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Application process set for doe licenses

At their regular quarterly meeting on April 15, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners gave final approval to a new system of how Pennsylvania hunters will apply for antlerless deer licenses. For generations, state law required all antlerless deer licenses to be issued only by county treasurers. Before the adoption of Wildlife Management Units, antlerless deer licenses were allocated on a county-by-county basis, and hunters were obligated to submit their antlerless deer license applications to the treasurer of the county where they desired to hunt. In the early 2000s, the ...

Finding time to fine-tune your trout fishing tactics

By Walt Young sports@ltoonamirror.com As we reach mid-April, trout season is now two weeks old. The typical crowds of the opening weekend have dwindled drastically on most trout waters, a situation most experienced trout anglers readily await. Not having to dodge throngs of other fishermen to enjoy their sport is a welcome relief, along with the ability to pursue their quarry with a reasonable degree of expertise. The progression of the season presents a different circumstance, however, for most of the multitude of folks who eagerly flocked to the stream opening morning but ...

What to do and not to do when preseason scouting

Late this month is the magic time for many Pennsylvania hunters — the spring gobbler opener. That means that preseason scouting is a priority for hunters who need to get out in the woods and find out where the big boys are hanging out. I have been driving around some wooded areas, stopping just to listen to see if I hear any gobblers sounding off. The hunter’s biggest concern right now is that for the last couple of seasons the birds have been annoyingly silent. We could be out on the nicest days and hear nothing. Unfortunately, hunters’ scouting techniques are a lot to blame ...

Learning more about the American marten

By Walt Young sports@altoonamirror.com Last month, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced it is considering the possibility of reintroducing the American marten to the forests of Pennsylvania. The Game Commission recently completed a study titled “Reintroduction Feasibility Assessment for American Martens.” A synopsis of this research is available at the agency’s website, www.pgc.pa.gov. Members of the Game Commission staff are also working on an “American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan,” which will outline how and where potential marten reintroductions ...

Youth archery team earns high marks

By John Hartsock jhartsock@altoonamirror.com The Arrows Christian Academy is a school that is located in the Center City Church Building at 1220 12th Avenue in Altoona. As events have transpired, the school — which is now in its second year of operation and offers instruction for ...

Deer harvest sees increase in state

From Mirror reports HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently reported results from the 2022-23 deer seasons, which ended this past January. Hunters harvested an estimated 422,960 white-tailed deer. The statewide buck harvest was estimated at 164,190 and the antlerless harvest at 258,770. All told, that’s a 12% increase over 2021-22’s estimated take, which was 376,810. Longer-term, though, it’s very much in line with recent trends, with the buck harvest in particular only 2% higher than the most-recent three-year average. Game Commission Deer and Elk Section ...