Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 87) STATE PARKS & STATE FORESTS Firearms and archery equipment may be uncased only in designated hunting areas during the seasons state recreation areas are open to hunting. In park areas not open to hunting, or during closed hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment must be kept in the owner’s car, trailer or camp. Hunting, trapping, pursuing or intentionally disturbing wildlife in state parks is prohibited, except that hunting and trapping by licensed hunters and furtakers is permitted in designated areas in compliance with Game Commission regulations. Trapping may be permitted in areas not designated for hunting, but only upon written approval, which is granted only when effective wildlife administration of the area requires trapping. Dog training is permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. Groundhog hunting is prohibited in state parks. The Bureau of Forestry welcomes hunters and trappers to more than two million acres of state forests. Only small areas around occupied buildings are posted. Overnight camping is permitted only in areas designated by the district forester. Required permits are available from local forestry offices. For more information about hunting on state parks, contact the Bureau of State Parks, 1-888-PA-PARKS, visit www.dcnr.state.pa.us, or write State Parks, 8th Floor, P.O. Box 8551, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8551, or call your nearest state park. For more information or maps concerning hunting and recreational activities on state forests, contact the Bureau of Forestry, 6th Floor, P.O. Box 8552, Harrisburg, PA 17105-8552. Phone: 717-783-7941, or your nearest forestry office. PENNSYLVANIA FISH & BOAT COMMISSION PROPERTY Legal hunting and trapping are permitted on properties owned or controlled by the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission unless otherwise posted. All hunting and trapping must take place in conformance with the Game and Wildlife Code. Hunters using Fish & Boat Commission access areas to launch or retrieve boats may possess legal firearms while on the property. Persons who possess a valid Sportsman’s Firearms Permit issued by a county treasurer or a license to carry a firearm issued by a county sheriff may carry a firearm in conformance with permit requirements in place on Fish & Boat Commission properties at any time. Throughout Pennsylvania there is a growing problem with people dumping deer carcasses and other animal remains on public and private lands. Deer and other wild game or furbearer remains are considered municipal solid waste and should be disposed of along with other household waste through your curbside pick up, or at an approved waste facility. The dumping of animal remains is illegal. This does not apply to the viscera discarded from legally-harvested animals. Burning and/or burying of animal remains may also present serious health concerns and are not advisable practices. Contact your county recycling coordinator for more information. This statement has been developed with the cooperation of the state Department of Environmental Protection, Professional Recyclers of Pennsylvania, Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and PA CleanWays-State. DON’T DUMP CARCASS! TRAVELING HUNTERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS All persons, including U.S. citizens, traveling by air between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America in 2007 will be required to present a valid passport from their country of origin. As early as January 1, 2008, U.S. citizens traveling between the U.S. and Canada, Mexico, Central and South America by land or sea could be required to present a valid U.S. passport. For additional information about passports, contact the U.S. Department of State; www.state.gov WEED ALERT: NORTHCENTRAL COUNTIES — MILE A MINUTE OR DEVIL’S TEAR-THUMB A large population of mile a minute vine (Polygonum perfoliatum) has been discovered in Cameron and Potter counties. Mile a Minute is a noxious weed found in 26 southeastern and southcentral counties. This newest infestation is of significant concern because the vine forms dense mats on the ground, crowding out other more beneficial plant species, climbs up and over vegetation and impedes access to streams. Plants have recurved barbed hooks on the stem and a cup-shaped ochrea at each internode. Preventing seed formation or seed dispersal is essential to controlling Mile a Minute. Landowners who want to get rid of small infestations should pull all plants in the spring before flowering occurs in June. Remove and burn all of the blue berries that the plant produces in the fall. For larger infestations, brush-hog or mow repeatedly before seed set (late August to late October), which will kill the plants and exhaust the seed bank. Mile a Minute is a broadleaf and can be controlled with a broadleaf herbicide or a nonselective herbicide. Understand the injury potential to other broadleaf plants, grasses and trees in the treatment area before applying any herbicides, though. Remember that it is unlawful to dig, remove or otherwise injure any plants on state game lands. For more information or a brochure about this weed, contact the Botanist/Weed Scientist, PA Department of Agriculture, 2301 North Cameron Street, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9408. 717-787-7204. Operation Lifesaver urges hunters to remember the following track facts and tips: • There are 200,000 miles of railroad tracks in the U.S. Railroad tracks, trestles, yards and equipment are private property. Walking on them is illegal — trespassers are subject to arrest and fines. Too often the penalty is death. • Since 1990, more than 5,000 people have been killed while trespassing on railroad rights-of-way and property. • Trains cannot stop quickly. A freight train moving at 55 mph, or an 8-car passenger train moving at 79 mph, can take a mile or more to stop. • Do not walk, run, cycle or operate ATVs on railroad tracks or rights-of-way or through tunnels. • Do not hunt or fish from railroad trestles. They are not designed to be pedestrian bridges. There is only enough clearance for a train to pass. • Do not attempt to hop aboard railroad equipment at any time. • Always expect a train. Freight trains do not follow set schedules. • Remember: Rails and recreation do not mix! OPERATION LIFESAVER AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/NONDISCRIMINATION POLICES The Pennsylvania Game Commission is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All agency programs are administered consistent with the goals and objectives of Affirmative Action. It is the policy of the Commission to offer its services, facilities and accommodations to all orderly persons without regard to age, race, religion, color, sex, handicap, national origin or ancestry. If you believe you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, or if you desire further information, please write to the Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C. 20240. http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us http://www.state.gov
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