Pennsylvania DCNR Opening State Forest Roads for Big Game Hunting Seasons

Lodging, Camping Opportunities Available at Many State Parks

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 17, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hunters venturing into state forestlands for Saturday's opening of Pennsylvania's black bear season will find more accessible areas and expanded hunting opportunities in most state forest districts.

"Additional roads will be open in 18 of the 20 state forest districts we oversee at the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources," said the department's bureau of forestry director, Dan Devlin. "At least 460 miles of state forest roads normally open only for administrative use will be available to hunters in state forestlands."

Black bears are legal game across Pennsylvania on Saturday, Nov. 20, and Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 22-23. The state's regular deer hunting season opens Monday, Nov. 29, and closes Saturday, Dec. 11.

"Once again, some of these newly opened roads are in Deer Management Assistance Program areas where properly licensed hunters may take additional deer and our foresters want to see a reduction in the deer population," Devlin said. "Hunters are an invaluable tool in wildlife management and forest stewardship, and those hunting big game in our state forests will find more than 90 percent of all state forestland is now within one-half mile of an open road."

Devlin noted some hunters may encounter the effects of Marcellus Shale gas drilling throughout the state's big game seasons, especially in north-central state forest districts.

"Our district foresters are working with companies to set restrictions and provide guidance," Devlin said. "We are strongly encouraging the industry to abstain from any heavy hauling from bear season through the end of deer season on Dec. 11. We are particularly concentrating on certain periods: the three-day bear season; Thanksgiving Day; the first three days of rifle deer season, Nov. 29 through Dec. 1; and the two Saturdays of rifle deer season, Dec. 4 and 11."

Aside from these dates, heavy hauling during the three-week period will be permitted on a case-by-case basis. Hunters are strongly encouraged to inquire about possible restrictions or road closings in effect by contacting the appropriate district office. Drill-site safety zone and other regulation postings should be observed closely.

Although hunters will find 3,040 miles of roadway open in state forestlands, access to some state forest roads also will be determined by local weather and road conditions. Hunters should contact district offices in advance for up-to-date information.

Some roads only will be opened for the second week of the traditional rifle season because they cannot withstand the expected heavy traffic of the first week. Two- or three-month-long openings will be in effect only where the threat of damage or deterioration to road surfaces or forest surroundings is minimal.

Hunters also are reminded that many state parks, especially those in the 10-county Pennsylvania Wilds region, offer inexpensive camping and access to top-quality hunting in nearby state parks and forestland, as well as wilderness camping opportunities. For information about the 44 state parks offering lodging at campgrounds, rustic and modern cabins and yurts through Dec. 11, visit www.visitPAParks.com or call toll-free 888-PA-PARKS (727-2757) for reservations.

Deer Management Assistance Program, or DMAP, permits still are available at three state parks: Hickory Run in Carbon County, and Nescopeck and Ricketts Glen in Luzerne County. Permits also are available for hunting in Bald Eagle State Forest, headquartered in Union County; Delaware State Forest, Monroe County; Forbes State Forest, Westmoreland County; and Lackawanna State Forest, Lackawanna County. Hunters should check on availability by contacting the state parks or state forests where they wish to hunt.

DMAP details and open road listings, effective dates and district office telephone numbers can be found at www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry.

For the seventh consecutive year, DCNR also is supporting the goals of Hunters Sharing the Harvest — a statewide effort encouraging hunters to donate deer for processing into ground venison for distribution to foodbanks.

Hunters donating deer killed in these areas will not incur meat-processing fees.

Successful hunters presenting DMAP tags from DCNR areas to meat processors in the Hunters Sharing the Harvest program will not be charged a fee. Other hunters, when donating the entire deer, are asked to make at least a $15, tax-deductible contribution to help cover processing costs. Hunters Sharing the Harvest pays the remaining fees.

Established in 1991, Hunters Sharing the Harvest provides more than 200,000 meals annually to food banks, churches and similar programs serving hungry residents. Last year, hunters donated more than 100,000 pounds of venison.

To learn more about Hunters Sharing the Harvest and obtain a list of participating meat processors and county coordinators, visit www.sharedeer.org or call 866-474-2141.

For more information about state forests and parks, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us.

Media contact: Terry Brady or Christina Novak, 717-772-9101

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources