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Charges Filed before Magisterial District Judge

FRANKLIN – The Pennsylvania Game Commission has charged an Erie County man with killing a bald eagle.

Daniel Haddix, of Waterford, was charged unlawful taking or possession of game or wildlife for shooting and killing a mature bald eagle. If found guilty, the fine will range from $100 to $200, plus court costs. Restitution for the bald eagle is $2,500.

On Oct. 12, State Game Warden Michael Stutts was sent to investigate a report of a dead bald eagle in McKean Township field near South Hill Road. The recently killed eagle was found across the road from Haddix’s home. After several interviews, SGW Stutts concluded Haddix was responsible.

Haddix also faces a safety zone charge for shooting the firearm too close to a neighboring home.

Citations were filed at Magisterial District Judge Denise Stuck-Lewis’ office in McKean, Pennsylvania.

Bald eagles were listed as federally endangered species until 1995, when their status was upgraded to "threatened." In 2007, following a remarkable population recovery, the bald eagle was removed from the federal List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife in the lower 48 states.

Although no longer listed on federal and state endangered species lists, the bald eagle remains protected under the federal Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, the Lacey Act and the Migratory Bird Protection Treaty Act. In Pennsylvania, the bald eagle is given additional protections under the state Game and Wildlife Code.

Game Commission campaign seeks to increase hunter safety.

Scouring nearly 30 years of medical-database records, a group of doctors has found that nearly 40 hunters each year in Pennsylvania experience falls from tree stands that result in traumatic injuries.
On its own, that number might be surprising; even sobering. But it tells only part of the story.
Little is known about the exact number of Pennsylvania hunters who fall from tree stands each year or the reasons why they fall.
But one thing is clear – if every tree-stand user wore a full-body harness and kept it attached to the tree at all times while hunting from or installing or taking down an elevated platform, or climbing or descending trees, 100 percent of severe falls to the ground could be eliminated.
In Pennsylvania, there’s no requirement to report tree-stand falls, and even if there were, some falls inevitably would be missed. But by delving into records available on the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation database, Dr. Joseph Smith and his colleagues have compiled what’s believed to be the only report on tree-stand falls endured by Pennsylvania hunters.

As the statewide deer seasons kick off, hunters will have their first opportunity to recover big game they’ve shot by tracking the animal’s escape trail with a leashed dog.
Gov. Tom Wolf earlier this year signed into law a bill that allows for the use of leashed tracking dogs to recover big game that cannot be recovered by hunters.
The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Mario M. Scavello, provides another choice for hunters who have shot and inflicted injury on a white-tailed deer, black bear or elk, but lose the trail.
“This law will provide greater recovery of big game shot by hunters,” noted Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “Trailing big game can require specialized tracking skills, especially after nightfall. And if it’s a warmer night, or rain is approaching, every minute matters. Within a few hours, downed big game might spoil.”

Board also strengthens public hunting requirement in deer-control permits.

HARRISBURG, PA - The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to allow mourning dove hunting in managed dove fields, areas where grain or other agricultural or natural food has been scattered where it’s grown. Food or grain not naturally grown on the site cannot be added to managed fields.
Grain can be manipulated in managed fields until Sept. 15 through mowing, shredding, discing, rolling, chopping, trampling, flattening, burning or herbicide treatments.

CREATING CLARITY FOR DEER CONTROL PERMITS
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a measure that will strengthen the “public hunting” component for deer-control permits the Game Commission issues for deer problems on private and public properties, often within suburban and urban areas.
The goal of this permit revision is to improve the use and prominence of public hunting without unduly restricting the effectiveness of a deer-control permit.
Permit criteria always had stipulated that lawful hunting be allowed on public lands seeking deer-control permits, unless waived by the agency’s executive director. Often applicants established organized control hunts, while others have organized or invited hunting clubs to help reduce deer numbers. Still others invited only local government employees to engage in hunting on the permitted properties.

Goose hunters in the 2018-19 license year again must apply online or in person to enter the drawing to hunt from goose blinds at Middle Creek and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Areas.
Applicants can apply online by visiting the Goose Blind Application link on the Waterfowl Hunting and Conservation page at www.pgc.pa.gov.
Those who do not have internet access can fill out the electronic application in person at the following locations:

Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center
100 Museum Road
Stevens, PA 17578

Pennsylvania Game Commission Northwest Regional Office
1509 Pittsburgh Road
Franklin, PA 16323

Pennsylvania Game Commission Headquarters
2001 Elmerton Ave.
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797

License buyers should make certain they were issued the booklet they wanted.

To ensure they’re informed before heading afield, those purchasing Pennsylvania hunting or furtaker licenses receive a complimentary pocket guide that summarizes seasons, bag limits, hunting hours and other basic requirements.
Whether buying licenses for 2017-18 or 2018-19, license buyers should make certain they’re receiving the pocket guide for the correct license year.
Through most of June, sales for the current 2017-18 license year and upcoming 2018-19 license year occur simultaneously, and it’s possible some license buyers are issued the wrong pocket guide.
The 2018-19 pocket guide is available online on the 2018-19 Hunting and Trapping Digest homepage, which can be accessed under Quick Clicks at www.pgc.pa.gov. The pocket guide can be printed at home on 8 1/2- by 14-inch legal paper.
Pocket guides also are available at the Game Commission’s headquarters and region offices.
The 2017-18 license year ends June 30 and the 2018-19 license year begins July 1.

Game Commission and Pheasants Forever invite junior hunters to pursue wild birds once again.

For the second year in a row, 48 junior hunters will have the chance this fall to harvest wild pheasant roosters in Pennsylvania.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission today announced the application process for the second annual Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRA) youth hunt.
Junior hunters between the ages of 12 and 16 are eligible to apply, and each applicant must obtain a 2018-19 Pennsylvania junior hunting or combination license, as well as a free 2018-19 junior pheasant permit, prior to applying. Applications must be filled out online and submitted by the close of business on Friday, Aug. 3.
Applicants will be selected at random during a Aug. 17 drawing, and those who are selected for permits will be notified by Aug. 24.
Youth hunters will be assigned one Saturday hunt date, either the morning of Nov. 3 or Nov. 10, and each hunter will be assigned a “hunt mentor” to ensure safety and guide the permittee. The Game Commission encourages each permittee to be accompanied by an adult parent or guardian so the experience can be shared. Following the hunt, permittees and their guests are invited to attend a free luncheon provided by Pheasants Forever.

  1. Final Hunting And Trapping Seasons Approved
  2. 2018-19 Migratory Bird Seasons Set
  3. Fallen Warden To Be Added To National Memorial
  4. 2018 Winner Gun Raffle Winners from April 7, 2018
  5. Mississipi Men Plead Guilty To Poaching Deer
  6. New CWD Management Area Established
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