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Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PA Game Commission releases harvest estimates for 2024-25 deer season
(WJET/WFXP)– The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PAGC) has released their harvest estimates for the 2024-25 season reporting approximately 11% more deer were harvested this year. Pennsylvania hunters were busy this year with an estimated harvest of 476,880 deer, roughly 46,000 more than the amount harvested during the 2023-2024 though one PAGC official said that was part of the goal. PA Utility Commission warning about spoofed scam calls This year, one of the PAGC's goals was to cut down on the amount of deer in the Commonwealth that are impacted by chronic waste disease, especially in areas where deer are impacting forest health and growing populations. 'Harvest estimates can fluctuate from year to year from a number of factors, so we caution reading too much into annual variation in harvest,' Game Commission Deer and Elk Section Supervisor David Stainbrook said. 'The trends in data are what give a truer picture of what's going on. We manage deer over longer periods of time, for example, looking at six-year population trends.' Of the deer harvested this year, approximately 175,280 were antlered while the remaining 301,600 were antlerless. The buck take was up 2% over the year before, and 9% over the most recent three-year average while the antlerless harvest increased 17% over the year before and 21% over the three-year average. Bill to end Sunday hunting prohibition in PA getting reintroduced Those harvest amounts are measured in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) with the collected data coming from hunters' reports along with data from deer checked by crews at processors across the state. Hunters, of course, play a huge role in getting those numbers down in both the short and long term despite possible fluctuations in harvest amounts as one official pointed out. 'Pennsylvania's hunting heritage is strong, and deer season reliably brings immeasurable enjoyment to hundreds of thousands of hunters who spend fall and winter days afield with family and friends, celebrating tradition,' Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith said. 'But those hunters also are key to managing an important resource so many of us care about. We rely on their commitment to conservation and they deserve our thanks.' Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now According to the PAGC, rifle hunters played the biggest role in reducing deer populations, taking in an estimated 283,760 deer, of which 86,530 were antlered and 197,230 were antlerless. Archers also helped with an estimated 87,540 antlered deer and 90,600 antlerless, while muzzleloaders got an estimated 1,210 antlered deer and 13,770 antlerless. A full breakdown of deer harvested by area can be seen below with a breakdown by section available on the PAGC website here. WMU 1A: 8,900 antlered (8,000), 16,600 antlerless (13,800). WMU 1B: 9,200 antlered (10,300), and 14,100 antlerless (13,600). WMU 2A: 8,800 antlered (10,000), and 13,800 antlerless (13,300). WMU 2B: 8,000 antlered (7,000), and 14,300 antlerless (16,000). WMU 2C: 10,400 antlered (10,600), and 21,700 antlerless (20,600). WMU 2D: 13,400 antlered (11,800), and 28,800 antlerless (21,400). WMU 2E: 6,800 antlered (6,900), and 14,900 antlerless (12,800). WMU 2F: 11,100 antlered (9,100), and 17,700 antlerless (13,900). WMU 2G: 9,300 antlered (8,100), and 8,200 antlerless (6,500). WMU 3A: 6,300 antlered (5,200), and 6,600 antlerless (6,000). WMU 3B: 7,100 antlered (7,700), and 8,500 antlerless (7,600). WMU 3C: 10,500 antlered (8,900), and 12,300 antlerless (10,600). WMU 3D: 5,600 antlered (6,200), and 7,700 antlerless (7,300). WMU 4A: 4,000 antlered (5,700), and 9,700 antlerless (9.300). WMU 4B: 6,200 antlered (5,000), and 12,600 antlerless (9,500). WMU 4C: 8,000 antlered (8,200), and 12,000 antlerless (6,700). WMU 4D: 8,600 antlered (8,400), and 15,800 antlerless (13,500). WMU 4E: 7,400 antlered (8,100), and 15,900 antlerless (13,700). WMU 5A: 3,900 antlered (4,100), and 8,300 antlerless (7,800). WMU 5B: 11,200 antlered (9,700), and 17,200 antlerless (14,300). WMU 5C: 7,700 antlered (9,100), and 17,000 antlerless (13,100). WMU 5D: 2,300 antlered (2,900), and 7,700 antlerless (6,700). Unknown WMU: 580 antlered (600), and 200 antlerless (410). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
PA Game Commission releases 2024-25 deer harvest estimates
Mar. 30—WILKES-BARRE — Pennsylvania hunters harvested about 11% more deer in the 2024-25 hunting seasons than they did the year before, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission estimates released this week. The statewide 2024-25 harvest is estimated at 476,880 deer — 175,280 of them antlered deer and 301,600 antlerless. By comparison, the statewide 2023-24 harvest was estimated at 430,010 deer. Most of that year-over-year increase is attributable to the antlerless deer harvest. The 2024-25 buck take was up 2% over the year before, and 9% over the most recent three-year average. The 2024-25 antlerless harvest increased 17% over the year before and 21% over the three-year average. Far from cause for concern, that was partly by design, said Game Commission Deer and Elk Section Supervisor David