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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08/28/2023

Dove season opens in a little over a week, on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023! 🌻The Pennsylvania Game Commission has worked all summer to create Managed Dove Fields, ideal dove habitat areas on state game lands.

📍 Find a Managed Dove Field on a state game lands near you: https://bit.ly/3KYfnpX.

Doves are attracted to agricultural areas due to the abundance of food and available bare ground.

When fields are managed specifically for doves, they will come from MILES to take advantage of the food, grit, and loafing areas these fields provide.

Are you planning to dove hunt this year? Remember, dove hunters must obtain a Migratory Game Bird License in addition to a hunting license.

Buy your license online at www.huntfish.pa.gov or in-store at a Licensing Issuing Agent MAP: https://bit.ly/43lds64.

Good luck. Have fun. Hunt safely.

08/28/2023

🦃 🌲 🌳 - taken in Cumberland county.

Submit your When in Nature pictures here!

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

08/21/2023

Last week we got to join Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission as they did Flathead Catfish collections on the Susquehanna River just north of Harrisburg.

They set baited nets and use the fish caught to research ecological habits and affects of this non native but naturalized species.

Penn State Hazleton participates in these surveys to study the ecological impact of these fish.

08/18/2023

08/16/2023

Any guesses on this Avain predator?

Found in Pennsylvania Game Commission - Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area

*this feather returned to the ground promptly after being taken

08/16/2023

Today the PA Senate Game & Fisheries Committee joined Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources at Fort Halifax to discuss the colonial fort buried on the grounds and way this historic area can be protected.

08/02/2023

07/25/2023

Spotted Lantern Flies have hatched and they're in their adult stage! Keep an eye out for these pesky, invasive critters and smash 'em when you see 'em.

Each spotted lantern fly stomped helps prevents 30-60 from hatching next year, which helps protect our local trees and flora.

Report sightings of Spotted Lantern Flies at the link below, or call 1-888-4BAD-FLY (1-888-422-3359).
https://services.agriculture.pa.gov/SLFReport/

07/24/2023

Introduce your kids to fly fishing, boating safety, aquatic habits and more with our Activities & Education Portal.

You'll find activity sheets, coloring pages and newsletters to help them learn about and appreciate Pennsylvania's outdoors.
https://ow.ly/FsxU50Pgkgw

07/24/2023

Quick animal fact for the week!

07/24/2023

The largest turkey research in our state’s history continues with this year’s brood surveys. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is tracking hens that were outfitted with GPS transmitters over the past couple of winters to look at nesting success and survival of poults (young turkeys).

Recently, Northcentral Wildlife Technician Tony and Biologist Aide Anya completed a brood survey in Centre County using thermal imagery, a tool that detects heat and turns it into a visible image. They tracked the pictured hen to determine how many poults the hen has four weeks after hatching.

How do they know when she has laid eggs and they have hatched? Through an acceleration sensor on the transmitter that takes readings every two minutes. They can easily tell when she is incubating without needing to physically see the hen or visit the nest. Any disturbance would likely result in the hen abandoning the nest or lead a predator to it, so the Game Commission does not physically go near the nests until they have hatched and moved on.

Typically, after 28 days of incubation, the poults hatch and the hen and poults begin moving around and feeding. They will then visit the nest to see how many poults hatched (looking at the eggshells). Then the hen and poult tracking begins!

Hens are tracked year-round up to twice a week. Poults that make it to four weeks have a 90% chance of survival. This hen initially had eight poults and now has four (at four weeks “post- hatch”).

This research project began in the winter of 2021-22 and includes placing a minimum of 100 GPS transmitters on female turkeys a year, for four years.

This research will allow the agency to learn about factors that influence wild turkey populations, such as nesting success, habitat use, movement within habitats, survival, and the impact of diseases and for more informed hunting season-setting. Transmitters are also placed on 100 male turkeys a year, for two years.

