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$3.99 THE EASTERN COYOTE

Savage Model 99 Lever-Action Rifle GAME COOKBOOK SECOND EDITION

PENNSYLVANIA GAME COMMISSION GAME COOKBOOK SECOND EDITION Pennsylvania Game Commission Game Cookbook, Second Edition, is now available. The 108-page, softbound book is printed in full color and priced at $9.43, plus sales tax, plus shipping added to all mail orders. Makes a Great Gift!

cookbook cover 7x9.indd 1 10/8/2014 10:25:02 AM Call 1-888-888-3459 or visit “The Outdoor Shop” at www.pgc.state.pa.us with credit card, or make check payable to Pennsylvania Game Commission and mail with order to: Pennsylvania Game Commission; Department MS; 2001 Elmerton Avenue; Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Find patches, books, prints and other products at the “The Outdoor Shop.” Shipping & Handling $1.00 to $6.00 = $1.25 $6.01 to $20 = $2.95 $20.01 to $35 = $4.95 $35.01 to $60 = $6.95 $60.01 to $100 = $8.95 Volume 86 • No. 6 P E N N S Y L V A N I A JUNE 2015 (USPS 426180)

Tom Wolf Governor

COMMISSION MEMBERS FEATURES David J. Putnam, President 2 Enduring Presence Centre Hall By Joe Kosack Brian H. Hoover, Vice President 8 Adam Glenolden By Leroy M. Young Jr. Timothy S. Layton, Secretary 12 Alien Invasion Windber By Eric Horsh James J. Delaney Jr. Wilkes-Barre 15 Standing on the Thin Green Line Robert W. Schlemmer By John DeMille Export 19 Pappy’s Patience Ronald Weaner By Emily Ann Snyder Biglerville 22 Addicted to Grouse Charles E. Fox By Carl W. McCardell Troy James R. Daley 26 “Horn” a Plenty Cranberry Township By Bob D’Angelo 34 Our Neighbors, the Eagles EXECUTIVE OFFICE By David Wineberg R. Matthew Hough Executive Director Richard Palmer Deputy Executive Director DEPARTMENTS Bryan J. Burhans 30 Research Briefs Deputy Executive Director 32 From the Field By Joe Kosack BUREAU DIRECTORS 39 Field Notes Dorothy R. Derr 45 Conservation News Administrative Services ♦ James Daley appointed Commissioner Paul Mahon ♦ 25-Year Club Automated Technology Services 50 The Naturalist’s Eye Stephen P. Smith By Marcia Bonta Information & Education Thomas P. Grohol 54 Straight from the Bowstring Wildlife Protection By John Kasun John P. Dunn 58 The Campfire Wildlife Management, Acting By Bob D’Angelo 59 Lock, Stock & Barrel GAME NEWS By Bob D’Angelo Robert D. D’Angelo 64 Crossings Senior Associate Editor By Ben Moyer Joe Kosack Associate Editor Patricia E. Monk Administrative Assistant Cover Painting by tom SChatz (Background on p. 53) Carol A. Petrina Circulation

PENNSYLVANIA GAME NEWS (ISSN 0031-451X) is published monthly for $18 per year, $45 for three years; to Canada and all other foreign countries, $24 U.S. currency, per year. Published by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Phone 717-787-4250. Periodicals postage paid at Harrisburg and additional mailing offices. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: POSTMASTER: Send both old and new addresses to Pennsylvania Game News, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797. Allow six weeks for processing. Unsolicited submissions should meet writers’ guidelines, available on request. Acceptance payment covers all rights and title to accepted material, including manuscripts, photographs, drawings and illustrations. No information contained in this magazine may be used for advertising or commercial purposes. Opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Copyright © 2015 by the Pennsylvania Game Commission, an Equal Opportunity Employer, the programs of which are all administered consistent with the goals and objectives of Affirmative Action. All rights reserved. NOTICE: Subscriptions received and processed by the last day of each month will begin with the second month following. PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER For questions about your subscription, call 1-888-888-1019. www.pgc.state.pa.us ENDURING PRE

The coyote now inhabits most of Pennsylvania. Expect it to become more visible in the future. T’S HARD for some of us to believe But now coyotes are becoming more Pennsylvania is home to thousands noticeable in suburbia, even around Iof coyotes. Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Few of us have seen one. Yet, with The buildup didn’t happen over a each passing year, their visibility is few years. It spans more than six de- increasing. cades. Today, coyotes maintain a stable Hunters for years have reported their statewide population and most wildlife presence is growing in Penn’s Woods. managers who study them believe Farmers, too, have noticed the trend in they’re here to stay. their fields and pastures. And for years, it was mostly a rural thing. Historical records show us eastern

2 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM otes may have occupied southwestern Pennsylvania by way of Ohio in the late 1940s, before eastern coyotes eventu- ally emigrated there from the north. Today, the eastern coyote is Pennsyl- SENCE vania’s prominent coyote. Joe Kosack Tom Hardisky, Game Commission Associate Editor furbearer biologist, believes it became apparent Pennsylvania had a coyote population in the 1960s, but their numbers were a fraction of today’s population. “In the 1970s, coyotes were classi- fied as ‘eastern coyotes’ and we believe Pennsylvania’s northeastern counties became the nucleus for coyote range expansion,” Hardisky said. “From there, coyotes pushed west across the state’s northern tier, then south. Claiming unoccupied range, coyotes increased quickly through the 1980s and ’90s. In the ’80s, about 25 percent of to- day’s coyote population was in place, Hardisky said. In the ’90s, it neared 50 percent. Since then, coyote popula- tions have probably doubled, he said. Josh Clark “Their increased numbers and ex- panded distribution over time reflect the coyote’s adaptive ability to survive and thrive on nearly any landscape,” coyotes began appearing in Pennsyl- Hardisky explained. “Each passing year, vania in the 1940s. They have been there are fewer places in Pennsylvania traced through DNA studies to matings coyotes haven’t been.” of western coyotes and Great Lakes gray wolves that occurred earlier in the Coyotes are cognizant of people and 20th century. generally keep their distance, but some, The progeny of these matings were particularly in suburban and urban set- eastern coyotes, which began to drift tings, relax their buffer to fit in. Other- from the Great Lakes region south wise, there’d be no way they could have into New York and eventually into infiltrated areas in and around major Pennsylvania. cities such as Philadelphia, New York This research – by Roland Kays, City and Washington, D.C. Abigail Curtis and Jeremy J. Kirchman The coyote’s willingness to (2009) – also shows that western coy- indiscriminately eat all kinds of avail-

JUNE 2015 3 The pages of Game News from the 1940s forward have illustrated the coyote’s migration into Pennsylvania. This 42-pound coyote was shot Dec. 3, 1946, during buck season by Walter Schucker, of Clearfield, in Goshen Township, Clearfield County. He was a member of the New Birch Spring Camp. The photo appeared in the January 1947 issue of Game News. able prey, mast and leftovers helps it moving into unoccupied range. make almost any landscape home. It’s no secret coyotes prey on white- It’ll scarf up roadkill and food from tail fawns, might come running to tur- pet dishes routinely. Wandering neigh- key calls and have been photographed borhood cats and small dogs, over- by trail cameras visiting deer carcasses. crowdings of resident Canada geese, Those actions surely match the true or hatches of cicadas all are fair game. opportunist this animal is. But to what Ditto for grapes, berries, acorns or litter end? alongside the road. “Coyotes are one of the most adapt- Suburban and urban areas have able creatures on earth,” Hardisky said. much to offer coyotes, because the “They always seek prey that are the increased densities of people lead to easiest to catch, not necessarily the more garbage, litter and roadkills. oldest or weakest individuals. Their Prey species also can be abundant in quarries often are livestock, domestic these areas, because of the difficulties pets and other prey animals with little associated with hunting and trapping fear of predators.” them, and the limited availability of A 16-month fawn mortality study predators. in 2000 and 2001 by the Game Access to more pets and strays just Commission and Pennsylvania Co- sweetens the pot. These opportunities, operative Fish and Wildlife Research and the coyote’s talent for managing Center at Penn State University con- trouble, suggest that it’s not yet done firmed coyotes are predators of fawns.

4 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM But they were one of several – including “Pennsylvania’s hunters have been bobcats and black bears – responsible asking us to take another – closer – for killing about 22 percent of the 218 look, and given the gains of coyotes fawns monitored with radio collars in since the last predator study was the study. conducted, it is a reasonable and re- Another fawn-mortality study is sponsible step for this agency to take,” underway to take a closer look at fawn Putnam said. “Whitetails remain one predation in Pennsylvania. This time, of Pennsylvania’s most important re- researchers will seek to achieve a bet- sources.” ter understanding of the community structure and relative abundance of The last time Pennsylvanians lived forest predators in two study areas to in such close proximity to a substantial shed more light on how these preda- population of free-roaming, large ca- tors compete for and partition prey nids like the eastern coyote was at least resources, said Matt Lovallo, Game 125 years ago. But at that time, there Commission Game Mammals Section were fewer residents, less development. supervisor. There was elbow room. Game Commissioner Dave Putnam, Today, with more people and civi- of Centre Hall, said he’s hoping the lization, we are watching an unprec- ongoing research will provide a bet- edented coyote-human coexistence ter understanding of the relationship unfold. between deer and eastern coyotes. It is truly a first.

USFWS

The eastern coyote has become as comfortable on the edges of cities – even within some city limits – as it is in the “big woods” of the northern tier and within the state’s core farming areas.

JUNE 2015 5 Steve Hower

Although they can provide hunters and trappers considerable challenge, many Pennsylvanians are matching wits with the eastern coyote and winning. Are you next? But what’s so incredible about the rise coyotes, educate the public and learn to of the Northeast’s coyote population is live with this predator.” that it occurred when there was an all- out war in the West to eradicate them. The eastern coyote in 1992 was linked Over the last 50 to 100 years, gov- to gray wolves through analysis of mito- ernment and ranchers did their best to chondrial DNA. exterminate coyotes in the West. But no That finding was reconfirmed in 2009. amount of trapping, hunting, poisoning But eastern coyotes are smaller than and bounties got the job done. wolves, and larger than western coyotes. Coyotes persevered. The average weight of an eastern coyote “We know that widespread preda- is 30 to 38 pounds; males are usually tor control efforts and bounties do not about 15 percent larger than females, work,” explained Hardisky. “We will according to Lovallo. He also noted never have the ability to control coyote that eastern coyotes weighing up to 60 populations and should not waste our pounds have been reported. resources trying. Our best defense is Hardisky said there is considerable to maximize opportunities to harvest variation in coyote social organization,

6 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM even within the same area. about 6 square miles. “Packing behavior is related more So a young coyote dispersing from to prey size than any other factor,” its natal area on a range already well Hardisky explained. “Where major prey occupied, hasn’t got a lot going for it. items throughout the year are small Its saving grace is that each fall and rodents, coyotes tend to be solitary. In winter, coyotes are removed from the populations where large animals or their landscape through trapping, hunting, remains are eaten regularly, large groups highway mortality and disease, particu- of coyotes typically are formed. But they larly sarcoptic mange. Consequently, the don’t form for the purpose of taking dispersing young ’yotes keep ducking and down large prey. Rather, it appears to trucking until they find unoccupied ter- be for cooperative defense. A group of ritory. Many die en route. coyotes can defend a deer carcass better More than 60 percent of juveniles are than a pair.” killed annually by hunters and trappers, Juvenile coyotes begin to disperse in according to radio telemetry studies in October to establish their own territo- Pennsylvania’s northcentral and north- ries. The availability of food, Hardisky eastern counties, Hardisky said. Only 25 said, may influence when dispersal percent of the yearlings and 15 percent begins. Sometimes, juveniles stay with of the adults died. their parents through winter, especially The Wildlife Management Units when food is scarce. currently producing the largest coyote The distance young coyotes disperse harvests are 2A, 3C and 3D, Lovallo said. varies, but it’s usually 30 to 50 miles. One In addition, 5 to 8 percent of coyotes radio-collared female in Tioga County, trapped in the state annually are taken Hardisky added, went 90 miles. in cable restraints. The dispersal distance coyotes travel So if you feel you’re up to the chal- makes sense when you consider the size lenge, coyotes are waiting for you. But of their home range. For adults it’s about know heading out they’re a worthy 25 square miles, while yearlings occupy adversary. And taking one is something about 10 square miles. Juveniles use you’ll never forget.

Coyote Snapshot The eastern coyote is much larger than its western counterpart. Adult males in Pennsylvania weigh 45 to 55 pounds. Females are smaller, weighing 35 to 40 pounds. Total body lengths of eastern coyotes range from 48 to 60 inches. Their pelage colors range from light blond to reddish blond to gray, and from dark brown washed with black to black. Generally, coyotes are gray to a German shepherd coloration. Their legs are gray, tan and reddish, often with black markings or lines down the front of the front legs. The cheeks and behind the ears are reddish or chestnut colored. Blond, reddish and black coyotes might not have any noticeable black stripes on their front legs. A coyote’s ears are erect and its bottle-brush tail usually is held in a downward position. Normally, its eyes are yellow, but some with brown eyes have been found.

JUNE 2015 7 Adam

By Leroy M. Young Jr.

It was a day a proud father thought wouldn’t be possible.

HE DAY MY SON Adam was born would he understand? Would he be able Twas a day that frightened me. to enjoy life? What about our family? I didn’t know how to face the fact Everything had changed. Adam, our youngest, was born with With three typical children, how Down syndrome. would this new life affect all of ours? What would the future hold for him? There were lots of questions. How could we parent him? What As Adam grew, he showed us that

8 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM read and he learned to write. As Adam grew up, he learned to ride a horse, ride a bike, golf, play T-Ball, swim and bowl. He loved all these things and did his best at them. He put his heart and soul into everything he did, and for every opportunity he had, for every achievement he made, no matter how small, he was joyful. He made friends with everyone. And he seemed especially sensitive to others like himself, who also had some disability – maybe Down syndrome, a brain injury, or who used a wheelchair. He drew near to these people and they to him. I often wondered, as Adam grew, if he would be able to enjoy the hobbies I most enjoyed. To fish seemed no problem. I could throw the line out and he could watch for a bite, set the hook and reel the fish in. He liked this and we enjoyed time together on the streams and lakes of our area. He liked nature, he’d say. And he learned to cast a line himself, and catch fish sometimes when Dad didn’t. To hunt, however, was another story. There was no way he would ever get to enjoy that hobby of mine, I thought. It was too complicated, required too much skill, and involved shooting a gun, with its inherent safety considerations. At least he could tag along and sit in he could do what the others did. It just the woods with me, which we did often. took him a little longer. A couple of times he was with me He’d scoot on his behind before he when I shot a deer, and this was great could crawl, but he would crawl. fun. And then, after what seemed a very But then one day he said to me, long time, he walked. “Dad, do you know what would be He spoke, though we had to listen more fun?” closely to understand him. But his “What’s that?” I asked him. speech would improve. He learned to “If I could shoot.”

JUNE 2015 9 Well, that seemed impossible. While not the best marksman, Adam To hunt, Adam would need to take did pretty well, and we continued to the hunter safety course and pass it, and work on his skills. learn to shoot. The time came in late summer to These seemed like very tough take the Hunter-Trapper Education challenges, and as my wife and I course. Adam and I patiently sat discussed it, we had concerns. We through the classroom training, and at didn’t want him to start something and the end of the second day, one of the be very disappointed that he couldn’t instructors graciously proctored the finish it. test to Adam, separately from the rest We didn’t want to set him up for of the class. failure. The instructor read the questions, But in the end, as we thought and then allowed me to read them this through, we decided “nothing again with Adam, as well as the ventured, nothing gained,” and we possible answers. started down the path. Adam did his best to answer the The Game Commission’s Hunter- questions, and although he missed a Trapper Education division directed few, he passed the course. me to a website with the information What a day that was for us, and I Adam would have to learn to pass the bought him his first hunting license test. I was encouraged by, and very that same evening. much appreciated how open everyone My wife said I seemed more excited was to Adam’s situation. than Adam was, and she might have I shared this with Adam and every been right. week he’d say, “Let’s do the Game That was about five years ago, and Commission course.” we’ve hunted together for deer and So we would read the information turkey ever since. Last year we had a on the computer, discuss it, and his special spring gobbler hunt. mother would go over the information It was the second Friday of the the next day. season. Meanwhile, I started to teach him We hunted on my family’s property how to shoot. First with a BB gun, in Clinton County, along with our then a .22, later a 20-gauge and a .243. neighbor David Braucht. It was a

Customized Hunter-trapper eduCation Hunter-Trapper Education is available with customized testing for students with special needs. If reading-comprehension is a barrier, a visual version of the test containing pictures and charts can be provided. Many students each year use this pathway to successfully complete their certification. Anyone interested in pursuing this option can contact the Hunter-Trapper Education staff at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters at [email protected] or 717-787-7015.

10 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM beautiful spring day. Adam was ready and although We set up in one blind, and David he was nervous and waited for what set up in another about 300 yards away. seemed a long time, he did pull the In the early morning, Adam and I trigger and one of the jakes dropped. saw a porcupine and a hen turkey. Then “I got him,” Adam said. about 7:45, we heard a gobble. “You sure did,” I replied. Adam and I became more focused And in the confusion of the shot, on our hunt. I called a few times, and one of the jakes flew around to our David did as well. The combination right, giving me a shot, which resulted worked, because within 15 minutes I in bird No. 2. saw three jakes sneaking in behind us. What a moment. Adam smiled from They circled and then moved toward ear to ear and his smile stayed most of our two decoys. the day. As they approached, they became As for me, I just felt a deep gratitude curious and stopped near the decoys, for a special moment with my special putting and examining them closely. son.

Triple Trophy

Junior hunter Kaity Corle, 14, of Hopewell, took this gobbler in Bedford County in 2014 to complete her triple trophy. She got the 147-pound bear in 2013 in Centre County. The one-antlered spike buck was also taken in Bedford County in Dec. 2013. Kaity took all three while hunting with her younger brother Bricen and father Shawn, and other family and friends.

JUNE 2015 11 AlienBattle being waged Inva on Pennsylvania’s statesion game lands. Ben Jones

HIS ARTICLE isn’t about an alien ecosystems. Tinvasion from outer space. Some invasive plants were It’s s about a real-life invasion introduced to Pennsylvania that we, as Game Commission land accidentally, but most were brought managers, battle every day. here as ornamental plants. Others Invasive plant species, many of were introduced – even promoted and them brought here by well-meaning planted by the Game Commission – as people before the consequences were food or cover for wildlife. understood, thrive in Pennsylvania’s No one knew then that, today, we

12 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM By Game Commission Land Management Officer Eric Horsh

it rapidly took hold in the Keystone State. In the 1930s, the Soil Conservation Service promoted multiflora rose for use in erosion control, and as a living fence Battle being waged on Pennsylvania’s state game lands. for livestock. State agencies, including Alien Inva sion several in Pennsylvania, planted it for wildlife. Of course, multiflora rose, through its tendency to outcompete native plants, proved to have detrimental impacts on habitat. Its rampant growth can create a virtually impenetrable thicket or “living fence.” Today, however, rose rosette disease is helping to naturally control and remove this plant from the landscape. Other Invasives Other invasive or noxious plants include tree of heaven (ailanthus), mile- a-minute weed, stilt grass and autumn olive. Invasives, such as Norway maple, Japanese barberry and Japanese honeysuckle, are well-known ornamentals gardeners might plant around their homes. What some people might not realize is that the seeds from these plants can travel and take root in wildlife habitat, where they might choke out beneficial native plant species. The tree of heaven, like other non- would be struggling to control and natives, contains chemicals that prevent remove these plants. other plants from growing and allow Multiflora Rose Photo caption: Brent McNeal, a forester with Probably the most recognized the Game Commission’s Southcentral Region, foreground, and Wildland Fire Logistics and of Pennsylvania’s invasive plants is Training chief John Wakefield, oversee a burn multiflora rose. on State Game Lands 67 in Huntingdon County. Brought to the United States in the Prescribed fire is one method crews use to 1860s as root stock for ornamental roses, help control invasive species on game lands.

JUNE 2015 13 ailanthus to spread more rapidly. to gain control of these invasive species When removed from their native – then, after we gain control, eliminate ecosystems, invasives no longer have them. to contend with their natural predators Hopefully then, the native plant and competitors, which gives them an species can once again take hold. advantage over our native species. Methods to control these species Japanese knotweed, for example, is include the application of herbicides, and controlled in its native habitat by insects the use of prescribed fire and biological that feed on the plants. controls. The lack of those insects here allows Biological controls include using for the rapid growth and spread of these beneficial insects or fungi to attack only plants. the targeted plant species. Once these invasives take over an All of these approaches have area, they don’t provide the necessary been studied and proven effective in food and cover for wildlife. controlling non-native species. We are gaining ground in battling this Gaining Control invasion, but need the help of the citizens Habitat managers encourage of the Commonwealth. homeowners to choose native plant Planting native plant species around species when planning their landscaping. homes helps us in this battle. Native plants are likely to be better Hopefully, in the future we will be able suited to the area, develop better than the to significantly reduce, if not eliminate, non-native species, and offer many more non-natives and allow native species benefits for a variety of wildlife species. to once again thrive in Pennsylvania’s The challenge we face today is trying wildlands.

Helping wildlife in your backyard Many trees and shrubs that are beneficial for wildlife are available from the Game Commission’s Howard Nursery. Landowners can purchase seedlings that provide food and cover for wild- life, protect watersheds, control soil erosion and help to reclaim disturbed areas, such as surface-mine sites and utility rights of way. Howard Nursery can be reached at 814-355-4434. All stock from the nursery is inspected annually by the state Department of Agriculture and certified disease-free. A good source of reference for improving wildlife habitat is the brochure “Backyard Wildlife Habitat,” available at the Game Commission’s headquar- ters in Harrisburg (717-787-4250). Information about planting wildlife habitat also is available on the Game Commission website at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

14 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Standing on the Thin GREEN LINE The path to becoming a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer.

By John DeMille Bradford County Deputy WCO

My interest in becoming a Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer all began in Berks County, while I was attending one of the first mandatory “hunter safety” classes provided by the Game Commission. Though they then were known as District Game Protectors, the Wildlife Conservation Officers who were teaching the class looked sharp and professional. They also got to work in the woods and protect wildlife! This 12-year-old thought it was the perfect profession. But for me, it would have to wait. I eventually enlisted in the Navy and left for boot camp a few months Neither came to fruition but I con- after graduation from high school, and tinued to think about working for the I ended up serving in the military for Game Commission. 20 years before retiring. One day while at hunting camp, While in the military, I made many a truck drove down the road near close friendships, some of which our cabin and stopped. Then, a man continue to this day. shot a doe that was standing in a field Making friends and enjoying the nearby. camaraderie was awesome, and it’s I decided then and there I had to what I miss the most from my military do something to help prevent these days. types of crimes. Military service can make a person I searched the Game Commission very goal-oriented. website and found information on Upon retirement, I set my sights on becoming a deputy. becoming either a Wildlife Conserva- I realized there was an opportunity tion Officer or a Pennsylvania State for me to contribute to the noble goals Trooper. of protecting wildlife and the hunting

JUNE 2015 15 Becoming a Deputy WCO locally on an as-needed basis. Applicants must be in good physical condition, Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers have a good knowledge of hunting, are local representatives of the Game trapping and other outdoor activities, Commission. Individuals selected for and be able to maintain a good working these positions serve in a volunteer relationship with fellow officers and the capacity and perform their duties under public. Deputies should be prepared to the supervision of a District Wildlife function in all phases of Commission Conservation Officer. activities, including law enforcement, Deputies do not receive regular salary hunter education and other educational or wages. They may receive compensation exhibits/programs, wildlife management at a Commission-approved per diem rate, and land management. in lieu of wages and expenses, on certain For more information about the approved days. History has shown, qualifications needed and becoming though, that, in the performance of their a deputy, write 2001 Elmerton Ave., duties, deputies spend far more money Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797; or call 717- than they make. Deputies are recruited 787-4250. traditions I hold in high regard. my WCO successful. A deputy becomes an integral part About the Job not only of law enforcement, but of Pennsylvania’s deputy program is agency programs, such as Hunter- rooted in tradition, and it’s considered Trapper Education. to be the best in the country. In answering questions about wild- If you asked every deputy to give the life and helping to educate hunters, reasons he or she joined the ranks and trappers and the general public on the continued to serve, there would be as Game Commission’s programs and many reasons as there are deputies. policies, deputies serve as local repre- For me, it is all about service; sentatives of the Game Commission. service to the local WCO and service All of these activities are re- to every officer with whom I work. It warding, because you know you are also is about protecting our hunting making a difference. You’ll learn, and trapping traditions. too, that a deputy is looked upon After being commissioned as a with respect by his or her commu- deputy, an individual works in concert nity and neighbors. with his or her local conservation There are some unique activities officer. that deputies get to experience, such That officer is your supervisor, but, as handling a tranquilized bear or in reality, most likely you’ll become delivering an injured bald eagle to a partners. wildlife rehabilitator. You will be a very important part However, not everything is guaran- of the wildlife law-enforcement effort teed to be enjoyable; there are some within that officer’s assigned district. jobs that are arduous and potentially For me, I look at the deputy position dangerous, especially in the arena of as one that helps make the efforts of law enforcement.