Stainbrook. The Game Commission's objective was to reduce deer numbers in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) impacted by Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), where deer impacts on forest health are occurring and where populations are increasing, contrary to objectives. Each and every year, however, hunters play a critical role in managing Pennsylvania's deer populations, said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. By buying their hunting licenses, obtaining available antlerless deer tags and filling them, hunters help guide local deer populations toward target levels. As deer populations rise, the task becomes all the more important, Smith said. The Game Commission's harvest estimates are calculated using antlered and antlerless harvest reports submitted by hunters in combination with data from deer checked by crews at processors across the state, Stainbrook said. Last season, hunters reported 147,000 deer — by far most often using the online reporting form — and Game Commission personnel checked more than 27,000 deer at processors around the state. Across the state, about 28% of hunters took an antlered deer. That's the highest success rate since at least the late 1980s. And, as has become the norm since the implementation of antler point restrictions, most of those bucks were older ones. Two of every three were at least 2.5 years old. That's a huge change from decades ago, when most of the harvest was made of up 1.5-year-old deer. Meanwhile, hunters turned about 26% of antlerless tags into a harvested deer. That's consistent with past seasons. So, too, is the fact that about 69% of those deer were adult females. Looking at the harvests by season, hunters once again took more deer overall in the regular statewide firearms deer season than in any other. It accounted for an estimated 283,760 deer, counting 86,530 antlered and 197,230 antlerless. Archers, meanwhile, took an estimated 87,540 antlered deer and 90,600 antlerless, while muzzle-loaders got an estimated 1,210 antlered deer and 13,770 antlerless. A map showing a breakdown of the harvest can be found on the Game Commission's website — PA Game Commission delivers annual report Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith this week testified before the House Game and Fisheries Committee and presented the agency's annual report to the General Assembly. To view a copy of the agency's annual legislative report, visit — — and click "About Us," then, "Reports and Surveys." Rep. Walsh announces change in fishing regulations at Harris Pond The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is alerting anglers that it has temporarily lifted all seasons, size and daily limits for all species of fish at Harris Pond in Sweet Valley, Luzerne County, according to Rep. Jamie Walsh, R-Ross Township. These regulations took effect on Saturday, March 22, and will remain in place until Jan. 1, 2026. The PFBC has found this action is necessary and appropriate to reduce the number of fish in advance of a draw-down of the lake for a future dam project. The temporary modifications to fishing regulations will be posted in the vicinity of the lake. Harris Pond is a 30-acre impoundment owned by the Commonwealth and managed by the PFBC for public fishing and boating. State launches grant program to help schools and childcare facilities eliminate lead in drinking water The Shapiro Administration is launching a no-cost water sampling program for eligible schools and childcare facilities across the Commonwealth to eliminate lead in drinking water and reduce childhood lead exposure. Testing water in schools is important because children spend a significant portion of their days in these facilities. The longer water remains in contact with lead plumbing, the more opportunity exists for lead to leach into water. As a result, facilities with on again/off again water use, such as schools, may have elevated lead concentrations in their water. Testing the water at each facility is the only sure way to find out if the water contains too much lead. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) received federal funding for the Voluntary School and Child Care Lead Testing and Reduction Grant Program through the EPA's Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Program. "We know the health risks associated with childhood lead exposure, which is why we're committed to seeing it eliminated whenever possible," said DEP Acting Secretary Jessica Shirley. "The WIIN program is a win/win for Pennsylvania's children because it helps find where the problems are and helps eliminate them. By continuing to take action to get lead out of our drinking water, this grant program will promote a healthier, safer Commonwealth." Eligible schools and childcare facilities can apply to test and/or remediate lead in their drinking water. Eligible lead reduction activities may include purchasing and installing hydration stations, point-of-use (POU) devices designed to remove lead, and replacement of faucets. DEP has contracted with Terraphase Engineering to perform the lead testing. To qualify, applicants must have drinking water sample results demonstrating an exceedance of the EPA's remediation trigger level (5 parts per billion) within 36 months of the date of their application. Recipients may be eligible for reimbursement up to $3,000 per installed hydration station.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Winter wild turkey survey goes a long way to a successful spring season
