Representative PRSRT STD

MIKE TURZAI
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
HARRISBURG, PA

28 th District PERMIT NO. 529

Fall Sportsmen Newsletter

District Office:
125 Hillvue Lane
1st Floor
Town of McCandless
Pittsburgh, PA 15237
Phone: (412) 369-2230

Capitol Office:
House of Representatives
428 Main Capitol
PO Box 202028
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2028
Phone: (717) 772-9943

Game Commission Finalizes Crossbow Regulations

The Pennsylvania Game Commission
is now allowing crossbows to be used by
all archers, not just the disabled, during
any season in which bows are permitted.
The new definition will include devices
held in place by a brace secured around
the body of the hunter. Also, a disabled
person permit will no longer be required
for bows and crossbows.
According to the game commission,
crossbows may be used by hunters par-
ticipating in the archery deer and archery
bear seasons for the 2009-10 seasons, as
well as turkey seasons and the two-week
firearms deer seasons.
Under the regulations, a crossbow
must have a minimum drawn weight of at
least 125 pounds, and a bolt must be
equipped with a broadhead that has an
outside diameter or width of at least 7/8
inches with at least two cutting edges on
the same place throughout the length of
the cutting surface, and shall not exceed
three inches in length.
Hunters who possess a general
hunting license and an archery stamp
– as well as other required licenses, such
as an antlerless deer license or permit,
or a bear license – can now hunt with
a crossbow and participate in the early
and late archery deer seasons. They can
also participate in the two-day archery
bear season, but do not need an archery
stamp, just a general hunting license and
bear license.
Hunters participating in the October
muzzleloader antlerless deer season or
late flintlock muzzleloader season cannot
use crossbows in place of muzzleloaders.
Hunters participating in the overlapping
archery deer seasons may use a cross-
bow.
This change also means mentored
youths can use a crossbow during these
seasons as long as all other requirements
of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program
are followed.
For further details, visit the Pennsyl-
vania Game Commission’s Web site at
www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on cross-
bow FAQ.

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 to
provide 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 a
properly 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 a
mentored youth during hunting, including teaching scouting and firearm skills, hunting safety, and wildlife identification.
According to the most recent Game-Take Survey, participation in the MYHP has increased each year since the program’s inception
in 2006 when 43,780 youths were mentored by 32,913 adults.
In 2008-09, the number of mentored youths grew to 71,232 youth and the number of licensed hunters participating grew to
59,397 adult mentors. According to that survey, mentored youths harvested 60,703 squirrels, 24,067 groundhogs, 6,763 antlered
deer, 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, and
costs $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
for the purposes of maximum allowed numbers.
A mentored youth can hunt only squirrels, groundhogs, coyotes, antlered only deer (youngsters are required to follow the same
antler 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)
and 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
lawful hunting device while engaged in hunting or related activities. A mentor and mentored youth may not possess more than one
lawful hunting device between them while hunting or conducting related activities. The mentor must carry the gun while in transit to
and from the spot.
Participation in the program does not require a youth under age 12 to take a Hunter-Trapper Education class, but the youth must
be instructed in how to handle a firearm and basic hunting safety by the mentor. However, the courses are required once the mentored
youth turns 12. As mentored youth approach 11 years of age, the information gathered from the MYHP will assist the Game Com-
mission to better schedule Hunter-Trapper Education courses to accommodate demand.
 New Law Affects Sportsmen
Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service Fee Now Law
A new law, Act 22, formally enacts the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing Service (PALS) fee system, which will add a small trans-
action fee on hunting licenses purchased through this automated system. The fee covers the actual cost of operating and maintaining the
system.
Hundreds of thousands of hunting, trapping and fishing licenses and related permits are issued each year. This fee will go toward
automating the distribution and sale of licenses and permits at the point-of-sale.
More than 30 states have automated systems or are in the process of automating. The goal is to make services more convenient
for license buyers and improve revenue collection and communications between issuing agents and each commission.
This fee is paid directly to the vendor and is set by contract between the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC), the Pennsylvania
Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), the vendor of the computerized system and the Governor’s Office of Administration.
Under the current contract, the cost per transaction is 70 cents. The bill places a cap on this fee at $1 per transaction.

