Anne's Arts & Activities Blog

HARRISBURG – Rep. Martin Causer (R-Turtlepoint), co-chairman of the Legislative Timber Caucus, issued the following statement in response to an announcement made today by the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) that it will not pursue regulatory changes related to the state’s bat population at this time. “I am pleased that the Pennsylvania Game Commission is backing away from its consideration of regulations that would have had dire consequences for our regional and statewide economy. “To propose something like banning the harvest of timber for seven months out of the year – without any scientific evidence it would help the bat population – was misguided. I am encouraged by the agency’s acknowledgement that interested parties must work together to find a solution that will ‘protect bats without threatening the industries that employ thousands of Pennsylvanians.’” In early August, the PGC published a notice in the Pennsylvania Bulletin regarding its consideration of a number...

HARRISBURG – Hunters interested in learning the age of the bear they harvested during the 2011 seasons can log onto the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website ( www.pgc.state.pa.us ). To access the database providing this information, click on “Hunt/Trap” in the menu bar at the top of the page, then click on “Hunting,” scroll down and click on “Black Bear” in the “Big Game” listing, and then scroll down and click on “Black Bear Age Data” in the “Reference” listing. “As a cost-cutting measure, the Game Commission no longer mails a certificate and letter to successful bear hunters notifying them of their bear’s age,” said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. “To maintain this valued customer service, however, we provide hunters with a certificate at the check station when their bear is processed, and information about how and when they can find the age data, which is determined by examining a tooth from the bear that is extracted as part of the check station processing, on our websit...

The state Game Commission is offering a reward of up to $2,500 for information leading to the prosecution of the person who shot a DuBois-area hunter and his 9-year-old son back in May. The incident happened on the DuBois Beagle Club property on the first day of spring gobbler season. The game commission says Orlando Prosper and his son Garrett were walking along a logging road and, as they crested a rise they noticed another hunter so they turned to leave the area. When they began to walk away, the pair was hit in the face, back and side with shotgun pellets. As the father got back up on his feet, he saw the unidentified shooter leaving. Prosper and his family contributed $1,000 toward the reward fund. For more information, go to the Game Commission's website .

By Jerry Feaser PA Game Commission PITTSBURGH – Steeler Country is now home to the Eagles! No, not the cross-Commonwealth rival Philadelphia Eagles; a pair of American bald eagles. “While bald eagles are not an uncommon sight as they hunt for fish in the Three Rivers area of Pittsburgh, this is the first confirmed nesting pair of bald eagles in Allegheny County,” said Gary Fujak, Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer for western Allegheny County. “The nest is in Crescent Township, but – in order to protect the nest from disturbances – we are not going to disclose the exact location, and we are working with the landowner to keep the area secure.” The Game Commission annually monitors bald eagle nests – both existing and new – to measure nesting population trends and nesting success. Monitoring helps the agency to continue to follow bald eagle’s recovery and let’s biologists know immediately if problems are occurring, both locally and statewide. Wildlife Conservation Officers p...

HARRISBURG – An osprey that had become tangled in bailer twine and caught in electric lines crossing over Cummings Creek Road in Nelson Township, Tioga County, was rescued from its high-wire snare, according to Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer Robert Minnich. “Employees from Penelec electric company did a great job getting the bird down for me,” WCO Minnich. “Once on the ground, I removed the twine and observed the bird for several minutes checking the leg and foot. No major injuries were found, only a few abrasions and the leg was weak. “After working the leg slowly, the osprey eventually strengthened and was opening and closing its talons. When it flew away, I noticed that the leg was hanging a little lower than the other leg, but fine otherwise.” WCO Minnich returned to the scene on April 12, and found both birds were around the nest site. “One was sitting in the nest and the other one was sitting on another electric pole eating a fish,” Minnich said. “I...