Check out the new PFSC video that explains what the PFSC is about.
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PFSC Video
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PFSC Video
To stay informed about bills proposed and passed that could effect your Hunting and Fishing rights as well as your firearms ownership, click the link below, then click on the Legislative Center tab on the PFSC home page. Read what could effect your rights both positively and negatively and take the appropriate action. Contact your state Senators and Congressman regarding such issues.
The time to stand up for our rights is upon us, and the best way to do this is to be informed.
The time to stand up for our rights is upon us, and the best way to do this is to be informed.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - January 23, 2020
CONTACT: Harold Daub
TELEPHONE: 717-648-1835
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.pfsc.org
FACEBOOK: @pfscorg
Restrictive Range Ordinance Rescinded After PFSC Comments
In their haste to get in front of a rumored plan to build a state police shooting range, the Washington Township Supervisors, located near the town of Elizabethville in Dauphin County, found what they thought was a standard shooting range “noise ordinance.” While it mentioned “Noise Ordinance” at the top, it was a blatant anti-gun, anti-shooting ordinance and would have shut down current and future ranges in the township. The ordinance, which supervisors admitted hadn’t been closely reviewed or understood before it was given first consideration at the December meeting, was on the agenda to be adopted at Tuesday night’s meeting.
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists issued the following statement to the Washington Township (Dauphin County) Elizabethville Pennsylvania Board of Supervisors in response to this proposed update and amendment for The Code of the Township of Washington, Chapter 10 Health and Safety, Part 1 Anti-Nuisance Act defining a shooting range.
PFSC understands that ordinances do need to be updated from time to time. We encourage all development or activity that will bring money into the local economy. PFSC also supports the Pennsylvania State Police having full access for any firearms or other training that will enhance their skills and allow our policemen to maintain proficiency. A well-trained police force is vital to the community.
Having shared the amended ordinance language to the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, both have determined it is the most restrictive and unnecessary language that they have seen.
Guidelines for federal, state and local shooting range facilities are already established, followed and implemented per EPA-902-B-01-001, Best Management Practices for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges.
These regulations and laws have been determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials, and agreed to by The National Rifle Association of America, The National Shooting Sports Foundation, and The Wildlife Management Institute, among others.
I am not an attorney, but it is my opinion that the current amendments may violate Pa. Statute 35, Health and Safety Section 4501 that effectively provides immunity to all prior established ranges to conduct business as usual, stating “ If there were no noise control laws or ordinances extant at the time construction of the range was initiated, then the immunity granted by this act shall apply to said ranges.”
In regards to lead removal, EPA-902-B-01-001 provides standards:
· Lead quantity, as estimated by the number of rounds fired, is a factor in determining the appropriate frequency of reclamation at ranges. It also assists in determining the cost of reclamation.
a. Reclamation was most cost-effective when it contains at least 20 pounds of lead per square foot of backstop.
b. A minimum of 100,000 rounds per firing lane should be allowed before lead reclamation occurs. This would ensure good range operation and maintenance while minimizing the cost per quantity of lead recovered.
c. The NRA recommends a frequency of one to five years for lead cleanup, even on ranges with minimal use. One possible approach to reducing the cost of reclamation more cost-effective is for several ranges in the same geographical area to work together in organizing coordinated removals at their ranges. This will reduce the reclaimer travel and mobilization cost for each range.
As the leading legislative advocacy organization for Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and shooting sports, I caution the Elizabethville Board of Supervisors against enacting the proposed amendment and recommend you use the established EPA, NRA, NSSF standard guidelines for all future ranges constructed in the township. These guidelines work throughout our commonwealth and in all 50 states. There is no reason they will not work in our small towns of Elizabethville and Lykens and the surrounding areas.
Be advised; if this ordinance is passed, or is considered in the future, there may be legal action taken on behalf of the members and member organizations that reside within the township.
PFSC is happy to report that the ordinance was rescinded, and the township supervisors delivered an apology for their failure to fully understand the broad ramifications of the proposal. The township solicitor was provided a copy of the NRA’s Shooting Range Guidelines to aid in any future planning that may become appropriate.
###
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists' mission is to protect and conserve Pennsylvania’s natural resources, outdoor heritage and Second Amendment Rights.
PFSC represents over 70,000 sportsmen/sportswomen involved in shooting and outdoor recreational activities throughout Pennsylvania.
