DEER HARVEST – Pennsylvania hunters bagged more bucks in the 2010-2011 seasons than the year before, the Game Commission estimates.
The 122,930 antlered deer represents an increase, particularly of older bucks; 52 percent of bucks killed were 2.5 years or older, the highest percentage in 30 years.
Overall, the estimated harvest of 316,240 was up 2 percent from a year before.
Tallies of antlerless deer dropped 4 percent to 193,310, reflecting shorter seasons and fewer permits issued for does.
The estimates are based on report cards that 111,630 hunters mailed or e-mailed to the commission and were crossed checked against 23,606 deer that wildlife conservation officers examined in the woods or butcher shops.
For three wildlife management units in around Hazleton, the buck harvests increased. The tallies rose to 3,900 from 3,100 in WMU 3D, to 5,700 from 4,700 in WMU 4C and to 4,800 from 4,100 in WMU 4D.
Antlerless deer harvests dropped to 5,500 from 6,300 in WMU 3D and 5,900 from 6,300 in WMU 4E, but they increased to 8,400 from 7,200 in WMU 4C.
BOATING SAFETY – An early-season course on boating safety will be offered Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at PPL’s Susquehanna Riverlands. Boaters will learn legal requirements, safety and rescue tips. Students who finish the course can obtain a $10 certificate that people born after Jan. 1, 1982 need to operate a personal watercraft with an engine of more than 25 horsepower. Telephone 1-866-832-3312 to register.
EARTH DAY TALK – Professor Paul Rosier of Villanova University will deliver an Earth Day talk about Pennsylvania’s environmental history at Penn State Hazleton on April 21. His talk at 7 p.m. in the Kostos Building will cover Rachel Carson, Three Mile Island, farmland and the state’s contribution to greenhouse gases. Penn State, the Friends of the Nescopeck and Nescopeck State Park sponsor the talk.
FISHING RODEO – A Kids Free Fish Rodeo for children ages 4 to 14 will be held by the Locust Valley Fish and Game Club from noon until 4 p.m. May 7 at the club grounds in Barnesville. Food and refreshments will be available. For more information visit www.lvfg.org.
STOCKING SCHEDULES – Trout stocking schedules are now available at district offices of state Rep. Jerry Knowles, R-124, in preparation for opening day of trout season in April, the legislator announced.
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will stock nearly 4 million adult trout in Pennsylvania rivers and streams that are open to the public for fishing. More than one million additional trout will be stocked by private contractors across the Commonwealth.
Opening day for trout season is currently scheduled for April 16. There also will be a regional opening day earlier in April for parts of southeastern Pennsylvania.
Copies of the trout stocking schedules can be obtained by contacting one of Knowles’ legislative district offices at 570-668-1240 or 610-562-3411.
SCHUYLKILL OUTDOORS – Outdoors-related clubs and organizations are invited to send information on events, activities and contact people and phone numbers – or e-mail addresses – to be listed free of charge for the Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Outdoors Map being conducted by the Schuylkill Conservation District and the Schuylkill County Sportsmen’s Association. As this is a long-range, continuing project, there is no way exact dates can be listed, so just general information or reoccurring events can be listed.
Sporting goods dealers, taxidermists, dog-supply and feed dealers, campgrounds, bait shops, lawn and garden dealers and related retailers can be listed for $25. Information and checks should be mailed to: Wayne Lehman, County Natural Resource Specialist, Schuylkill Conservation District, 1206 AG Center Drive, Pottsville, PA 17901. Information alone can be e-mailed to wlehman@co.schuylkill.pa.us.