16 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Do You have What it Takes? The local WCO will contact you Deputies work long hours, espe- and conduct an initial interview and cially during big-game seasons, to ap- thorough background investigation. prehend those who violate game laws. A prospective deputy will be Their training provides them with provided regional training in state the tools they need to perform these game laws and regulations, wildlife tasks with a high level of professional- biology and behavior, law enforce- ism and competency. ment, self defense, nuisance-wildlife Friendships that you make as a control, and agency policies and pro- deputy, and the personal rewards that cedures. you realize, far outweigh any hard- There are “ride-along” require- ships. ments, physical strength and agility The camaraderie with fellow of- testing, and a written exam covering ficers is comparable to experiences I the state Game and Wildlife Code. had during my military career. A week of intensive training also is The process you go through to conducted at the Game Commission’s become a deputy is challenging. Ross Leffler School of Conservation It starts with requesting an applica- in Harrisburg. tion and informational packet through During that week, a deputy candi- the Game Commission’s website. date spends days in the classroom and Your completed application and receives additional practical training job resume will be routed through the in the safe handling of firearms and Game Commission’s Training Divi- defensive tactics. sion to your local WCO, who is a full- Firearms qualifications are con- time officer in the county where you ducted at a shooting range near the live. training school.

JUNE 2015 17 Finally, there is a final examination ing some of the most-senior officers and successful candidates are sworn within the Game Commission. in as Deputy Wildlife Conservation This is not a job for everyone, Officers with the Game Commission. but if you are a person who appreci- The day that I put on my deputy ates our state’s hunting and trapping uniform was one of the proudest days traditions, likes a challenge, appreci- of my life. I am as proud to put on ates wildlife, can handle responsibil- that uniform as I was to wear my U.S. ity, values teamwork, and wants to do Navy uniform. something that will give you personal Becoming a deputy does not lead to satisfaction, then look into becoming a full-time position as a WCO. a deputy wildlife conservation officer. However, many full-time WCOs You, too, might have what it takes started out as a deputies, includ- to stand on the “thin green line.”

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18 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM My impatience spooked the buck toward Pappy. Would his patience pay off?

Y MY sixth hunting ceased and I listened Bseason, I was for any game that well aware that Pappy’s may have been beginner’s luck chased my way. had officially Patience I waited, worn off. By Emily Ann Snyder but began to My previous grow annoyed hunting seasons with the hard, had been phenom- metal bench and enal, as I was blessed the upright posi- with an almost-perfect tion in which I was hunting record that had seated. I tried not to been fueled by pure luck. squirm, but my discom- I sat in my ladder stand fort forced me to shift from as the sun slowly rose to my side to side. left. As the Huntingdon My restless actions were County woodlands emerged interrupted by the snap of in a pale yellow light, I was a twig to my right. able to discern my sur- I spotted a buck move roundings more clearly. into the short pines no I began to distinguish more than 30 yards the short pine trees to away. my right, and the brown The whitetail leaves gliding through stopped in them, and the brisk autumn air. all I could see were I listened to the eight jagged points distinct putt putt of protruding from my grandfather’s Cub above the vegetation. Cadet lawn mower I peered making its way up the through the hill toward his usual posi- scope of my tion in a blind overlooking Remington a deep ravine. .30-06 and held my breath, Due to his health and age, the waiting for the deer to step out from mower, was the only way he could behind the trees. reach his blind before hunting hours. I assumed the deer would continue Pappy was 64, and had not grown on its forward path, but it moved tired of the annual hunting season. down the steep hill where I no longer He still looked forward to time spent had a chance at it. outdoors. Before noon, I began to grow The sound of the lawn mower fidgety once more. I tried to keep

JUNE 2015 19 “See, you just have to be patient and wait.”

At one point, doctors gave him less than a 10 percent chance of survival. He lived through the ordeal, though, and we barely heard a complaint. His optimism was inspiring. My thoughts were, once again, interrupted by a shuffling of leaves behind me. Turning slowly I saw another buck, sniffing the air no more than 15 feet from my stand. my movement to a minimum, but A knot formed in my my stiff legs and back bothered me. stomach and I felt myself getting At that point I would have given nervous. I gradually shifted my body anything to take a walk and stretch to the right so I would be able to take my legs. aim. I remained in the uncomfortable The 6-point was directly behind tree stand, however, because I knew me, making the stout pine tree more that if my moving around didn’t drive than an inconvenience. away the approaching game, the I knew I had a limited amount crunching of dead leaves beneath my of time remaining; the buck was boots would. obviously becoming more wary. I I tried to focus on something other tried to work fast, deciding what plan than my impatience. of action would be best. I wondered if Pappy had seen more Clink! deer than I had. In my frantic maneuvering, the He probably had. barrel of my rifle clattered against the He was much more tolerant when metal tree stand. The buck snorted it came to waiting. He was unwearied loudly and bounced over the hill when it came to anything; he was the toward Pappy. most positive person I knew. He had I let out the breath I had been been through a lot. holding and cursed quietly to myself. Several years before, he suffered a A second buck had fallen through heart attack and then, not long after, the cracks; I kicked myself for allow- an aneurysm. ing it to happen. If only I had waited

20 GAME NEWS patiently for the animal to make its When he finished, I told him next move, I would not have made about my encounters and how my the mistake. impatience had ruined everything for About 20 minutes later, a single me. I said that my day was a failure. shot from Pappy’s .243 resonated “Hey, now, did you see deer?” through the woods and I smiled. Pappy asked. “Then that was a pretty I carefully climbed out of the tree successful hunt.” stand and, relieved to be on my feet He explained that while getting again, walked across the field and a deer is terrific, watching them and down the hill to an empty blind. gaining outdoor experiences is better. I spotted Pappy, in his fluorescent That was the last buck Pappy shot; orange coveralls, about 50 yards away. he passed away a year later. He was bent over the buck, deftly What he taught me made me examining the 6-point. wonder if my own misfortune that As I congratulated the happy day had actually been a fated scenario hunter, I looked down at his prize. emphasizing what is important. There was no doubt that it was the It not only gave me a better same buck that had escaped me. understanding of the joys of hunt- “See, you just have to be patient ing and the outdoors, but also an and wait,” he said. awareness of the qualities I would Pappy enthusiastically told his like to acquire as a hunter as well as hunting story. a person.

I’m a Wildlife Conservation and Management major at Delaware Valley Col- lege. Recently, in labs and lectures, Game Commission staff members Dan Lynch and Cassie Zsliceski visited and helped us study hunter safety and pass our exams, and taught us how to field-dress a deer, set traps, and even learn wildlife foren- sics. It was incredibly interesting – much better than our usual lectures – and was even influential in my studies and my future career options. Dan and Cassie also were in attendance at our Wildlife Field Day, where we learned how to shoot a shotgun, rifle, bow and do orienteering. They were very helpful and eager to teach us, and were willing to talk about job opportunities and options in our field. I hope to see both in the field some day, and wish them all the best. Thank you. Jess Novobilsky Resident Assistant The Wildlife Society Delaware Valley College Chapter

JUNE 2015 21 Addicted To Grouse Hunting

Every hunter has his favorite. And for many, it’s the Thunder Chicken. Join the author as he reaches one of his life’s greatest milestones.

I stood there amazed while watching my first grouse fall into some tall grass on the border of a large woodlot. Although this hunt took place more than 40 years ago, it still seems as though it was just VOLLEY of five shots echoed yesterday. across the landscape. With each I’ve taken more than 100 ruffed Areport, a grouse was getting grouse since that day, and the thrill still closer. It would pass at about 20 yards if continues. None of the grouse I’ve shot my three hunting companions continued were taken with the aid of a dog. All were to punch holes in the air. taken while I hunted alone or with one The four of us had been turkey hunting or two other hunters. all morning without seeing so much as a My knowledge of grouse habitat and single scratching. We were within 150 staying alert in the woods has helped me yards of the cabin, when the leader of greatly over the years. our crew tried to take out his frustration There were few grouse residing where on ole’ ruff. I grew up in Chester County. That was easier said than done. Shortly after taking my first one, how- The bird looked like a blur of brown ever, I discovered an about 2,000-acre mottled feathers when it came into view. state game lands in Chester and Berks I swung the heavy 12-gauge double past counties that, at the time, had a decent the speedster much farther than I nor- grouse population. mally would for a pheasant and pulled It was there where I began to hone the trigger. my skills. The action seemed to go into slow I can recall being caught daydreaming motion. so often it became frustrating. A stream of feathers poured out of the As soon as I let down my guard, a bird as it lost altitude like one of those grouse would take off, sometimes, within B-52s seen in a World War II film clip. close range.

22 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM I also encounter a lot of grouse along the edges of cover, espe- Grouse Hunting cially where it has been thinned out within the last year or two. The tender shoots are mag- By Carl W. McCardell nets to grouse. State game lands trails and old cart roads that are Eventually, I began to notice they were cleared off regularly are ideal places to taking off near one of their favorite food flush grouse. sources, usually in the first or last two or A cousin and I once hunted a state three hours of daylight. game lands in Potter County when I was My efforts began to pay off. still learning some new tactics. I was prepared when most grouse took I had never been there before, but he off. But the heavy shotgun I carried was a hunted it at least once a year. definite disadvantage. We had hunted most of the afternoon I shopped around until I found a without a single flush. As the day wore on, light, short-barreled Remington Model I asked him if he knew where there were 870 Special Field with an English-style any apple trees. stock. That was the key to helping me He recalled a place we could walk to get off a quick shot or two. My average within a half-hour. That would give us of birds-bagged-to-shots-fired went up plenty of time to check out the aban- considerably. doned orchard and still get out of the Other than those few local hunts for woods before quitting time. grouse each season, I was able to make I think back on the hunt wishing I only a trip or two farther north, where could do it over again. the birds were abundant. Instead of studying the area, we These greatly anticipated trips became plunged forward carelessly. Birds flushed more and more successful. One of my favorite grouse coverts is where gray-stemmed dogwoods grow. Their white berries are a delicacy that grouse seem to choose over most other foods, except maybe wild grapes. Whenever I approach a thicket of these bushes, I have my finger on the safety and become much more focused. There are some areas I have hunted where a narrow fencerow or two contains numerous gray-stemmed dogwoods. Whenever a buddy is with me, we hunt along slowly with one of us slightly ahead of the other. In that fashion, the hunter who is behind will often get a shot as a grouse takes off in the open.

JUNE 2015 23 wildly in all directions. The third grouse was a gray-phase It happened so quickly that we didn’t grouse, only the third I’d ever taken. It even fire a shot. was an easy shot to my left. It would have made a great end to the Number 92 was extremely satisfying. I day if we could have connected. If we had had flushed a grouse from a patch of thick carefully approached from opposite direc- beech saplings during the last deer season. tions in the relatively open orchard, one I cautiously approached the area a of us would have gotten a decent shot. season later hoping to duplicate the same This taught me how to approach situation, only this time, the bird abandoned orchards and even to sit there would be legal prey. at certain times of the day to encounter To my shock and surprise, grouse. a grouse erupted from the Another major event that helped cover traveling nearly the me increase my season numbers was same path as the one did the when I moved into some great previous time. I swung the shot- grouse country in 1999. Observ- gun swiftly to my left then ing them year-round was a yanked the trigger. huge advantage. My target fell onto the My best year of grouse wide path ahead, about 30 hunting was during the yards away. 2001-02 season. I shot The next two grouse 14. came within minutes of The most exciting each other when I was in season by far, how- the woods another time. ever, was 2006- I was casually easing down a 07, when I got 12 slight grade in a woodlot several before mid-November. yards from a field on my left. The only reason I stopped The first grouse of the day was because of a promise I made fell to my shotgun to myself to take a break after right near an old, getting my 100th lifetime grouse. fallen-down tree stand. This bird had the In my 100th grouse year, I got the first familiar white berries in its crop. bird on the first day of the season, which The bushes themselves were probably gave me number 89. another 50 yards ahead. The second one came after 60 or so Sure enough, the second one that flushes without connecting. morning flew out of those gray-stemmed It was a spectacular flush that was dogwoods. just on the other side of gray-stemmed Obviously, it, too, had been gorging on dogwoods putting it only several feet the tasty berries. from me. I knew at that point I had a chance to The flight went straight up and over break the 100-mark during the season, if my head. I hurried the first shot but I was able to take the time to be in the downed the bird on the second. I checked woods. the crop immediately and discovered a After completing some commitments, fist-full of white berries. I was back at it within a couple of days.

24 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM The 95th grouse flushed from the top of a tall pine tree. n eMorIaM It was a difficult shot because it angled I M down from left to right. Carl W. McCardell I, along with most hunters, tend to passed away in miss such shots on grouse or turkeys September 2014 at the age of 65. because it requires, not only leading His contributions the bird, but also pulling your shotgun to Game News will downward. be missed, as will The shot went perfectly, but I had to his weekly column search to find the bird. It fell in some tall in the Tri-County weeds along the cart path I had been Record. Carl’s first walking on. story for Game News appeared in 1988. Retrieving the grouse came with a sense of satisfaction, because I had made never could seem to get together that the shot by recalling how to do so through year. a practice session on clay birds. Approaching one of two fencerows I continued walking slowly on the cart on this grouse-infested area, I was a little path for another 125 yards without a flush. jumpy when the first bird erupted from Then, when I climbed up a slight grade, I cover. I believe I would have gotten it spotted a grouse flying toward me. on any other day, but I was getting a little That one was easy enough. nervous. I was acting like I did when I The next two birds offered me straight- began grouse hunting. away shots. I calmed down, reassuring myself that I They were both identical, except was going to have a good afternoon, even one was on an open cart road while the if I didn’t get a shot. other flushed in a narrow gap between a It was an extremely beautiful autumn fencerow and woodlot. day, a great day to be outdoors. I put all other commitments aside the When the grouse flushed from a huge next day. I couldn’t wait to realize my goal patch of the white berries, the shotgun of 100 grouse. hit my shoulder and in one fluid motion I started out by hunting on the prop- I made the shot. erty where I got the first bird of the season, All of the years and hunts seemed to number 89. come together. So many satisfying hunts In fact, the whole incident played alone and with friends. out within eyesight of that first shot in I recently got back from having to be October. out of the state for nearly two years to I was well-pleased and could have keep bread on the table. hunted there longer because the bird I missed grouse hunting so much it was taken in mid-morning. But I wanted almost ached. the last one to be from a certain property It is a pursuit I probably will always where I had shot the vast majority of my enjoy no matter how long I live. It is an grouse over the years. activity I long for this coming season. I I was a little sad that my one hunting know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I buddy couldn’t be with me. In fact, we am addicted to grouse hunting.

JUNE 2015 25 “Horn” a Plenty HE FIRST Pennsylvania Big Most of us do not go hunting for the TGame Scoring Program event purpose of taking a record-book trophy. to be hosted at the Game Commis- Scoring and keeping track of big-game sion Harrisburg Headquarters was animals is important, though, because held February 14, 2015, and it was a record-book animals bring to attention Valentine’s Day to be remembered. the excellence of habitat and wildlife Excitement permeated throughout management practices that produce the building lobby and auditorium, as healthy wildlife populations. 46 owners of trophy deer and elk racks, For instance, during the past decade and bear skulls, who had registered for or so the focus on antler restrictions the event, waited for his or her turn to has made a difference in bigger-racked have an official Boone and Crockett bucks. Club scorer measure the trophy. The scoring program also empha- sizes hunter and conserva- tion ethics, and enhances Pennsylvania’s strong hunting heritage. 0 0 0 0

Throughout the morning and early afternoon, a line stretched out of the door of the auditorium consisting of

Mike Weaver, of Hanover, got this bull elk in Clearfield County during the 2014 season. The rack, which has 51-inch main beams, scored a net 366-0/8.

26 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM “Horn” a Plenty

One of the four trophies measured on Feb. 14 to meet the minimum scores for inclusion in the Boone & Crockett Club’s records book is this big nontypi- cal whitetail taken by Matt Wentz of Lehighton. The deer was taken in Carbon County during the 2014 archery season and scores a net 201-3/8, which currently ranks it as No. 3 in the nontypical archery category in Pennsylvania’s records book. Shown left to right: WCO Jeremy Febinger, WCO Steven Brussese, Boone & Crockett scorer Ray Brugler, Matt Wentz, Boone & Crockett scorer John Creamer (Ray and John scored the trophy rack), WCO Justin Ritter, WCO Jason Wagner, Boone & Crockett scorer and coordinator of Pennsylvania’s Big Game Scoring Program Bob D’Angelo and WCO Skyler Gibble. Other Boone & Crockett Club scorers who helped with the event were Deputy Dan Lynch, LMO Supervisor Dave Mitchell, WCO Jeff Mock and Larry Myers. Other WCOs who helped were Benjamin Rebuck and Matthew Johnson (who took the photos at the event). Patty Monk handled registration and just about everything else.

JUNE 2015 27 excited hunters waiting for the scoring team to call “next.” Scoring Program Hunters didn’t mind waiting, While events like those on Feb. 14 in though, as it gave the chance to com- Harrisburg happen at irregular intervals, pare trophies, take photos and tell there’s always an opportunity to have hunting stories. trophy whitetail and elk antlers and bear skulls scored for inclusion in the A number of those registered made program. trips of three hours or more. Measuring must be performed by an Doug Klinger traveled from Dallas, official Boone & Crockett Club scorer, in northeastern Pennsylvania, in snowy and in most cases, appointments can be made for a measuring session, free conditions there, to have his big typical of charge. rack scored. For a list of scorers in your area, con- Hurd Wise came from New Kensing- tact Boone and Crockett Club certified ton, northeast of Pittsburgh, to have scorer and coordinator of Pennsylvania’s program Bob D’Angelo at rdangelo@ his black bear skull scored. He’s glad he pa.gov or call the Game Commission did, as it made the Boone and Crockett Harrisburg Headquarters. Club’s minimum for its Awards Pro- gram with a score of 20-0/16. 0 0 0 0 Out of the 46 big-game trophies mea- sured at the scoring session, as mentioned, four made Boone and Crockett Club min- imums (one elk, one bear, one nontypical whitetail and one typical whitetail), seven bow-killed deer made the Pope and Young Club’s record book, and 29 deer, three elk and two bears made Pennsylvania’s records in either the firearms or archery categories. One measured rack was from a deer harvested in 1932. All in all, it was not only a good day for the record books, but a good day in any hunter’s book.

28 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Facing page: Matthew Ebersole, of Elizabethtown, with his 13-point nontypical taken in Potter County. Top Left: Doug Klinger, of Dallas, with his 12-point that scores 155-0/8 in the typical firearms category. Above: Russell Sherwood, of Lewistown, got his trophy 8-point in Mifflin County that scores 147-7/8. Left:Check out the mass of Jason Keiffer’s 8-point taken in Northumberland County. Jason is from Dauphin, and his rack scores 142-0/8.

RecoRds Book The Pennsylvania Big Game Records book is updated continually and published each fall. Those lucky hunt- ers whose trophies will appear for the first time in the records book’s 2015 edition are urged to send in their trophy photos for possible inclusion in the book. Photos can be sent by mail to: Bob D’Angelo Pennsylvania Big Game Records 2001 Elmerton Avenue Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 The 2015 edition records book will be available in the fall for $6, plus shipping, plus 6% sales tax.

JUNE 2015 29 New Approach to Old Art: As I headed up the trail, I felt transported back to the old days when trapping was a way of life. My traps were low-tech and the winter conditions were challenging, much as they probably were then. How- ever, unlike the old days, I hauled my gear in reusable shopping bags and sturdy backpacks. I purchased my lure online, hung my traps with a cordless drill, and used a handheld GPS to mark locations. Possibly even stranger, one of the species I target is the myste- rious least weasel. It should be found in a many parts of Pennsylvania, but it has received little attention from biologists in the past. Recognizing this lack of data, we began trapping various northcentral locations this past winter. The effort did not produce any weasels, but we are far from giving up. Weasel surveys, along with surveys for many other small mammals, will be ramped up this summer as part of the Pennsylvania Mammal Atlas Project. With an understanding of where least weasels can be found and how many are out there, we will be able to better manage another of Pennsylvania’s elusive mammals. – Lindsey Heffernan, Mammal Atlas Project Manager

Grouse Chick Survival: If you’re lucky this month, you might catch a glimpse of a grouse brood before its protective mother interferes. Grouse hens need to be feisty – they are waging a steep battle to get their offspring into the next generation of breeders. In spite of a hen’s best ef- forts, she cannot protect all of her chicks. A high level of juvenile mortality is an unfortunate fact of life for ruffed grouse. The forest type a hen lives in can affect the fate of her offspring even before she lays her first egg. Nesting rates and clutch sizes are lower in oak-hickory forests in years following a poor acorn crop. With a limited menu, hens enter breeding season in poor condition and might not nest, or they might produce fewer, low-quality eggs, resulting in no hatch or the production of weak chicks. In the state’s northern hardwood forests, where a more diverse year-round menu is available (aspen, cherry, birch, berries and buds), nesting rates and clutch sizes are higher. In Pennsylvania, the average clutch size for

30 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM ruffed grouse in good habitat is 9 to 10 eggs. Once eggs are laid, there is still no guarantee of success. The likelihood that a Pennsylvania nest will produce at least one chick is only around 50 to 60 percent. Nest predators observed in the Appalachian Mountains include raccoons, foxes, weasels, snakes, and even black bears. Once a chick successfully hatches, survival to adulthood is by no means certain. An intensive study of grouse in the Appalachian Mountains found that 78 percent of chick deaths occur during the first few weeks after hatching (early June). The first week of life is most perilous, with just a third to half of chicks surviving it. The causes of early chick death fall into two categories: exposure and predation. Chick loss was split about equally between mammals and avian predators. What factors determine whether grouse will have a good hatch and high chick survival in any given year? Forest type, acorn crop in the fall, weather conditions during June, and local predator numbers. Wildlife managers have little influence on factors like fall mast crops and spring weather conditions, but by working to provide high-quality young forest habitat, we give a grouse hen and her brood a fighting chance against the odds. – Lisa Williams, Biologist, Game Birds Section

Seen Any Bats Lately? In our travels through- out the state, many people have told us they have noticed fewer bats are flying at night during the summer. It is no coincidence that Game Commis- sion surveys report significant declines for many of our state’s hibernating species of bats. These declines result specifically from white-nose syndrome, a disease that infects bats as they hi- bernate. One new site we surveyed recently had an extensive network of interconnecting pas- sages, with a multitude of locations where bats could spend the winter. However, from the thousands of bats that existed prior to this disease, we only saw a few survivors. So few, in fact, you could count them on one or both hands at most sites. Those left seem to prefer only the coldest areas nearest to the entrance. We saw this repeating itself as we surveyed more and more sites. We are starting to think that this is an adaptation by bats to deal with and improve their survival from the an- nual infections imparted by this new disease. With so few bats remaining, we are always on the lookout for leads to where bats are spending the winter. If you have a bat hibernaculum in your neighborhood, we’d love to hear about it. Drop us an email at [email protected]. Title it “Bat Hibernaculum” and ask that it be directed to me. – Mike Scafini, Endangered and Threatened Mammals Biologist

JUNE 2015 31 From The Field With Joe Kosack

Eastern Cottontail Ring-Necked Pheasant

June is a time of plenty, for wildlife and those who are watching it. Get out and see what you’re missing!

