Swiftwater Rescue Team Assists in Texas Following Hurricane
Six members of the PFBC’s Swiftwater Emergency Response Team (SWERT) deployed to Texas on Aug. 31 to assist in rescue operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. The six-member team consisted of PFBC waterways conservation officers (WCO) and two volunteer instructors. They assisted local authorities with waterborne search and rescue operations before returning to the Commonwealth on Sept. 8.
Hurricane Help – (L-R) Rescue technician volunteer Rickey Price, Jr.; WCO Tony Beers; rescue technician volunteer Len Basara; WCO Jeremy Allen; WCO Darrin Kephart; and WCO Chase Rhoades.
Public Meetings Inform Pennsylvanians About CWD
Game Commission communicating with communities through a series of meetings.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has scheduled a series of public meetings to ensure Pennsylvanians remain informed about chronic wasting disease, and how this threat to the state’s deer and deer hunting impacts their lives.
So far, meetings have been scheduled on the following dates at these locations:
• Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. – Chambersburg Rod & Gun Club, sponsored by state Rep. Paul Schemel in conjunction with a second amendment program. More information: 814-643-1831.
• Saturday, Sept. 16, 9 a.m. – Fayetteville Fire Hall, sponsored by state Sen. Richard Alloway II. More information: 814-643-1831.
• Tuesday, Sept. 19, 6:30 p.m. – Greencastle Sportsman’s Club, sponsored by state Sen. John H. Eichelberger Jr. More information: 814-643-1831.
• Thursday, Sept. 28, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. – Penn State DuBois Student Union, an open house sponsored by state Reps. Matt Gabler, Thomas Sankey and Cris Dush.
• Thursday, Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m. – Fayetteville Fire Hall, sponsored by state Rep. Rob Kauffman. More information: 814-643-1831.
• Tuesday, Oct. 10, 6:30 p.m. – McConnellsburg Fire Hall, sponsored by state Sen. John H. Eichelberger Jr. and state Rep. Jesse Topper. More information: 814-643-1831.
2017 COPA Fall Raffle
Donation - $5.00 Per Ticket
3 Chances to win!
Drawing to be held October 6th, 2017 at the Pennsylvania Game Commission Headquarters
2001 Elmerton Ave. Harrisburg, PA at 1pm.
Donations and tickets should be mailed to :
Mike Reeder
78 Sweet Arrow Dr.
Hummelstown, PA 17036
PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO : COPA
All tickets and donations must be received by October 5th, 2017 to be included in the drawing.
Additional tickets can be requested by contacting Mike Reeder at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ear-Tagged Deer Result In Charges, Conviction
The deer were euthanized July 26 in Elk County due to concerns they could spread CWD.
The investigation into the origin of two ear-tagged deer euthanized recently in Elk County has resulted in a conviction.
A 56-year-old Ridgway man pleaded guilty Aug. 16 to two counts of disturbing wildlife after reporting he’d handled the deer, saying both were wild and he tagged them in separate years while they were fawns. Fines and costs totaled $2,120.
It is unlawful in Pennsylvania to pick up, take into captivity or otherwise disturb wildlife, or release any deer into the wild. Doing so can result in stiff penalties, including imprisonment.
The ear-tagged deer were euthanized July 26 in Ridgway Township, Elk County. While the Game Commission uses ear tags in its research, the agency’s tags differ in appearance from the tags commonly used on deer farms. Because of the risk escaped or released captive deer or elk could spread chronic wasting disease (CWD) to areas where the disease has not been detected in the wild, Game Commission protocol authorizes wildlife conservation officers to shoot free-ranging ear-tagged deer they encounter.
2017 NAWEOA Warden Skills Games
L-R: Larry Hergenroeder, Wyatt Bubak, Murray Breemersch, Mike Reeder, Kirt Snyder
Fourteen, five person teams ascended on the St. Joseph Township Centennial Grounds in Richards Landing, Ontario, for the 2017 NAWEOA Warden Skills Games.
Agency Looks For Public Assistance In Turkey Survey
Biologist notes the effort helps the Game Commission keep tabs on annual turkey production.
The Game Commission is again seeking help from the public in surveying wild turkeys in August to get a handle on production statewide.
The second-annual web-based Pennsylvania Wild Turkey Sighting Survey begins today. The survey for the first time also will include a mobile app to report findings.
The public is encouraged to report any turkeys observed during August. Information submitted will help the agency analyze spring-turkey production. Participants will be requested to record the numbers of wild turkeys they see, along with the general location, date and contact information if agency biologists have any questions.
Read more: Agency Looks For Public Assistance In Turkey Survey
Wild Pheasant Youth Hunt Announced
Game Commission and Pheasants Forever invite junior hunters to make history.
After several years of intensive habitat improvement to support wild pheasants, four dozen junior hunters now will have the opportunity to swing on a wild, cackling pheasant rooster as it pounds skyward this fall.
A limited-draw youth pheasant hunt will be held this year in the Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRA), and the Pennsylvania Game Commission today announced the application process for the hunt.
The hunt represents the first time since the WPRA program’s startup that wild pheasants will be able to be hunted in the recovery areas.
Applications are due by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 11.
