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Pennsylvania Game Commission: Many Hunters Looking Forward to Fall Antlerless - Deer Seasons; Hunters Urged to Report Research Deer; Warm-Weather Venison Care; Consider Sharing Your Venison; Proper Disposal of Deer Remains Is a Rule of Hunter Ethics

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 12 /PRNewswire/ — Many hunters have become fond of Pennsylvania’s still relatively new early antlerless deer muzzleloader season - Oct. 15-22 - because it offers a chance to hunt while the weather is usually comfortable, deer aren’t typically as skittish as in the late muzzleloader season, and hunters can use in-line muzzleloaders, which are easier to load and shoot than flintlocks.

Hunters who wish to participate in the early muzzleloader season must have a general hunting license, muzzleloader stamp and an unused antlerless deer license. The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently removed the deadline for purchasing muzzleloader stamps. They are available at any issuing agent, or on-line through The Outdoors Shop at http://www.pgc.state.pa.us.

In addition to the early muzzleloader season, a select group of hunters also can participate in the state’s special firearms antlerless deer season, which will run Oct. 20-22. To participate in this season, hunters must have a general hunting license and unused antlerless deer license and qualify in one of the following license categories: resident junior and senior license holders; nonresident junior and adult (65 and older) license holders; persons who hold a disabled person permit to use a vehicle as a blind; residents who are serving on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces; and those who qualify for license and fee exceptions under section 2706.

“Each year, interest among hunters in the early muzzleloader season seems to grow,” noted Vern Ross, Game Commission executive director. “In 2005, more than 200,000 hunters bought Pennsylvania muzzleloader or combination licenses. That compares with just over 90,000 in 1998. The timing of the season, that chance to become proficient with another firearm, and, of course, an additional opportunity to hunt whitetails all appear to be attracting more hunter interest in this season.

“This fall we expect participation in the early muzzleloader season to be in the tens of thousands. The most recent year for which we have hunter totals is 2003, when about 81,000 hunters participated in the season. Budget constraints have forced us to cancel the recent Game-Take Survey, which provides hunter and trapper participation numbers, as well as small game, wild turkey and furbearer harvest estimates.”

Last year, fall muzzleloader hunters took about 18,000 deer, which is down from the 20,000 taken in 2003. In 2002, hunters took about 15,000 antlerless deer in the early muzzleloader season.

In 2004, hunters took about 11,000 antlerless deer in the special firearms season. In 2003, the special firearms season harvest was about 14,000.

Hunters may use in-line, percussion and flintlock muzzleloaders during the early muzzleloader season. They also may use scopes, peep-sights and other lawful sighting devices on muzzleloaders during the October hunt.

Muzzleloader and special firearms season hunters are reminded that when multiple harvests of deer per day are permitted, only one deer at a time may be taken. Before attempting to take an additional deer, the first deer must be lawfully tagged. An antlerless deer is defined as a deer without antlers, or a deer with antlers, both of which are less than three inches in length.

Deer must be tagged immediately after they are harvested and before the carcass is moved. The tag must be attached to the ear and remain attached until the deer is processed for consumption or prepared for mounting.

Any hunter who by accident or mistake kills a deer is required to deliver the carcass - entrails removed - within 12 hours of the kill to any Game Commission officer in the county where the deer was killed. A written statement also must be provided to the officer explaining when, where and how the accident or mistake occurred. The deer must be tagged with the appropriate deer harvest tag.

Hunters may purchase muzzleloader licenses at any time. The license entitles them to hunt in both the fall antlerless muzzleloader season and the traditional flintlock season (Dec. 27-Jan. 15). Regulations for the after- Christmas muzzleloader season remain unchanged: hunters may use only primitive type muzzle-loading long guns 44-caliber or larger with flintlock ignition systems and primitive sighting devices. Fiber-optic inserts are permitted in sighting devices.

Hunters are advised that they may take only antlerless deer in the early muzzleloader and special firearms seasons and that they may hunt only in the Wildlife Management Units or Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) areas for which they have obtained antlerless deer licenses.

Hunters in either firearms season are required to wear 250 square inches of fluorescent orange clothing on the head, chest and back combined at all times. Bowhunters afield during the overlap of the archery and October antlerless firearms seasons also must wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange while moving and display an orange alert band while on stand.

HUNTERS URGED TO REPORT RESEARCH DEER

Over the past five years, Pennsylvania Game Commission researchers have captured and marked nearly 2,500 white-tailed deer in many areas of Pennsylvania. Captured deer are marked with plastic ear tags and many have radio collars.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission is asking hunters to treat deer with radio collars and ear tags as any other deer. If the deer is legal for harvest, and a hunter wishes to harvest it, he or she should. If a hunter harvests an ear-tagged or radio-collared deer, the agency asks that they follow the instructions below to report it.

As a result of budget constraints, toll-free numbers on the ear tags and radio collars have been discontinued. The Game Commission apologizes for the inconvenience and offers the following alternatives for reporting marked deer: Contact one of the following phone numbers: toll-free at 877-PSU-DOES; the Game Commission Northcentral Region at 570-398-4744; the Game Commission Southcentral Region 814-643-1831; the Game Commission Southwest Region at 724-238-9523; or the Game Commission Bureau of Wildlife Management at 717-787-5529.

Hunters also may report their DMAP harvests online on the Game Commission’s website at http://www.pgc.state.pa.us, or send a letter or postcard, include ear tag number, county/township/WMU where harvested, as well as your name, address and telephone number to: Deer Management Program, Bureau of Wildlife Management, Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.