Solitary Sandpiper Our Neighbors, the Eagles By David Wineberg

You could come home to find a nest next door. ilford is a classic tiny town, Recreation Area. one square mile, at the My wife Nancy and I enjoy a view Mjuncture of Pennsylvania, that is solid green on two sides, with a New Jersey and New York. creek and a waterfall. And the water is From our home, it’s a five-minute actually clean. walk to the center of town, where I designed a house to fit the environ- Milford’s only traffic light hangs. ment: no asphalt; no lawn; no exterior And while there are homes across paint; radiant floor heating. the street and next door, our property Early during the house’s construc- backs right up against Sawkill Creek tion, we came to learn there was a and the Delaware Water Gap National bald eagle nest across the Sawkill. We

34 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM watches up the creek, and the other down. They scan the creek, and when they see something tasty, they swoop. Moving Day We moved into our new home in early February 2011, and a few weeks later, we suffered one of those fierce, intense winter storms that used to come once a century. Now they seem to hap- pen pretty much every year. The day after the storm we looked out to see the damage and saw the eagles circling. Then we saw their tree was gone. The tree had snapped below the nest, and what broke away, totally disappeared down the swollen creek. Having already laid their eggs, the eagles were furious. They had lost their home and their clutch. They just kept circling. They didn’t seem eager or willing to land. Finally, one of them picked another tree to try out. The other eagle appar- ently wasn’t thrilled with the old pine, and kept circling. Eventually, the first eagle brought back a 4-foot branch and dropped it

Joe Kosack onto limbs next to the pine’s trunk. It fell to the ground. The eagle kept bringing more, until one limb finally stuck. occasionally saw them flying in or away. That started the nest. Within a few One day I looked downstream and days, they had a serviceable home. saw one of the eagles perched on a Despite the late date, they mated branch hanging over the creek. again and laid three eggs, apparently I couldn’t believe my luck. in revenge. Three chicks hatched and I snapped a photo, not knowing fledged in early July. there would be many more opportuni- And the adults have been there, ties. This was their fishing branch. right across the street from our home Many mornings and evenings, we – above the streetlight – ever since. see them out our bathroom window The nest is huge at about 5 feet by 10 on that branch – sometimes one of feet and 5-foot deep, but it would have them, sometimes both. Sometimes they to be as the eaglets are pretty sizeable both face the same way, sometimes one by the time they fledge. Three of them

JUNE 2015 35 Joe Kosack

Young bald eagles have a ravenous appetite and push their parents for more and more. But they learn to be patient when food is being served. On the previous page, David Wineberg and his wife Nancy are pictured at their home. The eagles’ nest is behind them. flapping around in there doesn’t work, head. Before I could go up to our roof- and soon they start venturing onto top deck to investigate, my neighbor branches, exploring and learning to called and asked me to come out the use their wings. Eventually one flies off, front door, right away, and quietly. As then another. But they don’t go far and I did, he pointed up. There was that always come back for the free meals. fledgling, balancing precariously on Leaving Home our deck railing. That first year, on the Fourth of July, Later, we saw it walking across our one of the three eaglets flew off in the backyard, and we again met up with it morning, and immediately plunged, on the old steel bridge over the Sawkill. barely making it across the river. Apparently it liked the neighborhood. We reported it to the Delaware Conduct Becoming an Eagle Valley Raptor Center. But the eaglet Eventually, the parents tire of pro- managed to sort out its next steps well curing and delivering meals. Then the enough on its own. service stops and the eaglets are coaxed In fact, when the raptor center rep to fledge, or leave the nest. There’s usu- found it, the eaglet flew away. ally a straggler that refuses to leave; it The eaglet showed up near the nest just sits there whining for a few days. the next day for a free lunch, taunting But eventually it, too, goes. its siblings from atop a dead tree on our Sometimes we see an eaglet coming side of the street. But it was ready for back to check out the old homestead, life beyond the nest. just in case there’s free food. But for The following weekend, there was the most part, they’re together on the a loud thump on the ceiling over my Delaware, learning to fish.

36 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM We often see one of the yearlings Observations come back the next spring, and the One of the best moments we’ve sitting parent has to call to its mate to experienced living next to the eagles come chase it away. They do an aerial- is actually a quiet one. It occurs once combat number, riding the thermals, a year when the eggs hatch. and sooner-than-later, the young bird Both parents finally can fly off -to moves off. gether, and they do, in a synchronized Nancy and I have learned many of flight by the nest, up and down the their calls and that they use them for block and around the tree. different purposes and reasons. Free for a moment. Some are completely different from Those weeks of rolling up their claws one another. For instance, in the fall, to walk around the nest, and gently there’s a loud, happy, throaty warble of rolling the eggs with their beaks are freedom. We awaken to it between 5 finally over. But their workload is about and 5:30 a.m. to increase. When the eagles are nesting, there’s There’s an almost hourly cry for a call that seems to indicate, “I need food – by the attending parent – and a break from this egg incubating. Get feeding goes on from 6:30 a.m. to mid- over here.” afternoon, pretty much every hour. When another bird threatens the We see them deliver fresh sushi, eel nest, and the sitting parent can’t de- and the occasional rodent. fend, it calls for help and the other The parents work in perfect coop- eagle is there in seconds. Just like the eration and are devoted to each other cavalry. and their broods. Joe Kosack

There’s always one nester that doesn’t want to leave. This is Milford’s 2014 straggler, holding down the fort and whining for food.

JUNE 2015 37 Even more remarkable is the society that lives in the lower reaches of the nest. All kinds of smaller birds forage around the nest, prob- ably feasting on the tidbits that went flying as prey were ripped apart into meals, not to mention the insects that are attracted to the decomposing flesh and carcasses. Just Good Neighbors Nancy and I joke about making an address plaque to nail to the tree. After all, the eagles likely will be here as long as we are. It’s beyond us how bald eagles can build a home over a fully functional streetlight on an active street, which now also attracts the occasional photographer. But if it’s OK with eagles, it’s OK with us. The author’s first photo of an eagle, on its fishing branch over Sawkill Creek. We don’t name them. We don’t feed them. But we sure do wish they liked Bald eagles are builders. In fact, squirrel more. beavers don’t even impress us anymore, We’re not preoccupied with the because of what we’ve seen eagles do. eagles; our house is not filled with They are forever redecorating, trying eagle sculptures and fluorescent eagles out a new stick, lining the nest with on black velvet. We don’t have eagle grass and expanding the operation. tattoos. We can barely see into the nest And we are a little annoyed that the anymore, the structure is so high. It’s eagles keep the hawks away – from the remarkable the tree can stand the squirrels! weight. But having them as neighbors is a Of course, there’s always a chance rare privilege, and we are grateful for the tree might snap in a storm, and if it their presence in our lives – and our does, the eagles will have to start over. neighborhood.

Some pairs of nesting bald eagles are more tolerant of humans than others. Nest When viewing bald eagle nests, it’s always important to keep your distance, stay quiet and do everything you can to ensure your actions don’t disturb the birds. etiquette A detailed checklist on nest etiquette can be found at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

38 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Déjàvu cameron – The cover of the Decem- ber 2014 issue, and the story referenc- ing the Ardennes Forest, sure hit home for me. Memories of hunting in Hicks Seeing Spots Run on State Game Lands 14 with warren – In mid-October last year, family and friends, and lots of snow, hunters in the Lander area reported always sparked comments from my seeing a doe with two fawns that dad about the Battle of the Bulge. We appeared to be only about 2 weeks old. all wore the Woolrich coats with the – WCO DaviD W. DOnaChy, russell brown duck pants, and my uncle drove a red Jeep Wagoneer exactly like the one portrayed on the cover. I sure miss Weather or Not those days, and I’m sure many readers erie – Patrolling in the pouring rain, related to it as well. Deputy Joseph Douglas was surprised to – WCO Wayne a. hunT, sT Marys see activity on the State Game Lands 109 shooting range. He noticed a Turnabout is Fair Play colorful canopy set up over one of the Lackawanna – I helped Information shooting benches. The woman sighting & Education Supervisor Bill Williams in her rifle said she figured there would with the Game Commission’s display be fewer people out in the inclement at the Bloomsburg Fair. We gave elk weather. So much for roughing it! whistles to the kids, and although – WCO larry M. sMiTh, erie the kids love them, the parents don’t appreciate them as much. After Bill gave a couple of kids whistles, and they began blowing on them like crazy, the father of one kid who had a melting ice cream cone in a napkin asked Bill if he could throw it in our garbage. Without hesitation, Bill grabbed the napkin, not realizing he was grabbing an ice cream cone and all the melted ice cream. His hand was covered with the dripping mess and he said to the parent, “You didn’t tell me there was ice cream in that napkin.” Without hesitation, the father said, “Now we’re even!” – WCO Kevin MOran, ThOrnhursT

JUNE 2015 39 Heroes tioga – WCO Patrick Cull is my neighboring officer in Elkland and also is on the Game Commission’s new Woodland Tracking Team, which is a highly trained group of WCOs used to find anything from lost hunters to wanted fugitives. We have affectionately called WCO Cull “Tactical Pat” to kid him for all the training he does. Tactical Pat, along with all the other tracking team members, put their expertise to work after a fugitive killed one state trooper Clothes Make the Man and wounded another in Pike County. Butler – Moraine State Park ranger The team spent dozens of long, tense supervisor Bryan Moore told me that a days assisting the state police in the hunter who stopped at his office during ensuing manhunt. Although we will last year’s archery season was dressed likely still call him Tactical Pat in fun, rather odd. The hunter was wearing we will definitely remember his and the camo short pants and camo flip-flops, team’s job well done. and complained to Bryan about all the – WCO ROdney Mee, WellsbORO briars and brush in the park making it hard for him to walk around and hunt. Part of the Curriculum He complained the brush was too Bedford – Last fall, more than 225 thick and the briars scratched his legs students at Bedford and Chestnut and hurt his feet. Just when you think Ridge middle schools completed a you’ve heard it all. Hunter-Trapper Education class as part – WCO Randy W. PilaRCik, PROsPeCt of their school week. Both schools are to be commended for their continued Slip of the Tongue support of our hunting heritage. W y o m i n g – Hunter-Trapper – WCO JeReMy COughenOuR, bedfORd Education instructor Brian Murphy was teaching the muzzleloader section for Jail Break a class when he informed the students SomerSet – I was opening the crate that putting smokeless tobacco in door while stocking pheasants last fall the gun barrel would be extremely when a bird saw the opening and bolted unsafe. Before Brian could finish out. As I fully opened the door the rest explaining why, everyone in the room flew out, with one of the birds knocking burst out laughing as Brian stood by my hat off as it gained altitude from its dumbfounded. He then realized his place of captivity. I have stocked birds mistake and told the students that for 15 years and this was the first time it would be a bad idea to put either all the birds came out in one large rush. smokeless gunpowder or chewing I guess I will have to be quicker with tobacco in the barrel. the door-opening procedure. – WCO ViCtOR ROsa, fleetVille – WCO bRian e. WitheRite, MeyeRsdale

40 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Digital Warmth New Cat in Town D au p h i n – Staying warm on York – A bobcat was struck by a night patrol has always been a vehicle on the Susquehanna Trail in challenge, because the truck engine is Conewago Township, which is the first turned off and the windows are open to one that I’ve dealt with since being hear distant gunshots. Now, however, assigned to the district. Coincidentally, vehicles are equipped with laptop it was hit very near an address where I computers to aid communication and had investigated a call regarding a large administration, and I soon discovered unidentified cat-like animal a year ago. that a warm laptop computer placed At that time there was snow on the on my knees is like a digital hot-water ground, and I was pretty sure the tracks bottle, and makes a frosty night much were from a bobcat. more comfortable. – WCO kyle Jury, leWisBerry – WCO mike DOherty, harrisBurg

Nine, Like a Cat? Berks – A few years ago, a bear destroyed a chicken coop. The lone surviving chicken was given to a family that aptly named it Lucky. I recently came to find out that Lucky later survived a hawk attack by running under a vehicle. I don’t know how many lives chickens have, but surely Lucky has used up at least two. – WCO Dave BrOCkmeier, mOhntOn

Freak Accident Jefferson – Last fall, Deputy Corry Bish and I noticed what appeared to On the Coffee Table be a road-killed buck lying along a Mercer – When I met my girlfriend, remote and very rough township road. she was a self-described “city girl” who It seemed odd that someone could knew nothing about what the Game have been traveling fast enough on the Commission did. Over the years she rough road to kill a deer with a vehicle. has been by my side, always asking Upon examining the deer, though, we questions and trying to get involved. discovered that it had impaled itself One day she pointed out a deer in a on a sapling that had been sheared field, and began telling me facts about off when the township trimmed back deer. After I asked where she had trees at the edge of the roadway. The learned all the information, she said, deer must have been chasing a doe the “Hey, I read Game News.” She still previous night and apparently died reads fashion magazines, but Game instantly when it impaled itself on the News is now on her list of reading broken-off sapling. material, too. – WCO rOger a. hartless, BrOOkville – Deputy mattheW J. CrOup, sharOn

JUNE 2015 41 Rapid Response Franklin – Deputy Philip Bietsch and I were patrolling when we drove past a couple guys standing near the road. One guy was drinking coffee and nodded as we drove by. I didn’t think anything was going on, but when I got about a quarter-mile down the road the dispatcher called and asked if I just drove past a couple guys standing along the road. They had struck a deer with their truck and it was still alive, and as soon as they started talking with the dispatcher we drove by. “How’s that Faked Out for service?” were the first words out of WaShington – On the deer season my mouth when I got out of my truck. opener, I met Deputy Ed Ritsko to – WCO dOuglaS BarriCk, patrol, and he said he spotted a hunter ChamBerSBurg in a bucket truck on the way over. I told him it was illegal, because you cannot have a loaded firearm in, on or against a vehicle. When we got there, I noticed the bucket truck parked in the field with the boom extended and a hunter in the bucket facing away from us. The hunter never noticed our approach, and as we got close I called out to him. Receiving no response, I circled around and quickly realized our “hunter” was a mannequin. Embarrassed, I quickly realized who the real dummies were in this episode. – WCO riChard W. JOyCe, WaShingtOn

What’s on the Menu? Squatter SomerSet – I was setting a bear trap montgomery – Recently I was when I happened to look to my left and contacted about a deer lying on a 30 yards away stood a big bear standing home’s back porch. Sometimes an on its hind legs looking in my direction. injured deer ends up next to homes, Amazingly, this wasn’t what bothered but this seemingly healthy deer was me about the situation. The fact that on a porch about 8 feet high. As I was the bear’s head was cocked to the side, pulling up to the home, the deer came as if to show its disappointment in my walking down the steps and went into bait selection, did bother me a little. the woods. – WCO ShaWn BarrOn, SOmerSet – WCO raymOnd madden, rOyerSfOrd

42 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Mixed Bag CumBerland – Last fall I checked two hunters on game lands who both had their limit of squirrels and pheasants, five ducks and a couple rabbits. These hunters were back at their vehicle having lunch and preparing for an evening of archery hunting. I don’t know if they bagged a deer, but they were enthusiastic because of seeing two legal bucks during their small-game hunt. – WCO JOhn FetChkan, neWville Deviated from the Script Roasted or Fried? Beaver – I was contacted by an York – I was checking some hunters official at the Seven Oaks Country during the archery deer season when Club to help remove a nuisance beaver they asked, “Where are all the deer?” at the golf course. The beaver had As we stood there talking, the man’s a small stream dammed up and was son looked up and said, “Dad, look!” causing substantial flooding. Luckily When we turned, four does and a spike it wasn’t anything like the movie walked across the access road in the “Caddyshack,” as the beaver was thicket from where the two hunters had relocated, the dam was removed and just come. I turned back to the older no explosives were needed. hunter and he just put his head down – WCO MiChael YeCk, Beaver and said, “I’d like my crow warmed up please.” Job Well Done – WCO ShaWn MuSSer, WrightSville Berks – I had the pleasure to work with our agency’s prescribed-burn crew Experienced Group on State Game Lands 210 in Dauphin merCer – During the Canada goose County and State Game Lands 326 in season I noticed a spread of decoys and Schuylkill County. It was amazing to a blind in some fields on State Game see such a well-tuned and organized Lands 270 near Lake Wilhelm. As I group of professionals working together began my routine field check on the to improve the habitat on our game party of five hunters, I realized that lands. From those who worked to cut the youngest was of retirement age fire breaks earlier before the action, to and the oldest 81. One of the hunters, the forester, burn boss, GIS personnel Chuck Spritz, even presented me with and all the Food and Cover Corps his business card that had “Licensed workers, all worked as a team to Hunter Since 1948,” along with his accomplish the goal in a safe and name and phone number. It was coordinated manner. The time and rejuvenating to meet these dedicated preparation that goes into each burn sportsmen. is an impressive task. – WCO DOnalD g. ChaYBin, greenville – WCO Matt P. teehan, kutztOWn

JUNE 2015 43 Who’s Who? I Aim to Please Crawford– When I graduated from Columbia – I finally returned to the Ross Leffler School of Conservation work after several weeks off due to 22 years ago, I was able to recognize surgery, but I still can’t figure out who’s the names of most officers throughout happier – my wife, because I’m not the state. Recently, however, I was driving her nuts trying to “help out,” reading through the Field Notes in the or my neighboring officers, who turned latest edition of Game News and was my area back over to me. Finally, I am reminded that I’m now one of the “old making someone happy! guys.” Of the 29 names of the officers in – WcO ricky deiterich, danviLLe the Field Notes, I recognized only 13. – WcO Mark a. aLLeGrO, MeadviLLe

Trick or Treat Huntingdon – While on patrol one night, I asked a deputy if he’ d like some of the candy I’d brought. He said he would, so I grabbed the bag and handed it to him. He started to dig through the bag in the dark, and asked what it was. I told him, candy. He asked me to turn on the light, which I did, and we discovered that I had handed him a bag of corn and mineral evidence from a baiting case instead of the bag Begs the Question of candy. I told him it is a new kind of A neighbor looked out her window “candy corn.” and saw a woodchuck standing upright – WcO richard MackLeM, ii, heSStOn on stacked firewood at window height. From only a few feet away, with only a piece of glass between them, she took Behind the Scenes a photo with her phone and sent it to lanCaster – Many folks see the her husband. After seeing the photo, wildlife conservation officers who he quickly responded with “How much represent the Game Commission, but wood can a woodchuck chuck?” are unaware that there are many other – LMO Shayne a. hOachLander, cOrry employees who have great responsibility in carrying out operations. There are Memorable Day foresters, biologists, food and cover My son Jeffrey bagged his first two corps workers, geologists, information roosters on a youth pheasant hunt put and education specialists, Game News on by the Fox Township Sportsmen’s staff, photographers, clerical staff, Club in Elk County on State Game attorneys and more. Thank you all for Lands 44 last fall. To top it off, he being my co-workers. I am proud to bagged an antlerless deer that same serve alongside you. afternoon. – WcO GreGOry L. GrahaM, Lititz – LMO GeOrGe J. MiLLer, SiGeL

44 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Daley continues service as commissioner Butler County resident a longtime Hunter-Trapper Education instructor. James R. Daley, of Cranberry Township in Butler County, has been appointed to fill the position left va- cant when former commissioner Ralph Martone’s term on the board expired. Daley represents Region 1, which includes Erie, Crawford, Mercer, Law- rence, Warren, Venango, Butler, Forest and Clarion counties. Like many Pennsylvanians, Daley got his first hunting license at age 12. Few of them, however, have dedicated as much time to sustaining and ex- panding Pennsylvania’s rich hunting heritage. Daley has volunteered as a Hunter- Trapper Education (HTE) instructor James R. Daley, of Cranberry Township, since 1978, teaching about seven or was named Pennsylvania’s Hunter-Trapper eight courses a year since then. With Education Instructor of the Year in 2009. As commissioner, Daley said hunter his classes averaging about 55 students recruitment and retention will be a priority. each, he figures to have helped more than 14,000 youngsters begin their Daley said his desire to represent the hunting careers. Game Commission runs deep. In col- Daley is the recipient of several lege, he said, he dreamed about be- district-level Outstanding Instructor coming a wildlife conservation officer awards. Twice he was named Out- (then called a game protector), but his standing Instructor in the Northwest eyesight was too poor. He chose instead Region, and in 2009, he was selected to serve as a volunteer instructor, by as Pennsylvania’s Instructor of the Year. working for the Butler County Con- In addition to basic HTE, Daley servation District and, later, through a actively has taught the remedial hunt- career in environmental and engineer- er-education course and the Successful ing consulting. Turkey Hunting course. Daley currently works as director of Speaking about his appointment, environmental services for Novel Geo-

JUNE 2015 45 Environmental LLC, an environmen- there is a need to adapt, he said. tal and geotechnical consulting firm. For instance, Daley said that over He has worked at multiple firms that the many years he’s taught Hunter- are members of the Marcellus Shale Trapper Education, there’s been a Coalition, and he was instrumental in significant increase in the number of developing recommended practices for female students in each class. project site planning, development and “Most classes today are about 25 per- restoration, with a focus on minimiz- cent female, but I’ve seen classes with ing impacts and employing restoration 50 percent,” Daley said. “Meanwhile, practices that benefit wildlife. the percentage of female instructors As commissioner, Daley said he will who would serve as good role models focus on hunter recruitment and reten- for these students is low. tion as a way to ensure Pennsylvania’s “It’s something I will work to im- hunting heritage endures. In doing so, prove,” he said.

Don Singer MeMorial WetlanDS

A newly constructed 4.5-acre wildlife wetland on State Game Lands 169 in Cumberland County was dedicated in memory of former Game Commission employee Don Singer. Don began his employment as a game lands maintenance worker on Jan. 5, 1987. On Jan. 22, 1990, he and other crew members were conducting a habitat improvement project on a local property that was enrolled in our Farm-Game hunter access program. While cutting a tree, the tree kicked back and struck Don, and his injuries proved fatal. Family members and agency personnel joined Don’s widow Shirley, and some former coworkers, in the dedication ceremony held at the wetlands site.

46 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM North American Game Warden Museum

Game Commission Deputy WCO Terry McClelland provided this photo of the North American Game Warden Museum located at the International Peace Gardens in North Dakota. The North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association (NAWEOA) came up with the concept of a museum to not only honor the profession’s heroes, but also to educate the public about them. Exhibits in the museum include historical uniforms and equipment used by officers over the years. The museum’s Memorial Gardens honor conservation officers, organized by state and Canadian province, where they gave the ultimate sacrifice. For more information visitwww.gamewarden-museum.org

Connect with the PA Game Commission Join us: www.facebook.com/PennsylvaniaGameCommission Follow us: www.twitter.com/PAGameComm or @PAGameComm see us: www.youtube.com/pagamecommission

Read Game News online: www.penngamenews.com Your Game News subscription entitles you to free access to all online issues, including the most recent before it arrives in your mailbox. Issues more than a year old are accessible without a subscription. With the digital edition you’ll enjoy links to more information, archived issues, the ability to share your favorite reads and perks like bookmarking and making notes “in the margins.” Users of iPads and iPhones will like reading via the Nxtbook Nxtstand app. Download it for free, click on “P” in the catalog, then the PA Game News cover.

Pennsylvania Game Commission: Managing wild birds, wild mammals and their habitats for current and future generations.

JUNE 2015 47 25-Year Club The Game Commission enjoys an envious spirit of dedication among its staff. Here are the employees to most recently complete a quarter century of service to the agency and all those who appreciate and enjoy Pennsylvania’s wildlife resources and outdoor heritage.

Richard D. Bowman Jr. Michael A. Booher Doty A. McDowell Timothy A. Gensimore Game Lands Game Farm WCO Supervisor Game Lands Maintenance Worker Assistant Supervisor Northcentral Region Maintenance Worker Southcentral Region Southwest Game Farm St. Marys Southcentral Region, Shippensburg New Bethlehem Alexandria

Also re aching the 25-year mark are

Thomas S. Hardisky, Wildlife Biologist, Loganton

Arthur A. Kemerer, Land Research Survey Technician, Export

Shirlene K. Knopsnyder, Real Estate Specialist, Manns Choice

Jeffrey J. Kwaczala, Maintenance Repairman, Southwest Region, Greensburg

Dusty C. Mitchell, Maintenance Repairman, Harrisburg

Mark W. Moore, Game Lands Maintenance Worker, Southwest Region, Spraggs Daniel W. Slick, Game Lands Maintenance Worker, Southcentral Region, Duncansville

48 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Game News contributor wins Pinnacle Award Steve Sorensen documented the historic tale about a McKean County buck. Pennsylvania Game News contributor Steve Sorensen received the 2015 Pinnacle Award from the Professional Outdoor Media Association for a story he wrote fro the December 2013 edition of Game News. Professional Outdoor Media Association (POMA) is a national organization promoting the traditional outdoor sports. POMA offers the Pinnacle Award as is its highest honor for exceptional journalistic achievement and creative work in the outdoor press. Sorensen, of Russell, Pa., took the top award in the Magazine Category for his article “The Arthur Young Buck – Steve Sorensen, holding his POMA Pinnacle 1830,” the historic tale of a McKean Award and the December 2013 edition of County buck, the earliest animal rec- Game News. Sorensen’s story about the ognized in any big game record book earliest animal recognized in any big game in the world. record book in the world – the Arthur Young buck, taken in 1830 – earned him the honor. Besides the 2015 Pinnacle, Sorensen has won many state awards. In addition to Game News, His newspaper column, “The Sorensen has published feature articles Everyday Hunter,” is a three-time in a variety of magazines including winner of “Best Newspaper Column” Outdoor Life, Sports Afield, Deer and from the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Deer Hunting, North American Whitetail, Association. Ohio Valley Outdoors, and more. His column regularly appears in the He has authored three books and Olean Times Herald (N.Y.) and the is a popular speaker at sportsmen’s Forest Press (Pa.). functions.

