Outdoors roundup: PGC says plenty of hunting excitement remains

Dec. 27—WILKES-BARRE — The year is winding down.

But Pennsylvania's hunting license year isn't yet halfway through, and there's plenty of action to be experienced afield in the coming weeks and months.

The final deer seasons of 2022-23 kick off Monday, Dec. 26, running alongside many small game and furbearer seasons, making for plenty of options and opportunities.

Here's a look.

Deer hunting

Three separate-but-simultaneous deer seasons get going after Christmas. Two of them — the late archery season and flintlock season — are held statewide, but run an additional two weeks in Wildlife Management Units 2B, 5C and 5D. The other — the extended firearms antlerless deer season — is held only in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D.

There are slightly different requirements for these seasons.

First, late archery and flintlock hunters may harvest a buck, as well as antlerless deer, so long as they have valid tags for each. A buck harvest tag is included with a general license, so as long as a hunter hasn't filled the tag in earlier seasons, it can be used to take a buck in the late archery or flintlock seasons.

A flintlock hunter also may use a buck tag to take an antlerless deer. In all other cases, a hunter needs a valid antlerless deer license or Deer Management Assistance Program permit for each antlerless deer they attempt to harvest. The exception applying to flintlock hunters applies only to flintlock hunters, and not those hunting deer in other seasons.

As for the extended firearms season, which is open only for the taking of antlerless deer, hunters need a valid antlerless license or DMAP permit for each deer they attempt to harvest.

While antlerless licenses for most WMUs long have been sold out, some licenses still remain in WMUs 2B and 4A. Likewise, DMAP permits — which are valid only on the properties for which they're issued — remain available for some properties. Availability can be checked online at https://www.pgcapps.pa.gov/Harvest/DMAP.

In all cases, deer hunters need their paper harvest tags with them while hunting because a tag must be secured to the ear of a harvested deer before the deer is moved. Hunters who are buying tags they plan to use soon are better off buying them directly from an issuing agent as opposed to buying them online. Licenses purchased online are mailed to the hunter, which means waiting for harvest tags to arrive. And without a valid paper harvest tag, a hunter can't lawfully hunt for deer.

There also are separate fluorescent orange requirements for the after-Christmas deer seasons. Statewide, archery and flintlock hunters are not required to wear fluorescent orange. Hunters participating in the extended firearms season must wear, at all times, 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined, visible from 360 degrees.

Even when orange isn't required, the Game Commission highly recommends the use of orange, especially while moving and on public properties.

The late archery and flintlock seasons run Dec. 26-Jan. 16 statewide and Dec. 26-Jan. 28 in WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D. The extended firearms season runs Dec. 26-Jan.28.

Small game hunting

The small game seasons resumed following the firearms deer season. Hunting opportunities for squirrels, pheasants and rabbits are among those available now and after Christmas.

Pheasants have become perhaps the most sought-after late season small game species. About 23,400 pheasants were released last week (Dec. 14-16) and two more releases totaling 31,700 birds are planned for Dec. 28-29 and Jan. 4-5.

Pheasant hunters are advised to consult www.pgc.pa.gov for further information on late season pheasant releases, because some of the sites stocked during the early season are not stocked during the late season.

In addition to a general license, pheasant hunters generally need a pheasant permit to hunt or harvest pheasants. The permit costs $26.97, and must be signed and carried while hunting pheasants. Junior hunters and mentored permit holders under 17 qualify for a free permit and must obtain it before hunting. Senior lifetime license holders who purchased their lifetime licenses prior to May 13, 2017 are exempted from needing a permit.

Small game hunters are reminded that hunting generally is closed on Saturday, Dec. 24. Seasons for pheasants, squirrels, rabbits and bobwhite quail (which hunters might encounter due to the private release of captive birds) resume on Dec. 26 and run through Feb. 27. Pennsylvania's snowshoe hare season runs Dec. 26-31. The final segment of ruffed grouse season closes Dec. 23 and there is no after-Christmas season.

All small game hunters must wear, at all times, 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on the head, chest and back combined, visible from 360 degrees.

Meanwhile, many waterfowl seasons will run into January, and in some cases later.

Consult the 2022-23 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest for more information.

Furbearer opportunities

Hunting and trapping for furbearers also peaks in winter. These include opportunities for foxes, raccoons, beavers, minks and muskrats.

A furtaker license generally is required to take furbearers by hunting or trapping. Coyotes are an exception to this requirement; they can be harvested by anyone with a hunting or furtaker license.

There also are a few furbearers — bobcats, fishers and river otters — that licensed furtakers only may pursue if they first obtain a permit and harvest tag for that species. These permits only are sold prior to the season beginning, so bobcat and fisher permits no longer are available because seasons for those species are underway. River otter permits must be purchased before Feb. 11.

For a complete list of seasons and regulations, see the Hunting & Trapping Digest.

But any way you look at it, there's a lot of hunting still to enjoy.

