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Outdoors

Construction changes access to state lands

From Mirror reports The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced that public access to Game Lands Road, located within State Game Lands 26 in Cambria and Bedford counties, will be temporarily impacted by a construction project. During the final weeks of August and into early September, contractors will begin a $142,000 project to improve 1.7 miles of roadway for vehicle access through the game lands. The segment of State Game Lands Road that will be closed begins at Gate 17 off Frankstown Road in Cambria County, Portage Township and proceeds south, ending at Gate 16. This section ...

Biden backs end to wolf protections

By Matthew Brown and John Flesher The Associated Press FARIBAULT, Minn. — President Joe Biden’s administration is sticking by the decision under former President Donald Trump to lift protections for gray wolves across most of the U.S. However, a top federal wildlife official on Friday told The Associated Press there is growing concern over aggressive wolf hunting seasons adopted for the predators in the western Great Lakes and northern Rocky Mountains. Wolves under federal protection made a remarkable rebound in parts of the U.S. over the past several decades, after being ...

PGC wants feedback on northern goshawks

From Mirror reports HARRISBURG, — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is soliciting comments on a proposal to revise the status of the northern goshawk from protected to endangered. The Game Commission Board of Commissioners gave preliminary approval to the listing change at its July meeting, and will consider the proposal for final adoption at its meeting in September. Those wishing to submit comments about the proposed change may do so until Sunday, Sept. 5. Comments may be submitted by email to goshawk@pa.gov or by mail to: Northern Goshawk Comments, Pennsylvania Game Commission, ...

Peregrine falcon close to protected

From Mirror reports HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Game Commission is proposing to remove the peregrine falcon from the Commonwealth’s list of threatened birds, reclassifying its status as protected. The Game Commission Board of Commissioners gave preliminary approval to the listing change at its July meeting, and will consider the proposal for final adoption at its meeting in September. Those wishing to submit comments about the proposed change may do so until Sept. 5. Comments may be submitted by email to peregrine@pa.gov or by mail to: Peregrine Falcon Comments, Pennsylvania ...

Commission addresses deer, COVID talk

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Game Commission responded on Friday to recent reports about the connection between COVID-19 and deer, pointing out there’s no evidence deer can spread the virus to humans or that humans are at risk of contracting the virus from consuming venison. As always, however, hunters heading afield in the 2021-22 hunting seasons should take usual precautions when handling their harvests. “COVID-19 has affected all of us, and it’s not surprising the recent research that shows deer can develop COVID antibodies has generated interest,” Game Commission ...

Elk Cam will go live in September

From Mirror reports HARRISBURG — Can’t wait for the September peak of Pennsylvania’s elk rut? Get a jumpstart now with the Game Commission’s Elk Cam. The Game Commission again has installed a camera on State Game Lands 311 in Elk County, in a field that typically is a hub of elk activity as the bugling season heats up. Video and sound from the camera are being livestreamed at www.pgc.pa.gov, and viewers can expect not only to see elk, but turkeys, deer and other wildlife, as well. “Nature is full of surprises, and that’s some of the reason the Game Commission’s ...