IKE

URZAI

Representative

District

Fall Sportsmen Newsletter

Turzai Advocates Participation in Mentored Youth Hunt

The Mentored Youth Hunting Program (MYHP) was created in 2006 to expand youth hunting opportunities and promote hunting safety for hunters under the age of 12 years old. The goal is to instill a love of the outdoors, to increase interest in hunting and torovide hunting experience at an early age.The program has succeeded in introducing hunting to many interested youth under the one-on-one instruction and guidance of aroperly licensed mentor. According to the Game Commission, a mentor is a properly licensed person 21 years of age or older, who serves as a guide to aentore yout uring unting, incuing teacing scouting an irearm sis, unting saety, an wiie ientiication. According to the most recent Game-Take Survey, participation in the MYHP has increased each year since the program’s inceptionn 2006 when 43,780 youths were mentored by 32,913 adults.n 2008-09, the number of mentored youths grew to 71,232 youth and the number of licensed hunters participating grew to59,397 adult mentors. According to that survey, mentored youths harvested 60,703 squirrels, 24,067 groundhogs, 6,763 antlereddeer, 3,606 spring gobblers and 833 coyotes. Mentors must obtain a permit for each youngster they plan to take hunting. The permit will be assigned to the youngster, andcosts $2.70, with $1 going to the Game Commission, $1 for the issuing agent fee plus 70 cents for the PALS fee. A mentored youth who participates in any hunting party must be listed on any required hunting roster and shall count as a member of the hunting party or the purposes of maximum allowed numbers. A mentored youth can hunt only squirrels, groundhogs, coyotes, antlered only deer (youngsters are required to follow the samentler restrictions as a junior license holder, which is one antler of three or more inches in length or one antler with at least two points)nd turkeys (spring season only).To ensure safety, a mentored youth must be stationary and within arm’s reach of the mentor at all times while in possession of any awful hunting device while engaged in hunting or related activities. A mentor and mentored youth may not possess more than oneawful hunting device between them while hunting or conducting related activities. The mentor must carry the gun while in transit ton rom te spot.articipation in the program does not require a youth under age 12 to take a Hunter-Trapper Education class, but the youth muste instructed in how to handle a firearm and basic hunting safety by the mentor. However, the courses are required once the mentoredyout turns 12. s mentore yout approac 11 years o age, te inormation gatere rom te wi assist te ame om-ission to better schedule Hunter-Trapper Education courses to accommodate demand.

Game Commission Finalizes Crossbow Regulations

The Pennsylvania Game Commissions now allowing crossbows to be used by ll archers, not just the disabled, during ny season in wic ows are permitte.The new definition will include deviceseld in place by a brace secured arounde oy o te unter. so, a isaeerson permit will no longer be requiredor bows and crossbows. According to the game commission,crossbows may be used by hunters par-icipating in the archery deer and archery ear seasons for the 2009-10 seasons, as well as turkey seasons and the two-weekirearms deer seasons.nder the regulations, a crossbow ust have a minimum drawn weight of atleast 125 pounds, and a bolt must beequipped with a broadhead that has anoutside diameter or width of at least 7/8inces wit at east two cutting eges onthe same place throughout the length of the cutting surface, and shall not exceedtree inces in engt.unters who possess a generalhunting license and an archery stamp– as well as other required licenses, suchas an antlerless deer license or permit,or a bear license – can now hunt witha crossbow and participate in the early and late archery deer seasons. They canalso participate in the two-day archery bear season, but do not need an archery stamp, just a general hunting license andbear license.unters participating in the Octobermuzzleloader antlerless deer season orate intoc muzzeoaer season cannotuse crossbows in place of muzzleloaders.Hunters participating in the overlapping arcery eer seasons may use a cross-bow.This change also means mentoredyouths can use a crossbow during theseseasons as long as all other requirementsof the Mentored Youth Hunting Programare followed.or further details, visit the Pennsyl- vania Game Commission’s Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on cross-bow FAQ.

District Ofﬁce:

125 Hillvue Lane1st Floor Town of McCandlessPittsburgh, PA 15237Phone: (412) 369-2230

Capitol Ofﬁce:

House of Representatives428 Main CapitolPO Box 202028Harrisburg, PA 17120-2028Phone: (717) 772-9943

www.RepTurzai.com

Legislative Update

Game Code Violations, Poaching Law Penalties Would Increase Under Bill

ines and penalties for a number of Game and Wildlife Code violations would significantly increase under House Bill 1859, now in the state Senate for consideration.The penalty for intentionally, knowingly, recklessly and seriously assaulting an enforcement officer would increase to a felony of the second degree under the bill, carrying a $10,000 to $25,000 fine and up to 60 months imprisonment.ines for illegally killing game or wildlife, knowingly, intentionally or recklessly attempting, aiding, abetting, or conspiring in thekilling of wildlife, illegally selling game or animal parts, and trespassing while hunting are all also increased under the bill. Fines and jail time for violations increases, as does the duration of suspensions, denials and revocations of licenses.

Fishers Return to PennsylvaniaNew Law Affects Sportsmen

Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service Fee Now Law

ADOPTED 2009-10 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

COYOTESRACCOON and FOXESOPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELSBOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E)

ADOPTED 2009-10 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINK and MUSKRATCOYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELSCOYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable RestraintsBEAVER (StatewideBOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E)

ADOPTED 2009-10 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Maleor Female combined)

www.RepTurzai.com

ADOPTED 2009-10 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS

Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct.10-16 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after ﬁrst day).

SQUIRRELS

Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 17-Nov. 28; Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 6 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE

: Oct. 17–Nov. 28, Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 23 (2 daily, 4 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail)

: Oct. 24-Nov. 28, Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 6 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT

: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 10-17 (2 daily, 4 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any WildPheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

PHEASANT

: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B – Oct. 24-Nov. 28. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 24-Nov. 28, Dec.14-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 6 (2 daily, 4 in possession). There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

BOBWHITE QUAIL

: Oct. 24-Nov. 28 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES

: Dec. 26–Jan. 1 (1 daily, 2 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS)

: No closed season, except: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during thespring gobbler turkey season.

CROWS

: July 3-April 4, 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 springgobbler turkey season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female)

: Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 31-Nov. 14; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bowand arrow) – Oct. 31- Nov. 21; WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 4A and 4B – Oct. 31-Nov. 14; WMUs 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E – Oct. 31-Nov. 21; WMUs 5A andB – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING; and WMUs 5C and 5D (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 31-Nov. 4 (1 bird limit, either sex).

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only)

: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 24, 2010. Only 1spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only)

: May 1-31, 2010. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring gobbler may only be taken by persons who pos-sess a valid special wild turkey license.)

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 4A, 4B and 4D) Bow and Arrow only

Nov. 18-19. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide)

: Nov. 23-25. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Portions of WMUs 3B, 4E and 2G)

: Nov. 30-Dec. 5. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year. In the following portions:- The portion of WMU 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte, and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt.118; and that portion of WMU 4E, East of Rt. 42; and- The portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and WMU 3B in Lycoming County that lies North of the West Branch of the SusquehannaRiver from the Rt. 405 bridge, West to the Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Route 15 to Rt. 220, North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150, East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Road and south of Lusk Run Road to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001, East of SR 1001 to Croak Hallow Road, Southof Croak Hallow Road to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Road (the intersection of SR1003, South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of S R1006 to Sulphur Run Road, South of Sulphur Run Road to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864o Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 4C, 4D, 4E, 5B and 5C)

: Dec. 2-5. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless)

: Nov. 2-7. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. The Board gave approval to an allocation of 59 elk license for he 2009 season. Further information about allocation of antlered and antlerless licenses, as well as allocations by zone, will be announced later.

ELK (Conservation Tag)

: Sept. 1-Nov. 7, in any Elk Management Zone. One antlered elk license awarded per Act 101 of 2008.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D

: Sept. 19-Oct. 2, Nov. 16-28 and Dec. 14-23. One antlerless deer with each required antler-ess license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide, including WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D

: Oct. 3-Nov. 14 and Dec. 26-Jan. 9. One antlered deer per unting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2C, 2E, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D, 4E, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D

: Nov. 30-Dec. 12. One antlered deer er hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B

: Nov. 30-Dec. 4. One antlered deer per hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer ermits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period in WMUs 2B, 2G, 3C and 4B.)

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2D, 2G, 3C and 4B

: Dec. 5-12. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each requiredantlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide)

: Oct. 22-24. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvaniaesidents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who haveeached 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. 17-24. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide)

: Dec. 26-Jan. 9. One antlered per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and anadditional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D)

: Dec. 26-Jan. 23. One antlered per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D)

: Dec. 14-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 23. 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.