Pictures: Thermal imagery from this survey, a graph that shows hen acceleration level, and two-week old poults from another survey.

07/19/2023

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has awarded $187,625 in grant funding to support 15 education projects in 11 counties that foster interest in fishing and boating in Pennsylvania through the R3 (recruitment, retention and reactivation) Education Grant Program. Two statewide projects were also awarded. The R3 grants are awarded to recipients to help increase the number of anglers and boaters in Pennsylvania. Efforts include recruiting new participants, retaining existing participants and reactivating former participants in fishing and boating recreation.

"Providing the people of Pennsylvania with education and outreach opportunities for fishing and boating is paramount to the work of the Fish and Boat Commission. Having trusted partners who carry out and believe in the work, too, means more people will experience all Pennsylvania's waterways have to offer," said Kim Garris, PFBC Director of Outreach, Education and Marketing. "This grant program supports our partners' work to get and keep people involved in fishing and boating, promoting healthier lifestyles and a love and appreciation of the natural world."

Recipients of the PFBC R3 Education Grant successfully applied for and demonstrated ways in which their new or expanded projects progress R3 initiatives and connect Pennsylvanians with Commonwealth waterways. Funds awarded through the grant program will be used to purchase equipment and educational resources, provide transportation, and cover other costs associated with the development and delivery of R3 education programs.

Read more: https://ow.ly/ssZX50Pg6sE

07/19/2023

Calling all outdoorswomen!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently kicked off a new initiative to support and promote female participation in outdoor recreation, especially hunting, trapping, and shooting sports with the all-new PA Wild Women Facebook group.

Whether you are an experienced outdoorswoman or just getting started, the PA Wild Women Facebook Group is meant for you!

PA Wild Women members will have access to online workshops, receive weekly tips and tactics, receive notifications of in -person events, and more importantly, can connect with other outdoorswomen.

While PA Wild Women Facebook Group is open to all, most of the content provided will be created by women for women.

Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pawildwomen.

07/17/2023

This When in Nature was captured in Cambria County. While it appears to putting on a healthy set of antlers, he does appear not to be in good health. Has anyone seen anything similar to this?

Submit your pictures here!

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

07/13/2023

On Saturday, a crowd armed with binoculars and cameras gathered on the edge of a road in Clay Township. Their goal: To spot a rare, feathered visitor to the area,

07/12/2023

07/11/2023

Watch out when hiking trails in Pennsylvania — these aren’t rocks!

Woodland Box Turtles are often seen in PA. This time of year, the females have just laid their eggs and are now foraging in the morning for food. They like berries, plant seeds, earthworms, caterpillars, insects and spiders. They’ll burrow down in a shady area to keep cool when it becomes warm in the late morning and afternoon.

If you see any reptiles or amphibians on your adventures, please report your sighting at paherpsurvey.org to help us determine their distribution and status throughout Pennsylvania.

07/01/2023

Sarah Hammerman, a student at PennWest Edinboro, caught this beautiful Brown Trout while fishing Elk Creek, Erie County, in early April.

Want to share your catch? Send your fish story and photo to the email in our bio!

06/28/2023

Here's an in-depth look at the controversy and aftermath of what has been called "The Deer Wars" from 20 years ago in the Keystone State.

06/27/2023

nymphs are beginning to turn red and becoming more destructive.
PA, you know the drill. If you see a that looks like this, squash it!

Learn more: https://bit.ly/441KKaU

06/26/2023

Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Chair Greg Rothman (R-34) issued the following statement on today’s faulty launch of online antlerless deer license sales in Pennsylvania:

06/26/2023

Martin Sipe caught this carp while fishing Neshannock Creek, Lawrence County, last summer.

"While the water is too warm for trout, carp are active," Martin said. "Using a centerpin to target these fish is the perfect mix of skill/fight."

Share your fish story with us! Send your story and photo to the email in our bio.