"While the fall hunting seasons pack incredible excitement and more opportunities than we might have available time, there are great times to be had afield once winter arrives, too," said Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. "Whether it's trying to tag that final deer this season, putting up some cackling roosters, waiting for ducks to drop into your decoy spread, tracking down a prime bobcat spot, or any of the many other opportunities available now and after Christmas, the adventure that awaits is its own reward."

State announces funding

to protect Lake Erie

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced this week that seven projects received Coastal Zone Grants totaling more than $280,077.

The grants, which are aimed at protecting and restoring the Lake Erie Coastal Zone, will be used toward projects that will benefit this critical habitat and ecosystem.

"The Lake Erie Coastal Zone is a phenomenal resource to curb environmental threats such as pollution and climate change," said Acting DEP Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. "Each year, Coastal Zone projects help our efforts to ensure the sustainability of these habitats."

Coastal zones are the area where land meets the coast and include both coastal waters and adjacent shorelands and are under increasing pressure from development, erosion, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Coastal Zone Grants are awarded to projects related to fisheries, wetlands, recreation, public education, coastal hazards such as bluff recession, and other areas. Grants may also be awarded to other projects in the watershed that have an impact on coastal waters.

The 77-mile Lake Erie coastal zone is in Erie County and includes the Lake Erie shoreline and several major tributaries. The coastal zone also extends to the middle of the lake, to the international boundary with Canada, and inland an average of 1.4 miles.

"It's exciting to see this grant money being put to good use in the Lake Erie Coastal Zone," said DEP Northwest Regional Director, Erin Wells. "The DEP is committed to supporting these partners with grant funding and technical assistance as they restore and protect our natural resources."

Funded primarily by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the grants are administered by DEP's Coastal Resources Management Program. Since federal approval of the DEP Coastal Resources Management Program in 1980, the program has provided more than $50 million in funding for coastal zone projects.

Wolf Administration announces funding

to protect Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone

The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced this week that 12 projects, totaling $536,382, aimed at protecting and restoring the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone would be funded through grants.

This year's projects emphasize environmental education, community outreach, and continued research on PFAS; all of which will benefit this critical habitat and ecosystem.

"The Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone is a phenomenal resource to curb environmental threats such as pollution and climate change," said Acting DEP Secretary Ramez Ziadeh. "Each year, Coastal Zone projects help our efforts to ensure the sustainability of these habitats."

Coastal zones are areas where land meets the coast and include both coastal waters and adjacent shorelands. These areas are challenged with increasing pressure from development, erosion, biodiversity loss and pollution. Coastal zone grants are awarded to projects related to fisheries, wetlands, stormwater management improvements, recreation, public education, coastal hazards such as bluff recession, and other areas. Grants may also be awarded to other projects in the watershed that have an impact on coastal waters.

The 112-mile Delaware Estuary coastal zone is located in Bucks, Delaware, and Philadelphia counties and encompasses islands, marshes, and other areas in the Delaware Estuary watershed. It is the largest freshwater port in the world.

"It's exciting to see this grant money being put to good use in the Delaware Estuary Coastal Zone," said DEP Southeast Regional Director Pat Patterson. "Local organizations that develop strategies and carry out projects to restore and protect our natural resources are of the utmost importance and the DEP is committed to supporting these partners with grant funding and technical assistance."

Funded primarily by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the grants are administered by DEP's Coastal Resources Management Program. Since federal approval of the DEP Coastal Resources Management Program in 1980, the program has provided more than $50 million in funding for coastal zone projects.

DCNR to celebrate the New

Year with 'First Day Hikes'

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) this week announced it will host nearly 60, guided hikes in 34 state parks and three forest districts on New Year's Day as part of the nationwide "First Day Hike" effort.

Designed to promote a healthy start in the new year, these hikes offer families an opportunity to begin rejuvenating and connecting with the outdoors by taking a healthy hike on January 1.

"First Day Hikes are a great way to start the new year in natural spaces, which we hopeful will continue throughout the year," said DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. "These hikes are also a reminder our state parks and forests are open for healthy outdoor adventures in all four seasons. I encourage Pennsylvanians, and those visiting for the holidays, to consider taking a hike and to make the time to connect with park staff and like-minded outdoors enthusiasts. Now is the perfect time to begin building meaningful bond with our public lands."

State parks staff and volunteers lead the hikes, which are usually about one or two miles, but can be longer depending on the park and its terrain. First Day Hikes are organized by the National Association of State Park Directors to promote healthy lifestyles throughout the year and year-round recreation at state parks. All 50 states have cooperatively sponsored First Day Hikes since 2012.

Each year, over 730 million people visit America's State Parks and contribute over $23 billion to the economy. State Parks are a "close to home" resource and an important part of our country's fabric, enhancing our quality of life. Visit America's State Parks website for more information on First Day Hikes Nationally.

"Whether you're staying close to home or traveling, join us at one of Pennsylvania's state parks on New Year's Day," Dunn said. She noted that she will visit Pine Grove Furnace State Park for First Day Hikes.

Hikers are invited to share their experience on social media using #FirstDayHikes.