Miller Spring 2010 Sportsmen Newsletter

8/14/2019 Miller Spring 2010 Sportsmen Newsletter

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PRSRT STD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HARRISBURG, PA

PERMIT NO. 529RON MILLER

Representa t ive

93

rdDistrict

Spring Sportsmen Newsletter

2010 Trout Season

Opening Day: Saturday, April 17Time: 8 a.m.

Minimum Size: Seven (7) inchesFishing Hours: 24 hours a day, after

the 8 a.m. opener

Creel limitsRegular season (opening day thru Labor Day) 5 (combined species)Extended season (Jan. 1-Feb. 28) & (day after Labor Day-Dec. 31) 3(combined species)

Regional Opening Day: Saturday, April 3

Regional Opening Day counties:

All waters in Adams, Berks, Bucks, Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin,

Delaware, Franklin, Juniata, Lancaster, Lebanon, Lehigh, Montgomery,Northampton, Perry, Philadelphia, Schuylkill and York counties.

Streams on county borders that are part of

Regional Opening Day:

Mahantango Creek, between Northumber-land and Dauphin counties. This is the ONLYstream inNorthumberland County opening on the earlierdate.

West Branch Mahantango Creek, betweenSnyder and Juniata counties. This is theONLY stream in Snyder County opening onthe earlier date.

Two streams in Carbon County LizardCreek and Mahoning Creek.

May 1 Opening Day - Walleye & SaugerMay 22 Fish for Free DayMay 22-28 National Safe Boating WeekJune 5-13 National Fishing and Boating Week June 6 Fish for Free DayJune 12 Opening Day Bass

April 17

April 3

A Message from

Rep. Ron Miller

As the recently-

appointed House

Republican Game andFisheries Committee

chairman, I wanted

to take some time

to offer you some of

the latest news from

Harrisburg with regard

to game laws. Hunting

and fishing are big

business in our state,

and Pennsylvaniasoutdoorsmen and

outdoorswomen are as

passionate about their

sports as any of their

counterparts in other

regions. Im looking

forward to working with

my colleagues on the

committee to put forth

meaningful legislation

that makes theseoutdoor activities even

more enjoyable for those

who participate in them.

I recently met with

Pennsylvania Game

Commission Executive

Director Carl Roe to discuss

sportsmens issues.

Rep. Millers Offices

HARRISBURG OFFICE:111 Ryan Office Building

PO Box 202093

Harrisburg, PA 17120-2093Phone: (717) 783-8389FAX: (717) 705-2095

DISTRICT OFFICE:6872 Susquehanna Trail South

PO Box 277 Jacobus, PA 17407-0277

Phone: (717) 428-9889FAX: (717) 771-1035

E-mail: [email protected]: www.repmiller.com


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SPORTSMENS WEB LINKSPennsylvania Game Commission -- www.pgc.state.pa.usFish and Boat Commission -- www.fish.state.pa.us

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources -- www.dcnr.state.pa.us

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service -- www.fws.gov

National Rifle Association -- www.nra.org

www.RepMiller.com

2010 Creel Limits Drop to Three

for American Shad in the Delaware

River and Estuary

Due to decreased numbers of shad over the past 20 yearsin the Delaware River basin watershed, the Pennsylvania Fishand Boat Commission (PFBC) has reduced the creel limit forAmerican shad from six to three in the Delaware River andRiver Estuary and the entire Delaware River mainstem from the

confluence of the East and West Branches downstream to theCommodore Barry Bridge.This regulation was effective Jan. 9, when published in the

Pennsylvania Bulletin. This change is called temporary modifica-tion, but will remain in effect until the commission takes actionto lift it.

This regulation did not cover large tributaries upriver of thetidal influence, such as the Lackawaxen River in Pike County, butthe PFBC is seeking to make the two sections consistent, with acreel limit of three, so it has filed a proposed regulation that, asof publication of this newsletter, has not been finalized.

It appears, however, that the limit for American shad onthose Delaware River tributaries will drop to three from six in

2010, but the proposed regulation to reduce the creel limit inthese tributaries is still pending.

The proposed regulation was published in the PennsylvaniaBulletin on Jan. 16, and the public comment period ended 30days from that date.

