Updates from the 2005 PA Game Commission Digest
In effect last year, but not given final approval until after last year’s Digest went to press, is the new safety zone
restriction for archery hunters. The safety zone for archery hunters statewide has been reduced from within 150 yards of any
occupied residence, camp, industrial or commercial building, farm house or farm building to 50 yards. This also applies to
crossbows during any season where they can be used. Around playgrounds, schools, nursery schools or day-care centers, the
safety zone remains 150 yards.
There are several new and exciting changes for the 2005-06 hunting and furtaking license year including:
Expanding the extended bear season that opens Monday, Nov. 28 through Saturday, Dec. 3 to include WMUs 3D, 4C and
now all of WMUs 3B, 3C and 4E. Bear licenses must now be purchased prior to the opening of the regular firearms deer
seasons by persons who hold a valid regular hunting license.
A late-September 2006 elk hunt has been established. See the “Elk License Application” section for details.
Expanded antlerless deer hunting in WMU 5C in the southeast portion of the state. The late antlerless deer season for
WMUs 5C and 5D is Dec. 12-23 and then Dec. 26-Jan. 28. In the DMAP program, landowners are now permitted to give up
to two coupons to a licensed hunter.
Hunters can purchase a special wild turkey license that will enable them to take a second gobbler in the 2006 spring
gobbler season. Hunters can still harvest one spring and one fall turkey as part of the general hunting license privileges.
The Youth Pheasant Season has been expanded from two days to a week (Oct. 8-14), and youth-only waterfowl hunting
days at Middle Creek and Pymatuning wildlife management areas have been established.
Cable restraint devices can now be used by certified licensed furtakers for coyotes and foxes from Jan. 1 until the end of
the established trapping season. Contact the Hunter-Trapper Education Division at the Harrisburg headquarters for information
on how to become certified.
You’ll notice in this year’s Digest that there are color borders on some of the pages. These correspond to the color
designations assigned to species on the 2005-06 Hunting Seasons and Bag Limits pages, that is: brown for small game;
orange, turkey; black, bear; blue, elk; red, deer; and yellow, furbearers. We think it will enable you to more easily find a
particular section that you’re looking for. Also new in this year’s Digest are: a chart detailing what is required as far as
licenses and fluorescent orange safety material for each species and each season, all on one page; an example of a license
back tag number needed on applications; an application for a second spring turkey tag; and photos of some of the elk taken
by hunters in Pennsylvania in previous hunts. We hope you like the changes and additions. — Bob D’Angelo
The Pennsylvania Game Commission
administers several million acres
of private land open to public hunting
through its Farm Game, Safety Zone
and Forest Game programs. Please
remember to ask permission before
hunting or trapping on lands enrolled
in these programs or any other private
land. It’s even a good idea to get
written permission from the landowner.
A hunting license does not
give you permission to trespass on
private property. Remember to leave
property in better condition than you
found it in. Common courtesy will go
a long way in keeping these properties
open to hunting and trapping.
You can show your appreciation
by sharing some of your harvest with
the landowner, or by offering to help
around the place during the offseason.
Another way to show your appreciation
is with a thank-you note. Cut
this note out—or feel free to copy
it—and give it or send it to the
landowner who granted you permission
to hunt or trap.
Download the entire 2005 digest
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