Clubs Sign Up To Host Junior Pheasant Hunts; Junior Hunting Seasons Just Around The Corner

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today offered his praise to the 26 sportsmen's clubs throughout Pennsylvania that signed up to host junior pheasant hunts.  The clubs will share about 1,800 pheasants the agency is providing for junior pheasant hunts, which all will be held on Saturday, Oct. 6.

"Providing pheasants to clubs sponsoring junior pheasant hunts is a wise investment," Roe said.  "The only two stipulations for clubs to be eligible to receive Game Commission birds are that these hunts must have registration open to the public and must be held on public lands or private lands enrolled in the Game Commission's Hunter Access Program. 

"The state's long-standing two-pheasant daily bag limit will apply to junior hunters participating in the season.  In addition, depending on the area in which they are hunting, juniors will be required to comply with restrictions on hunting male or female pheasants."

Eligible juniors must be between 12 and 16 years of age, and have successfully completed a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course.  There is no requirement that participating juniors purchase a license, but they must wear the necessary orange and be accompanied as required by law. 

Roe noted the junior pheasant hunt is not part of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program for those hunters under the age of 12, which allows mentored youth to hunt for groundhog, squirrel, coyotes, spring gobbler and antlered and antlerless deer. (For more information on the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, please see page 15 of the 2012-13 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest, which is provided to each license buyer.)

The junior pheasant season runs from Saturday, Oct. 6, through Saturday, Oct. 13.  The season also takes advantage of many schools having off for the Columbus Day holiday.  In addition to the pheasants being provided to clubs hosting a junior pheasant hunt, the Game Commission will stock 15,000 pheasants for the junior pheasant season on various sites throughout Pennsylvania on Friday, Oct. 5.

For more information, including a listing of general stocking locations for the junior pheasant season, see pages 25-27 of the Digest, or go to the Game Commission website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), put your cursor over "Hunt/Trap" in the menu bar at the top of the page, click on "Hunting," click on "Pheasant" in the "Small Game" listing and then look under the "Junior Youth Pheasant Hunt" category.   Participants can register online for many of the events.  Click on the "Junior Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.

Following is a county-by-county listing of the clubs hosting junior pheasant hunts, as well as contact information to enroll junior hunters:

Allegheny County:
Bullcreek Rod and Gun Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club near Tarentum for 30 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  Contact Donald Lang at 724-889-6948 or email [email protected].

Armstrong County:
Pine Creek Sportsmen's Club will host its junior pheasant hunt on Bassinger Farm near Templeton/Kittanning for 20 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 10.  If you have questions, contact William Bassinger Jr., at 724-548-7746 or email [email protected].

Apollo Spring Church Sportsmen's Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club for 30 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  Contact Rocco Ali at 724-478-4303 or Dan Shaffer at 724-681-2834.

Beaver County:
Beaver County Sportsmen's Conservation League will host its junior pheasant hunt for 50 juniors on SGL 173.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  Deadline to register is Sept. 15.   If you have questions, contact Rich Kerlin at 724-378-8345 or email [email protected].

Bedford County:
Bedford County Sportsman's Club will host its junior pheasant hunt in Centerville for 50 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 14. If you have questions, contact Chad Kendall at 814-847-2558 or email [email protected].

Cambria County:
The Jackson Township Recreation Committee will host its junior pheasant hunt on Rager Mountain for 50 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  Contact Chad Stiffey at 814-749-4013 or email [email protected].

Centre County:
3 Point Sportsmen Club will host its junior pheasant hunt in Sproul State Forest, reclaim strip mine land, Clarence, for 50 juniors. Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  If you have questions, contact Steven Demyan at 814-387-6779 or email [email protected], or Richard Biggans at 814-387-4248.

Clearfield County:
Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited will host its junior pheasant hunt at the All Seasons Trap & Skeet Club near Luthersburg for 25 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Contact Laura Johnson at 814-371-4856 email [email protected].

Columbia County:
Central Susquehanna Pheasants Forever will host its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 226 near Millville for 50 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  Contact Jack Kile at 570-443-7618 or email [email protected].

Erie County:
Pheasants Forever of Northwest PA will host its junior pheasant hunt on Millers Farm, Riley Siding Road, Union City for 50 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  Contact Heath Moss at 814-566-1774 or e-mail [email protected].

Elk County:
North Central PA Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 will host its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 44, Sawmut Tract in Brockport for 60 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 8. Contact Tim Rowan at 814-715-2754.

Franklin County:
Cumberland Valley Chapter Pheasants Forever will hold its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 124, Mercersburg for 40 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  If you have questions, contact Jason Shindle at 717-860-7931 or email [email protected].           

