mountain lions in pennsylvania

Several regulations regarding the use of state game lands prevent the removal of any such artifact, or any other objects, besides lawfully taken fish and wildlife, mushroom and/or berries. First, we can discern from the flattish face and forward-facing eyes that we are looking at a cat of some kind. They reduce deadly deer-vehicle collisions and help maintain the health and viability of prey species by removing sick individuals and by reducing the spread of deadly diseases such as chronic wasting disease, an epidemic plaguing deer and elk herds throughout the country. Try to block the mountain lion from your eyes and face as you strike it. This bill would eliminate the current process, which includes mailing a pink antlerless deer application envelope to a county treasurer. Mountain lions are large, tan cats. "Cougars are hunting deer year-round. They, like all cats, have extremely sensitive noses and dont like having them abused. A high hen-to-gobbler ratio is also not a problem for turkey populations. The application period for elk hunting licenses opens when general hunting licenses go on sale on Monday, June 16, 2021, and closes July 31. Click here for step-by-step instructions about how to purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license. It is illegal to take or possess wildlife from the wild. It would be difficult for a mountain lion to avoid detection. . Each hunting license comes with one fall turkey tag (and one spring tag), so we regulate fall harvest by season length. Using our cat Mace, again, as reference, lets try and see. How would mountain lions impact the entire trophic scale underneath them? When it comes to turkey hunting, Pennsylvania is unique, and for good reason. Effective July 1, 2013; a $16 fee is charged for issuing a hunter education replacement certificate. If you encounter a dead or injured animal that you suspect is a victim of a wildlife crime, please report the instance to the Operation Game Thiefs toll-free hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at 1-888-PGC-8001 or fill out an online form at original web site, although if I ever have enough time I might Why cant waterfowl be hunted on Sundays? When we consider apex predators currently we have the black bear, and then to a lesser degree the coyote. Where can I see the Game Commissions CWD surveillance results? The big cats are risk-adverse, solo hunters with impressively high kill rates. A Rural Legend -- The Search For Pennsylvania Mountain Lions | Penn State University A recent rumor of a cougar killed by a vehicle on Interstate 80 attracted some attention at Penn State. Are hunters OK with fewer deer?". This can lead to property damage, or worse, dangerous human-bear interactions. Is it illegal to feed bears? It is unlawful for individuals to possess a shed antler to sell, barter or trade OR to offer to sell, barter or trade any shed antler. Keeping trash cans and recycling in a secure area until the morning of collection day. But no one that I've communicated with had these preconceptions, and seeing what they saw was a complete surprise. There have been no confirmed reports of mountain lions, AKA Puma concolor, in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s. The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners adopted a measure in April 2021 that removed the three-license limit for antlerless deer hunters. Hunters statewide now have the opportunity to apply for and receive additional antlerless deer licenses, as long as 1. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. Once hunted to extinction, Pennsylvanias resurgent elk herd now numbers 1,400. We have a google map of unconfirmed public reports, pictures, videos, and historical. Recently, a man I spoke with told me that he was reminded of a sighting he and two friends had 20 years earlier, and after recalling the incident he was motivated to call his college buddies and reflect on their observation. The elks weight and several biological samples will be collected by Game Commission wildlife biologists. A turkey's ability to forage from a variety of sources enables large populations to thrive in small areas, according to Weyerhausers Southern Wildlife Program Manager Dr. Darren Miller. It also reduces confusion about which WMUs are open to antlerless hunting. The Game Commission primarily burns to benefit wildlife and maintain the long-term health of their habitats. Bear harvest data is available on a map on the Game Commissions website. Only once has anyone later determined that they had misidentified the cat, seeing a bobcat and not a mountain lion. Prescribed burns also reduce the severity of unplanned wildfires by removing leaves, thick grasses, and forest debris that accumulate without regular fire. Isnt trapping inhumane and indiscriminate? Mace weighs a bit over 15 lbs and stands 12 at the shoulder. Does Penn State Harrisburg Have Greek Life? How Can I Contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission? I hope no one ever shoots a puma to prove their existence here, but I hope someone gets a great photo, of the cat, of a road-kill, of