Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 98) ATV USE POLICY Those of you who have purchased hunting or furtaker licenses since 2000-2001 have become familiar with changes in the Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest. These changes have included the magazine size, the use of full color on many pages and paid advertising. These changes were made for good reasons. The magazine-size format allows a better presentation and easier to read style for many of the new illustrations and tables. Color photographs and illustrations not only brighten the publication, but are the modern method of print communications. The move to accept paid advertising was made for sound economic reasons. The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s share of advertising revenues have enabled the agency to save thousands of sportsmen’s dollars in publication and distribution costs. Among the paid advertisements have been several ads for ATVs. Some of our license buyers and indeed, some of our agency employees, have voiced concerns that the appearance of ATV ads in the Digest sends the message that the Pennsylvania Game Commission was endorsing the use of ATVs and condoning the illegal and unethical use of these machines. This is far from the case. The operation of ATVs on State Game Lands and other properties open to public hunting remains a violation of the law and continues to be aggressively enforced by our wildlife conservation officers and their deputy WCOs. We view this as no different than the illegal use of automobiles, trucks and SUVs on these properties. It is unlawful to ride ATVs on State Game Lands, except on designated roads open for persons issued a Disabled Persons Permit, and who have a valid registration from the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR). It is unlawful to ride ATVs on private land open to public hunting without the permission of the landowner. It is unlawful to have a loaded firearm on a moving ATV. Individuals issued a Disabled Persons Permit may hunt from a parked ATV. For ATV use regulations on state forests and parks, contact the DCNR. For information on using an ATV on the Allegheny National Forest, contact the ANF. CHECK US OUT AT WWW.PGC.STATE.PA.US The Game Commission’s website is Pennsylvania’s best and most reliable source for hunting, trapping and wildlife news. The website offers an interesting blend of news and information ranging from weekly antlerless license updates to same-day coverage of quarterly Board of Game Commissioner’s meetings. It’s where you can get your wildlife news 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Here’s just a sample of what can be found on the PGC website: State Game Lands Maps - Hunters can check out their favorite game lands on-line, even plan a hunt on a game lands they’ve never set foot on. The digital maps are a user-friendly reference that provides both low and high resolution images. The on-line maps have a zoom feature, are arranged in county-by-county listings and are presented in an Adobe Acrobat package to accommodate printing and viewing. Pennsylvania Game News - Now, excerpts from the state’s oldest (1929) and most popular wildlife management and hunting magazine are published on-line monthly. If you’re not getting the magazine for whatever reason, maybe it’s time for you to check out this section to see some of what you’re missing. The magazine provides readers with a monthly serving of staff-written features focusing on agency programs; perspective, inspiration and advice from a talented group of award-winning columnists; and, of course, the ever-popular Field Notes, where field officers write about their humorous and interesting activities while in the field. Pennsylvania Big Game Records - The last time the Game Commission published a book on the state’s Big Game Record listing was 1986. Now those listings are available on the agency’s website. Interested in seeing if your measured trophy placed in the state’s rankings? Want to check to see if Dad’s trophy of a lifetime buck is still in the top 100? This is the place to check. Outdoors Shop - The shop provides visitors the convenience to buy hunting and furtaker licenses on-line, as well as an elk license application. The site also has a variety of agency merchandise ranging from clothing and outdoors gear to books, fine art prints, Working Together For Wildlife patches and wildlife videos. You can even subscribe to Pennsylvania Game News. Shopping for Game Commission gear is now a breeze. You don’t even have to leave your home or office. News Room - This section remains the website’s most popular attraction. Here is where you’ll find breaking news ranging from same day meeting coverage to preliminary bear harvest reports. In addition, you’ll find hunting season forecasts and field reports from wildlife conservation officers, land managers and foresters; features on agency programs; even breaking wildlife crimes news. This is where you can read about Game Commission news at the same time media outlets receive it. What’s more, it won’t be cut, embellished or editorialized. Other Conveniences - The website provides many cost saving services. Hunters can download crossbow and replacement Hunter-Trapper Education card applications, as well as waterfowl seasons and bag limits shortly after they’re set by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service sometime in August. Camp rosters also are now available. In addition, the website provides the most up-to-date county listings of Hunter-Trapper Education and Bowhunter Education classes. The Game Commission’s website also serves as a springboard to other important Worldwide Web destinations, including links to every one of the nation’s fish and wildlife agencies, as well as important conservation program partners. So if you can find the time, visit us on the web. There’s no doubt you’ll find what you’re looking for and more. It’s a great place to visit, and revisit! Check us out; you’ll see what we mean! Advertising in the Digest is handled under a contract agreement with the publisher, Liberty Press Publications. Promotional advertising does not constitute endorsement by the Pennsylvania Game Commission or Liberty Press, and does not necessarily reflect PA laws and regulations. To inquire about placing an ad in the Digest, contact Liberty Press Publications at : 1-800-296-6402. http://www.pgc.state.pa.us
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