Click Here for a Printable Version
CONTACT: Harold Daub
TELEPHONE: 717-648-1835
EMAIL: [email protected]
WEBSITE: www.pfsc.org
FACEBOOK: @pfscorg
Restrictive Range Ordinance Rescinded After PFSC Comments
In their haste to get in front of a rumored plan to build a state police shooting range, the Washington Township Supervisors, located near the town of Elizabethville in Dauphin County, found what they thought was a standard shooting range “noise ordinance.” While it mentioned “Noise Ordinance” at the top, it was a blatant anti-gun, anti-shooting ordinance and would have shut down current and future ranges in the township. The ordinance, which supervisors admitted hadn’t been closely reviewed or understood before it was given first consideration at the December meeting, was on the agenda to be adopted at Tuesday night’s meeting.
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists issued the following statement to the Washington Township (Dauphin County) Elizabethville Pennsylvania Board of Supervisors in response to this proposed update and amendment for The Code of the Township of Washington, Chapter 10 Health and Safety, Part 1 Anti-Nuisance Act defining a shooting range.
PFSC understands that ordinances do need to be updated from time to time. We encourage all development or activity that will bring money into the local economy. PFSC also supports the Pennsylvania State Police having full access for any firearms or other training that will enhance their skills and allow our policemen to maintain proficiency. A well-trained police force is vital to the community.
Having shared the amended ordinance language to the National Rifle Association and the National Shooting Sports Foundation, both have determined it is the most restrictive and unnecessary language that they have seen.
Guidelines for federal, state and local shooting range facilities are already established, followed and implemented per EPA-902-B-01-001, Best Management Practices for Lead at Outdoor Shooting Ranges.
These regulations and laws have been determined by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials, and agreed to by The National Rifle Association of America, The National Shooting Sports Foundation, and The Wildlife Management Institute, among others.
I am not an attorney, but it is my opinion that the current amendments may violate Pa. Statute 35, Health and Safety Section 4501 that effectively provides immunity to all prior established ranges to conduct business as usual, stating “ If there were no noise control laws or ordinances extant at the time construction of the range was initiated, then the immunity granted by this act shall apply to said ranges.”
In regards to lead removal, EPA-902-B-01-001 provides standards:
· Lead quantity, as estimated by the number of rounds fired, is a factor in determining the appropriate frequency of reclamation at ranges. It also assists in determining the cost of reclamation.
a. Reclamation was most cost-effective when it contains at least 20 pounds of lead per square foot of backstop.
b. A minimum of 100,000 rounds per firing lane should be allowed before lead reclamation occurs. This would ensure good range operation and maintenance while minimizing the cost per quantity of lead recovered.
c. The NRA recommends a frequency of one to five years for lead cleanup, even on ranges with minimal use. One possible approach to reducing the cost of reclamation more cost-effective is for several ranges in the same geographical area to work together in organizing coordinated removals at their ranges. This will reduce the reclaimer travel and mobilization cost for each range.
As the leading legislative advocacy organization for Pennsylvania’s sportsmen and shooting sports, I caution the Elizabethville Board of Supervisors against enacting the proposed amendment and recommend you use the established EPA, NRA, NSSF standard guidelines for all future ranges constructed in the township. These guidelines work throughout our commonwealth and in all 50 states. There is no reason they will not work in our small towns of Elizabethville and Lykens and the surrounding areas.
Be advised; if this ordinance is passed, or is considered in the future, there may be legal action taken on behalf of the members and member organizations that reside within the township.
PFSC is happy to report that the ordinance was rescinded, and the township supervisors delivered an apology for their failure to fully understand the broad ramifications of the proposal. The township solicitor was provided a copy of the NRA’s Shooting Range Guidelines to aid in any future planning that may become appropriate.
###
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists' mission is to protect and conserve Pennsylvania’s natural resources, outdoor heritage and Second Amendment Rights.
PFSC represents over 70,000 sportsmen/sportswomen involved in shooting and outdoor recreational activities throughout Pennsylvania.
Click Here for a Printable Version
PFSC Action Alert
HB 1483 Maloney Amends Title 34 (Game) in preliminary provisions, further providing for definitions; in Pennsylvania Game Commission, further providing for powers and duties of commission and for accountability; establishing the Forest and Wildlife Advisory Council and providing for its powers and duties; in hunting and furtaking, providing for senior hunting license holders; and, in special licenses and permits, further providing for authority to issue permits. The bill establishes that a person who holds a valid Pennsylvania senior hunting license may hunt and kill with an authorized weapon one deer that has two or more points to one antler or that has one antler three or more inches in length during an antlered deer season. It also states that publicly owned lands within this Commonwealth may not be included in any deer management assistance program area established by the commission.