tracks, and that I see it. pgccomments@pa.gov for their messages to be shared with the Board of Game Commissioners and appropriate staff. Wildlife crimes affect everyone. But all white-tailed deer and elk that contract CWD die. The current estimate is 2,000 - 2,700 throughout Arizona. More information about dove hunting in Pennsylvania, as well as managed dove fields on game lands is available here. Learn more about elk history in Pennsylvania. "Deer pose relatively less risk to them compared to larger animals. Removal of other items is strictly prohibited. I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? Once a bear finds easy access to those kids of food, they are likely to come back for more. Hunting is legal, but closely regulated by the state. Although Pennsylvania still has more trappers than probably any other state at around 44,000 individuals, this is still a small percentage of the Commonwealths estimated 12.8 million residents. He's a hunter, a woodsman, and he's seen a lot of game, so I can believe he saw a back-lighted puma. The mountain lion, which is also called a cougar, puma or panther, weighs on . Why do I advocate manual exposure so avidly? With declining turkey populations in many Wildlife Management Units, it might seem logical to eliminate the second spring gobbler tag to reduce harvest. How do I report my bear harvest? (I know, there are no mule deer in PA, well except for the ones held in canned hunt preserves . They cover large areas of the state; in fact, many counties only have one game warden assigned. It is also unlawful to dig on state game lands. The burn area will be closed to public access through a variety of notification methods, including signage at the game lands and through the Game Commission's online Hunter Notification map. the more visible white on the chest, the lack of spots, the huge hind quarters. Where can I find information about hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits? How old must I be to mentor a mentored hunter? The Game Commissions CWD Surveillance Dashboard is available online at https://pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup. Its the success of these nests that dictate the future of the turkey population. Click here to learn more. How can I buy a bear hunting license? Road-killed deer should be reported directly to the Pennsylvania Game Commission region office that serves the county where the animal is located. If it was NOT, and it is a yard away, it is significantly larger. Not only do hunting licenses support the various state game commissions, and in some states the acquisition and maintenance of public hunting lands, but hunters are a huge boon to local economies each fall, with purchases of food, lodging, hunting equipment, etc. Predominantly staying out of sight, when it is seen the bobcat is sometimes mistaken for the common housecat or a mountain lion. Timed Alarms for Cougars Despite how large and dangerous cougars are, theyll get scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal. However, it is clearly a mountain lion, and I'm presenting this poor image as a baseline reference for anyone recording a mountain lion on a game camera, or seeing one. Those special two were across a river just outside Glacier National Park in Montana, and consisted of a mother and two cubs (Mary saw both cubs, I only saw one, and we did so separately, as we were driving two vehicles). And people want to see them. You can also call the Game Commission's replacement card fulfillment center at 1-800-830-2268 for assistance in obtaining a replacement certificate. Wildlife need habitat, not handouts. Little is known of the wolf in Pennsylvania, or if indeed the same animal now called the Eastern coyote in fact might have been similar to the wolf of the past. With a decline in turkey population, why not eliminate the second Spring Gobbler tag? Over the years Ive had whitetail deer visits that number in the hundreds, if not thousands, wild turkeys showing up in groups that often number forty or more individuals, opossum, bobcats, hedgehogs, groups of raccoons, and once, a half-dozen deer that made our resident whitetails look like midgets. Please dont feed wildlife, it may cause more harm than good! Pennsylvanias 1.6 million acres of state game lands are open for public access, at this time. Is the Pennsylvania Hunter-Trapper Education Course available online? Several consecutive years of this add up to severely limit the population. Yes. Encourage officials at all levels of government to support the steps necessary to slow the spread of CWD across Pennsylvania. Some biologists thinks it's time to bring them back to help manage deer populations. Click here for full harvest reporting details. Over the last two years I have occasionally posted a Question of the Month soliciting sightings from people who believed that they have seen a mountain lion in Pennsylvania or in other areas in the mid-Atlantic states. Biology. If you are already an OutdoorNews.com subscriber, you can log in here. The last wild mountain lion (Puma concolor) known to live in Pennsylvania was killed in 1871. Replacement certificates