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2005-2006 PA Hunting Season

Hunting

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Hunting- The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits for 2005-2006, including expanded hunter opportunities through the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP); more bear hunting; increased elk hunting; and new and expanded youth-only hunting seasons. The new seasons take effect July 1.

Seasons and bag limits for migratory game birds and waterfowl will be approved and announced in late July and mid-August, respectively, once the agency receives seasonal frameworks from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Following are several articles on meeting highlights.

GAME COMMISSION SETS DEER SEASONS AND ANTLERLESS ALLOCATIONS

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to the 2005-2006 deer seasons, while approving antlerless deer license allocations that are substantially lower in many Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) than last year. The season framework nearly mirrors that of the previous three years, with the exception of expanded antlerless deer hunting in Wildlife Management Unit 5C, in the southeast portion of the state. The late antlerless deer season for WMU 5C and 5D will be Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28.

For the highly urbanized WMUs - WMU 2B, 5C and 5D - the Board approved an antlerless allocation of 159,000, which is the same as last year's. However, the Board approved an antlerless deer license allocation for the remaining WMUs of 720,000, which is a decrease from last year's allocation of 880,000.

Following is a listing of the antlerless deer license allocation by Wildlife Management Unit, with last year's allocation in parenthesis:

WMU 1A, 40,000 (48,000);

WMU 1B, 27,000 (33,000); WMU 2A, 55,000 (55,000);

WMU 2B, 68,000 (68,000);

WMU 2C, 53,000 (75,000);

WMU 2D, 56,000 (58,000);

WMU 2E, 21,000 (23,000);

WMU 2F, 30,000 (44,000);

WMU 2G, 29,000 (52,000);

WMU 3A, 27,000 (32,000);

WMU 3B, 41,000 (48,000);

WMU 3C, 32,000 (37,000);

WMU 3D, 38,000 (50,000);

WMU 4A, 35,000 (43,000);

WMU 4B, 35,000 (49,000);

WMU 4C, 39,000 (44,000);

WMU 4D, 40,000 (55,000);

WMU 4E, 38,000 (38,000);

WMU 5A, 28,000 (32,000);

WMU 5B, 56,000 (64,000);

WMU 5C, 71,000 (71,000); and

WMU 5D, 20,000 (20,000).

"Our recommendation for the upcoming seasons is to reduce the harvest while retaining the season structure we have in place," said Dr. Christopher Rosenberry, who recently was named the agency's new Deer Management Section Supervisor. "We can accomplish this by reducing the antlerless deer license allocation as needed in each WMU."

Rosenberry noted that the Game Commission staff recommended changing the allocations, but not season lengths for the following reasons. First, shorter seasons do not ensure a reduced harvest. In 2000, Pennsylvania hunters harvested more than 300,000 antlerless deer with a three-day season with favorable weather conditions. However, if hunters don't have a license - due to the reduction in the allocation - they won't be able to legally harvest a deer.

Second, results of a recent survey conducted by Responsive Management of hunters' attitudes that stated "lack of time" was the second most important factor for why hunters are giving up hunting. The top reason was age and health related issues.

"We can't do anything about hunters' age and health, but we can provide them more time to hunt - more time to use the licenses they have purchased - as a means of preserving, protecting and promoting our state's hunting heritage," Rosenberry said.

Finally, from a management point of view, continuing with the current season lengths reduces the potential impact of weather on the antlerless deer harvest, which allows the agency to have a better handle on the effectiveness of antlerless deer licenses from year to year.

"It's important to Pennsylvania's deer program to maintain the seasonal framework it has used for the past two years, because those seasons provide harvest data that can be used to measure harvest trends," Rosenberry said. "Changing to some other seasonal framework, or going back to what the Commonwealth had used three years ago, means starting back at square one in the agency's ongoing effort to improve its population estimates.

"For most WMUS, we are recommending a reduction in allocations, because population indices have declined in recent years, and because we are at a point where we should assess the results of our population reductions. Therefore, the intent of the allocation approved for the upcoming year is to stabilize deer populations in most WMUs as we continue assessing our deer population using multiple measures."

Antler restrictions will continue for the 2005-2006 seasons.