Filed - 10-16-17 (No language provided)
Introduced and referred to House State Government Committee - 9-7-18
House Bill 1483, recently introduced, amends Title 34, The Pennsylvania Game Code. This bill is similar to HB 2083, introduced in the previous legislative session. And again, like HB 2083, rather than being referred for consideration to the House Game & Fisheries Committee, where all Title 34 bills are usually referred, HB 1483 was referred to the House State Government Committee.
The bill currently has 14 co-sponsors. Baker, Matt (Resigned 2/19/18); Cook, Bud (F); Cutler, Bryan; Godshall, Robert; Greiner, Keith; Hanna, Mike; Jozwiak, Barry; Kortz, Bill; Maloney, David; Masser, Kurt; Quigley, Thomas; Readshaw, Harry; Saccone, Rick; Wheeland, Jeff; Zimmerman, David
If enacted, HB 1483 would create a “Forest and Wildlife Advisory Council”. This council would be yet another layer of government, comprised of politically appointed volunteers, who would be charged with designing a habitat program for white-tailed deer and other animals in the commonwealth. There is no mention of specific training or education requirements for council members in any area of wildlife management.
Don't let the "Advisory" title fool you.
This council would dictate policy to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) on matters of wildlife habitat and management. The independence and ability of the two agencies to fulfill their missions, as required by statute, is critical to all Pennsylvanians. Interference by a politically appointed group on matters of policy and operations of wildlife management would be disastrous.
HB 1483 also dictates PGC “regulations” (Seasons and Bag limits) for taking of game. This would usurp the current responsibilities of the Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners who oversee this regulated process annually, based on data and research provided by wildlife experts, and feedback from hunters.
HB 1483 also mandates specific deer hunting regulations as they apply to senior license holders, mandates doe seasons, wildlife management units, antlerless allocations and eliminates the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) on all public land. These are clearly matters for the PGC and wildlife professionals to regulate.
Based on past letters from the US Fish & Wildlife Services, passage of legislation like HB 1483 will threaten future Pittman Robertson Funding. The Game Commission received over $24 million in PR-Wildlife Program funds in 2016.
Finally, HB 1483 mandates adoption of “Maximum Sustained Yield”, a wildlife management concept that is at best controversial and that is a conceptual model that has not been implemented as a way to manage fish and wildlife populations by any other state in the union.
Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY) basically calls for sustaining a population at the pinnacle of carrying capacity. The PGC stopped using this methodology because MSY can cause long-term ecosystem impacts to the forest. The PGC uses an ecosystem management approach which is much more holistic and wildlife friendly. Using MSY as a tool will leave PA with a lot of degraded habitat which will ultimately impact other wildlife such as turkeys and discount the hunting experience.
HB 1483 violates the North American Model of Conservation. Most notably by not using the best science to manage wildlife; and also by taking away management responsibilities from the PGC.
While largely centered on deer management, this legislation has the potential to be damaging to wildlife, wildlife management, and the future of the PGC's ability to manage and set seasons and bag limits based on professional and scientific data. Regardless of your personal opinions on deer management, this would be a very bad precedent to allow the legislature to mandate wildlife management and season and bag limit decisions based on politics and emotion.
Management of wildlife in the commonwealth is clearly the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Instituting another layer of politically motivated and appointed volunteers with no formal training is not in the best interest of the commonwealth’s sportsmen, wildlife or habitats. Habitat management needs to remain with the PGC and DCNR.
Please contact your representative and the members of the committee and let them know you do not support attempts to remove wildlife management decisions, including season and bag regulations, from the PGC's authority. Ask them to oppose HB 1483!
The House State Government Committee has a meeting scheduled for September 13th, so time is of the essence!
Find Your Legislator....
House State Government Committee Members Emails:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
House Leadership Emails:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected];
Legislative News
View Legislation at: at www.legis.state.pa.us
View PFSC Tracked Legislation & Reports
Find Your Legislator at www.legis.state.pa.us or click on the "ZipSticker" banner on our website.
NOTE: If you forward this e-mail using the "Forward Link" in your e-mail browser, please delete the "Unsubscribe" links below. If you don't, and the person receiving the e-mail clicks on the links to "unsubscribe" they will be unsubscribing you from PFSC's E-mail News List.
The above news and information is provided as a service to our membership to help keep you updated and informed regarding issues affecting our outdoor heritage and 2nd Amendment Rights.
Posted articles and stories do not necessarily represent the opinion of PFSC.
This information may be forwarded as long as PFSC & PA Legislative Services (PLS) receives credit for the legislative reports.
PLS reports may not be posted on other forums or web sites, however links may be posted to the reports on PFSC's web site.