Fishers Return to Pennsylvania

Fifteen years ago, Penn State University, Frostburg State
University in Maryland, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission
began working together to reintroduce the fisher, a predator in the
weasel family, to Pennsylvania.
The Fisher Reintroduction Project sought to re-establish this
native species in Pennsylvania forests. Fishers, which prey on small
mammals, fish and are the primary predator
of porcupine, had been absent from the state
for nearly 80 years. Habitat destruction is
cited as a primary cause of the decline of the
fisher population in Pennsylvania, because the
fisher is nomadic and depends on large areas
of forests.
Release sites targeted state gamelands and
state forests. The first 22 fishers were released
in 1994 in Sproul State Forest in Clinton
County. Release sites also included the Quehanna Wild Area and
the Allegheny National Forest. Fishers have expanded their range
from Pine Creek Valley to the Pocono Mountains and a quarter of
Pennsylvania is now their territory.
Including the initial release, about 190 fishers were reintro-
duced in the Commonwealth at five different release sites. An
official population survey has not been done, but it is suspected
that their numbers have nearly doubled since then.
In a report called Status and Management of Fishers published
in Dec. 2008, reports from 2007 indicate the number of incidental
fisher captures at 132 and the number of reported fisher sight-
ings at 481. Fishers have been spotted in 43 of
Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
The report does not indicate when fishers
might have sufficient population in Pennsylvania
to establish an open trapping season, but until
that time, their reintroduction should provide
outdoor enthusiasts who are fortunate enough
to spot one with a rare delight.
The Game Commission is interested in fisher
stories. If you spot a fisher in the wild, please
note the details of the sighting: weather, time of year, location,
and take some time to report it to pgccomments@state.pa.us or
mail to: PA Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Management,
ATTN: Fisher Sighting, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA
17110-9797.

ADOPTED 2009-10 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

COYOTES: No closed season. Unlimited. Outside of any deer or bear season, coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and
without wearing orange. During any archery deer season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or with a furtaker license. During the regular firearms
deer and any bear seasons, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting deer or bear, or with a furtaker license while wearing 250 square inches of fluorescent
orange. During the spring gobbler season, may be taken by those with a valid tag and meet fluorescent orange and shot size requirements.
RACCOON and FOXES: Oct. 24–Feb. 20, unlimited.
OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays and prior to noon during the spring gobbler season. No limits.
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E): Oct. 24-Feb. 20. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in
possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)
ADOPTED 2009-10 TRAPPING SEASONS
MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 21–Jan. 10. Unlimited.
COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 25–Feb. 21. No limit.
COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Jan. 1-Feb. 21. No limit. Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.
BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26–March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).
BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4D and 4E): Oct. 25-Feb. 21. One per permit. (Bobcats may only be taken by furtakers in
possession of a Bobcat Hunting-Trapping permit.)
ADOPTED 2009-10 FALCONRY SEASONS
SQUIRRELS (combined), QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male
or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31. Daily and Field Possession limits vary. (Migratory game bird seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in ac-
cordance with federal regulations in August.)

Legislative Update
Game Code Violations, Poaching Law Penalties Would Increase Under Bill
Fines 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.
Fines for illegally killing game or wildlife, knowingly, intentionally or recklessly attempting, aiding, abetting, or conspiring in the
killing 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.

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 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 WMUs
2A, 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 Wild
Pheasant 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 the
spring 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 spring
gobbler 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 bow
and 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 and
5B – 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 1
spring 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 Susquehanna
River 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, South
of 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 R
1006 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. 864
to 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
the 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-
less 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
hunting 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
per 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
permits 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 required
antlerless license.
DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 22-24. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania
residents 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 have
reached 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 an
additional 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.

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th
t o t h e 1 3 9
Your Guide i s t rict Lake Erie Fishing Permits
l a t i v e D
egis who take the trip to Lake Erie for a fishing expedition into tributaries of Lake Erie and Presque Isle Bay.
LAnglers
should know that a new law, Act 40 of 2009, expands the type of Proceeds from Lake Erie permits, as well as $6 of the fees
waterways in which a Lake Erie fishing permit is required. from the combination trout/salmon and Lake Erie permit, would
The law also extends the time-frame for remittance of money be deposited into a restricted account in the Fish Fund through
from permit sales to the Fish Fund and expands allowable uses. December 31, 2014. The funds could be used to protect or improve
New provisions in the Fish and Boat Code expand the waters fish habitat at Lake Erie, Presque Isle Bay and their tributaries,
in which a Lake Erie permit or combination trout/salmon Lake Erie including waters that flow into those tributaries.
permit is required for fishing. This would include waters that flow

SPORTSMEN’S WEB LINKS

Pennsylvania Game Commission
www.pgc.state.pa.us
Fish and Boat Commission
www.fish.state.pa.us
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
www.dcnr.state.pa.us
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- www.fws.gov
Mike and Andrew Turzai are pictured at a local sportsmen’s club National Rifle Association -- www.nra.org
Rep. Turzai’s District Office Services
Offices
My district office is here to help you. Services my staff and I provide include:
DISTRICT OFFICE:  Assistance with PennDOT paperwork
 Copies of birth and death certificate applications
125 Hillvue Lane
 PACE and PACENET applications for seniors
1st Floor  Property Tax and Rent Rebate applications
Town of McCandless  Voter registration forms and absentee ballot applications
Pittsburgh, PA 15237  State tax forms

Phone: (412) 369-2230  Free state maps, state park information, and PA Vacation Guides

 Copies of legislation
CAPITOL OFFICE:  Tours of the State Capitol

House of Representatives  Referrals to agencies to resolve state-related matters

428 Main Capitol

PO Box 202028 If you need help with any state-related matter, please do not hesitate to call my district office.
Harrisburg, PA 17120-2028
Phone: (717) 772-9943
Find Rep. Turzai on the Web at
RepTurzai.com