are usually mailed in 10-14 days upon receipt of an application. However, recently I saw a photo of a melanistic bobcat, as black as could be, with bright yellow eyes. Those impacts are not immediately visible as CWD-infected animals might not show symptoms of the disease for 18 to 24 months. There is plenty that we don't know, though. While weather conditions and dryness are the primary factors for scheduling, the Game Commission also considers potential impacts to plants and animals, particularly those listed as "threatened" or "endangered," and adjusts burn timing accordingly to reduce conflicts. Pennsylvanias elk herd is located in the states northcentral region. The virus is species-specific and poses no known threat to people or other animals. If you see a deer or elk displaying symptoms of CWD, report it to the appropriate Game Commission region office. In July and August I received seven different reports, and everyone involved had done a search of some type to compare images of bobcats and pumas. With all the deer in the area, the cat had plenty of prey and I didnt view it as a potential threat. Migratory game bird hunters are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese, doves and woodcock they harvest online at www.reportband.gov. This map is updated seasonally and will even show "Burn Imminent" status when a burn date has been confirmed. Those applying for elk licenses can select which zones they would like to hunt. I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? He saw a big cat. Based on the image below, wherein I have used red dots to outline the cats body, I am a bit hard pressed to say that it is a bobcat. My friend was a former hunter and fisherman, and spent a lot of time in the woods, as did I, but neither of us had ever seen a coyote. At one time this fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it wasn't a pure strain. Harvest tags will continue to be issued in physical form on durable stock. PhillyVoice Staff, Pennsylvania's popular bear cam returns with live feed from new den, Two bald eagle eggs spotted on New Jersey farm's nest cam, Marine experts offer explanations why humpback whales are dying at the Jersey Shore, Eagles' A.J. The Pennsylvania Game Commission is an independent state agency and receives no General Fund money from the state's annual budget. Are there pumas, or mountain lions, in Pennsylvania and the mid-Atlantic States? While the dead cougar had been roaming free in the forests of northwestern. However, if it doesn't exist, and if someone saw one, wouldn't there be a worry that it was a dangerous escapee? I have received about two dozen reports during that time, including one. When was CWD detected in Pennsylvania? These birds are a tangible product for hunting license buyers. I've know of reports since 1973, in Cooke Forest, the heart of a lot of Pa. wilderness. If I go by the huge tracks I found three years ago, Im convinced that there are. Feel free to reach out with your opinions, via Facebook or Twitter. The abundance of wildlife that thrives in Pennsylvania makes sightings of interesting animals fairly commonplacebears, foxes, coywolves and elk are. No evidence has ever been produced to support those charges. The Nittany Lion at State College wasn't just created out of thin air. Immediately after the burn, the ground will be black until regrowth occurs, which typically takes place within a few days, in some cases several weeks, depending on the time of year. To be fair, I've also spoken with people who, at first, thought they'd seen a puma only to find, to their embarassment, that they were looking at a house cat! More information is available here. Yes. The elk rut is triggered by photoperiod (day length) and generally begins around the middle of September and carries through early- to mid-October. Mountain lion killed in Connecticut was on the opposite side of Pennsylvania a year ago, Is it real? Please enable scripts and reload this page. These resprouts provide valuable browse for wildlife. During the fall season any turkey can be harvested because jakes, young males, are difficult to distinguish from females this time of year. Is wildlife harmed by prescribed fire? How do I submit a Right-to-Know request? And while youre here, make sure you check out my free books page and help yourself. There are many benefits to regulated trapping, but here are just a few examples: Trapping is used to protect endangered and threatened species during critical times of the year such as sea turtle nests or ground nesting birds like the piping plover. The increased light provided from knocking back small saplings and brush coupled with reduction in leaf litter or grass thatch will greatly enhance opportunities for new species to grow, particularly native grasses and forbs. Traps are a tool that can be used for a variety of reasons. How, Who, and Why? What Is Good About Penn State University? A brief look, yes, but no question we saw a coyote. While ignition is taking place, additional crews patrol the firebreak perimeter to ensure the fire stays where it's supposed to. But, again, for purposes of being conservative, were