PA Senate Game & Fisheries Committee

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PA Senate Game & Fisheries Committee

The official page of the Pennsylvania Senate Game and Fisheries committee. We hope you find the posts informative and helpful, and your comments are welcome.

PA Senate Game and Fisheries Committee

Mission Statement-

Our mission is to provide a greater appreciation and understanding of the natural world around us that will resonate with every person living in the great State of Pennsylvania. Using the tools and guidance provided to us by some of the great agencies in this state, we will strive to bring a deeper and a more profound connection to natur

e to every household. We will reach past the traditional groups that utilize the outdoors and capture the interest of people who have not yet discovered their love of the flora and fauna found in Pennsylvania. Core Values: SHIP

•Showcase- To provide opportunities to visualize and educate the spectacular
power of nature.
•Heritage- Continue to protect the hunting and fishing heritage that has helped
shape Pennsylvania since 1787.
•Inclusion- Hunting and fishing are important, but we understand the vitality of
connecting people who fall outside these groups to the natural world.
•Protect and preserve - From finding ways to approach wildlife illnesses to habitat
restoration, we believe in protecting Pennsylvania’s native species. Disclaimer-

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Operating as usual

03/13/2023

Pennsylvania Black Bear Den with Two Active Playing Cubs

03/13/2023

Timeline photos

Ready to net a trout this year but not sure where to start?

We're holding free virtual Basics of Trout Fishing programs, where you'll learn trout identification, regulations, equipment, skills, techniques and more!

Pick the date that works for you and sign up now:
March 16: http://ow.ly/8PZf50NfBf8
March 23: http://ow.ly/fhfH50NfBf4
March 30: http://ow.ly/F5vk50NfBf5

03/11/2023

Brisk Saturday morning views along the Swatara in Dauphin county.

Submit your WINS here.

https://game.pasenategop.com/when-in-nature/

03/10/2023

Photos from Pennsylvania Game Commission-Southcentral Region's post

03/10/2023

This photo of a rattlesnake was taken by our "Man in the Woods" Russ Gleixner.

03/08/2023

A few more weeks ✌️

03/08/2023

Timeline photos

Are you interested in learning to trout fish this year?

Then join us for a free Basics of Trout Fishing program to get started! These virtual programs are on March 16, 23 and 30 to get you ready for trout season. You'll learn identification, regulations, equipment, skills and fishing techniques. Instructors will even help you navigate different resources to find a fishing spot near you.

Sign up now!

March 16: http://ow.ly/HLmt50N3Rkl
March 23: http://ow.ly/626X50N3Rkg
March 30: http://ow.ly/ryyc50N3Rki

03/06/2023

This picture is from The Fly Fishing Show this weekend in Lancaster. It was a great turnout and it was wonderful seeing some great presenters.

03/06/2023

When you think about bowhunting and archery, there is a well-known name that comes to mind: Fred Bear.

He’s widely considered to be the “father of bowhunting.” Bear’s unmatched skills in the field, and his role in creating one of the leading bowhunting and archery companies in the world, has made him more of a legend.

In celebration of Fred Bear’s birthday today, we would like to share some facts about this outdoor pioneer:

🏹 He was born in Waynesboro, PA, before moving to Detroit to work in the automobile industry.

🏹 In 1933, Bear began handcrafting his own bows, arrows, and strings, as a second job.

🏹 He proved himself as a top archer by winning Michigan’s Archery Championship in 1934, 1937 and 1939.

🏹 He was instrumental in creating Michigan’s first bowhunting season in 1937, with other states to follow. *Pennsylvania’s first archery season was in 1951.

🏹 In 1942, Bear became the first Michigan bowhunter to take a whitetail on film.

🏹 Bear became an international bowhunting legend by tackling many species of dangerous big game, including a Bengal tiger, lion, polar bear, Cape buffalo, and an elephant weighing four ton, all with his bow and arrow.

🏹 He broke six different archery world records for various big game species – Alaskan brown bear, barren-ground caribou, mountain caribou, Canada moose and stone sheep.

🏹 And he was an inaugural member of the Archery Hall of Fame, along with other archery legends, like Ben Pearson and Ann Weber Hoyt.

“The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind.” - Fred Bear.

03/04/2023

Photos from Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's post

03/04/2023

Timeline photos

What better time to celebrate Pennsylvania’s native species than ?

Each of these critters plays a vital role in a connected ecosystem. For example, the queensnake feeds almost exclusively on crayfish, and a healthy crayfish population relies on clean water.

The queensnake is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need outlined in the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan. The plan provides a proactive conservation blueprint to prevent Species of Greatest Conservation Need from requiring federal protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Learn more about the Pennsylvania Wildlife Action Plan and how you can be a partner in conservation: http://ow.ly/ifGm50N1YEZ

📸 Jarren Uplinger

03/03/2023

Chairman, Senator Greg Rothman joined the Millersburg High School Conservation Club on Wiconisco Creek stocking trout with Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

03/02/2023

Congratulations on your 1st steelhead Carson!!