If you are a club representative, please pass this information along to your club members.
Please help PFSC continue to be an advocate for protecting and promoting the interests of sportsmen and women by renewing or becoming a member of PFSC. Thank you for supporting PFSC!
Join PFSC
Sincerely,
Melody Schell
PFSC
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs is a 501(c)4 non-profit, tax exempt organization as provided by IRS regulations. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free (within PA) 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
We work day and night to protect your ability to hunt, fish and trap. That way you can spend more time pursuing your outdoor passions, and less time worrying about losing your ability to do so.
PFSC | 717-232-3480 | [email protected] | pfsc.org
STAY CONNECTED
PFSC | 2426 N 2 St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
Filed - 10-16-17 (No language provided)
Introduced and referred to House State Government Committee - 9-7-18
House Bill 1483, recently introduced, amends Title 34, The Pennsylvania Game Code. This bill is similar to HB 2083, introduced in the previous legislative session. And again, like HB 2083, rather than being referred for consideration to the House Game & Fisheries Committee, where all Title 34 bills are usually referred, HB 1483 was referred to the House State Government Committee.
The bill currently has 14 co-sponsors. Baker, Matt (Resigned 2/19/18); Cook, Bud (F); Cutler, Bryan; Godshall, Robert; Greiner, Keith; Hanna, Mike; Jozwiak, Barry; Kortz, Bill; Maloney, David; Masser, Kurt; Quigley, Thomas; Readshaw, Harry; Saccone, Rick; Wheeland, Jeff; Zimmerman, David
If enacted, HB 1483 would create a “Forest and Wildlife Advisory Council”. This council would be yet another layer of government, comprised of politically appointed volunteers, who would be charged with designing a habitat program for white-tailed deer and other animals in the commonwealth. There is no mention of specific training or education requirements for council members in any area of wildlife management.
Don't let the "Advisory" title fool you.
This council would dictate policy to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) on matters of wildlife habitat and management. The independence and ability of the two agencies to fulfill their missions, as required by statute, is critical to all Pennsylvanians. Interference by a politically appointed group on matters of policy and operations of wildlife management would be disastrous.
HB 1483 also dictates PGC “regulations” (Seasons and Bag limits) for taking of game. This would usurp the current responsibilities of the Game Commission’s Board of Commissioners who oversee this regulated process annually, based on data and research provided by wildlife experts, and feedback from hunters.
HB 1483 also mandates specific deer hunting regulations as they apply to senior license holders, mandates doe seasons, wildlife management units, antlerless allocations and eliminates the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) on all public land. These are clearly matters for the PGC and wildlife professionals to regulate.
Based on past letters from the US Fish & Wildlife Services, passage of legislation like HB 1483 will threaten future Pittman Robertson Funding. The Game Commission received over $24 million in PR-Wildlife Program funds in 2016.
Finally, HB 1483 mandates adoption of “Maximum Sustained Yield”, a wildlife management concept that is at best controversial and that is a conceptual model that has not been implemented as a way to manage fish and wildlife populations by any other state in the union.
Maximum Sustained Yield (MSY) basically calls for sustaining a population at the pinnacle of carrying capacity. The PGC stopped using this methodology because MSY can cause long-term ecosystem impacts to the forest. The PGC uses an ecosystem management approach which is much more holistic and wildlife friendly. Using MSY as a tool will leave PA with a lot of degraded habitat which will ultimately impact other wildlife such as turkeys and discount the hunting experience.
HB 1483 violates the North American Model of Conservation. Most notably by not using the best science to manage wildlife; and also by taking away management responsibilities from the PGC.
While largely centered on deer management, this legislation has the potential to be damaging to wildlife, wildlife management, and the future of the PGC's ability to manage and set seasons and bag limits based on professional and scientific data. Regardless of your personal opinions on deer management, this would be a very bad precedent to allow the legislature to mandate wildlife management and season and bag limit decisions based on politics and emotion.
Management of wildlife in the commonwealth is clearly the responsibility of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Instituting another layer of politically motivated and appointed volunteers with no formal training is not in the best interest of the commonwealth’s sportsmen, wildlife or habitats. Habitat management needs to remain with the PGC and DCNR.
Please contact your representative and the members of the committee and let them know you do not support attempts to remove wildlife management decisions, including season and bag regulations, from the PGC's authority. Ask them to oppose HB 1483!
The House State Government Committee has a meeting scheduled for September 13th, so time is of the essence!
Find Your Legislator....