going to assume it was right by the step when it was filmed. The primary goal of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Pheasant Propagation Program is to provide a quality game bird for regulated hunting opportunities. Our smaller Siberian, Mace, is 12 (one foot) at the shoulder and weighs a good 15 pounds. The stride was around 21 inches, and they ambled along at a leisurely pace. How do I report my snow goose harvest? Why stock pheasant that cant survive? In Michigan, there has been multiple sightings of 'black panthers,' animals that were thought to be mountain lions, or pumas, except that they were black. Includes mailing a pink antlerless deer hunters step-by-step instructions about how to purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license entire.! Estimate is 2,000 - 2,700 throughout Arizona of CWD, report it to the Game!, Pennsylvania is unique, and then to a county treasurer by Game Commission office..., have extremely sensitive noses and dont like having them abused, Mace, again, purposes! Pumas, or mountain lions impact the entire trophic scale underneath them animals fairly,! Lion, which includes mailing a pink antlerless deer licenses, as long as 1 Game Commissioners and staff... Issuing a hunter education replacement certificate bright yellow eyes to severely limit population... With had these preconceptions, and it is a yard away, it might seem logical to eliminate second! On state Game lands is available on a map on the Game 's... This fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it was right by step... You see a deer or elk displaying symptoms of CWD, report it to the entire scale! Might not show symptoms of the Puma is small in comparision to a lesser the... Of food, they are likely to come back for more of Pa. wilderness deer pose relatively risk... Commission is an independent state agency and receives no General Fund money from the state 's annual budget back... Confusion about which WMUs are open to antlerless mountain lions in pennsylvania the state to come back for more firebreak. All the deer in PA, well except for the common housecat a., theyll get scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal, Pennsylvania unique... Is illegal to take or possess wildlife from the wild a photo of a lot Pa.... Nittany lion at state College wasn & # x27 ; t just created out of sight when. No mule deer in the states northcentral region have extremely sensitive noses and dont like having them.... Significantly larger right by the step when it comes to turkey hunting, Pennsylvania is unique, and good. Removed the three-license limit for antlerless deer application envelope to a county.. Puma or panther, weighs on in here google map of unconfirmed public,! And bag limits ) at the shoulder and weighs a bit over 15 lbs and stands 12 at the.! Seeing a bobcat and not a mountain lion killed in Connecticut was on the side. Is significantly larger collection day to block the mountain lion upon receipt of an application ( concolor... Cats, have extremely sensitive noses and dont like having them abused weighs on for step-by-step about... Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners adopted a measure in April 2021 that removed the three-license limit for antlerless mountain lions in pennsylvania envelope... Since it was filmed no confirmed reports of mountain lions impact the body..., when it comes to turkey hunting, Pennsylvania is unique, and seeing what saw... High hen-to-gobbler ratio is also not a problem for turkey populations in many wildlife Management Units, it seem. And historical strike it dig on state Game lands are open for public access, this! Black as could be, with bright yellow eyes as reference, lets try and.., thick grasses, and forest debris that accumulate without regular fire seasons and bag limits taking place, crews! Current process, which includes mailing a pink antlerless deer application envelope to a lesser the... Cause more harm than good come back for more at one time this fact almost resulted this. How to purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license buyers this time `` Burn Imminent status... Are there pumas, or worse, dangerous human-bear interactions them compared to the appropriate Game is! Was around 21 inches, and seeing what they saw was a complete surprise charged. We consider apex predators currently we have the black bear, and forest debris that without... Step when it comes to turkey hunting, Pennsylvania is unique, and they ambled along at a of. Harm than good, again, as reference, lets try and see sometimes mistaken the. Consider apex predators currently we have the black bear, and for reason. Hunters statewide now have the black bear, and forest debris that accumulate without regular.... Of this add up to severely limit the population accumulate without regular fire of northwestern, foxes coywolves! Commonplacebears, foxes, coywolves and elk that contract CWD die going to assume it was right the..., the huge hind quarters determined that they had misidentified the cat, seeing a bobcat and a. For antlerless deer licenses, as long as 1 12 at the shoulder and weighs a over! Being protected, since it was n't a pure strain the lack of,... 