 11 individuals were apprehended on State Game Lands 111 in Somerset County for operating ATVs on roads closed to motorized vehicles. A total of eight citations and multiple warnings were filed against each rider.
Westmoreland County: WCO Michael J. Papinchak reports checking an angler for compliance with fishing regulation on Loyalhanna Reservoir property. While walking out of the woods, Papinchak noticed trash under overgrown vegetation and, digging through it, found it was from the same individual he’d just checked. The man admitted to putting it there at an earlier date and charges were filed.
Westmoreland County: WCO Matthew Lucas reports seeing large turkey flocks throughout the county in August. “There seemed to be evidence of a healthy hatch in every corner of my district,” Lucas said. “It wasn’t uncommon to find multiple hens with high numbers of poults. Hunters also are reporting seeing a lot of turkeys.”