Pennsylvania Game News - June 2011 - 30

On a weekend train ride from Lancaster to Johnstown, I was enjoying the view from a window seat when along the Juniata River I spotted three bald eagles. They were scuffling over some scraps of carrion across the river and were close to a large flock of ducks and geese just loafing on the water. About a half mile farther upriver I saw another immature bald eagle standing near the river, and then a short time later I spotted an adult eagle perched in a tree between the train track and the near shore of the river. When we got into the mountains west of Huntingdon, I spotted three flocks of turkeys along the tracks. In my job over the years I have done many roadside wildlife surveys for small game, some aerial surveys for waterfowl, and even boating surveys of bald eagle nests. I now wonder if we’ve been missing the boat on this type of “windshield survey.” — PGC BiOlOGiST JaCk GilBerT, lanCaSTer Fulton — Dusty Hilbert and his son, Heath, told me about a fisher that investigated their bobcat set last season. This was prior to harvesting their first bobcat. He and his son hope to see fisher season expanded to WMU 4A some day. With the growing population in this county, we hope that would become a reality. — WCO kevin MOunTz, WaTerfall Becoming a land manager here in Mercer and Venango counties involves a lot of computer and paperwork. LMO Jerry Bish was helping me catch up one day when things got quite hectic. He paused for a moment and said he had to return a phone call. Within seconds my cell phone rang and I heard Jerry say, “Hello, I called you? I must have called the wrong number.” We were talking to one another at no more than two feet away. Time to take a break. — lMO MariO l. PiCCirilli, lineSville
30

Trackside Survey

Armstrong — Deputy Dave Watkins had a hearing and his primary witness to the violation happened to be his wife, Ame. Dave did a professional job of prosecuting the case and Ame made an excellent witness, answering all questions clearly and concisely. At the end of her testimony Dave turned and asked me if there were any additional questions he should ask her. I just couldn’t resist answering that it’s not very often that a guy finds himself questioning his wife while she is under oath, and maybe this would be a good time to ask her about his Christmas present. Dave thought for a second and replied, “Unfortunately, she does have the right to remain silent.” — WCO Gary TOWard, Sarver

It Seemed Like an Opportunity

Something to Look Forward To

Tin Cans and a String

schuylkill — Deputy ride along, Dave, and I received a call about an injured turkey in Pottsville. After we responded to the given address we had to laugh, and were not sure if we were still needed, because we were at the local hospital. — WCO kevin ClOuSer, aShland

Smart Bird

One March morning my wife, kids and I watched a gray squirrel run back and forth across our yard, jumping over and pushing a basketball across the lawn. This brings a whole new meaning to “March Madness.” — lMO MiChael BeahM, PalMerTOn
game news

Entertaining

Pennsylvania Game News - June 2011

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - June 2011