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Bill aims to establish new population goal for wolves

MADISON, Wis. — A pair of Republican legislators recently circulated a bill that would require Wisconsin wildlife officials to establish a new population goal for wolves in the state in their next management plan. The state Department of Natural Resources has operated since 1999 under a wolf management plan that limits the statewide population to 350 animals. As the number of wolves in the state has increased — DNR estimates released in September put the statewide population at about 1,000 wolves — hunters have pointed to that number as justification for setting generous quotas ...

Game Commission asking for reports of ‘tame’ grouse

By Walt Young sports@altoonamirror.com During the winter of 2008, I had the good fortune to observe and photograph an amazingly friendly wild ruffed grouse. My friend, Bill Carter, first encountered the remarkable bird near the gate to his hunting camp in Huntingdon County during deer season that fall. On subsequent visits to camp in December and January, the curious bird would literally come running most days when it heard him opening the gate. Not only was this particular grouse apparently unafraid of humans, it actually seemed to enjoy human contact. That offered me one of ...

Nature’s spring flings area ready to begin

Let the party begin! The spring dance in the woods is already underway. Every bird, from robins to wild turkeys, is gearing up for the process of attracting a mate and building a nest. Ruffed Grouse will find the edges of dirt roads to be great spots to strut and spread that ruff and try to look like the most desirable fellow in the woods. He’ll establish his territory around a drumming log and wear himself out with all the drumming and preening it takes to turn a hen’s eye. Wild turkeys have come through the winter pretty well — they are extremely hardy birds — and the ...

State hunters bag 3,170 black bears

The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently released the bear harvest figures for the 2022 bear hunting seasons, indicating that hunters harvested 3, 170 Pennsylvania black bears. That total is 451 bears fewer than the 3,621 taken in 2021 and ranks as the 14th highest season total of all time. The all-time record bear harvest for Pennsylvania occurred in 2019 when hunters bagged 4,653 bears. Bear hunting continues to enjoy a wave of popularity in Pennsylvania with sales of bear licenses for 2022 totaling 213,639, the third most ever. Pennsylvania residents bought 203,922 bear licenses ...

Area man makes splash in MLF event

By John Hartsock jhartsock@altoonamirror.com Ken Thompson has been fishing for bass since the age of 14 and began fishing in competitive events at the age of 16. Now 35 years old, Thompson — a 2006 graduate of Northern Bedford County High School who now lives in Roaring Spring — has some pretty lofty goals in mind concerning his favorite pastime. Thompson, who entered the Major League Fishing organization’s Toyota Series this year, is aiming to qualify for both the MLF Pro Tour in 2024 and the Toyota Series National Championship event this November at Table Rock Lake in ...

Studies of CWD will be beneficial

By Shirley Grenoble sports@altoonamirror.com Like scores of other hunters, I returned from last season’s deer season quite disappointed. The gang I hunt with were feeling the same because we hunted hard every day except for a couple of really rainy days. And we barely saw any deer at all, much less bag any. As usual, every excuse for the shortage of deer was trotted out — every hunter has his or her own opinions on why the deer season had diminished. The one I didn’t hear and did not myself think of is that dreaded word CWD. The chatter about it had quieted down the last ...