Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
Hunters have happy holidays in our region
‘Tis the season once again — hunting season that is, so if you found a shotgun, rimfire rifle, flintlock, bow, or crossbow under your tree or a stocking full of ammo yesterday, you’re in luck. That’s because today, Dec. 26, marks the opening of many of Pennsylvania’s late hunting seasons.
Deer hunting season is among them as the flintlock muzzleloader and late archery seasons kicked off today. Those seasons run until Jan. 13 in most of the state, and until Jan. 27 here in Wildlife Management Units (WMUs) 5C and 5D. Additionally, hunters within Allegheny, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery counties may use shotguns and inline muzzleloaders to harvest antlerless deer from Dec. 26 through Jan. 27.
Participants in the flintlock deer season participants may harvest an antlerless deer with either a WMU-specific antlerless license, a Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) permit, or an unused antlered deer harvest tag from a general hunting license. This is the only season in which the antlered tag can be used for antlerless deer, and each participant in the flintlock muzzleloader season must have a muzzleloader license in addition to a general license.
Antlered deer may be taken in the late season only by bowhunters and flintlock hunters who possess an unused antlered deer harvest tag.
If you’ve already filled all of your deer tags, late season opportunities to hunt small game, waterfowl, and furbearers abound (although the ruffed grouse season closed on Dec. 23). The snowshoe hare season runs statewide from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1. Other small game and migratory bird seasons include bobwhite quail, which is open until Feb. 28, and mourning doves which is now open until Jan. 1.
Waterfowl hunters also have plenty of opportunities during the winter months. Here in our South Zone the season on ducks opened back on Nov. 21 and remains open through January 20. Our season on Canada geese here in the Atlantic Population Zone opened on Dec. 16 and won’t close until January 31. Something tells me I’ll be spending significant time in my goose blind up until then.
Dove hunters need a migratory game bird license in addition to their general hunting license, and waterfowl hunters need a general license, migratory game bird license, and federal duck stamp.
The rabbit, squirrel, and pheasant seasons also are open now. While hunting still isn’t permitted on Sundays, those seasons are open until Feb. 28, 2018.
Furbearer hunting seasons continuing through the winter months include foxes and raccoons until Feb. 17; porcupines until March 31; and bobcats in WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, and 4E from Jan. 13 through Feb. 7.
Trapping seasons include beavers, from Dec. 26 through March 31; minks and muskrats, until Jan. 7; raccoons, opossums, striped skunks, foxes, coyotes and weasels, until Feb. 18, bobcats in designated WMUs until Jan. 7; fishers in WMUs 1B, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4D and 4E from Dec. 16 through 27; and river otters in WMUs 3C and 3D from Feb. 17 through 24.
Trappers also may use cable restraints for foxes and coyotes from Dec. 26 through Feb. 18, provided they have passed a mandatory cable restraint certification course. All hunters and trappers of furbearers must possess a valid furtaker license, and additional permits are required to hunt or trap bobcats, or trap fishers or river otters
According to Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans, it’s unlikely you’d find a better way than hunting to spend quality family time together. “The holiday season is a time to reconnect with family and friends, and there’s no better setting than on the ridgeline of a nearby tract of state game lands, a brushy meadow of your favorite farm-country hunting property or in countless other wild places throughout our Commonwealth,” Burhans said. “Especially for those who are returning home to Pennsylvania.”
CHRISTMAS (PHEASANT) STOCKINGS
In those WMUs where hens may be hunted (like ours here in WMUs 5C and 5D) 8,640 hen pheasants were released on state game lands and other properties open to public hunting on Dec. 22. Stockings were scheduled just in time for families to have some excellent pheasant hunting opportunities just before Christmas, with plenty of birds remaining after the holiday.
“Hen pheasants were stocked on Dec. 22, which is the only time we release the actual date when birds will be stocked,” said Game Commission Acting Wildlife Management Director Bob Boyd. “We’ve received good reports from hunters about the new blue-back strain pheasants stocked this year,” Boyd added. “The birds sneak, run and flush when cornered, providing a challenging experience for hunters and their dogs.”
Hunters on public properties also are likely to find holdover pheasant roosters from releases earlier in the season. And all adult and senior hunters, including senior lifetime license holders, who pursue pheasants in Pennsylvania are required to purchase a pheasant permit in addition to a general hunting license. Junior hunters do not need a permit to hunt pheasants. The permit costs $26.90 and must be signed and carried while hunting for pheasants.
BASIC BOATING COURSE
There are just a few seats left for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission’s two day evening class, Basic Boating course which will be held at Hibernia County Park Mansion House, at 1 Park Road in Coatesville. This is a two evening class on Tuesday January 16 and Wednesday, 17, from 3 PM to 7 PM, you must attend both evening classes to get credit for the course. There are also still a few seats available for the Basic Boating course which will be held on Saturday January 13th also at Hibernia County Park Hibernia Mansion from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Boating Safety Education Certificates are required for all operators of personal watercraft, regardless of age, and for boat operators born after January 1, 1982 that operate motorboats of more than 25 horsepower. This free PA Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) course is designed to help boaters make better informed decisions on the water. Instructors will provide course materials and information via a classroom setting to help you reduce the risk of injury and conflict on the water. Those who successfully complete the course may obtain this certificate, which is good for a lifetime (fees apply). A minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction is required to pass the course. Participants should bring a lunch and snacks. Space is limited so register soon. Pre-registration is required by emailing Andy Desko at adesko@pa.gov or by phone at 215-968-3631. For more info go to http://fbweb.pa.gov/ Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=boating_ courses&DAY=ALL