Carcass import restrictions impact hunting vacations
It’s the Rocky Mountain hunting adventure of a lifetime and you’re lining up the sights on a monster bull elk. Bringing the trophy home — that’s another story. In the three years since chronic wasting disease was confirmed in deer in Pennsylvania, the state Game Commission has expanded rules banning the importation of some deer, elk and moose carcass parts from 21 states and two Canadian provinces. The ban includes parts of wild cervids and captives killed in high-fence operations, and applies to harvests taken in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Alberta and Saskatchewan. It also includes harvests from CWD Management Areas in Virginia, Maryland and West Virginia, and New York’s Madison and Oneida counties. “The prohibition on importing cervid parts with the highest risk of transmitting CWD is part of [our] management plan,” said Game Commission executive director Matt Hough, in a written statement. “By knowing these rules and following them, Pennsylvanians hunting out of state each can do their part to keep CWD in check in Pennsylvania.” Hunters must leave behind parts containing the highest risk for transmitting the disease. Those include the head (brain, tonsils, eyes and lymph nodes), spinal cord and backbone, spleen, skull plate with attached antlers and cape (when visible brain or spinal cord tissue is present), upper canine teeth and soft tissue, unfinished taxidermy mounts and brain-tanned hides. Before launching your out-of-state hunting trip, consult with guides, lodge managers, taxidermists and wildlife management agencies about ways to safely ship meat and mounts.
Waterfowl events
Pennsylvania’s two big duck and goose expositions take off Sept. 20-21. The 33rd annual Ducks Unlimited Pymatuning Waterfowl and Outdoor Expo at Conneaut Area High School in Linesville, Crawford County, includes the Pennsylvania Duck Stamp Contest, carving and calling contests and more family-friendly activities (www.pymatuningexpo.com). The 28th annual Middle Creek Wildfowl Show at the Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Stevens, Lancaster County, includes decoy and retriever demonstrations (717-733-1512).
Tying streamers
Slump Busters, Meal Tickets and other killer patterns are on the tie list when L.L. Bean at Ross Park Mall offers a free streamer tying course Wednesdays at 7 p.m. Sept. 17 through Oct. 8. Equipment and materials provided (412-318-1200).
Tying for steelhead
Mark DeFrank, a Pennsylvania and Ohio steelhead guide and 2010 Pennsylvania State Fly Tying Champion, will demonstrate tying steelhead flies 10 am.-noon Sept. 20 at International Angler in Robinson. He’ll teach a free class 1-4 p.m. (412-788-8088).