"Preliminary analysis of deer hunter surveys conducted from 2002 through 2005 indicate strong support for antler restrictions in the four-point WMUs, as well as the three-point WMUs," said Bret Wallingford, a wildlife biologist with the Game Commission's Deer Management Section. "Also, based on field research, hunters have demonstrated that they have adjusted well to the antler restrictions."

Specifically, the Board approved:

-- In WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, hunters will be required to abide by the four points on one side antler restriction;

-- In all other WMUs, hunters will be required to abide by a three points on one side antler restriction; and

-- Statewide, all junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle and active duty U.S. Armed Services personnel may abide by the old antler restrictions of one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points.

Following is an overview of the adopted seasons.

* A concurrent antlered/antlerless rifle deer season from Nov. 28-Dec. 10. To harvest an antlerless deer, hunters must possess a valid, WMU-specific antlerless deer license for the unit in which they are hunting or a DMAP permit.

* A firearms antlerless deer season from Oct. 20-22, for junior and senior license holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) holders, or Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services, who possess the appropriate WMU-specific antlerless deer license or DMAP permit. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach age 65 in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license,

or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.

* A muzzleloader season for antlerless deer from Oct.15-22. The flintlock muzzleloader season, Dec. 26-Jan. 14, continues to be an antlered or antlerless season for hunters with primitive flintlock ignition firearms, provided the hunter possesses the appropriate license(s).

* Archery seasons will be Oct. 1-Nov. 12, and Dec. 26-Jan. 14.

* Antlerless deer hunting in WMU 2B will be Dec. 26-Jan.14.

* Antlerless deer hunting in WMUs 5C and 5D will be Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28.

The Board also gave preliminary approval to remove the deadline for hunters to purchase a muzzleloader stamp. There has long been a deadline for purchasing a muzzleloader stamp in place, but the Board has determined that there is no longer a need to continue this deadline.

The deadline was initially established to prevent an uncontrolled number and distribution of hunters who do not fill their deer tags during the regular seasons.

If approved at the June meeting, this proposed regulation would take effect for the 2005-06 seasons.

In addition, the Board retained the use of crossbows statewide for bear and elk and during any of the firearms deer seasons - including the regular two-week concurrent deer season, the early muzzleloader season and the late flintlock season - and in all deer seasons in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, the most urbanized areas in the state.

Statewide, hunters using crossbows during the early muzzleloader season or late flintlock season must have a muzzleloader stamp in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license. However, late-season hunters having a muzzleloader stamp but choosing to use a crossbow are permitted to take an antlered deer or an antlerless deer anywhere in the state with their unused antlered deer tag, just like other late-season flintlock hunters.

In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, hunters planning to use a crossbow during the archery seasons must purchase an archery stamp in addition to their general hunting license and appropriate WMU antlerless deer license.

Disabled hunters must obtain a permanent or temporary disabled hunter permit to use a crossbow during the statewide early archery season outside of WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D.

DMAP EXPANDED TO FURTHER FOCUS HUNTER PRESSURE

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to an expanded form of the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) that addresses specific deer management objectives within the Wildlife Management Units (WMUs).

"DMAP helps build a better relationship between hunters and landowners," said Calvin W. DuBrock, Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management director. "By linking landowners and interested hunters, we hope to lessen deer impacts for the landowner and the habitat."

Under the proposal given final approval, landowners now are permitted to give up to two DMAP coupons to a licensed hunter, who will then apply for the DMAP permits. This will enable hunters to possess up to two DMAP permits for a specific DMAP area beginning with the 2005-2006 season.

Also, for 2005-2006, the Board expanded the list of eligible landowners for DMAP to include: public lands; private lands where no fee is charged for hunting; and hunting clubs established prior to Jan. 1, 2000, that's owned in fee title and have provided a club charter and list of current members to the agency. Previously, private hunting clubs were required to own a minimum of 1,000 contiguous acres before being eligible for DMAP.

Completed DMAP landowner applications must be submitted to the appropriate regional office by July 1.

Upon approval of the application, landowners will receive one coupon for each DMAP permit allocated for their property, and the DMAP permits will be allocated based on one for every five cultivated acres and one for every 50 forested acres. As in the past, landowners may receive more DMAP coupons than the standard rate if they present a deer management plan that is approved by the Game Commission.

