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Seasons are open in Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, October is prime time for hunting.

Hunting opportunities exist throughout the year in Pennsylvania, and some fall hunting seasons already are underway, and hunters are a more common sight throughout the Commonwealth right now.

Statewide, hunters are reminded that hunting with a firearm is not permitted within 150 yards of any occupied structure, school, farm building or playground unless prior permission is obtained from the building’s occupants or property owners. This perimeter is known as a “safety zone,” and possessing a loaded firearm within a safety zone is considered hunting and a violation of the law. Trapping furbearers, and chasing or disturbing wildlife also are prohibited within a safety zone, unless permission is given.

A similar law applies to hunters using bows or crossbows, but the safety-zone perimeter is smaller in most circumstances. Archers and hunters using crossbows must remain at least 50 yards from any occupied structure or farm building unless they receive permission from the building occupants or property owners to hunt at closer distances. The safety zone around schools and playgrounds remains 150 yards for archers, however.

Hunters also are reminded that fluorescent orange requirements vary depending on the species being hunted. Illustrations depicting the requirements that apply in different seasons can be found in the 2016-17 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest issued to hunters at the time they purchase hunting licenses. The digest also is available online at the Game Commission’s website.

Antlerless deer licenses in Pennsylvania are valid only within the Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) for which they are issued. Likewise, DMAP permits are issued for certain properties and are valid only on those properties. Maps showing the boundaries of WMUs are available in the Hunting & Trapping Digest.

For a more detailed look at the regulations pertaining to the various seasons, or to view hunting season start and end dates, as well as bag limits, visit the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov.

“There’s no better time of year to get out and enjoy the Pennsylvania outdoors, and there’s no better way to spend a fall day than by going hunting,” said Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough. “In the coming weeks, seasons will continue to open and hunters will continue to share in the bounty of Pennsylvania’s wild game. But all who have the chance to spend even one gorgeous autumn day afield can consider themselves lucky.”

VENISON CARE

While hunting often offers pleasant days afield, if the weather is warm, it presents challenges for successful deer hunters in assuring their harvests result in high-quality venison.

Especially in warm weather, harvested deer should be field dressed quickly, then taken from the field and cooled down as soon as possible. While hanging a deer carcass in a shady area might be fine in cooler temperatures, if the air temperature is above 50 degrees, hunters should refrigerate the carcass as soon as possible.

Information on warm-weather venison care, as well as instructions on deer processing and other tips, are available on the white-tailed deer page on the Game Commission’s website.

REPORTING HARVESTS

Hunters must report deer harvests, and they are encouraged to do so soon after their successful hunts, so they don’t forget.

There are three ways to report harvests. Harvests can be reported online at the Game Commission’s website by clicking on the “Report a Harvest” button on the home page. Reports also can be phoned in to 1-855-PAHUNT1 (1-855-724-8681) or mailed in using the harvest report cards that are inserted in the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest hunters receive when they purchase a license.

Hunters who call should have their hunting license numbers handy, as well as additional information that’s required to be reported.

MISTAKE KILLS

Any hunter in any season who, by accident or mistake, kills an illegal deer is required to deliver the carcass — entrails removed — within 24 hours to any Game Commission officer in the county where the deer was killed.

A written statement 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.

RIFLE DEER SEASON

As it has traditionally, the two-week firearms season for deer will open statewide on the Monday following Thanksgiving. The statewide season this year runs from Nov. 28  to Dec. 10.

Hunters in different parts of the state are required to observe different rules regarding the number of points an antlered deer must have and when during the season hunters may harvest antlerless deer.

Information by regions is available at the Game Commission’s website.

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