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Antlerless license allocations for the 2017-18 hunting season were increased for many Wildlife Management Units, including four in the Northeast, during Tuesday’s Pennsylvania Game Commission meeting.
Board members voted to increase the allocation over last year’s figures in 14 of the 23 WMUs, for a total statewide antlerless license allocation of 804,000. The figure is significantly less than the 873,000 recommended by agency staff.
In the northeast, the allocation for WMUs 3B, 3C, 4C and 4E increased while WMU 3D remained the same. The largest increase locally occurred in WMU 3C where 42,000 antlerless licenses were allocated, 6,000 more than last season. Agency staff indicated the deer population in WMU 3C is increasing and the allocation hike was made to stabilize numbers.
The allocation for WMU 3B was set at 30,000 — 2,000 more than last season, WMU 4C increased by 4,000 to 29,000 and WMU 4E was set at 27,500, compared to 25,000 last year. The deer population in WMUs 4C and 4E are also identified as increasing by PGC staff.
In WMU 3D, where the PGC staff indicated the deer impact on the forest is too high, agency staff recommended an antlerless allocation of 41,000 — a 16,000 increase over last year’s allocation, which remained the same for this season.
Agency data also shows that the deer population trend in WMU 3D is stable while hunter opinions state deer numbers in the unit are too low.
New permit for pheasant hunters
The board approved the creation of a pheasant hunting permit for the 2017-18 season. The permit is required for all hunters pursuing pheasants and will cost $25. The move was made in an effort to help offset some of the cost incurred with raising and releasing pheasants.
The impact of the new permit will be monitored and the cost could be changed if the number of pheasant hunters declines. Those hunters who have already purchased a senior lifetime hunting license will still need to buy the permit if they intend to hunt pheasants. Junior hunters are exempt from having to buy the permit to hunt pheasants.
“We’ll analyze it next year at the end of the hunting season and make adjustments if needed,” commissioner Tim Layton said.
Grouse season shortened
Due to concerns over declining ruffed grouse numbers, the board voted to eliminate the post-Christmas segment of the season to improve adult survival. Studies have shown that grouse are becoming infected with the West Nile Virus, and in addition to a shorter hunting season the PGC is working to improve habitat.
Commissioner Dave Putnam said timber harvests will occur on an additional 6,000 to 8,000 acres of game lands in order to create better grouse habitat.
“We are committing more resources to that program,” Putnam said. “I’m hopeful the species will get through West Nile.”
Other business
• The board also voted to issue 118 elk licenses (25 antlered, 93 antlerless) for the 2017 hunt. The licenses again will be awarded by lottery, and the deadline to enter the drawing is July 31.
• The statewide archery bear season was moved to the next-to-the-last week of the archery deer season.
• Due to declining turkey population trends, the fall season in several WMUs, including 4E in the northeast, was reduced to two weeks (Oct. 28-Nov. 11) followed by three days over Thanksgiving (Nov. 23-25).
• Hunting licenses for 2017-18 go on sale in mid-June and become effective July 1. After hunters purchase a general hunting license, they may apply for antlerless deer licenses based on staggered timelines, which will be outlined in the 2017-18 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest to be made available online.
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