House State Government Committee Members Emails:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];
House Leadership Emails:
[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected];[email protected]; [email protected];
Legislative News
View Legislation at: at www.legis.state.pa.us
View PFSC Tracked Legislation & Reports
Find Your Legislator at www.legis.state.pa.us or click on the "ZipSticker" banner on our website.
NOTE: If you forward this e-mail using the "Forward Link" in your e-mail browser, please delete the "Unsubscribe" links below. If you don't, and the person receiving the e-mail clicks on the links to "unsubscribe" they will be unsubscribing you from PFSC's E-mail News List.
The above news and information is provided as a service to our membership to help keep you updated and informed regarding issues affecting our outdoor heritage and 2nd Amendment Rights.
Posted articles and stories do not necessarily represent the opinion of PFSC.
This information may be forwarded as long as PFSC & PA Legislative Services (PLS) receives credit for the legislative reports.
PLS reports may not be posted on other forums or web sites, however links may be posted to the reports on PFSC's web site.
If you are a club representative, please pass this information along to your club members.
Please help PFSC continue to be an advocate for protecting and promoting the interests of sportsmen and women by renewing or becoming a member of PFSC. Thank you for supporting PFSC!
Join PFSC
Sincerely,
Melody Schell
PFSC
The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs is a 501(c)4 non-profit, tax exempt organization as provided by IRS regulations. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll free (within PA) 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.
We work day and night to protect your ability to hunt, fish and trap. That way you can spend more time pursuing your outdoor passions, and less time worrying about losing your ability to do so.
PFSC | 717-232-3480 | [email protected] | pfsc.org
STAY CONNECTED
PFSC | 2426 N 2 St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
12/15/2017
Four Deer Test Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease on Franklin, Fulton County Quarantined Hunting Preserves
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced that four captive deer have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Pennsylvania, bringing the total count to 44 since the disease was discovered in Pennsylvania in 2012.
The disease was confirmed in three white-tailed deer on a hunting preserve in Franklin County and one on a Fulton County hunting preserve. Both preserves were under quarantine for the disease due to prior positive test results. All four deer were born and raised on the Fulton County farm.
The department’s Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg tested the deer, which were later confirmed positive at National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. The deer were tested as required by the department for mandatory herd surveillance on CWD-quarantined premises. Deer cannot be moved on or off these properties without permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that humans or livestock can contract Chronic Wasting Disease.
CWD attacks the brain of infected deer, elk and moose, producing small lesions that eventually result in death. Animals can get the disease through direct contact with saliva, feces and urine from an infected animal or contaminated environment.
Clinical signs include weight loss, excessive salivation, increased drinking and urination, and abnormal behavior like stumbling, trembling and depression. Infected deer and elk may also allow unusually close approach by humans or natural predators. The disease is fatal and there is no known treatment or vaccine.
The infectious agent, known as a prion, tends to concentrate in the brain, spinal column, eyes, spleen, and lymph nodes. These high-risk parts must be properly handled and disposed of at the harvest location to prevent disease spread. Low-risk parts such as deboned meat, clean skull caps and capes present little risk and may be taken home.
The first cases of CWD in Pennsylvania were detected in white-tailed deer that died in 2012 on an Adams County deer farm, and wild, white-tailed deer in Blair and Bedford Counties.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture coordinates a mandatory surveillance program for the disease for 1,000 breeding farms, hobby farms and hunting preserves across the state. Since 1998, accredited veterinarians and certified CWD technicians have tested 27,000 captive deer in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Game Commission collects samples from hunter-harvested deer and elk and wild deer that appear sick or behave abnormally.
Find more information about Pennsylvania’s program to hinder the spread of CWD, and the department’s broader efforts to safeguard animal health at agriculture.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Powers - 717.783.2628
Four Deer Test Positive for Chronic Wasting Disease on Franklin, Fulton County Quarantined Hunting Preserves
Harrisburg, PA - The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture today announced that four captive deer have tested positive for Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) in Pennsylvania, bringing the total count to 44 since the disease was discovered in Pennsylvania in 2012.
The disease was confirmed in three white-tailed deer on a hunting preserve in Franklin County and one on a Fulton County hunting preserve. Both preserves were under quarantine for the disease due to prior positive test results. All four deer were born and raised on the Fulton County farm.
The department’s Pennsylvania Veterinary Laboratory in Harrisburg tested the deer, which were later confirmed positive at National Veterinary Services Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. The deer were tested as required by the department for mandatory herd surveillance on CWD-quarantined premises. Deer cannot be moved on or off these properties without permission from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no strong evidence that humans or livestock can contract Chronic Wasting Disease.