Lancaster County:
Lititz Sportsmen's Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at Speedwell Forge Lake near Lititz for up to 28 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15. Contact Phil McCloud at 717-626-5884.

Luzerne County:
Northeast PA Chapter of Pheasants Forever Chapter 803 will host its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 119 near Bear Creek for 50 juniors. Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  If you have questions, contact Corey Wiesel at 570-766-8469 or email [email protected].

Pike County:
Promised Land Sportsmen's Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at the Association on Route 390 for 50 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  If you have questions, contact Craig Fischer at 570-236-9756 or 570-676-5674, or e-mail at [email protected].

Schuylkill County:
Gordon Game & Fish Protective Association will host its junior pheasant hunt on Hampton's Farm, one mile east of Gordon for 30 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  If you have questions, contact John Towey at 570-205-2682 or email [email protected].

Somerset County:
Somerset Pheasants Forever Chapter 603 will host its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 82, Meyersdale for 12 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 7.  If you have questions, contact Greg Urban at 814-443-3953.

Warren County:
Kalbfus Rod and Gun Club will hold its junior pheasant hunt at the Hibner property near Sugar Grove for 25 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 7.  If you have questions, contact Michael Fadale at 814-726-0809 or email [email protected].

Corry Rod & Gun Club will host its junior pheasant hunt in Tidioute for 20 juniors. Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 1.  If you have questions, contact Sherry Anderson at 814-664-9807, 814-462-6008 or email [email protected].

Washington County:
McDonald Sportsmen will host its junior pheasant hunt in McDonald for 50 juniors. The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  Contact Bernie Dhans at 724-288-5092.

Westmoreland County:
NWTF Local Chapter 1 will host its junior pheasant hunt at Bush Creek Road, Mt. Pleasant for 30 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15. If you have questions, contact Deborah Overly at 724-832-1117, 724-961-8667 or email [email protected].

Laurel Highlands Chapter of Pheasants Forever and Kingston Veterans & Sportsmen Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at the Kingston Veterans & Sportsmen Club in Latrobe for 50 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 13.  If you have questions, contact Kevin Adams at 724-423-8445 or email [email protected].

Law Enforcement Officers of Westmoreland County will host its junior pheasant hunt at Mammoth Park, Norvelt for 50 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15. If you have questions, contact Jerry Trainer at 724-493-9686 or email [email protected].

Little Sewickley Sportsman Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at "The Old Hunt Farm" in Lycipus for 50 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 10.  Contact Jay Bossart at 724-423-6714.

Rostraver Sportsmen & Conservation Association will host its junior pheasant hunt at the club in Belle Vernon for 30 juniors.  Register online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and click on the "Junior  Pheasant Hunt" link found on the agency's homepage.  The deadline to register is Sept. 15.  If you have questions, contact Diane Hickman at 724-872-5783, John Spina724-929-6533 or the club office at 724-872-4399.

York County:
Starview Sportsmen's Association will host its junior pheasant hunt on SGL 243 in Franklintown for 12 juniors.  The deadline to register is Sept. 3.  Contact Michael Heindel at 717-968-8912.

JUNIOR HUNTING SEASONS JUST AROUND THE CORNER

In addition to the upcoming junior pheasant season, which will be held Oct. 6-13, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has established other special seasons for those 12 to 16 years of age, who can hunt either with or without a hunting license.

Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director, noted that the junior rabbit season will run concurrently with the junior pheasant season, from Oct. 6-13.

"As pheasants and rabbits inhabit similar habitat and can both be pursued using bird or rabbit hunting dogs, running these two seasons together broadens the opportunity and excitement for younger hunters," Roe said.  "Experienced hunters with dogs are encouraged to pass along our state's hunting heritage by serving as mentors for junior hunters.  In fact, the Game Commission has published a new planning guide to assist individual hunters or conservation organizations that host guided hunts for eligible junior hunters."

To view a copy of the new manual, go to the Game Commission website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Education" in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, select "Special Hunts" in the "Special Events and Programs," and then choose "Youth/Junior Hunt Planning Guide" in the "Special Hunt Guides."

Other junior-only seasons in which participating junior-aged hunters are not required to first obtain a license are for squirrel (Oct. 6-12) and waterfowl (Sept. 15 and 22).  While they are not required to purchase a license, participating youth must first pass a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course.

Junior-only seasons in which participating youth must pass a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course and obtain the required licenses are: antlerless deer (Oct. 18-20) and spring gobbler day (April 20).

Roe also noted junior license holders' antler restrictions require that a legal buck must have one antler of more than three inches in length or one antler with at least two points.

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and the name of the organization you represent to: [email protected]

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission