That does not mean that the agency does not care and that we will not follow up with the information provided. Pennsylvanias management plan and seasons are not, and should not, be the same as other states, again, to ensure long-term sustainability of the wild turkey population. contact information is available here. A sample permission slip is available on page 4 of the 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Digest. Those altered prions kill brain cells and ultimately lead to tiny holes in the brains of infected animals. Although no tail is visible, in terms of proportions, it appears more like a mountain lion than it does a bobcat, which tend to have shorter, more compact bodies and comparatively longer legs. Absolutely, not. How do I report my elk harvest? By law, all first-time hunters and trappers, regardless of age, must successfully complete Hunter-Trapper Education training before they can buy a Pennsylvania hunting or trapping license. At this time, there were no regulations in place to prevent that, nor was there anyone responsible for managing the wildlife. Many of the reports I receive are extremely credible. Pictures dating to the 1930s have appeared over the years in the Pennsylvania Game Commissions magazine Game News. They wanted to hear from anyone who saw a mountain lion or signs of one, like tracks or scats. If it is a cougar/mountain lion, its probably a young one thats wandering around, looking for food. A prescribed fire, or prescribed burn, is an organized, coordinated effort that works to apply fire at the right place, at the right time, and at the right intensity to improve the health and resilience of forests, grasslands and shrublands. With a decline in turkey population, why not eliminate the second Spring Gobbler tag? Pennsylvania's last known wild eastern mountain lion was killed in Berks County in 1874. The most popular time of year to view elk is during the rut, which typically begins in September and carries through October. Proudly founded in 1681 as a place of tolerance and freedom. Those impacts are not immediately visible as CWD-infected animals might not show symptoms of the disease for 18 to 24 months. Migratory game bird hunters are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese, doves and woodcock they harvest online at www.reportband.gov. We appreciate incidents being reported. Why is bat photography so difficult? Then there is Rocky. Wild animals constantly search for food and many will find the easy food source you provide. Calls to the Operation Game Thief hotline are always answered by a secure recording device. Now, if there were any escapes, and if any of these bred with a possible minuscule number of eastern pumas, a relic native population, wouldn't the gene pool be corrupted? It could, of course, also be an exceptionally big house cat, but how to find out? First, we can discern from the flattish face and forward-facing eyes that we are looking at a cat of some kind. Wildlife crimes affect everyone. Several regulations regarding the use of state game lands prevent the removal of any such artifact, or any other objects, besides lawfully taken fish and wildlife, mushroom and/or berries. Could it be a bobcat? I've looked in the PGC game laws booklet and saw nothing on this, which I guess you could conclude means a puma would not be legal to shoot. Pennsylvanias 1.6 million acres of state game lands are open for public access, at this time. I'll offer my own little anecdote. Timed Alarms for Cougars Despite how large and dangerous cougars are, theyll get scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal. Where can I find 2020-21 deer harvest data? If it were, it would be listed. How Can I Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission? Is there a Puma conspiracy? In Pennsylvania, I receive a few reports of black, big cats, which makes one wonder -- are there melanistic (black) pumas out there, or are those sightings always wrong. Since turkey restoration efforts 5 environmental factors have changed and the interactions of these five factors can negatively affect turkey populations. I was able to match the images perfectly in terms of scale, size and position. The Cougar Network, working with state agencies, have documented multiple mountain lions as far east as Kentucky, Tennessee and Michigan in recent years, as well as one cat killed on a highway in Milford, Connecticut, in June 2011. Verbal instructions given through the use of electronic or other sound amplification devices does not meet these requirements. Of the deer harvested in the 2020-21 hunting seasons approximately 174,780 were antlered and 260,400 were antlerless deer. Thousands of deer. If pumas do exist in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, could they all be released cats or escapees? Are hunters OK with fewer deer?". Although there was no evidence that the 2011 mountain lion ever set foot in Pennsylvania, DNA evidence confirmed that it had been both west and east of the state. The Game Commission maintains a public map that shows where prescribed burns are being planned. I'm passionate about helping people achieve their dreams, and I believe that education is the key to unlocking everyone's potential. Cougar or Bobcat? All of the above are Mountain Lions, or Pumas, or Cougars. We have nearly 200,000 spring turkey hunters and high adult gobbler harvest rates; considerably more than many other states. Its a matter of perspective. It is illegal to take or possess wildlife from the wild. Isnt trapping inhumane and indiscriminate? How do I deal with shaving weight for carrying my gear? They are wart-like, hairless tumors caused by a virus. Cougars also called mountain lions or pumas are uniquely suited to hunt and kill deer, who not only cause traffic accidents but overgraze to the point of endangering native species