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PFBC Withdraws Delayed Harvest Proposal
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has decided to withdraw a proposal to change the Delayed Harvest Artificial Lures Only (DHALO) regulations after receiving public comments overwhelmingly opposed to the measure.
The PFBC Board of Commissioners approved the withdrawal of the proposal and the end of the public comment period in a vote conducted this week.
“The DHALO program is a stocked trout program, and social factors play a critical role in how the program is managed,” PFBC Executive Director John Arway said. “The proposed changes were designed to do two things: first, maximize the harvest of stocked trout before stream temperatures increase to lethal levels and, second, increase the opportunity for kids to catch fish.
“The proposed changes generated much public comment in which questions were posed that would require substantial staff time and effort to fully answer,” he added. “Therefore, we believe that we need to withdraw this idea and focus on identifying other changes where we can more easily accomplish these objectives.”
Approved at the PFBC’s January 2015 quarterly business meeting, the proposal included the following:
Move the start of the trout harvest period from June 15 to the Saturday before Memorial Day.
Allow the use of bait by all anglers during the trout harvest period.
Allow youth anglers under the age of 16 to use bait year-round in DHALO areas.
Change the minimum length limit from 9 inches to 7 inches.
As of March 31, the agency had received 343 comments, with all but five opposed to the proposal. A main concern expressed by the individuals was the use of bait during the harvest period.
First launched in 1983, the DHALO program is designed to make more stocked trout available later in the season. The current regulations allow harvest only between June 15 and Labor Day, have a minimum size limit of nine inches, and a creel limit of three fish. The waters are open to fishing year-round.
New PGC app
Trying to locate a new hunting spot?
Want to find out which way the wind is blowing at your tree stand, quickly check what’s in season, or see instantly when the sun will set on your day afield?
There’s an app for that.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has launched its new GoHuntPA Toolkit, a features-loaded, free app available through the GoHuntPA.org website.
The app is designed to be handy for hunters, whether they’re viewing it at home in preparation for a hunt, or putting it to the test in the field.
The GoHuntPA Toolkit is the simplest way yet to find huntable tracts of state game lands, learn more about the habitat and wildlife there, and even view maps showing where the parking lots are located.
Using augmented reality, the app allows users simply to hold their mobile devices in front of them to see the locations of nearby game lands. And by clicking on the flags that pop up to mark these sites, users can learn more about the tracts. Selecting the “route” option will activate your device’s GPS function and give you turn-by-turn directions to the parking lot of your choice.
Maps available through the app provide a more-detailed look at terrain and access points at game lands statewide. The app also allows users to check weather and daylight conditions, view hunting regulations, seasons and bag limits, and post pictures through Instagram of their days afield.
There’s also a tracking feature that allows members of the same hunting party see the locations of others, and mark the sites where they parked or set up camp, to make sure they make it back.
Meanwhile, an SOS safety feature allows users to notify friends and family of their exact GPS coordinates in the event of an emergency.
To download the GoHuntPA Toolkit, visit GoHuntPA.org, or simply visit your device’s app store and search for the toolkit by name. The app might not be compatible with older devices or software.
Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said the GoHuntPA Toolkit aims to make hunting in Pennsylvania even more enjoyable, and more importantly, safer. And he urged hunters to download the free app before their next trip afield.
“The GoHuntPA Toolkit places useful and easy-to-access information directly into the palms of hunters’ hands, and makes it available to them wherever they go,” Hough said. “Aside from your license and other essential gear, about the only thing else you’ll need to bring along is a pair of fingerless gloves.”