CWD attacks the brain of infected deer, elk and moose, producing small lesions that eventually result in death. Animals can get the disease through direct contact with saliva, feces and urine from an infected animal or contaminated environment.
Clinical signs include weight loss, excessive salivation, increased drinking and urination, and abnormal behavior like stumbling, trembling and depression. Infected deer and elk may also allow unusually close approach by humans or natural predators. The disease is fatal and there is no known treatment or vaccine.
The infectious agent, known as a prion, tends to concentrate in the brain, spinal column, eyes, spleen, and lymph nodes. These high-risk parts must be properly handled and disposed of at the harvest location to prevent disease spread. Low-risk parts such as deboned meat, clean skull caps and capes present little risk and may be taken home.
The first cases of CWD in Pennsylvania were detected in white-tailed deer that died in 2012 on an Adams County deer farm, and wild, white-tailed deer in Blair and Bedford Counties.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture coordinates a mandatory surveillance program for the disease for 1,000 breeding farms, hobby farms and hunting preserves across the state. Since 1998, accredited veterinarians and certified CWD technicians have tested 27,000 captive deer in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Game Commission collects samples from hunter-harvested deer and elk and wild deer that appear sick or behave abnormally.
Find more information about Pennsylvania’s program to hinder the spread of CWD, and the department’s broader efforts to safeguard animal health at agriculture.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Shannon Powers - 717.783.2628
What Hunters Can Do to Stop Chronic Wasting Disease
As more than 11 million hunters slip into the woods to enjoy the bounty of our nation’s wildlife resources, they likely hear about a sometimes vague, and always concerning disease affecting deer, elk, and moose: Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). Although scientists have known about the disease since the 1960’s and have been actively managing it for more than thirty years, CWD still manages to cultivate uncertainty, concern, and sometimes, downright paranoia.
If you are one of the fortunate who will pursue some or all of North America’s unique members of the deer family, it’s important that you know not just the facts about CWD, but also how you can help wildlife managers control or avoid CWD in the states that you hunt.
Let’s start with the facts. Here is what you need to know:
If you are one of the fortunate who will pursue some or all of North America’s unique members of the deer family, it’s important that you know not just the facts about CWD, but also how you can help wildlife managers control or avoid CWD in the states that you hunt.
Let’s start with the facts. Here is what you need to know:
- CWD is an always-fatal nervous system disease found in cervids (deer, elk, and moose). It can be transmitted through direct animal to animal contact, contact with saliva, feces, carcass parts of an infected animal, and can even spread through soil that has been contaminated with any of the above tissues or fluids.
- The disease is not caused by a virus or bacteria. CWD is one of a family of diseases called transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. These diseases are the result of a naturally occurring protein, called a prion, that becomes misfolded and thus resists being broken down by the body the way normal proteins are. When these misfolded proteins are introduced into a healthy cervid, they multiply by causing the animal’s normal and healthy prion proteins to misfold and begin damaging the animal’s nervous system. This process may take as long as two years before the animal begins to show outward signs of the disease.
- There is no known cure. CWD, like all transmissible spongiform encephalopathies, is not treatable and ultimately fatal. This makes it a real, and undeniable threat to animal and herd health. To date, scientists have documented that CWD can have negative population effects in elk, mule deer, and white-tailed deer. In Wyoming, where little active management of the disease has been done, published models predict that CWD has a population level impact when its prevalence within the herd exceeds 27%, and herds in some areas of the state are currently infected with CWD at rates higher than 40%.
- You will likely never see animals exhibiting symptoms of CWD. Animals in the late stages of CWD are often emaciated, show erratic behavior, and exhibit neurological irregularities. However, due to the long, slow advancement of the disease, infected animals are almost always killed by predators, vehicles, or other disease well before symptoms of CWD get bad enough for a human to recognize. This is also a good reason why you should get your harvested animal tested, even if it appeared healthy when you harvested it. Additionally, you should become aware of your states’ regulations to know how to report a sick animal if you ever encounter one. Some states offer replacement licenses for hunters that harvest a CWD infected animal, some states will authorize you to remove a sick deer and submit it for testing, while still other states mandate that only their staff respond to reports of sick animals.
- CWD has not been shown to be infective to humans. Current research indicates that there is a robust species barrier that keeps CWD from being readily transmitted to humans. In fact, there are several other species that don’t seem to contract CWD either, like cattle and pronghorn. However, laboratory studies have shown that the CWD infective prions can be forced to morph into a form that may be infective to human. So, you should be informed on how to prudently handle an animal that you may be lucky enough to harvest this fall.
