New Planning Guide Available for Youth Hunting; Register for Special Hunts on Game Commission Website; Game Commission/Pheasant Valley Farm to Host Hunt for Women

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission has published a new planning guide to assist conservation organizations – or individual hunters – host a species-specific hunt 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 Hunt Planning Guide" in the "Special Hunt Guides."

Copies of the manual also can be obtained from the Game Commission's six region offices and Harrisburg headquarters, as well as at The Sportsman's Shop in New Holland, Lancaster County; The Buck Stops Here in New Florence, Westmoreland County; and Custer's Sport Shop in Berlin, Somerset County. In addition, valuable coupons for these three sporting goods stores can be found on the inside back cover of manuals obtained from these issuing agents.

"The future of hunting is directly related to the continuing participation of young Pennsylvanians," Roe noted. "The goal is to successfully compete with all the other activities and recreational opportunities that vie for a young person's time. It's truly a challenge for the Game Commission, as well as Pennsylvania's one million hunters."

Roe noted that this manual complements the agency's other booklet specifically directed to those seeking to host a junior pheasant hunt in their community.

"This new booklet, as well as the planning guide for the junior pheasant hunt, is a wealth of information and guidance for those starting from scratch to conduct an event for their club or organization, or just planning to help a young family member or neighbor," Roe said. "We not only encourage seasoned hunters to offer to share their experience and knowledge with our younger generations, but the future of hunting and trapping depends on this exchange and interaction."

Roe also noted that, this fall, a new junior hunting opportunity will be unveiled; the junior rabbit season, which will be held Oct. 9-16.  The season will be open to those juniors age 12-16, when properly accompanied by an adult as required by law, with or without a license.  The daily and field possession limits will be the same as the general rabbit season, four daily and eight in possession.

Roe noted that the junior rabbit season will not be part of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, which is for those youth under the age of 12. The only species eligible for MYHP participants are: antlered deer, squirrels, groundhogs, spring gobbler and coyotes.

Other special junior hunting opportunities for those 12 to 16 include seasons for squirrel, pheasant, waterfowl, spring gobbler and antlerless deer.  In addition, juniors can abide by antler restrictions of one antler at least three inches in length or one antler with at least two points.

REGISTER FOR SPECIAL HUNTS ON GAME COMMISSION WEBSITE

In addition to publishing a new planning guide for hosting youth hunts, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has unveiled a new feature on its website to enable those interested in participating in youth hunts to find events in their area and register online.  

To find a hunt in your area, go to the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Education" in the menu bar at the top of the page, select "Special Hunts" in the "Special Events and Programs" section, and then click on the "Special Hunts Calendar" in the "Special Hunts Registration" section. In addition to going through the calendar, you can type in your ZIP Code and select a distance from your home to automatically search the database for events near your home. Events may include age limits, registration fees or other stipulations, so be sure to read the event information carefully.

Anyone who registers online to participate in any of the special hunts will receive a free one-year subscription to Pennsylvania Game News, the agency's monthly publication.

Events can be added to the calendar, by completing a "Youth Hunt Notification Form" and e-mailing it to the Game Commission at [email protected].  To access the form, go to the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Education" in the menu bar at the top of the page, select "Special Hunts" in the "Special Events and Programs" section, and then click on the "Youth Hunt Notification Form" in the "Hunt Form" section.

This website also will allow participants and volunteers to register on-line, as well as enable registration committee people to have access to real-time registration information. 

GAME COMMISSION/PHEASANT VALLEY FARM TO HOST HUNT FOR WOMEN

Pheasant Valley Farm, in Robesonia, Berks County, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and other conservation-oriented groups are hosting a day-long special women's hunt for 20 participants on Friday, Sept. 24, at the Pheasant Valley Farm preserve.

Check-in will be held at 8:45 am, followed by a safety lesson at 9 a.m.  At 9:30 a.m., the 20 participants will practice their shooting skills by shooting clay targets. The field hunts will begin at 10:30 a.m.  Each group of four hunters will have their own guide and dog, to locate and retrieve the birds, and a mentor to help facilitate the hunt. At 12:30 p.m., the groups will meet for lunch provided and prepared by PVF proprietor Mark Wolfskill. Following lunch, participants will have the opportunity to go back out into the field to hunt and/or to learn how to field dress the harvested pheasants.

"Pheasant Valley Farm is committed to maintaining Pennsylvania's outdoor heritage, wildlife conservation, and hunting traditions," Wolfskill said. "We believe to maintain this valued way of life, today's women must be allowed the opportunity to gain hunting experience and learn about Pennsylvania's rich hunting heritage."

All participants must be at least 18 years of age, and already have passed a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course or have a current Pennsylvania hunting license to participate.

To register online, go to the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Education" in the menu bar at the top of the page, scroll down to "Special Hunts" in the "Special Events and Programs" section, and then click on the "Special Hunts Calendar" in the "Special Hunts Registration" section.  Registration also can be completed by contacting Karen Keen at 215-721-8732, or [email protected]. A confirmation letter will follow registration.

The participation fee is $20, and must be submitted by Sept. 1 to reserve a space. Checks may be written out to Pheasant Valley Farm and be mailed to Karen Keen, 820 Princeton Place, Hatfield, PA 19440. If registering online, please download the waiver and medical form and submit the completed forms along with the check. If registering by mail, these forms will be sent to you with your confirmation letter.

More information on Pheasant Valley Farm, including directions, can be obtained at http://pheasantvalleyfarm.com/.

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