If it is a cougar/mountain lion, its probably a young one thats wandering around, looking for food. How can opinions be submitted to the Pennsylvania Game Commission? With all the deer in the area, the cat had plenty of prey and I didnt view it as a potential threat. Supplemental feeding causes deer and elk to concentrate, which facilitates the spread of diseases like CWD. I also took a tape measure with me. When wildlife is encouraged to come closer to humans they often lose their natural fear of people. That solution: Shoot, Shovel, and Shut Up. However, it is clearly a mountain lion, and I'm presenting this poor image as a baseline reference for anyone recording a mountain lion on a game camera, or seeing one. Would a puma then qualify as a native species? In an effort to simplify and modernize how Pennsylvania hunters apply for their antlerless deer licenses, the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee passed Senate Bill 431, which would allow for the sale of the licenses at any issuing agent in the state, as well as online. Last year, the board allowed concurrent seasons in select WMUs, mainly in areas where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) had been detected in free-ranging deer. By the mid-1900s pumas were eliminated from almost all of the eastern states, and by mid-century were officially extinct east of the Mississippi, except . Harvesting 3-year-old gobblers during the spring is compensatory mortality, since most would die from predation if they are not harvested. So it happens, and who knows if it is existing in wild pumas in the East. But then it's a really nice-sized meal as well, so it's an efficient package of meat that can feed them for about a week, as opposed to hunting smaller prey like beavers or rabbits.". Of the deer harvested in the 2020-21 hunting seasons approximately 174,780 were antlered and 260,400 were antlerless deer. Which College Is Ranked 1 On The 20 Best College Campuses List? They were the size of small ponies, I kid you not, and had to be either mule deer or a small group of female elk. Do lots of hens mean fewer gobblers? What is the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners? Fire improves wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities by increasing soft mast production in shrubs like blueberry, huckleberry and blackberry. This responsive harvest framework recommends a reduced late season when grouse populations are low, then increasing late season length as populations improve. We are one of the leading states when it comes to turkey hunters! An animal's coat can stray far from the norm. For example, one man I interviewed said he saw a 'black' puma, and this should disqualify his sighting as a black puma has never been recorded. What factors are causing turkey populations to decline? I have received about two dozen reports during that time, including one. Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. Hunting mortality or number of turkeys harvested, especially in the fall, can affect turkey population due to the harvest of hens. Yes. After all, how many people have pumas? Its a matter of perspective. There have been no confirmed reports of mountain lions, AKA Puma concolor, in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s. Although it is beneficial to provide contact information in case game wardens have follow-up questions, callers may remain confidential. Penn State's Nittany Lion hide sampled for DNA sequencing, Mountain lion reports in Pennsylvania popular, but often a hoax. One spotted in the Delaware Water Gap 25 years ago this week was believed to be the first in over a century. Click here for information, including regulations, maps, public shooting ranges, seasonal road schedules, access for hunters with disabilities, designated routes for horses and bicycles and more. Wildlife crimes affect everyone. Be familiar with the regulations and guidelines for the transportation of harvested game where you are hunting; 2. Big bulls, as well as a huntable population of elk, can be found in each of the 14 zones. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. The most common areas to see mountain lions in Arizona are in places of rocky and mountainous terrain. There are no exceptions. Since there is no treatment or cure, limiting deer contact and interaction by increasing deer harvests across DMAs is one of the only ways to manage CWD on the landscape. This ensures that all hens have had opportunities to breed with gobblers, and lay their full clutch of eggs, uninterrupted by hunters. Isn't the release of another predator just going to cause or add to the further decline of species such as the wild turkey, northern goshawk, ruffed grouse, Allegheny woodrats, or rabbits? Thousands of deer scamper onto American streets each year, colliding with startled drivers and causing roughly 200 deaths. Now, if there were any escapes, and if any of these bred with a possible minuscule number of eastern pumas, a relic native population, wouldn't the gene pool be corrupted? Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. However, jakes have high probability of natural survival to the next year. The State cites that there are no road-kills, and in a heavily trafficed state like Pennsylvania there should be kills. HuntFishPA, is equipped to provide hunters and trappers with electronic versions of the licenses they buy. Through rigorous scientific process, biologists manage and track population trends and harvest very closely each year to inform management decisions while game wardens work tirelessly to enforce the laws and regulations on trapping. Most general and add-on licenses are available on HuntFishPA. Help prevent negative human-bear conflicts and keep Pennsylvania bears wild by: Removing potential bear snacks, like pet food or bird feeders, and putting them inside overnight. Is there a correct position for the upright on a Wimberley actionhead. Support proper deer management actions like increased deer harvests in DMAs designed to slow the spread of CWD. What does a Mountain Lion look like on a game camera? *It is illegal to feed elk and bear and deer with Chronic Wasting Disease Management Areas. Is there a Puma conspiracy? This would show how tall said cat was, compared to both me and the tape measure I am holding. The Pennsylvania Game Commission periodically receives reports and photos of mountain lions. Those wishing to purchase a hunting license can do so in-person at one of these License Issuing Agents. Why do I advocate manual exposure so avidly? Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. The reason biologists believe predation rates increase in wet weather has to do with scenting conditions. We encourage everyone to continue to take precautionary measures during this time and to continue to be safe and responsible during these unprecedented times. But it is unlikely. Will the Game Commission refund the cost of my hunting and furtaker licenses if I cannot travel due to COVID-19-related restrictions? I've done this myself once, in Tanzania, when I saw a black house cat that I thought was a black leopard! Biology. Perhaps my Fed Ex driver was simply recalling a rural legend, but he said it was an employee that he knew, and it was a story he heard first-hand. We have nearly 200,000 spring turkey hunters and high adult gobbler harvest rates; considerably more than many other states. There is no limit on the total number of licenses a hunter can obtain in a license year. Are mountain lions on their way to Pennsylvania? Immediately after the burn, the ground will be black until regrowth occurs, which typically takes place within a few days, in some cases several weeks, depending on the time of year. While some young animals might appear to be abandoned, usually they are not. Where can I see the Game Commissions CWD surveillance results? They have adapted to live in the suburbs in woods, fields or even backyards without being seen by people.. Although mourning doves are considered a migratory game bird species, many of the doves we have in Pennsylvania reside here throughout the winter and provide an excellent opportunity late into the season. Instead, the person usually pauses, sometimes with a sheepish or embarrassed expression on his face, and seems reluctant to continue. The smell of rotting flesh was unmistakable. Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. Yes. But Ill leave it up to you, my readers. Thank you for your interest in Pennsylvania wildlife. These birds are a tangible product for hunting license buyers. Like mad cow disease in cattle, scrapie in sheep and goats, and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in humans, it's caused not by a virus or bacteria, but by abnormal prions, or proteins. Calls to the Operation Game Thief hotline are always answered by a secure recording device. This is the most asked turkey hunting question the Game Commission receives. Ask your butcher to process your meat individually, without meat from other animals, or process your own meat; 6. I usually follow-up on these reports and, via email or phone conversations, I receive more details. What are the 2022-23 Hunting Season and Bag Limits? The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have disappeared in the 1930s. What would account for the long tails? Hes fairly lean and well-muscled, as hes a dainty eater and play-brawls constantly with his larger brother, so hes hardly obese. Over time, cats that had been released in Florida, probably pets that outlived their welcome, bred with the native puma, and their genes mingled, Over the last few years I've done several Questions of the Month regarding Mountain Lions, or Pumas as they should properly be called, in the Mid-Atlantic States and in Pennsylvania. That does not mean that the agency does not care and that we will not follow up with the information provided. If the tag were there, this critical data would be lost as the heads would be unidentifiable. What are the benefits of having a concurrent antlered and antlerless deer hunting season? In July and August I received seven different reports, and everyone involved had done a search of some type to compare images of bobcats and pumas. How are waterfowl seasons set? This can lead to property damage, or worse, dangerous human-bear interactions. Fish and Wildlife Service formally declared the eastern cougar extinct, but said the subspecies had probably been stamped out in the 1930s. Cutaneous fibromas, more commonly known as deer warts, are a relatively common skin ailment of deer. Thank you for your interest in Pennsylvania wildlife. Our agency is passionate about our state's wild birds and wild mammals. Smoke will generally dissipate once ignition is complete but may linger in the immediate vicinity for several hours after the burn while downed logs smolder and burn out. With less deer roaming forests, she said, plant and bird biodiversity might improve, too. Why cant Pennsylvanias Spring Gobbler season open earlier? I'd suspect it would still be considered very rare, after all, it was thought to be extinct. Pennsylvania has embraced these BMPs and put additional regulations in place to ensure trapping follows these principles. Of course, the writer's comments were hearsay, but it does make sense. Occasionally, though, humans fool them. On average, more mature birds are taken than jakes (first-year males), even with the second tag, and those older gobblers have a lower natural survival of living until next spring. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. Smoke will be visible during the burn and might be seen for many miles. Albinos are often very light sensitive, and they certainly are conspicuous, and most do not live very long. The northeastern U.S. population is thought to have disappeared in the 1930s. Those licenses remain available and 2. Maybe someday, one of those fake cougar sightings will turn out to be true. Nevertheless, I put up a MOULTRIE game camera -- a brand that I've had tremendous satisfaction with -- at the carcass, hoping that scavengers would visit. Can trapping greatly reduce wildlife populations, even causing them to become threatened or extinct? A Game Commission vehicle was there, and the Fed Ex driver, after reaching the bottom of a long hill, turned back to check on what he saw. The last wild mountain lion (Puma concolor) known to live in Pennsylvania was killed in 1871. "In one sense you would return a missing ecological community member back to the forest system," Keller said. They cover large areas of the state; in fact, many counties have only one game warden assigned. The agency is represented statewide and has field staff managed out of six region offices: Northwest, Southwest, Northcentral, Southcentral, Northeast and Southeast. On the second night, a mountain lion passed by, apparently drawn by the smell but put off by the stench, as the cat did not visit the kill. Do not approach a lion. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is always open to review evidence, but to date only hoaxes have crossed the PGC. I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I've seen about 10 black bears in Pennsylvania, and all within ten miles of my home. More information is available here. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. How Can I Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission? They're able to hunt deer in suburban areas where it's not safe to hunt. Verbal instructions given through the use of electronic or other sound amplification devices does not meet these requirements. Junior hunters, ages 14-15, must be accompanied by an adult 18 or older. Everyone is familiar with albinism, the absence of pigmentation that results in a white, essentially pigment free animal, defined by pink skin and pink eyes. In a 1996 survey of Pennsylvania hunters, conducted by the Pennsylvania State University, 61 percent of respondents indicated they would like to see an increase in pheasant stocking, and 72 percent were opposed to closing pheasant propagation facilities to generate more operating capital for agency programs. Be sure to verify your mailing address when purchasing online licenses. They regularly join the camp of those angrily claiming the commission has introduced the big cats back into Pennsylvania as a control measure against the state's huge deer population. Yes. The burn area will be closed to public access through a variety of notification methods, including signage at the game lands and through the Game Commission's online Hunter Notification map. I got my start in education as a teacher, working with students in grades K-12. As the following image shows, it is the same height as the spot on the tape measure, which was 18 inches. Predominantly staying out of sight, when it is seen the bobcat is sometimes mistaken for the common housecat or a mountain lion. I've read a lot about this, and the usual explanation is the very human desire to see something, to see what someone wants to see, and thus these people are seeing bobcats or brown cats or dogs or foxes and, because they 'want' to see a puma, they do. Over the last few months several people have responded to this question with reports of their own. Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Education courses take place across the state throughout the year. Pennlive.com reports trappers kill more than 40,000 of them in Pennsylvania every year. Our management and research have shown that we shouldn't overharvest females, so we set the fall season length conservatively. 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