Contacting the Region Offices

Northwest — 814-432-3187 Southcentral — 814-643-1831 Southwest — 724-238-9523 Northeast — 570-675-1143 Northcentral — 570-398-4744 Southeast — 610-926-3136

TIP Hotline: 1-888-PGC-8001. This number is only for calls concerning illegal killing of endangered species or multiple big game animals. All other calls should be made to the appropriate region number above.

JUNE 2015 49 By Marcia Bonta Stony Garden Boulder fields are interesting and they also support some wildlife species.

HE REQUEST appeared in early Jurassic Age. Ancient Lake Tmy junk mail from someone Lockatong had covered most of Bucks named Anna Mintz. She wanted to County and then had gradually filled interview me about ringing boulder with sediments that had hardened fields in Bucks County, most notably into shale. Molten rock within the Ringing Rocks County Park, for a earth was forced into the shale and Russian TV program. Somehow, hardened into a ledge of olivine she had discovered an article I had diabase rock, sandwiched written about the park years ago. within the shale. But I tried to discourage her, over the eons, the explaining that I was no expert on shale’s upper ringing boulder fields and that we layer eroded lived four hours away from Bucks and exposed County and five from New York City the diabase. where she was working. Subsequent Undeterred, she rounded up a severe freezing Ukrainian cameraman and arrived at during the a parking area near our private access road in late February. My husband, Bruce, transported them and their equipment up our icy, north-facing hollow road. Forewarned of their impending arrival, I reviewed my folder of pre-Internet information on ringing boulder fields. Their geological history began approximately 200 million years ago in the

50 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM last Ice Age, when glaciers came and I discovered Ringing Rocks close to but did not reach Bucks County Park was not the largest County, causing so-called periglacial ringing boulder field in the East. conditions, broke the diabase into That honor belongs to nearby Stony boulders. Garden on State Game Lands 157. Most boulder fields, such as the According to a Wikipedia article, one at Hickory Run State Park, don’t Stony Garden consists of “a series of ring and researchers puzzled over disconnected boulder fields extending why only the boulder fields in a thin for almost half a mile,” making it line from northern Bucks County to much larger than the 8-acre ringing nearby Montgomery County outside boulder field at the park. It also of Pottstown ring with melodious mentioned a trail that leads into a tones. Those tones inspired Dr. J.J. portion of Stony Garden’s boulder Ott, back in 1890, accompanied by field. a brass band, to play several musical I was determined to explore this selections at Ringing Rocks County place and knowing that my younger Park. Current thinking is that they brother, Gary, and sister-in-law Barb, ring because of the density of the who live in south Jersey, enjoy hiking rocks and the high degree of in Bucks County, Bruce and I invited internal stress that occurred them to join us there last June 9. As when the molten rock came it turned out, Gary had had a bad close to the earth’s surface night due to illness, but he urged and quickly cooled and Barb to go. solidified. It was an overcast day, threatening After cramming that rain, when we met at nearby information into my head, Nockamixon State Park for a picnic I googled “ringing boulder lunch. Afterwards, following a game fields” to see if there was any lands map, we found the parking lot new information on them, and Stony Garden Trail off Stony Garden Road. Although the trail is only a little less than a half-mile long, it had its challenges. It was rocky and wet and we had to crawl over and under several fallen trees and cross a tributary of Haycock Creek. For those reasons, we were glad to be wearing sturdy hiking boots and carrying walking sticks. It quickly became obvious why this place is called “Stony Garden.” I was reminded of a rock garden, so neatly did the wide variety of wildflowers, ferns and shrubs grow

JUNE 2015 51 in the soil between the rocks, such Ringing Hill Park near the home of as blooming partridgeberry and my paternal grandparents, and he and Indian cucumber-root, the leaves my younger sister Linda had leaped of spring-blooming jack-in-the- fearlessly from rock to rock while I pulpit, wild ginger, bellwort and and my youngest brother, Hal, being mayapple, and especially the fern less surefooted, stayed seated on a rock polypody, which is common boulder at the edge. I knew he would in rocky areas. Along the tributary, have enjoyed seeing this awesome tall meadow-rue flowered. We found place and joining Bruce in the middle a few spicebushes, a nice maple of the field. leaf viburnum, and even a small But on our day at Stony Garden, American chestnut tree. while Bruce made the rocks ring, When we reached the boulder Barb and I listened to wood thrushes, field, Barb and I didn’t feel sure- red-eyed vireos, and ovenbirds footed enough to venture out on the singing in the forest of red and boulders so we stayed on its edges black oak, black birch, basswood, tapping on small rocks and making American beech and tulip trees a little “music.” But Bruce climbed surrounding the rocks. We also out onto the open boulders and noticed small weathering potholes in made them ring, creating a range of some of the rocks and intense pitting tones by tapping them lightly with a in others, photos of which appear in hammer. He quickly found that the the Wikipedia article. best sound came from thin rocks. Later, we learned Remembering my childhood, more that an even larger than 60 years ago, I was sorry that boulder field existed Gary couldn’t make it. We had deep in the forest. often visited Pottstown’s Unfortunately, by the time we made our way back to the parking lot, we had no more time to explore the rest of State Game Lands 157. And by then, the threatening storm was spitting rain. But all of the game land’s 2,000 Ovenbird acres on the northwest slope of Haycock Mountain, including the boulder fields, were obtained by the Game Commission back in 1920. According to Land Management Officer John Papson, the boulder fields

52 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM themselves make attractive homes for chipmunks and probably a selection of other rodents. Furthermore, the surrounding rocky terrain does not prevent the deer from using the area, and, in fact, we did see a few tracks in the wet areas. In addition, the game lands supports a healthy population of bears, bobcats, coyotes, red and gray foxes, gray squirrels, and raccoons, as well as deer. Although there are food plots and some timber cuts, for the most part, the forest we saw around the ringing boulder field is typical of the rest of State Game Lands 157. for wildlife, State Game Lands 157 Today, people from Philadelphia should be a great place to hunt. But and nearby suburbs, Papson told during the summer, when hunting me, come to hunt and hike, and opportunities are limited, taking your they find it difficult to believe that family to climb and ring the rocks this island of a forested mountain should provide precious memories for has such a wide variety of wildlife, youngsters, just as it did for me and especially bears and bobcats, but their my three siblings. presence and other wildlife have In Memoriam: Gary Alan Myers been captured on trail cams. Judging (February 12, 1946-June 24, 2014). from the mature trees growing in He loved to roam the hills and forests the forest, providing ample food of Pennsylvania.

Cover Painting by tom SChatz

Bears and bees go together like beagles and bunnies. Everyone knows that bears love honey, and that’s how they sometimes get into trouble by raiding beekeepers’ hives. Bears breed in June, so that’s when you’ll often see young males moving around, and establishing new territories.

JUNE 2015 53 With John Kasun

Jacob Dingel

54 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM Calling Can Help Calls definitely are an ally to any deer hunter who spends time in the fall woods. HITETAILS vocalize to com- In fact, deer seldom reply vocally to Wmunicate. a call; they just come to it if interested. In the spring, does vocalize to com- But separated does and fawns often call municate with their fawns. But another to each other to reunite. peak period for deer vocalization is in Most commercial deer calls are tube the fall, especially during the breeding calls, or “bleat can” calls that, when season. turned over, and then back upright The sounds they make vary in pitch produce a deer “bleat” that attracts and intensity, and slight changes in both bucks and does. either provide different meanings to Some tube calls are designed with the deer. built-in pressure points that allow Compared to the calls of a wild the tone of the call to be changed turkey, which can be loud and heard from fawn to doe to buck with slight at long distances, whitetail calls are changes in finger pressure provid- soft and muted. ing extreme versatility. Deer vocalizations made by both bucks and does include grunts, Rattling bleats, snorts and wheezes. Bleats A second popular calling meth- and grunts are the most common. od is “rattling,” which is the simu- In addition to these sounds, lation of two bucks fighting over fighting bucks produce antler-rat- breeding territory. Rattling can be tling sounds when they spar during done using a set of real antlers, syn- the rut. thetic antlers, rattling bags or a variety A common question I get is, “When of antler boxes. calling deer, how loud should I blow Mimicking the sound of battling the call?” bucks can draw both bucks and does. The best answer is to blow it just The largest of these gatherings I enough to make the same level of have ever witnessed was years ago, sound a deer would. when I caught two bucks sparring The problem is, many hunters have intensely on a large power line. Three never heard a deer vocalize. Once you smaller bucks and several does stood in can recognize the sounds, everything a circle around them slowing feeding gets easier. and glancing up occasionally to see Calling while on stand might result who was winning. in a deer coming within range, but Over the years, I have seen numer- just as with turkeys, deer might come ous sparring bucks. Most of the fights within range without actually answer- were shoving matches, where a buck ing the call. attempts to push his opponent off bal-

JUNE 2015 55 emember, when setting your decoy, a buck will approach a doe decoy R from the back and will approach a buck decoy from the front. ance by twisting his neck and shoving engaging the tips of their antlers with him to the ground. a clicking sound and pushing slightly. In these matches, the antlers remain Doing your best to imitate any or in contact for the duration of the fight all of these styles could work to your and most of the sounds generated from advantage. the antlers are a grinding noise as the locked tines twist and turn. Within Earshot Another fight style is when the You never know when a deer is close, bucks make hard initial contact, push but just out of sight. Some light calling the opponent and back off to hit him with a tube call just might be enough solidly again. The sound is a crash and to bring the deer within range so you some grinding, followed by more crash- can get a good look. ing and grinding. If hunting in the morning, I love A third style, commonly seen pre- to call just at legal shooting light. It rut, is two bucks facing each other and is normally just hazy enough that you might not be able to see clearly at a longer distance and a deer might be just out of your sight. If deer are close, they will normally respond by walking right to your stand. If no deer appears immedi- ately, I give one to three low calls every 30 minutes. Maybe it won’t work, but I might just catch a deer pass- ing out of sight and draw it within range. When bucks start to spar early in the season, I may add some light rattling to the call sequence, like when deer are ticking the tips of their ant- lers together, but not making serious contact. Once I see signs of in- creased activity, including serious fights and bucks with their noses glued to the Some calling systems release at ground level, even if ground, I increase my call- you’re up a tree. Remember, deer can pinpoint your call. ing activity.

56 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM I sometimes move around my hunting area calling from different locations. I call for an hour or two and then move to a new location. However, I will not call from the same place every day and may even skip a day or two un- til I see signs of increased deer activity, or have a response to my calls. Just as with turkey, I do not want to educate the deer to my presence. When the rut hits fully, bucks will be moving constantly to find does and I often hunt one to three areas all day long, calling, rattling and staying alert. I have the most success if I do not call too aggressively, too Joe Kosack loudly or too frequently. Decoys Deer are always listening when they’re on the move. If A very important thing to you call, don’t assume they don’t hear you. remember is that calling to a deer attracts its attention and hopefully When calling, remember a deer can it will approach your site. However, it’s pinpoint the source of the sound. looking for another deer. Just hearing Once a deer appears, I do not call the sound and not seeing or smelling a again, because it will be looking di- deer is not natural. The deer may hang rectly at me. up, or simply leave. I recommend having a cover around Deer decoys work well in these situ- your tree stand to hide any movement. ations. Maybe even consider a ground blind Any deer approaching the call will that hides movement and keeps the spot the decoy and immediately move sound at ground level. to check it out or challenge it. There also are several calls and rat- Remember, when setting your decoy, tling bags that can be operated from a buck will approach a doe decoy from a tree stand, but emit the sound at the back and will approach a buck ground level. decoy from the front. Give calling a try. It will add a fun Place your decoy accordingly. Ensure element to your hunt, particularly on the approaching deer will be coming those long days afield. And, more im- through a good shooting lane. portantly, it could help you fill your tag.