and eliminating habitats for smaller animals. (Prior to Covid-19 restrictions, the online course was only offered for those 16 years and older and included a fee to complete). But more importantly, he also said that regardless of color, he saw a big cat, with a tail that looked to be about 4 feet long! What are the 2022-23 Hunting Season and Bag Limits? It is important to note that these symptoms are characteristic of many diseases other than CWD. pgccomments@pa.gov for their messages to be shared with the Board of Game Commissioners and appropriate staff. Many of those claiming to have encountered a cougar in Pennsylvania take that non-confirmation by the commission as an attack on their veracity and character. License buyers must first successfully complete a Hunter-Trapper Education Course. According to Prugh, cougars also could help slow the spread of Lyme's disease by taking out diseased deer and save casual gardens and crops from overgrazing. We will get through this pandemic together and the Game Commission appreciates the publics compliance and support. Most states have designated hunting seasons for mountain lions, and killing one without a tag is a violation, unless the hunter can prove self defense. Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. Our smaller Siberian, Mace, is 12 (one foot) at the shoulder and weighs a good 15 pounds. As many as 1,300 elk freely roam across 3,000 square miles in the northcentral region of the state. Would these ridges be declared off-limits for hunting? But they'd need the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and, for now, that's a non-starter. It is unlawful for individuals to possess a shed antler to sell, barter or trade OR to offer to sell, barter or trade any shed antler. Click here for more information about HuntFishPA. Which is the better camera, the Mark IV or the 7D? The license year begins July 1 and ends June 30. Ask your butcher to process your meat individually, without meat from other animals, or process your own meat; 6. Contact your Game Commission region office for additional information on how to create, preserve, or enhance wildlife habitat. A map of these managed dove fields is available online. 2019 mountain lion in Pennsylvania / definitive proof Joe and Angelika Kelley 12 subscribers Subscribe 91 16K views 3 years ago When something digs up your yard and you film it. Large numbers of hens in the woods can mean lots of hung-up gobblers in the spring, but an abundance of female turkeys only helps gobbler populations. During times of the year where natural food sources are low, bears sometimes help themselves to food that is easily accessible, including bird feeders, trash cans and pet food left outside within a bears reach. Keystone State. Yes. Other exceptions are included with species seasons below. I've read a lot about this, and the usual explanation is the very human desire to see something, to see what someone wants to see, and thus these people are seeing bobcats or brown cats or dogs or foxes and, because they 'want' to see a puma, they do. That smacks of mountain lion behavior pun intended. As wild animals are fed, they become used to the presence of people. Continually feeding many wild animals in the same place can harm the habitat, people and the animals themselves. The late season flintlock season is a popular and unique opportunity, as only Pennsylvania offers this special hunt, which is enjoyed by an estimated 75,000 flintlock hunters. Comments for the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners regarding current and/or proposed seasons and bag limits may be submitted to pgccomments@pa.gov. The Pennsylvania Game Commissions website, mobile app and Hunting and Trapping Digest are all great resources when looking for information related to current hunting and trapping seasons and beg limits. Click here to learn more about CWD in Pennsylvania. But it is unlikely. Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. Bobcat heights are listed as ranging from 12 to 24 inches. Isnt that what happened to beaver and river otter in Pennsylvania? With that hope in mind, I have, for years, asked outdoors people if they ever heard of a mountain lion, or puma, in their area -- with my questioning limited to people in my home state of Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, due to recent declines in hunter flush rates and brood observations, the 2019-20 grouse season recommendation calls for a continued statewide closure of the late season for at least one year. There is no prohibition, per se, on metal detecting on state game lands. This process continues until the whole unit is burned out. Click here for more information. If cougar reintroduction were to become a serious consideration, the game commission would first need to conduct a feasibility assessment, a "long and careful process," in Keller's estimation, that ends with a recommendation for or against reintroducing a species. I receive about one email or phone call a month, on average, from people that I do not know who are contacting me because their sighting compelled them to do a Google search on puma sightings, and they found my site and previously posted questions. Why cant I purchase antlerless deer tags online? SUNDAY HUNTING:It is unlawful to hunt on Sundays except foxes, crows and coyotes. *Please note: You must have permission from private landowners before entering their property. All of these forests are, with few exceptions, open to hunting, and hunting is a very important industry in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. They have adapted to live in the suburbs in woods, fields or even backyards without being seen by people.. He saw his cat at very close range -- 20 yards or less, and when I pointed out to him that pumas are never black he said that perhaps it was the light. Call