- Know the status of CWD regulations where you hunt, as well as the states you will travel back through with your harvested animal, and follow them carefully. Do not move carcasses or carcass parts from one area to another. Transportation of live animals, infected harvested animals or parts of infected animals is an easy way for CWD to arrive in your neighborhood. Please check with your state fish and wildlife agency on what parts of your harvested animal you are allowed to bring back to your home.
- If the state you’re hunting in is testing for CWD in cervids, then you can help by submitting your harvested animals for testing. Since the odds of finding an infected animal are low, obtaining high numbers of samples is necessary to learn if the disease is present. Testing for CWD will also allow you to avoid eating infected animals. Although no linkage between CWD and human infection has been made, scientists recommend against eating CWD-positive game.
- Dispose of the remains of all harvested animals in a way that reduces the chance of spreading CWD. Burning or chemical treatment will not destroy the infective prions, and throwing a carcass or remains out in a back field for scavengers will only contaminate the site if the animal was CWD positive. Check with your state fish and wildlife agency on the proper method of disposal.
- For many hunters, success sometimes means shooting the biggest or largest of the species. For others, success is obtaining meat for the freezer. Biologists strongly recommend that you consider adding disease prevention to your measures of success to ensure the future of our deer hunting traditions. Since the older an animal is, the higher chance it has of contracting, and thus spreading CWD, this means harvesting younger animals and more does is the best thing you can do to both fill your freezer and stop CWD
- Don’t use animal attractants such as grain, other animal feed, or lures to concentrate animals for the purpose of improving your success hunting or observing animals. These and other wildlife feeding practices enhance the risk of transmitting CWD. Remember, CWD can be spread by, 1) animal to animal contact, 2) saliva, feces, and perhaps urine, 3) contaminated soil (presumably from the prions being shed via saliva and feces). So, it’s reasonable to assume that any factor that causes animals to come into contact with each other at a higher frequency, a higher density, and a prolonged period of time increases the probability that CWD will be transmitted. Also, since infectious prions can persist in the soil and can even be taken up by plants, continuing to concentrate animals in one spot only worsens the risk of spreading CWD. This may change the way you hunt, but CWD is indifferent to tradition.
- Follow guidelines for field-dressing and processing harvested animals in CWD-positive areas.
- If the state agency is using sharpshooters to reduce deer numbers in your area because of specific knowledge of the harvest location of infected animals, please grant them access to your property or consider getting additional permits to harvest animals with a higher probability of infection.
Semi Automatic Rifles OK'D for Small Game and Furbearers
Guided by scientific survey of state’s hunters, commissioners remove proposal for big-game.
PGC Release #22-17
Hunters heading afield in the 2017-18 seasons will be able to carry semiautomatic rifles for hunting small game and furbearers, but not for big game, based on regulatory changes approved today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.
The commissioners in January preliminarily approved a proposal that would have allowed semiautomatic rifles to be used in any season where manually operated centerfire rifles now can be used.
The board today amended that measure, giving final approval to hunting small game and furbearers with semiautomatic rifles beginning in the 2017-18 seasons. It made no changes to the list of lawful sporting arms for hunting big game.
Commissioners said a clear majority of Pennsylvania hunters voiced opposition to hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles at this time, and the board’s vote reflects that opinion.
Between the Board of Commissioners’ preliminary vote and the vote today, Game Commission staff conducted a scientific survey from a random sample of 4,000 of the state’s hunters, more than 2,000 of whom responded. The findings of that survey were presented to the commissioners at the board’s meeting on Monday.
The findings of the survey show clear support for hunting furbearers (55 percent support or strongly support), woodchucks (51 percent support or strongly support) and small game (42 percent support or strongly support, and 12 percent neither support nor oppose) with semiautomatic rifles.
For big game, while 28 percent of survey respondents expressed support or strong support for semiautomatic rifles, 64 percent of respondents said they opposed or strongly opposed semiautomatic rifles for big-game hunting, with 52 percent saying they were strongly opposed.
The results bolstered the expressed opposition to hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles that appeared to a lesser extent in the written comments the Game Commission received in recent months.
“We listened to our hunters,” President Commissioner Brian H. Hoover said.
With the changes, semiautomatic rifles in .22 caliber or less that propel single-projectile ammunition and semiautomatic shotguns 10 gauge or smaller propelling ammunition not larger than No. 4 lead – also No. 2 steel or No. 4 composition or alloy – will be legal firearms for small-game seasons in the 2017-18 license year, which begins July 1.
Semiautomatic firearms that propel single-projectile ammunition also will be legal sporting arms for woodchucks and furbearers, and there is no caliber restriction for woodchucks or furbearers.