DMAP permit allocations will be made separate from the general antlerless deer license allocations, but will follow the same fee schedule ($6 for residents and $26 for nonresidents).

The Board also gave final approval to a regulatory measure that makes any DMAP permit holder who fails to complete and submit the mandatory harvest report and survey information from the prior season ineligible for coupons/permits and refunds in the upcoming season.

BEAR SEASON EXTENSION EXPANDED TO ADDITIONAL WMUS

The Board of Commissioners today gave final approval to a three-day, statewide bear season the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday (Nov. 21-23) before Thanksgiving that has become traditional with Pennsylvania bruin hunters. At the same time, the Board expanded areas where bear hunting will run concurrent with the first week of the firearms deer season (Nov. 28-Dec. 3) where human-bear conflicts are the

greatest. In Wildlife Management Units 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E, in the northeastern and northcentral part of the state, the extended bear season will open Monday, Nov. 28 and run through Saturday, Dec. 3. Last year, the Board approved the extended bear season for only portions of certain WMUs. However, to simplify the matter for hunters, the Board decided to include entire WMUs.

"By expanding bear hunting opportunities in these WMUs we hope to begin to address the growing number of conflicts between humans and bears," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director.

In addition, the Board gave final approval to allow those deer hunters who obtain permission to hunt on the State Correctional Institution at Rockview in Centre County to hunt for bear during the first week of the rifle deer season provided they have a valid bear license.

Extended modern-day bear hunting first started in 2002, when bear hunters were given the opportunity to hunt during the first week of the firearms deer season in Carbon, Monroe and Pike counties. With the advent of the state's new Wildlife Management Units, the extended season in 2003 included all of WMU 3D.

Finally, the Board gave final approval to a measure to cut off all sales of bear licenses prior to the opening of the two-week firearms deer season. This change will prohibit the sale of bear licenses after opening hours of the regular firearms deer season on Nov. 28, 2005.

BOARD ADOPTS EXPANDED ELK SEASON

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to Pennsylvania's upcoming elk season and, at the request of farmers around St. Marys, Elk County, added an extra opportunity for hunters to take part in a late-September hunt in 2006.

The Board approved 40 licenses (10 for antlered elk and 30 for antlerless elk) for the 2005 season, slated for Nov. 7-12; and 10 licenses (2 either sex elk and 8 antlerless elk) for the 2006 season to be held Sept. 18-23. While the 40 licenses for the November 2005 season are allocated for several elk management areas, the 10 licenses for the September 2006 hunt will be allocated for one elk management area.

"Farmers are suffering severe crop damage, and rather than shoot the elk for crop damage, they would like to allow hunters an opportunity to harvest the animals," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. "Farmers have told us that elk remain in their fields through the fall and do extensive damage to their crops. Only after farmers harvest their crops do the elk leave the area, which is before the regular elk season. This early season will help reduce the damage elk are doing to these farmers' crops, and provide a unique hunting opportunity when bull elk are bugling. This is a win-win situation for farmers and hunters."

In addition, the Game Commission announced that adjustments have been made to the boundaries of the 11 elk management areas. (Details on the new boundaries will be announced in the near future.)

Both antlered and antlerless elk will be legal in both seasons. Successful applicants will be determined through public drawings scheduled at a later date. The drawing held this year will award elk licenses for the November 2005 and the September 2006 hunts.

To accommodate hunter interest in the two elk seasons, the Board also gave preliminary approval to allow hunters to apply for an elk license in each season. However, it still will be unlawful to apply for more than one license in each season.

Interested hunters can make application for the elk seasons through the mail or by going to the agency's webpage (www.pgc.state.pa.us) later this year. In addition, hunters will be able to apply at sports shows and fairs this year. All applications must be accompanied by a nonrefundable $10 application fee.

FINAL APPROVAL GIVEN TO TWO-BIRD SPRING GOBBLER SEASON

The Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval for staff to create a system for hunters to purchase a special wild turkey license that will enable them to take a second spring gobbler in the 2006 season. Fees set by state law for the special license are $21 for residents and $41 for nonresidents.

Applications for special wild turkey licenses will be submitted to the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters via the Internet or a paper application submitted by mail.

Under the expanded hunting opportunity, hunters will be allowed to submit only one application for the special wild turkey license during a license year.

According to Mary Jo Casalena, Game Commission wild turkey biologist, research has shown that properly timed and implemented multiple-bird spring limits have not caused population declines in other states.

"Pennsylvania, however, is unique with its large number of wild turkey hunters and large harvests," Casalena said. "Therefore, it is imperative that sufficient population monitoring occurs prior to any additional season changes. We regularly recommend the change in seasons remain in place for at least three years to assess any biological and social impacts caused by that change, after which additional changes can be made, such as extending hunting hours beyond noon."

On July 2, 2004, legislation sponsored by Rep. Merle Phillips was signed into law by Governor Edward G. Rendell to empower the Game Commission to sell special licenses allowing hunters to take an additional wild turkey beyond the two (one fall turkey and one spring gobbler) currently provided for as part of the general hunting license. The measure, House Bill 2042, passed the state House and Senate unanimously.

The Pennsylvania Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, a statewide organization with more than 25,000 members, supported the bill.

"The law creating this special wild turkey license enables the Game Commission to provide Pennsylvania hunters with an opportunity to hunt and harvest a second spring gobbler in the same season," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. "This will in no way impact hunters' current ability to harvest one spring and one fall turkey as part of their general hunting license privileges.

"I want to offer my thanks to Rep. Phillips for introducing this measure, all legislators for supporting it and Governor Rendell for signing it into law."

Revenues from the special licenses could be used to implement and fund the Game Commission's turkey management plan and further educate turkey hunters, thereby promoting additional recreation and safe hunting practices.

Ross noted that Rep. Phillips, a lifelong turkey hunter, has been actively involved in hunting and fishing issues and in the past has worked with the Game Commission to create special youth projects, including the youth spring turkey hunt.

BOARD APPROVES EXPANDED YOUTH PHEASANT AND GOOSE SEASONS

The Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to an expanded youth pheasant season for 2005. In the past, the youth pheasant hunt was a two-day event. The Board established the 2005 youth pheasant season as Oct. 8-14, which runs concurrently with the youth squirrel season.

"The youth season takes into account that most students are off school on Monday, Oct. 10, the Columbus Day holiday, as well as on Saturday, Oct. 8," said Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. "The remainder of this youth season - Oct. 11-14 - takes place before the change of daylight savings time, which gives students an opportunity to go hunting after school, which is a long-standing tradition in many rural parts of the state.

"Part of the Game Commission's overall vision is to promote our state's rich hunting and trapping heritage. The future of hunting and trapping is directly related to the continuing participation of young Pennsylvanians in our hunting and furtaking seasons. The challenge is to successfully compete with all the other activities and recreational opportunities that vie for a teenager's time."

Under the youth pheasant and squirrel hunts, participants are not required to purchase a junior hunting license, but they must have passed a Hunter-Trapper Education course. As with all junior hunters, those 12 and 13 years old must be accompanied by a parent, guardian or other family member 18 years or older, and those 14 and 15 years old must be accompanied by a person 18 years or older.

In addition, the Board adopted a change in regulation that will enable the agency to hold special youth-only waterfowl hunting days at both the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area on the Lebanon/Lancaster county line and at the Pyamtuning Wildlife Management Area in Crawford County. The change allows for a special drawing of applications submitted by junior license holders prior to the regular drawing for goose blinds. An application for this drawing will be included in the 2005-2006 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations, which is provided to each license buyer, and on the Game Commission's website. Only one application will be accepted per junior hunter.

The exact dates of the special, youth-only hunt will be decided later this year.

Other recent Game Commission initiatives to promote youth hunting opportunities include: a youth spring gobbler season (initiated in 2004); a youth pheasant hunt (2002); a youth waterfowl hunt (1996); special antlerless deer harvesting opportunities (1998); and youth field days (early 1990s). Also, as part of the license fee increase approved in 1998, the General Assembly created a junior combination license that packages regular license privileges with archery, flintlock and furtaking opportunities for $9, compared to the regular junior license price of $6.