03/01/2023

Mark your calendar for the statewide Mentored Youth Fishing Day on Saturday, March 25. 🎣

Youth anglers must obtain a Mentored Youth Permit or a Voluntary Youth Fishing License; and be accompanied by a licensed adult angler to participate.

Learn more ➡️ http://bit.ly/2Y5GKV5.

02/27/2023

As the Pennsylvania Game Commission continues to explore the possibility of American marten reintroduction within Penn’s Woods, the agency will be providing opportunities to learn more. Read more: https://www.media.pa.gov/Pages/game-commission-details.aspx?newsid=586.

The agency is hosting several presentations across the state, beginning Thursday, March 9, and continuing through June.

Visit http://bit.ly/3IO6lv9 to learn more about the American marten.

The agency completed a Reintroduction Feasibility Assessment for American Martens, which is available https://bit.ly/3xUvX2Y.

02/27/2023

Check out this sunset in Marietta along the river!

Submit your own picture here! https://game.pasenategop.com/when-in-nature/

02/26/2023

Attention boaters/ potential boaters in the Pittsburgh area!

02/26/2023

And she’s on the board! Her first shed antler!

02/26/2023

Congratulations Brooklyn on your first steelhead!

02/24/2023

Spongy Moth Damage Expected in Central Pennsylvania This Year

DCNR preparing for another bad year of spongy moth infestation

02/24/2023

Timeline photos

If you fish or boat in Pennsylvania, you don't want to miss an issue of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater.

Whether you're a seasoned outdoor enthusiast or just getting started, you'll find helpful information in each issue — from fishing tips and hotspots to gear recommendations and lessons learned.

Subscribe now: http://ow.ly/uhaq50MZJEO

02/22/2023

Getting to Know Invasive Rusty Crayfish

Rusty Crayfish are an aquatic invasive species in Pennsylvania. They grow to large sizes, quickly reproduce and out-compete native crayfish species for food ...

02/21/2023

This When in Nature submission was sent in last summer with the caption, "Take a kid fishing."

Tom took his granddaughter from Texas fishing at Playwicki park in Bucks county to fish along the Neshaminy creek. While they did not have much luck with fishing, they had a great day and enjoyed the views along the water.

Please submit your own When in Nature (WINs) here to be shared on our page. 🙂🎣
https://game.pasenategop.com/when-in-nature/

02/20/2023

Photos from Cumberland County, PA's post

02/20/2023

Photos from Black Moshannon State Park's post

02/17/2023

Photos from Black Moshannon State Park's post

02/16/2023

Outdoor recreation adds $14 billion to Pennsylvania's economy, and creates 150,000 jobs earning Pennsylvanians $6.8 billion in wages and salaries.

Learn more about our outdoor recreation economy and its potential for growth ➡️ http://bit.ly/3KqoGw6.

02/14/2023

The 2022 bear harvest results are in!

With 3,170 bears harvested, a couple weighing more than 700 pounds, this year proved to be a great year for hunters to take advantage of Pennsylvania’s thriving bear population. Here are some highlights:

🔸 The 2022 seasons ranked the harvest as the 14th largest of all time!

🔸 Over four seasons, the harvest was spread out more evenly than ever before. Bears were harvested in 57 out of 67 counties.

🔸 Hunters harvested 737 bears in the archery season, 712 in the muzzleloader/special fi****ms season, 1,051 in the general season and 663 in the extended season. Another seven were taken in the early season.

🔸 The largest bear taken in 2022 was during the muzzleloader season, by Cory Bennett, of Toms River, N.J, his bear weighed in at an impressive 755 pounds! Two additional bears were harvested weighing over 700 pounds and 11 bears weighing over 600 pounds!

🔸 Learn more about the 2022 bear harvest results including some of the largest weights, season, and county harvests here: https://bit.ly/3E5KmwV

Thank you to Derrick Welsh for submitting his 2022 bear harvest photo. Derrick’s bear was a sow weighing 200 pounds harvested in Jefferson County during the archery season. Congratulations on your Pennsylvania bear harvest, Derrick!

Thanks to all for being a Pennsylvania hunter!

02/13/2023

The Erie Walleye Bash will be held June 23 and 24th! Get registered today!! www.Eriewalleyebash.com

02/11/2023

The photo of the week was taken at Tom's Run in Cook Forest State Park by Mountain Man Photography.

02/11/2023

Photos from Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture's post

02/11/2023

2023 Mentored Youth Trout Day is Saturday March 25th starting at 8am in Pennsylvania. Download or request a copy of your Fishing & Paddling Guide online at VisitPAGO.com/free-information

02/10/2023

Here’s some good news surrounding Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Pennsylvania! There are several research initiatives launching this year aimed at increasing understanding of CWD and developing tools to confront it. Read more: http://bit.ly/3DV6Hxg.

Research projects include looking at the impact of CWD on deer in the most severely impacted areas of the state, in cooperation with the Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit at Penn State University and the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine’s (Penn Vet) Wildlife Futures Program.

Detecting CWD is a challenge. Projects in partnership with Penn Vet include the Wildlife Futures Program’s K9 Conservation dogs, who can literally “sniff out” CWD and refining a highly sensitive detection method for prions to find CWD in f***s and other tissues.

Unfortunately, CWD continues to impact deer and elk in Pennsylvania. Much is still unknown about CWD, so limiting exposure of all species is important.

The Game Commission’s mission is to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations. The agency will continue to combat the challenges of CWD with the best available research and science.

If you have any CWD related questions, concerns or comments, please call 1-833-INFOCWD or email [email protected]. Learn more about CWD here: http://bit.ly/3YxChca.

02/09/2023

Timeline photos

Join us for a FREE virtual Women's Intro to Fly Fishing program on March 1 to learn the basics of fly fishing!

Topics include:
▪️ Fly fishing gear
▪️ Knots to know
▪️ Aquatic insects and artificial fly comparisons
▪️ Two important casts
▪️ Reading the water
▪️ Hooking, landing and releasing fish

Sign up now: http://ow.ly/bSyU50MMmsV

Here is a very good article highlighting why outdoor recreation is such an important staple in Pennsylvania’s economy.

02/08/2023

The Outdoor Industry, Pennsylvania’s $14 Billion Secret

Here is a very good article highlighting why outdoor recreation is such an important staple in Pennsylvania’s economy.

There’s more to outdoor recreation than you think.

02/08/2023

Are you interested in applying to become a Pennsylvania State Game Warden?

Do you have questions about this career field or the application process?

If so, stop by the Game Commission booth in the Outfitter Hall, booth #6705, at the Great American Outdoor Show on Wednesday, FEB. 8, from noon to 7 P.M., to speak with our game warden recruiter, Kevin Anderson and our Human Resource representative, Ashley Boylan to answer all your questions.

If you can’t make it Wednesday, no worries! You can stop by and talk with game wardens and agency staff any day.

See you at the show!

For more information on how you can apply to become a Pennsylvania state game warden, visit https://bit.ly/3ZtKvDl.

02/08/2023

The Stairway Lake Trail traverses the Stairway Lake Wild Area, a 2,882-acre area unique for its historic blue stone quarry, wetlands, and wild, natural beauty.

Featuring Stairway Lake and the nearby vista overlooking the Delaware River, this wild area is a remote, quiet, get away for all who visit. Learn more ➡️ https://bit.ly/31nWCED

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Videos

Check out this little video taken last year during the first week in November! This was taken in Berks County.

Check out this video taken and sent in from Erie County, Pennsylvania.

Check out this trail cam video that was captured up in Susquehanna County!

Yesterday the G&F committee had the opportunity to get a tour of the Keystone Elk Country Alliance facilities. We were on their wagon tour when this bull let out a bugle.

Taken in Erie PA!

Here’s a little moment of zen for your Thursday morning! Video taken in Dauphin County.

While visiting his hunting camp, check out the video G&F chairman Senator Dan Laughlin took when he stumbled across a young fawn. They immediately left them alone because mom was very likely close and could hear baby bleating.

Check out this video chairman Senator Dan Laughlin took of a red squirrel robbing him of produce.

Any guesses as to how many fingerling hybrid striped bass are in this pond?

Here is a video of some fish from the Huntsdale Hatchery.

Check out this video we took last week of some poults flying out of the field!

There’s nothing like looking over 400 acres of marsh. Taken in Erie county.

Check out this WIN taken in Dauphin county! Submit your pictures here! https://game.pasenategop.com/when-in-nature/

Here is a little zen moment for your Wednesday morning. Enjoy this old Ag field that nature is slowly starting to reclaim. Taken in Berks County

Tired of sitting in the office on this chilly Monday? Here’s a good distraction from Stoney Creek in Dauphin county.

There’s something relaxing about having a cool wind blowing on top of a mountain in north central Pennsylvania.

April is a good time to visit Fort Washington State Park. Video taken down near Plymouth Meeting outside of Philadelphia.

Turkeys

We are getting closer and closer to May… which means turkey season is almost here. Still time to practice using that diaphragm call on those commutes to work. Video taken in Berks County last fall hunting the pre-rut in mid October.

Back in early March, the PA Senate Game & Fisheries committee had the opportunity to join the Pennsylvania Game Commission on a bear research trip. These trips allow the Game Commission to track bear movement, study reproduction habits, and also check the health of our wild bears.