JUNE 2015 57 Patience Y friend, Pete, had been bugging me for a few years to join him to hunt Mdeer on some prime real estate where he had access. He had been filling his tags, including on a few good bucks, but I just never got around to joining him. Until last fall. So it was on opening morning, well before daylight, I was escorted to a ladder tree stand just off a logging road and about 100 yards in the woods from a large field. “This is a hot corner of the woodlot for deer,” I was told, before climbing the stand. “Stay in the stand and don’t walk around so as not to disturb other hunters in stands on surrounding properties,” I was told. Based on Pete’s past experiences, I was pumped. This was going to be great, I thought. After what seemed an eternity, daylight finally arrived, but I had a problem. I didn’t like my surroundings at all. The terrain, an open woodlot, was not what I preferred for my deer hunting. For me, the thicker the better for deer when the shooting starts. There was a small ravine to my left that I thought any deer in the area would use, and there was a thin strip of cover about 60 yards to my right, but I just didn’t like my spot. Now I always thought I had a lot of patience when it comes to hunting. If I know I’m in a proven area, I can stay on stand for 10 hours with no problem. As the morning wore on, I wasn’t seeing anything and heard only a few shots, one of which was Pete’s, who was about 400 yards away. By 11 o’clock I wasn’t a happy camper and, by prior arrangement, checked in with Pete by cellphone. I asked if I could change spots. He had killed a doe, but told me to “stay put; you are in a good spot.” By 3:45 I was thinking that oh, well, I had tried something new and it just didn’t work out, when a lone doe came running down the logging road in front of me and stopped about 100 yards away. The deer turned and headed down the small ravine to my left, and when she stopped at about 60 yards, I dropped her. I tagged the deer, then got back up in the tree stand. At 4:15, I spotted movement in the strip of cover to my right and three does, followed by a good buck, materialized from the brush. The buck was chasing the does around but finally stopped between two trees, allowing me to put the scope crosshairs on its vitals; it, too, dropped in its tracks at the shot. I tagged the buck, field-dressed both animals, and after getting both dragged to the field edge, I was spent but happy. When Pete brought the pickup around to pick me up and saw the heavy 8-point and doe I had taken, after congratulating me, he said, “Patience, my friend, patience.” Bob D’Angelo

58 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM The Luck of The Savage By Bob D’Angelo Game News Senior Associate Editor The “other” famous lever action – The Savage Model 99.

DO MOST of my deer hunting in So a few years ago, after spending Ithe southwestern part of the state, the firearms season opener and mainly Greene County, and although second day in Greene County I had hunted sparingly in back of my without any luck, and after making house in northern York County in the long drive home, I dragged myself the 11 years my wife and I have lived out of bed before first light on the there, I had never killed a buck there; first Wednesday, and on a whim, it was on my “to do” list. grabbed the Model 99 .250 Savage off

JUNE 2015 59 watched him walk along the stone I’d watched the 5-point walk wall that runs about 25 yards from along the stone wall that runs the side of my house. about 25 yards from the side Another morning during archery season, he was under my stand before of my house. legal hunting hours. Then early one morning during the rack and climbed the ridge 175 the first week in November, while yards behind the house. driving to work, I saw the buck I had just climbed into my ladder chasing two does in a small field tree stand when shots rang out on the down the road from my place. adjoining property. A group of does I raised the little .250 Savage ran by, but never stopped or even carbine and put the crosshairs of the slowed down. 4x Leupold scope midway on the, A minute later, I noticed another now quartering-away, buck’s ribcage. deer following the path of the does, I nudged the tang safety off and and then it turned and headed squeezed the trigger . . . toward my stand. I saw the high Although I’m partial to bolt-action narrow rack right away. rifles, and my Weatherby rifle in .270 Through binoculars I spotted the Winchester caliber is my go-to gun brow tine on the right main beam for nearly all of my deer hunting, I and realized it was the 5-point buck I had wanted to at least own a lever- had seen several times before; once, action rifle, and always admired the back in archery season that year, I clean lines of the Savage Model 99

60 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM The absence of an external hammer allows a scope to be mounted low over the receiver of the Savage Model 99, which hunters consider a big plus.

legend and upon which much of the company’s reputation has been built. This is true of the Model 99 for Savage Arms. lever action. I liked the available There were many variants and calibers for it, especially appealing calibers (.22 Hi Velocity, .243 Win., was the .250 Savage, and the fact .250 Savage, .25-35 Win., .284 that a scope could be mounted low Win., .30-30 Win., .300 Savage, over the receiver because of the lack .303 Savage, .32-40 Ballard, .308 of an external hammer. Win., .38-55, .358 Win. and .375 The Winchester Model 94 lever- Win.) through the years, and the action rifle was popular “back in the following covers many, but not all day,” but I never liked the top-eject of the variants. feature that required a scope to be In 1899 the Savage Model 99 mounted on the side; it just didn’t lever-action rifle was introduced appeal to me. in .303 Savage, and the rotary During the 1970s, when I started magazine held five rounds. An hunting, a camp owner on the same interesting feature was the magazine road where we had our cabin, near indicator that revealed at a glance the Allegheny National Forest in the number of cartridges in the Forest County, had a Model 99 in magazine. .300 Savage, and the image of him The numbers on the brass in his Woolrich outfit and that rifle indicator are visible through a stuck with me, and I knew then that small port on the left side of the one day I’d own one. receiver. It was the first commercial When I started collecting guns rifle (1912) to be chambered for a in earnest, I finally got the chance high-velocity .22 cartridge – the .22 to buy a Model 99A carbine in Savage Hi-Power. It also was the first .250 Savage caliber made in 1971. commercial rifle chambered for the I intended the rifle to be my “rain .250 Savage, also called the .250- gun,” or a spare in case I ever needed 3000, which first appeared in 1913. it, and didn’t use it much, but I did With the 87-grain bullet it was want to take a deer with it. the first major factory-produced )))))) round to reach the 3,000 feet-per- Every major gun company has second mark. one or two models that have become By the time Savage had

JUNE 2015 61 temporarily halted production in produced. This version had a 1917 because of war contracts, medium-weight 20-inch barrel and about 250,000 Model 99s in several weighed a mere 6½ pounds, which different caliber options had been was a light rifle for back then. built, but the .250 was the most The Model 99K, which also was famous. introduced in 1931, had a pistol-grip In 1920, Savage reintroduced stock with fine hand-checkering, an the Model 99 as models 99A, 99B, engraved receiver and barrel, and 99E, 99F and 99G. The Model 99A, a hand-fitted action. It also had a similar to the prewar Model 1899, Lyman peep sight positioned at the was the basic variant that the other rear of the receiver. Because it was versions were built around. The expensive, few were ordered, making Model 99A was now chambered for the Model 99K highly collectible the .300 Savage to compete with the today. .30-06. It had a 24-inch barrel and a The Model EG was introduced in stock with a Schnabel forearm. 1936 and lasted until 1941, but was The Model 99B was a takedown brought out again in 1946. Models variant with a detachable barrel. 99R, RS and T also appeared in The Model 99C had a 22-inch 1936, with restyled stock with pistol barrel and heavily crowned muzzle. grip and full forearm. The 99RS had The Model 99E (dropped in 1940 sling swivels added. and reintroduced in 1961) was Savage moved to Westfield, Mass. dubbed a carbine form of the 99A in the early 1960s, and made several and had a 22-inch barrel, while the mechanical changes to improve the 99F (Featherweight) was a lighter Model 99. The Model DL, which version of the 99E but with the had a stock with a Monte Carlo takedown feature. It was dropped in comb to better accommodate scopes, 1940, reintroduced in 1955 and then was produced from 1960 to 1973. In dropped in 1973. 1960, Savage presented its millionth Because the Model 99 versions all Model 99 to the National Rifle had the straight-wristed stock, Savage Association. came out with the 99G, which In 1965, Savage reintroduced the had the full pistol-grip stock with Model 99C, which abandoned the checkering on the forearm and pistol 5-shot rotary magazine in favor of a grip, in 1922. The 99G also included 4-shot box magazine. the takedown feature with detachable In 1971, Savage made a series of barrel. These features kept the Model changes to bring the rifle up to date. 99G popular and in production until Caliber choices included .243 Win., 1942. .250 Savage, .300 Savage, .308 and In 1931, the Model 99H was .375 Win. The Model 99A remained in production until 1981. In 1960, Savage presented During the 1960s and 1970s its millionth Model 99 to the the Savage company fell on hard times, and Model 99 production National Rifle Association. slowed, and the Model 99A was

62 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM discontinued in 1982, leaving only very collectible now, though. the rotary-magazine 99E and the box )))))) magazine 99C in production, but by . . . At the shot, the buck lunged 1985 the Model 99E was dropped. and went about 15 yards before Savage went bankrupt in 1988, crumpling. The 100-grain slug had but by 1990 was once again on secure entered in front of the last rib on the footing. left side, and I later found it lodged Since then Savage products in the right shoulder, destroying the have been on the rebound and the lungs on its path. company makes some fine firearms I had finally taken a buck on my today, but the Model 99 went by the property, and did it with the lucky wayside. The lever-action rifles are little Savage Model 99.

JUNE 2015 63 Under Plovers’ Wings OME THINGS come into and go out of your life before you grasp their Sworth. For me, as a youth, it was that way with the birds and the baling. My family made hay on fields at the Alleghenies’ western foot. The work was hot, long and dusty, and I chafed at the toil while pals swam in the river or loafed in town. But my father and grandfather were stern about work, and I was bound to it. This all passed in the days before self-loading balers that flip the hay into random heaps. We walked loose and strong in the sun, flanking the wagon while the Farmall chugged under my grandfather’s tanned hands, heaving every bale – higher with each tier – to an esteemed “stacker,” some neighbor or kin who could knit the bales together so they held as a swaying, lurching unit. The birds lent to the work a dreamlike air. They still do when I recall it, maybe because I never have seen them again. They rose from the stubble and beat low flights ahead on slim, pointed wings, then swooped upward in the very act of settling back down. Alighting, they reached for the grass with long, trim legs and thrust their wings high, like feathered pennants, before collapsing them in a deliberate and elegant fold. We did not know what they were, and would not have learned if not for a friend. He was a big man and gruff, but gracious, with the unlikely first name, Julius. A coal miner by job and a deputy warden by duty, he knew about birds, and he knew they were upland plovers. They nested in that field, he said, and nowhere else for counties around. My patriarchs were intrigued, but we had hay to make. The plovers stayed for a while, perching on posts to assess our intrusions, pealing out their strange yipping whinny, audible if you flushed them on foot or a bareback pony, away from the tractor’s cough. How can you grant adequate weight to an encounter like that when you’ve known so little of a broader world? The plovers were strange to us, relict of western prairie, synchronized to long- gone bison hordes and January summers on Argentine plains. Their acceptance of substitute Herefords did not extend to hay rakes. Their hemispheric roving could not abide corn rows or sprawl. They are gone from that place, even their name, which ornithologists changed to upland sandpiper. And how can a sullen kid know how rare and proud it is to work in the open among family, pressed on by impending rain? I muse about having them both back to relish anew – the baling and the birds. Yet I know I was lucky to be there at all, in the hay-dust under plovers’ wings, so long ago.

64 WWW.PENNGAMENEWS.COM 2014 Hunter-Trapper Education

Instructor of the Year

AVE GUISE recently reached the 15-year milestone of being a basic DHunter-Trapper Education instructor. He will soon have 15 years as a Successful Bowhunting instructor. Dave has spent countless hours coordinating and instructing classes at his home club, West Manchester Township Farmers & Sportsmen’s Club, and also filled in as needed at other clubs. Dave had a major part in implementing skills stations as a regular part of the class at the West Manchester club’s courses. He firmly believes skills stations offer the best way to teach new hunters proper safe hunting techniques and concepts. Dave also sacrifices his time at a busy time of year to conduct late-season courses for new hunters who have missed earlier opportunities. This is a true testimony to his dedication to the Game Commission and its programs. Dave coordinates Successful Bowhunting courses in York County. He has been heavily involved in the program since its inception. He diligently inspects and transports all of the equipment for the program to the courses, in addition to instructing. Dave isn’t done yet, either. He plans to expand his teaching opportunities by becoming certified to teach the Successful Turkey Hunting, and Successful Furtaking courses in the near future. By nominating Dave for this award, I hope he realizes his commitment to the agency and Commonwealth citizens is appreciated.

Dave Guise Nominated by WCO Kyle A. Jury York County

For information on becoming a volunteer instructor, please visit www.pgc.state.pa.us or call 717-787-7015. Southcentral Region Working Together for Wildlife 2015 Patch

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