HUNTERS REMINDED ABOUT PROCESS FOR SETTING WATERFOWL SEASONS

While the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval for the 2005-2006 seasons and bag limits, there is one group of seasons that won't be considered until August: waterfowl and migratory bird seasons.

On Aug. 5, the Game Commission and waterfowl hunting organizations will host a public briefing on the status of Atlantic Flyway waterfowl populations and proposed preliminary federal seasonal frameworks for the 2005-2006 hunting seasons. This year, the briefing will held at the Pyamtuning Wildlife Management Area in Crawford County.

In addition to reviewing frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) for upcoming waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, Game Commission staff, along with representatives of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and USFWS, will provide updates on current and planned research and management programs, as well as past hunting results.

Based on public comments received and gathered at the meeting, Game Commission staff will prepare and present recommended composite waterfowl and migratory bird seasons, bag limits and related criteria to the USFWS for final approval. All migratory bird hunting seasons and bag limits must conform to frameworks set by the USFWS. States select their hunting seasons within these established frameworks.

By mid-August, once the final selections are made, the Game Commission will print and distribute brochures outlining the seasons and bag limits for waterfowl and migratory bird seasons to U.S. Post Offices, where hunters may purchase their mandatory federal duck stamp. The brochure also will be posted on the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) along with a news release announcing the agency's final selections by mid-August. Early Canada goose seasons and migratory bird seasons (doves, woodcock, rails, moorhens, gallinules and snipe) are announced via a news release in late July.

ADOPTED 2005-2006 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 8-14 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Fall Season - Oct. 15-Nov. 26; Late Seasons - Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 15-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28 (2 daily, 4 possession). There is no open season for taking ruffed grouse in that portion of State Game Lands No. 176 in Centre County which is posted "RESEARCH AREA - NO GROUSE HUNTING."

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license - Oct. 8-14 (2 daily, 4 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs.

PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D - Oct. 22-Nov. 26. Male and female in WMUs 1A, 1B, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B and 4D - Oct. 22- Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4 (2 daily, 4 in possession).

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 22-Nov. 26 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 26-31 (1 daily, 2 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays, during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season.

CROWS: July 1-Nov. 27 and Dec. 30-April 2, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A and 1B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 29-Nov. 12; WMU 2A and 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 29-Nov. 19; WMUs 2C, 2E, 4A, 4B, and 4D - Oct. 29-Nov. 12; WMUs 2D, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E - Oct. 29-Nov. 19; WMUs 5A and 5B - CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING; and WMUs 5C and 5D (Shotgun and bow and arrow) - Oct. 29-Nov. 4. (1 bird limit, either sex).

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 29-May 27, 2006. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license - April 22, 2006. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 21-23. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E): Nov. 28-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Rockview State Correctional Institution): Nov. 28-Dec. 3. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. Prior approval must be obtained from prison to hunt.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 7-12. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 18-23, 2006. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct.1-Nov. 12 and Dec. 26-Jan. 14. One antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Nov. 28-Dec. 10. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

ANTLERLESS DEER (Statewide): Oct. 20-22. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 15-22. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 14. One antlered per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B): Dec. 26-Jan. 14. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 5C and 5D): Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

ADOPTED 2005-2006 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any deer or bear season, coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtakers license, and without wearing orange. During any archery deer season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or with a furtaker's license. During the regular firearms deer and any bear seasons, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or bear, or with a furtaker's license while wearing 250 square inches of fluorescent orange. During the spring gobbler season, may be taken by persons who have valid tag and meet fluorescent orange and shot size requirements.

RACCOON & FOXES: Oct. 15-Feb. 18, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except for prior to noon during the spring gobbler season. No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D): Oct. 15-Feb. 18. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)

ADOPTED 2005-2006 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINK & MUSKRAT: Nov. 19-Jan. 7. Unlimited.

COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS, WEASELS: Oct. 16-Feb. 18. No limit.

BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26-March 31, 2006 (Limits vary depending on WMU).

BOBCAT (WMUs 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D): Oct. 16-Feb. 18. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)

ADOPTED 2005-2006 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31. Daily and Field Possession limits vary.

No open season on other wild birds or mammals. Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this summer.

Sourc: PA Game Commision