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ST. MARYS, Elk County – Following the announcement that Dr. Gary Alt will head up the Commission’s recently-created Deer Management Section, the Pennsylvania Game Commission took further steps toward better deer management at its two-day October meeting in St. Marys, Elk County.
The Commissioners gave preliminary approval to a proposed rule that would aid farmers enrolled in the Commission’s cooperative land and deer depredation programs and expand hunting opportunities for Resident Junior License holders.
The proposed rule would provide farmers enrolled in the deer control permit program one subpermit for every five acres under cultivation and would allow those subpermits to be issued to Resident Junior License holders.
"For years, farmers have asked the Commission to do more to help them better manage the deer populations on their properties," said Commission President Vernon K. Shaffer. "Today’s action is a step toward recognizing those concerns. Hunters can and should be provided expanded opportunities to get into these problem areas, and I encourage other farmers to join the Commission’s cooperative land programs."
Commission Executive Director Vern Ross noted that state Rep. Ron Marsico (R-Dauphin) had discussed the idea of allowing Resident Junior License holders to participate in the deer control permit program.
"After we learned that Rep. Marsico had drafted legislation along these lines, we spoke with him about accomplishing this worthwhile goal through a change in the Commission’s regulation," Ross said. "Today, I am pleased that we are moving toward that goal and I thank Rep. Marsico for this idea.
"Additionally, we need to encourage our young people to carry on Pennsylvania’s hunting heritage. Allowing them to participate in the deer depredation program will open more opportunities to our young hunters."
The proposed rule, which was recommended by the Deer Management Working Group, must be approved at a subsequent Commission meeting.
Also, on Monday, Bureau of Wildlife Management Director Calvin DuBrock announced that the Commission would be undertaking a "White-Tailed Deer Fawn Mortality Study." The Commission’s study will look at the impact of predation by other wildlife, such as coyotes and bears, and other impacts on the fawn population, such as accidents involving vehicles. As part of the study, DuBrock said fawns would be captured and fitted with expandable radio collars to monitor their survival.
"Obtaining data for Pennsylvania on hunting and other deer mortality rates is essential in determining the fate of our white-tailed deer population," said Dr. Gary Alt. "We are looking to conduct this study in two areas. One area will be Northcentral Pennsylvania, since hunters have told us that they believe that coyotes are an important predator in this traditional deer range.
"The second area will be either Northeastern or Southcentral Pennsylvania and target public lands surrounded by privately-owned land."
Commissioners also approved a recommendation to cooperate with a confidential study to be conducted by Cornell University of deer hunter satisfaction.
Uploaded: 10/7/1999
Uploaded: 10/7/1999