06/21/2023

Happy first day of summer, Pennsylvania! ☀️

Embrace the great outdoors this season and create cherished memories under the warm sun.

06/20/2023

Join us for a free Women's Introduction to Fly Fishing program at Frances Slocum State Park on June 24!

This educational program is designed for women interested in learning the basics of fly fishing equipment, knot tying, casting techniques and on-the-water skills. It is the perfect opportunity to learn fly fishing basics and meet other women interested in fly fishing. All equipment is provided.

Sign up now: https://ow.ly/hPlJ50OQpw5

06/19/2023

Summer evening stroll through the field in Lancaster County. ☀️ submit your When in Nature submissions here to be featured on our page! https://game.pasenategop.com/when-in-nature/

06/16/2023

06/16/2023

New findings show some deer are resistant to Chronic Wasting Disease.

06/16/2023

Come explore Pigeon Run Falls in the Allegheny National Forest near Marienville. The falls are accessible via Pigeon Run Falls Trail, which is good for all skill levels. Photo by Menahem Thalkar.

06/12/2023

Due to the prolonged lack of rain and dry weather, all open fires are prohibited in all Pennsylvania state forests.

No campfires are permitted (even at designated campsites) until further notice.

Fires are permitted in gas grills and camp stoves when these appliances are used as designed.

This open fire ban does not apply to Pennsylvania state parks.

06/12/2023

Bass season opens on June 10!

The minimum size is 12 inches, and the daily limit is six fish (combined bass species).

Find fishing tips for Smallmouth and Largemouth bass, Pennsylvania's Best Fishing Waters, maps and more: http://ow.ly/bsrW50OG6xv

06/06/2023

All Senate floor action is broadcast live on this page. The Senate also makes its feed available through a drop room located in the Capitol East Wing. In this room, the media can record any part of the session. In addition, the signal is received by The Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) for rebroadca...

05/31/2023

Almost missed them! 🐢

Ignore the random black spots on the camera.

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

05/31/2023

05/31/2023

Raise your hand if you’ve seen one of these colorful fish!

Rainbow Darters certainly leave an impression the first time you see one. They are part of the perch family and are found in medium streams to big rivers in western Pennsylvania's Ohio and Great Lakes drainages. They are common in PA, but we rarely see them because they are small and live along stream bottoms in riffles.

Learn more about perches and darters in the Pennsylvania Fishes reference book: http://ow.ly/mxCk50OxUpQ

05/31/2023

CONGRATULATIONS to Jovie, pictured here, for harvesting this triple-bearded bird during Pennsylvania’s 2023 Spring Gobbler Season! She was hunting with her father and grandfather and wrote this poem as a reflection of her hunt.

Today, May 30, is the final day of Pennsylvania’s 2023 Spring Gobbler season. ☀️ 🦃 GOOD LUCK to everyone heading afield one last time today with hopes of filling that tag.

CONGRATULATIONS to those who have already filled their tags.
THANK YOU to those who took a new, or young hunter this season.
If you didn't notch your tag this spring, there’s always next year!

No matter what category you’re in... THANK YOU for being a Pennsylvania hunter.

As a friendly reminder, please to submit your photos to the “2023 Spring Gobbler Photo Contest,” now through June 16. Click here for details: https://bit.ly/43nkIPa.

05/26/2023

Have a question about American martens? Tune in to PGC LIVE, next Thursday, June 1, at 1 p.m., to learn more from Pennsylvania Game Commission Furbearer Biologist Tom Keller.

We will be offering a Q&A during the live feed, as well as answering some of YOUR questions.

Click here for more about the agency’s American Marten Reintroduction Feasibility Assessment: https://bit.ly/3xUvX2Y.

Learn more about the American Marten at https://bit.ly/3IO6lv9.

05/26/2023

Late spring views on the Breeches. 🦆

Submit your When in Nature here! https://game.pasenategop.com/when-in-nature/

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https://game.pasenategop.com/

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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.