Pennsylvania Game News - June 2013 - 5

ing the bird’s beak and feet.
Set Low Expectations
Be prepared for an unexpected crisis
and cut the hunt short if your child becomes too uncomfortable to have fun.
I recall Briar’s first hunt. The three
of us were stalking along a logging road
in Cumberland County, scanning the
trees for squirrels when Briar began
to lag behind. Briar then decided it
would be a great idea to lie in the dirt
and belly crawl into a mud puddle,
promptly ending our evening hunt.
A change of clothes would have been
helpful.
Too Much, Too Soon?
It’s easy for a parent to become
overzealous and force hunting on their
kids. The Mentored Youth Hunting

Program is an opportunity to consider,
although parents must use their own
judgment as to when their child is
ready to safely handle a firearm and assume the responsibility of killing game.
Carefully gauge their enthusiasm and
foster sparks of interest. Be prepared
to accept the fact that there will be
some mornings when the kids would
rather play with a friend or take part
in a sporting event.
Janie is now 10 years old. Although
she has experienced hunting many of
the species of game that Pennsylvania
has to offer, she is a squirrel hunting
enthusiast. This fall, I’ll be watching
over her shoulder as she attempts to
harvest her first squirrel. I’m sure her
grandpa will be anxiously waiting to
hear the report of her .410 single-shot
from the back porch of the cabin.

It’s the Law:
Q: I noticed in the bowhunting column in the April issue about
hunting gadgets that an electronic scent killer was written
about. Are these legal to use in Pennsylvania?
A: No, this device, which uses a battery-powered motor and emits ozone that
is said to bond with human scent, changing it so that it no longer resembles
human scent, is not permitted for hunting in Pennsylvania.
It is unlawful to hunt with any electronic contrivance or device except: 1)
Electronic callers may be used to hunt bobcats, coyotes, foxes, raccoons,
crows, and snow geese in the conservation hunt season. 2) Lighted pins on bow
sights and scopes with lighted reticles may be used as long as they don’t cast
a beam. 3) Portable, two-way radios and cell phones may be used for general
communications with another hunter, but may not be used to direct or alert
another hunter of the presence or location of live game or wildlife. 4) Electronic
sound amplification devices that are incorporated into hearing protection devices and completely contained in or on the hunter’s ear may be used to hunt
or take wildlife. 5) Electronic illuminating devices that are affixed at the aft
end of a bolt or arrow and used solely for the purpose of locating or tracking
bolt or arrow flight after being launched from a crossbow or bow may be used.
See the “General Hunting Regulations” section in the current digest for
more details.
JUNE 2013

Pennsylvania Game News - June 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - June 2013