The new schedule of hunting seasons and game limits adopted this week by the Pennsylvania Game Commission includes adding two wildlife management units (WMUs) to the list of “split, five-day antlered deer seasons (Dec. 1-5) and a seven-day concurrent season (Dec. 6-13).”
While it sounds a bit confusing, it simply means WMUs 4A and 4C will be added to a list of WMUs where only antlered deer may be harvested in the first week of the two-week rifle season. In these units, the harvest of antlerless deer will be restricted to the second week of the season.
In making the rule, the PGC Board of Commissioners said “the change in the format is aimed at increasing the deer number in those WMUs.”
WMU 4A includes all of Bedford, Fulton and Huntingdon counties and parts of Franklin and Blair counties. WMU 4C centers on Schuylkill and includes parts of Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks, Columbia, Luzerne, Carbon and Lehigh counties.
Other WMUs with restricted doe seasons are: 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 2H, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E
However, hunters with Deer Management Assistance Program antlerless deer permits may use the permits on the lands for which they were issued during any established deer season, and will continue to be allowed to harvest antlerless deer Dec. 1-13 in WMU 2A. Fees for DMAP permits are $10.70 for residents and $35.70 for nonresidents.
The board retained the antler restrictions in place for adult and senior license holders since the 2011-12 seasons. In the western units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D, the provision remains “three-up” on one side, not counting a brow tine. In all other WMUs, the provision is three points on one side. Junior license holders, disabled hunters with a permit to use a vehicle as a blind and resident active duty military on leave are exempt from these antler restrictions.
The board voted to allocate 779,500 antlerless deer licenses statewide. Allocations by Wildlife Management Unit are as follows, with the allocation from the previous license year in parentheses: WMU 1A 47,000 (49,000); WMU 1B 30,000 (31,000); WMU 2A 46,000 (49,000); WMU 2B 60,000 (62,000); WMU 2C 38,000 (43,000); WMU 2D 61,000 (61,000); WMU 2E 21,000 (22,000); WMU 2F 27,000 (29,000); WMU 2G 22,000 (28,000); WMU 2H 5,500 (6,000); WMU 3A 18,000 (23,000); WMU 3B 33,000 (39,000);WMU 3C 32,000 (35,000); WMU 3D 25,000 (32,000); WMU 4A 28,000 (28,000); WMU 4B 26,000 (24,000); WMU 4C 25,000 (27,000); WMU 4D 33,000 (35,000); WMU 4E 21,000 (26,000); WMU 5A 19,000 (19,000); WMU 5B 49,000 (50,000); WMU 5C 95,000 (103,000); and WMU 5D 18,000 (18,000).
Unit 5B takes up most of York and Lancaster counties, plus parts of Adams, Lebanon, Dauphin and Berks counties. Unit 5A covers the majority of Adams County and parts of Cumberland and Franklin counties.
STATEWIDE TROUT >> On March 30, the annual trout season opened in 18 counties in the southeastern part of Pennsylvania. This coming Saturday, April 12, trout season will open in the remaining counties — the traditional opening day.
Since early March, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has been stocking with approximately 3.2 million brook, brown and rainbow trout in lakes and creeks. The PFBC sells approximately 850,000 fishing licenses each year. Through the end of March, license sales were up by about 1 percent.
BLOCK SHOOT >> The McSherrystown Fish and Game Association will hold its annual All-Ham Block Shoot on Sunday, April 13. Registration opens at noon and shoot starts at 1 p.m. Refreshments will be available.
SPORTING CLAYS >> The Susquehanna Valley Chapter, Pheasants Forever, will hold a Sporting Clays Shoot on Saturday, May 17, at the Starview Sportsmen’s Association, 501 Jerusalem School Road, Mount Wolf. Registration is planned for 8 to 11 a.m. with the first squad out on the course at 9 a.m. Shooters must be off the course at 1 p.m. Prizes, including cash, will be awarded at 1:30 p.m. Ties will be broken by the longest runs. Included will be a Ringneck Class for youths 16 years of age or younger. Entry fee of $40 includes 100 targets and raffle tickets. Youth entry fee is $20. A silent auction will also be held.