WCOs Tutor West Forest Students

WCO Erik Shellgren and WCO Gregory Pochran visited the fourth- and tenth-grade cell biology students on Tuesday, March 6.
The students had the opportunity to learn about runoff and chemicals that affect local trout streams.
A PowerPoint presentation was shown with information about brook trout in our local streams. Several slides showed damage to local creeks from brine, chemicals, and sediment runoff.
To enhance the lesson, WCO Shellgren showed the students how sediments cover the spawned eggs in the streams in a small aquarium. This depletes the oxygen for the eggs preventing hatching.
Cooking oil was also used to show how oil floats on top of the water. Oil can also damage local streams and harm the trout.
The students always enjoy learning about our local ecosystems.

Mississipi Men Plead Guilty To Poaching Deer

Multiple deer killed unlawfully in Susquehanna County

DALLAS – A search warrant executed by Pennsylvania State Game Wardens on Jan. 25 at a residence along Berg Hill Road, Gibson Township, Susquehanna County, revealed evidence of deer that were killed by persons hunting at night and using bait. One man living at the residence, and performing work associated with the natural gas industry, was subsequently cited for killing three white-tailed deer, and attempting to kill others, over an extended period of time. His roommate was cited for assisting in the killings.
Susquehanna County Game Warden Benjamin Rebuck filed charges against James D. Hawkins, 62, and William C. Corbell, 26, both of Hamilton Miss., for multiple violations of the Game and Wildlife Code. Charges were filed at the office of Magisterial District Judge Suzanne Brainard in Clifford on Feb. 13.

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Meth Lab Case On Warren County State Game Lands Resolved

FRANKLIN – On April 12, 2017, Pennsylvania Game Commission Land Management Group Supervisor Ronda J. Bimber and State Game Warden Matthew R. Savinda were investigating a suspicious tent on State Game Lands 291 in Spring Creek Township, Warren County. Camping is not permitted on State Game Lands.

While the officers were observing the tent, Thaddeus Leo Czech IV arrived and made his way toward the tent. The officers identified themselves and Czech fled on foot. The officers gave chase and SGW Savinda apprehended the suspect and placed him under arrest. Investigation determined that Czech was No. 2 on Erie County’s “Most Wanted” list at the time of arrest. Subsequent investigation uncovered evidence of methamphetamine production at the camp site.

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New CWD Management Area Established

Special rules now apply in parts of Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks counties.

People who live and hunt deer within parts of Lancaster, Lebanon and Berks counties now need to comply with special rules intended to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease (CWD).
The Pennsylvania Game Commission today established Disease Management Area 4 (DMA 4) in response to a CWD-positive deer recently detected at a captive deer farm in Lancaster County.
DMA 4 encompasses 346 square miles in northeastern Lancaster County, southeastern Lebanon County and western Berks County. The northern part of DMA 4 runs roughly between the cities of Lebanon and Reading. The DMA includes the boroughs of Adamstown, Denver, Ephrata, Mohnton, Richland, Womelsdorf and Wyomissing. State Game Lands 46, 220, 225, 274 and 425 are included in DMA 4.
Within DMAs, special rules apply. The intentional feeding of deer is prohibited. Hunters may not use urine-based deer attractants or possess them while afield. And hunters who harvest deer within a DMA may not transport the carcass outside the DMA without first removing and properly disposing of all high-risk deer parts, including the head and backbone.

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Highlights From Commissioners Meeting

SEMIAUTOMATIC SHOTGUNS CONSIDERED FOR DEER, BEAR AND ELK HUNTING
Semiautomatic centerfire shotguns that propel single-projectile ammunition soon could be approved for Pennsylvania hunters participating in most firearms deer, bear and elk seasons.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave unanimous preliminary approval to regulatory changes that would permit the use of semiautomatic centerfire shotguns that propel single-projectile ammunition while hunting deer, bears or elk. For elk, the shotgun would need to be 12-gauge or larger.
The Game Commission historically has permitted the use of semiautomatic shotguns for deer and bear seasons within its special regulations areas near Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The preliminarily approved proposal would extend this authorization to the remainder of the Commonwealth, as well as permit semiautomatic shotguns using single-projectile ammunition for elk hunting.
The proposal will be given final consideration at the board’s next quarterly meeting, the date of which has not yet been scheduled.

Read more: Highlights From Commissioners Meeting

Preliminary 2018-19 Hunting/Trapping Seasons Approved

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for the 2018-19 license year.
Modifications proposed for the 2018-19 seasons include: eliminating the hen pheasant restriction in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, and 5B; implementing a new four-day extended black bear firearms season in WMUs 4A and 5A; increasing from four days to six days the length of the extended black bear firearms season in WMU 3A; extending hunting hours for mourning doves from one-half hour before sunrise until sunset in all season segments; and opening WMUs 4B and 4C to fisher trapping.
The public may offer comments on all proposed 2018-19 seasons and bag limits, as well as other board actions, between now and the board’s next quarterly meeting, when 2018-19 seasons and bag limits will be finalized, and antlerless license allocations will be determined.
The date for the next quarterly meeting has not yet been finalized.

Read more: Preliminary 2018-19 Hunting/Trapping Seasons Approved