It is expected this extension of the creel limit to three intributaries including the Lackawaxen River in Pike County couldbe in effect by April.

The commission has a verbal agreement with New York, NewJersey and Delaware to ensure the recreational fishing opportuni-ties continue by reducing creel limits along with Pennsylvania.New Jerseys freshwater and marine divisions are expected toreduce the creel limit to three on the Delaware River. New York is

moving toward this same standard. Delawares only recreationalshad area is the Brandywine Creek, which is very limited. Theydo not make a distinction between American shad and riverherring, but they are moving to reduce the creel limit from 10combined/day to six combined/day, but that is not expectedduring the 2010 season.

This change in the daily creel limit will reduce the amount ofadult shad taken by recreational fishing from April through earlyJune, when shad move into the river to spawn.

According to The Shad Times, a newsletter from theDelaware River Shad Fishermans Association (DRSFA), thisaction to decrease the recreational harvest is supported by thePennsylvania Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, which endorsesthe DRSFAs 2009 Delaware River Basin Shad RestorationPlan (DRBSRP).

The DRBSRP recommends increases in Delaware River andother river egg harvests and reduction in recreational harvests tothree a day for all states in the watershed, and recommends thatNew Jersey and Delaware also stop commercial harvests.

It recommends a continuation of the ocean interceptmoratorium until self-sustaining shad population goals (DelawareRiver 2,000,000, Lehigh River - 750,000, Schuylkill River 750,000) are met or exceeded.

Fish and Boat Commission Annual

Report

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC)recently presented its annual report to the House Game andFisheries Committee. The report indicated a 4 percent increasein license sales in the past year. Commission Acting ExecutiveDirector Brian Barner said the recent recession appears tohave returned many people to this affordable, family orientedactivity.

Boaters and anglers contribute about $3.4 billion annuallyto the Pennsylvania economy.

The Commission is continuing to work with the New YorkState Department of Environmental Conservation to protect theDelaware River, and is also working with the U.S. GeologicalSurvey, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protec-tion, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to investigatelarge numbers of dead smallmouth bass in the SusquehannaRiver Watershed.

Several hatcheries and dams have received state grantfunding for upgrades and repairs. Fourteen high-hazard damswill be repaired with more than $60 million in state funding.Wildlife Conservation Officers periodically inspect abandoneddams in the Commonwealth and place signs to warn the publicof dangers. The PFBC also attempts to discover who owns theright to the dam.

Barner acknowledged the need to develop the MarcellusShale natural gas region, but wanted assurances that drilling,the handling of wastewater, and drilling infrastructure would notaffect stream quality. He felt some of the revenue should fundnatural resource conservation.

Barner explained that the trout in the classroom program isan aquatic resource programs where eggs are delivered to theclassroom and raised by the class with the support of the teacher.Trout Unlimited has awarded a grant to the PFBC to keep this

program running. This is a good biology lesson for the studentsbecause some of the fish dont survive.Committee members questioned the health of the striped

bass in the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers, and whether the shadpopulation is self sustaining. Some Schuylkill River impound-ments hinder the shad from returning from the ocean to spawn.There are also predatory issues that shad encounter in the ocean,including fishing by commercial fishermen. However, studies haveshown enough shad are returning to sustain their population.

Another question was what types of invasive species arebeing spread because of the Marcellus Shale. Two examples aregolem algae and zebra mussels. The Susquehanna Water BasinAuthority is requiring disinfection of drilling equipment to help

fight the spread of invasive species.Also noted was the survival struggle that small mouth bassin the Susquehanna River are encountering. The low survivalrate could be caused by a parasite that is weakening the immunesystems of the fish and adding stress factors to the fish that dontallow them to fight off infection. The problem is not as evidentduring periods of high water and cooler temperatures, but thecause is still uncertain.


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PROPOSED 2010-11 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without

required license, and mentored youth Oct. 9-15 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 16-Nov. 27; Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Feb. 5 (6 daily,

12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 16Nov. 27, Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Jan. 22 (2 daily, 4 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 9-16 (4

daily, 8 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 23-Nov. 27, Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Feb. 26 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license Oct. 9-16 (2 daily,

4 in possession). Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B. Male and female pheasants

may be taken in all other WMUs. There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant

Recovery Areas in any WMU.

PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2B, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B Oct. 23-Nov. 27. Male and female may be

taken in all other WMUs Oct. 23-Nov. 27, Dec. 13-23 and Dec. 27-Feb. 5 (2 daily, 4 in possession). There is

no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

BOBWHITE QUAIL: No open season, except captive raised or propagated bobwhite quail may be taken onregulated hunting grounds, and public and private lands by permit.

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: Dec. 27Jan. 1 (1 daily, 2 possession).

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays; during the antlered and antlerless

deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season.

CROWS: July 2-April 10, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only. No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer

seasons and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): Wildlife Management Units 1A, 1B and 2A (Shotgun and bow and arrow)

Oct. 30-Nov. 13; WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) Oct. 30- Nov. 19; WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D Oct. 30-Nov. 13; WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E Oct. 30-Nov. 19; WMU 5A Nov. 2-4; WMUs 5B,

5C and 5D CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and

mentored youth April 23, 2011. Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 30-May 31, 2011. Daily limit 1, season limit 2. (Second spring

gobbler may only be taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.)

BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Bow and Arrow only: Nov. 15-19. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 20, 22-23. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 1-6. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. The Board will

decide later on an allocation of elk licenses for the 2010 season.

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 8-13. Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

Eligible elk license recipients who havent harvested an elk by Nov. 6, in designated areas.

Elk, Special Conservation Tag (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 1-Nov. 6. One elk tag for one antlered or

antlerless elk will be auctioned at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation annual banquet.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 18-Oct. 1 and Nov. 15-27. One antlerless

deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Oct. 2-Nov. 13 and Dec. 27-Jan. 29. One

antlered deer per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Oct. 2-Nov. 13 and Dec. 27-Jan. 15. One antlered deer

per hunting license year. One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2F, 3A, 3B, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 29-

Dec. 11. One antlered deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless

license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Nov. 29-Dec. 3. One antlered deer per

hunting license year. (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP

properties during this period.)


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District Office Services

My district office is here to help you.Services my staff and I provide include:

Assistance with PennDOT paperworkCopies of birth and death certificatesPACE and PACENET applications forseniors

Property Tax and Rent Rebate applicationsVoter registration forms and absentee ballot

applicationsState tax formsFree state maps, state park information, and

PA Vacation GuidesCopies of legislationTours of the State CapitolReferrals to agencies to resolve state-related

matters

If you need help with any state-related matter,please do not hesitate to call my district office.

Asian Carp Meeting at White House

Gov. Ed Rendell chose not attend a recent White House summit to talk about athreat that could devastate the freshwater economy not only in the great lakes, butthroughout rivers that flow into them.

Asian carp grow to be as large as five-feet long and 100 pounds, and are knownto jump from the water at the sound of boats, sometimes hitting and injuring boatersand anglers. A smaller species can fly 10 feet out of the water, hurling themselvesat boaters and anglers.

There is a serious threat of infestation in the Great Lakes, which could spreadthroughout tributaries that feed them if not checked. They also feed almost continuouslyon plankton, crowding out native species. Failure to prevent this invasive speciesfrom entering Pennsylvania could affect western Pennsylvania fishing and tourismindustries.

Environmentalists have been concerned for some time that invasive species carriedinto the Great Lakes through the ballast water of international ships are pushing outnative species. This is true particularly of the zebra mussels, which clog water intakepipes and latch onto the hulls of pleasure boats. Ugly round gobies helped to spread

botulism to waterfowl.The Asian carp represent a different problem. They migrated into the Mississippi

and Illinois rivers after being flooded out of fish farms. The actual fish havent beendiscover in the Great Lakes, but three DNA samples along the Chicago River havetested positive for Asian carp.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2G, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 4-11. One antlered

deer per hunting license year. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 21-23. Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person

Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in

U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included

are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a

license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.

One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 16-23. An antlerless deer with each required

antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 27-Jan. 15. One antlered per

hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required

antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 27-Jan. 29. One antlered

per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required

antlerless license.

DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 27-Jan. 29. An antlerless deer with each required

antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department

of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County;

and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless

license.

Miller Spring 2010 Sportsmen Newsletter

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