The measure also approves the use of air guns for hunting small game and furbearers.
Air-guns will be legal for small game in calibers from .177 to .22 that propel single-projectile pellets or bullets.
For woodchucks and furbearers, air-guns must be at least .22 caliber and propel a single-projectile pellet or bullet. BB ammunition is not authorized for small game, furbearers or woodchucks.
Pennsylvania historically prohibited the use of semiautomatic rifles for hunting, but a law that took effect in November enables the Game Commission to regulate semiautomatic rifles and air guns for hunting.
With today’s vote, Pennsylvania becomes the last state in the nation to approve semiautomatic rifles for hunting uses.
Following their vote, the commissioners said if growing support for hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles emerges at some point in the future, they will give consideration to further regulatory changes.
Fact-finding by Pennsylvania Game Commission staff revealed no higher incidence of hunting accidents in any state where semiautomatics are permitted, and many firearms experts have said they believe semiautomatics are safer in that they allow for continuous focus on the target and often require the shooter to absorb less recoil.
The survey on hunting with semiautomatic rifles also showed greater support among younger age groups for semiautomatic rifle hunting, including the use of semiautomatic rifles to hunt big game.
But no such provision will be adopted for the 2017-18 license year.
Guided by scientific survey of state’s hunters, commissioners remove proposal for big-game.
PGC Release #22-17
Hunters heading afield in the 2017-18 seasons will be able to carry semiautomatic rifles for hunting small game and furbearers, but not for big game, based on regulatory changes approved today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.
The commissioners in January preliminarily approved a proposal that would have allowed semiautomatic rifles to be used in any season where manually operated centerfire rifles now can be used.
The board today amended that measure, giving final approval to hunting small game and furbearers with semiautomatic rifles beginning in the 2017-18 seasons. It made no changes to the list of lawful sporting arms for hunting big game.
Commissioners said a clear majority of Pennsylvania hunters voiced opposition to hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles at this time, and the board’s vote reflects that opinion.
Between the Board of Commissioners’ preliminary vote and the vote today, Game Commission staff conducted a scientific survey from a random sample of 4,000 of the state’s hunters, more than 2,000 of whom responded. The findings of that survey were presented to the commissioners at the board’s meeting on Monday.
The findings of the survey show clear support for hunting furbearers (55 percent support or strongly support), woodchucks (51 percent support or strongly support) and small game (42 percent support or strongly support, and 12 percent neither support nor oppose) with semiautomatic rifles.
For big game, while 28 percent of survey respondents expressed support or strong support for semiautomatic rifles, 64 percent of respondents said they opposed or strongly opposed semiautomatic rifles for big-game hunting, with 52 percent saying they were strongly opposed.
The results bolstered the expressed opposition to hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles that appeared to a lesser extent in the written comments the Game Commission received in recent months.
“We listened to our hunters,” President Commissioner Brian H. Hoover said.
With the changes, semiautomatic rifles in .22 caliber or less that propel single-projectile ammunition and semiautomatic shotguns 10 gauge or smaller propelling ammunition not larger than No. 4 lead – also No. 2 steel or No. 4 composition or alloy – will be legal firearms for small-game seasons in the 2017-18 license year, which begins July 1.
Semiautomatic firearms that propel single-projectile ammunition also will be legal sporting arms for woodchucks and furbearers, and there is no caliber restriction for woodchucks or furbearers.
The measure also approves the use of air guns for hunting small game and furbearers.
Air-guns will be legal for small game in calibers from .177 to .22 that propel single-projectile pellets or bullets.
For woodchucks and furbearers, air-guns must be at least .22 caliber and propel a single-projectile pellet or bullet. BB ammunition is not authorized for small game, furbearers or woodchucks.
Pennsylvania historically prohibited the use of semiautomatic rifles for hunting, but a law that took effect in November enables the Game Commission to regulate semiautomatic rifles and air guns for hunting.
With today’s vote, Pennsylvania becomes the last state in the nation to approve semiautomatic rifles for hunting uses.
Following their vote, the commissioners said if growing support for hunting big game with semiautomatic rifles emerges at some point in the future, they will give consideration to further regulatory changes.
Fact-finding by Pennsylvania Game Commission staff revealed no higher incidence of hunting accidents in any state where semiautomatics are permitted, and many firearms experts have said they believe semiautomatics are safer in that they allow for continuous focus on the target and often require the shooter to absorb less recoil.
The survey on hunting with semiautomatic rifles also showed greater support among younger age groups for semiautomatic rifle hunting, including the use of semiautomatic rifles to hunt big game.
But no such provision will be adopted for the 2017-18 license year.