I really don't want to complain, but I'm going to do so. This year, we have just 24 days to hunt spring gobbler because of a glitch in the 2024 calendar, this year the season will not open until Saturday, May 4. With the season ending Friday, May 31, there are just 24 days to hunt spring gobbler this year. From now through March 15, however, hunters can help the Pennsylvania Game Commission better manage these magnificent birds by participating in the Turkey Brood Survey by locating turkey flocks to trap for ongoing turkey projects. Information is beingcollected online at , and visitors to the webpage are asked to provide the date of the sighting, the location and the type of land as to public, private or unknown where birds were or are being seen. 'The data gives us information on annual survival rates and annual spring harvest rates for our population model and provides the person reporting information on when and approximately where the turkey was banded,' PGC turkey biologist Mary Jo Casalena said. 'We're studying turkey population and movement dynamics, disease prevalence and other aspects that may limit populations. 'It is the largest turkey project we've ever conducted, with the hope of answering many questions regarding current turkey population dynamics. The public was so helpful the last two years, and some even helped with monitoring sites and trapping, and we look forward to continuing this winter.' When reported sightings are made, PGC crews will visit sites to assess them for the potential to trap turkeys. Turkeys will not be relocated, but simply be leg banded and released on site, and in four Wildlife Management Units some also will be outfitted with GPS transmitters, then be released back on site, to be monitored over time. Trapping turkeys during winter is part of the PGC's ongoing population monitoring and provides information for a large-scale turkey study as well. Just like the last four winters, the agency will put leg bands on male turkeys statewide. Hunters who bag one of these turkeys, or people who find one dead, are asked to report the band number by either calling toll-free or reporting it online. The PGC is also attaching GPS transmitters to a sample of turkeys in WMUs 2D, 3D, 4D and 5C on approximately 150 hens and 100 gobblers. The four study areas have different landscapes, turkey population densities and spring hunter and harvest densities. These studies are being done in partnership with Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania's Wildlife Futures Program. The population and movement portion of that work is looking at how landscape and weather impact hen nest rates, nest success, poult survival, predation, habitat use and movement. The disease portion of the study is examining how disease prevalence varies based on landscape and impacts things like the survival and nesting rates of hens of different ages. This is accomplished by collecting blood, throat swabs, feces, etc. from turkeys that receive backpack-style transmitters at the time of capture. The study will continue next winter for females, so that, in the end, the PGC will monitor 400-plus hens and 200-plus gobblers. Researchers from Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania's Wildlife Futures Program will interpret the data collected. Maryland, New Jersey and Ohio joined the study as well. Trapping turkeys during winter is part of the Game Commission's ongoing population monitoring, and provides information for large-scale turkey studies, as well. Hunters who harvest these marked turkeys, or people who find one dead, are asked to report the bandnumber and/or transmitter, either by calling toll-free or reporting it online. 'The data give us information on annual survival rates and annual spring harvest rates for our population model, and provides the person reporting the information on when and approximately where the turkey was banded,' Casalena said. 'In the four WMUs where hens are getting the GPS transmitters, we're studying turkey population and movement dynamics, disease prevalence, and other aspects that may limit populations.' The field study will conclude at the end of December 2025, so that, in the end, the Game Commission will have monitored 500-plus hens and 200-plus male turkeys. Males were equipped with GPS transmitters from 2022-2024 and also are being monitored through 2025. These studies are being done in partnership with Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania's Wildlife Futures Program. Finding birds to trap is the key to accomplishing the work, and that's where the public comes in. Fortunately, Pennsylvanians have a history of helping in this way. 'It is the largest turkey project we've ever conducted, with the hope of answering many questions regarding current turkey population dynamics,' Casalena said. 'The public was so helpful the last few years and some even helped with monitoring sites and trapping. 'We look forward to continuing this winter. Helping with the project could help in tagging a gobbler during this year's too-short season.' (Dietz is a member of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association) Contact the writer: outdoors@