the Pennsylvania Game Commission region office that serves the county in question for the best local, on-the-ground, information and faster response times. The stride was around 21 inches, and they ambled along at a leisurely pace. Calls to the Operation Game Thief hotline are always answered by a secure recording device. We are one of the leading states when it comes to turkey hunters! Heres how The Express-Times reported the unusual story on Sept. 26, 1996. Why not close pheasant hunting the day birds are stocked? Interesting, too, are the reports I've heard from people who were told that they would be in big trouble if they shot a puma. Harvest management to improve turkey numbers is with more conservative fall seasons. Cougars in Pennsylvania may still be a pipe dream in 2023, but who knows? The commission's furbearer biologist Thomas Keller said the PGC would "likely not be supportive of mountain lion reintroduction," pointing to the dangers posed to hikers, pets and other wildlife. This is only hearsay, however, since I'm only going on their stories. Have your animal tested and do not consume parts of any animal testing positive for CWD or displaying outward signs of disease. *Please note: Our state game wardens are responsible for many things, from protecting wildlife, to enforcing hunting regulations, conducting search and rescues, assisting with biological research, educating the public about wildlife and more. Additionally, in Pennsylvanias Disease Management Areas, hunters who wish to have their deer tested for Chronic Wasting Disease must place the head of their deer with the harvest tag attached to the head to place it in the head collection bin. Once hunted to extinction, Pennsylvanias resurgent elk herd now numbers 1,400. Then I saw and was like, 'It could be a bobcat, possibly mountain lion,' " Nick Dodge said. Title 34, the law that governs the Board, requires that each member be a citizen of the Commonwealth, and well informed about wildlife conservation and restoration. No wild cougars have been found in Pennsylvania since their extirpation in 1871. That's true. This map is updated seasonally and will even show "Burn Imminent" status when a burn date has been confirmed. Who conducts burns on State Game Lands? Once a hunter obtains six licenses, the hunter cant purchase additional licenses without first harvesting deer and reporting them. American marten weigh between 1-3 lbs. A bobcat gives you a warm, that-kind-of-looks-like-my-cat-but-slightly-bigger feeling. The mountain lion will most likely attempt to tackle you and crush your skull or bite your throat. The Pennsylvania Game Commission updated the Pennsylvania Automated Licensing System in early 2021 which provides hunters with more convenient and efficient ways to apply for an receive hunting licenses. The burn area will be closed to public access through a variety of notification methods, including signage at the game lands and through the Game Commission's online Hunter Notification map. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. If the pine marten requires this much paperwork, one can imagine where that leaves cougars. However, evidence of attempt to tag would be harder to prove if the tag was placed around the antler. Are there Mountain Lions (Pumas, Cougars) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic States? Open Records Officer: Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue; Harrisburg PA 17110-9797, 717-787-4250, pgcrtk@pa.gov. Click here for information, including regulations, maps, public shooting ranges, seasonal road schedules, access for hunters with disabilities, designated routes for horses and bicycles and more. Larger and more aggressive animals often exclude younger and weaker animals which causes aggressive behavior resulting in injuries and even death for particularly vulnerable individuals. We have a google map of unconfirmed public reports, pictures, videos, and historical. Remember, this one was photographed in Arizona in good puma country, although this was the first one I've recorded there. Are there Mountain Lions in Pennsylvania? With industrial expansion into the heart of Pennsylvania in the 1700s, mountain lion sightings and attacks became more common as habitat destruction pit settlers against native predators.. The interaction of these factors, such as a high fall harvest rate coupled with poor poult production due to adverse spring weather with poor habitat quality, predation and minor disease, impact populations. Fish and Wildlife Service formally declared the eastern cougar extinct, but said the subspecies had probably been stamped out in the 1930s. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Mountain lions are found in mountains, coniferous forests, grasslands, swamps, and dry scrublands. Fearing the worst, I called 911. Two different people told me that they, or a close relative, had seen pumas on more than one occasion. Time is of the essence when it comes to reporting the location of a wild animal, so it's best to call, as opposed to report via email or social media. There are at least 20,000 black bears in Pa., and a small percentage are killed each year, but we're probably not talking about 20,000 pumas in the state. Why not work to establish a wild population in Pennsylvania? Minimize the handling of and cutting through brain and spinal tissues; 4. In 2020, more than 6,000 migratory game birds, including more than 5,000 waterfowl, were banded in Pennsylvania. However, diseases may interact with other population influences, such as habitat & weather, and result in population declines. The agency is focused on putting wildlife first, improving wildlife habitat, following sound business practices, serving the Pennsylvania public and improving support for hunting and trapping. 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