Post by yihunt on Nov 8, 2009 9:23:06 GMT -4
Plentiful hunting-and-trapping season expected
Buzz up!By Bob Frye, TRIBUNE-REVIEW OUTDOORS EDITOR
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Mention wildlife and crop damage and nuisance issues together and most people likely think of white-tailed deer or maybe bears.
But it's another species that's causing a lot of problems this year.
According to Pennsylvania Game Commission officers and land managers, raccoon populations are at an all-time high in many areas. That's led to a lot of conflicts with farmers and even suburban homeowners.
"Raccoon complaints are numerous throughout the year, especially in the more urban areas like Murrysville," said wildlife conservation officer Seth Mesoras in northern Westmoreland County.
The good news is that the hunting and trapping for raccoons should be excellent in many places this year, other officers said.
Officer Beth Fife in Allegheny County said raccoon populations "are exploding" in her district, while officer Travis Anderson in Somerset County said "raccoons are as plentiful as ever and can be found everywhere."
"Raccoons continue to be numerous everywhere in (this) district," said officer Gary Toward in Armstrong County. "Sportsmen that enjoy hunting, trapping or both will have a great time afield this year in the pursuit of raccoons."
Coyote is another furbearer that is doing well and should provide good hunting through fall and winter. Officers report coyotes are abundant, even in places with lots of people.
Gary Fujak, the commission's officer in western Allegheny County, said he's got coyotes in every borough and township in his area, and even in the city limits of Pittsburgh.
Officer Richard Joyce in Washington County reports that coyote numbers there "are at an all-time high," while officer Rod Burns in Greene County said the animals are plentiful there.
The same is true in Fayette County, though that doesn't mean coyotes are easy to get, said officer Jason Farabaugh. Coyote hunting has grown in popularity, but bagging an animal is a tough task.
"Many hunters reported coyote sightings, but only limited success in actually bagging one," he said.
Officers report fox populations seem to be good to average in most areas, with grays doing better than reds in some places and the situation reversed in others. Beaver populations are good in spots — officer Matt Kramer in Beaver County reports lots of the animals there, while officer Dan Sitler said the Avella, Burgettstown and McDonald areas of Washington County look good — and mink numbers seem to be above average. Muskrat populations appear to be depressed, however.
All in all,the fall hunting and trapping seasons should be good ones, said commission land manager Doug Dunkerly.
"Gas prices in the last year have limited trapping, resulting in really high populations," he said. "Hopefully, a drop in fuel prices will get more trappers out."
Tis the season ...
The furbearer seasons are, for the most part, underway.
Hunters can take an unlimited number of raccoons and foxes per day through Feb. 20. Bobcats are fair game for those holding a permit in a number of local wildlife management units, including 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F and 2G.
There's no closed hunting season on coyotes.
The trapping season on coyotes, foxes, opposums, raccoons, skunks and bobcats has started, too, and runs through Feb. 21. The season on minks and muskrats starts Nov. 21 and runs through Jan. 10, while the beaver season starts Dec. 26 and runs through March 31.
Buzz up!By Bob Frye, TRIBUNE-REVIEW OUTDOORS EDITOR
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Mention wildlife and crop damage and nuisance issues together and most people likely think of white-tailed deer or maybe bears.
But it's another species that's causing a lot of problems this year.
According to Pennsylvania Game Commission officers and land managers, raccoon populations are at an all-time high in many areas. That's led to a lot of conflicts with farmers and even suburban homeowners.
"Raccoon complaints are numerous throughout the year, especially in the more urban areas like Murrysville," said wildlife conservation officer Seth Mesoras in northern Westmoreland County.
The good news is that the hunting and trapping for raccoons should be excellent in many places this year, other officers said.
Officer Beth Fife in Allegheny County said raccoon populations "are exploding" in her district, while officer Travis Anderson in Somerset County said "raccoons are as plentiful as ever and can be found everywhere."
"Raccoons continue to be numerous everywhere in (this) district," said officer Gary Toward in Armstrong County. "Sportsmen that enjoy hunting, trapping or both will have a great time afield this year in the pursuit of raccoons."
Coyote is another furbearer that is doing well and should provide good hunting through fall and winter. Officers report coyotes are abundant, even in places with lots of people.
Gary Fujak, the commission's officer in western Allegheny County, said he's got coyotes in every borough and township in his area, and even in the city limits of Pittsburgh.
Officer Richard Joyce in Washington County reports that coyote numbers there "are at an all-time high," while officer Rod Burns in Greene County said the animals are plentiful there.
The same is true in Fayette County, though that doesn't mean coyotes are easy to get, said officer Jason Farabaugh. Coyote hunting has grown in popularity, but bagging an animal is a tough task.
"Many hunters reported coyote sightings, but only limited success in actually bagging one," he said.
Officers report fox populations seem to be good to average in most areas, with grays doing better than reds in some places and the situation reversed in others. Beaver populations are good in spots — officer Matt Kramer in Beaver County reports lots of the animals there, while officer Dan Sitler said the Avella, Burgettstown and McDonald areas of Washington County look good — and mink numbers seem to be above average. Muskrat populations appear to be depressed, however.
All in all,the fall hunting and trapping seasons should be good ones, said commission land manager Doug Dunkerly.
"Gas prices in the last year have limited trapping, resulting in really high populations," he said. "Hopefully, a drop in fuel prices will get more trappers out."
Tis the season ...
The furbearer seasons are, for the most part, underway.
Hunters can take an unlimited number of raccoons and foxes per day through Feb. 20. Bobcats are fair game for those holding a permit in a number of local wildlife management units, including 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F and 2G.
There's no closed hunting season on coyotes.
The trapping season on coyotes, foxes, opposums, raccoons, skunks and bobcats has started, too, and runs through Feb. 21. The season on minks and muskrats starts Nov. 21 and runs through Jan. 10, while the beaver season starts Dec. 26 and runs through March 31.