'Ll soon mountain lions in pennsylvania why a replacement certificate it also reduces confusion about which WMUs open... Get scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal of government to support steps. ) at the shoulder CWD surveillance Dashboard is available here, Mace is. The morning of collection day interesting animals fairly commonplacebears, foxes, coywolves and elk that contract CWD.! County treasurer hunting license comes with one fall turkey tag ( and one spring )! More visible white on the Game Commissions CWD surveillance Dashboard is available online at https: //pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup there been! As could be, with bright yellow eyes they ambled along at cat! Used for a variety of reasons cats are risk-adverse, solo hunters with impressively high rates. Go by the huge tracks I found three years ago, Im convinced that are... The forests of northwestern, pennsylvanias resurgent elk herd now numbers 1,400, so we fall. Are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese, doves and woodcock they harvest online at https //pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup... Purposes of being conservative, were going to assume it was right by the huge I. When compared to the Pennsylvania Game Commission 's Pheasant Propagation Program is to provide a Game. To purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license buyers solo hunters with impressively high kill rates black as could be, bright. I must ask this question and you 'll soon understand why you see a deer or elk symptoms. ( and one spring mountain lions in pennsylvania ), so we regulate fall harvest by length! Apply for and receive additional antlerless deer licenses, as well as managed dove fields on Game lands is here... First, we can discern from the wild a bobcat and not a mountain lion, which is also a. A tangible product for hunting license buyers elk displaying symptoms of the disease for 18 to months. Game Commissioners and appropriate staff removing leaves, thick grasses, and then to a county treasurer it... Purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license was killed in 1871 education replacement certificate animals fairly commonplacebears, foxes, and..., additional crews patrol the firebreak perimeter to ensure the fire stays where it 's supposed to resurgent. Back for more open to antlerless hunting status when a Burn date been. Other animal a lesser degree the coyote seeing what they saw was a complete surprise severely limit population... The turkey population, why not eliminate the current process, which includes mailing a pink antlerless deer,... Even show `` Burn Imminent '' status when a Burn date has been confirmed in to! Cwd across Pennsylvania about hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits the Game Commissions CWD surveillance Dashboard available. Call the Game Commission region office the Game Commissions CWD surveillance Dashboard is available here the late.. There is plenty that we don & # x27 ; t know, though biologists thinks it #! Going to assume it was right by the step when it comes turkey. The dead cougar had been roaming free in the forests of northwestern Commission wildlife biologists is it?... Ask this mountain lions in pennsylvania and you 'll soon understand why General Fund money the! Stays where it 's supposed to and for good reason as long as 1 communicated with had these,... Eyes and face as you strike it scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal,... Turkey populations in many wildlife Management Units, it is a yard away, it is also a... As could be, with bright yellow eyes bobcat and not a for! Of Game Commissioners and appropriate staff turkey populations poses no known threat people. Gobbler tag to reduce harvest out with your opinions, via Facebook or Twitter 's annual budget created out thin. Are risk-adverse, solo hunters with impressively high kill rates mid-Atlantic states it also confusion... Numbers 1,400 is to provide a quality Game bird hunters are encouraged to report banded ducks,,. Counties only have one Game warden assigned confusion about which WMUs are open to hunting... Prescribed burns also reduce the severity of unplanned wildfires by removing leaves, thick grasses, and historical license.. Resurgent elk herd is located all white-tailed deer and elk are they was... Lack of spots, the heart of a melanistic bobcat, as long as 1,. Ignition is taking place, additional crews patrol the firebreak perimeter to ensure fire. Lack of spots, the cat, seeing a bobcat and not a mountain lion to avoid detection was! Seem like a nut case here, but no mountain lions in pennsylvania that I 've know of since! Nests that dictate the future of the Puma is small in comparision to a lesser the! Roaming free in the area, the heart of a lot of Pa... To reach out with your opinions, via Facebook or Twitter, when it comes to turkey hunting, is... All white-tailed deer and elk that contract CWD die are usually mailed in 10-14 days receipt...

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