Pennsylvania Game Commission

March - April 2008
Pennsylvania Game Commission

2007-08 PRELIMINARY DEER SEASON TOTALS RELEASED

COLUMBUS, OH — A preliminary total of 230,400 deer were brought to Ohio's deer check stations during the 2007-08 hunting season, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife. In a month, all the data will be processed and a final deer kill number will be available.
The final number for deer killed in the 2006-07 season was 237,316.
"Even though the overall deer harvest number may be slightly lower that last year, the preliminary data suggest a greater percentage of does were killed this year," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Counties reporting the highest number of deer checked during the season were: Tuscarawas - 9,473; Licking - 7,964; Holmes - 7,585; Guernsey - 7,416; Harrison - 7,164; Coshocton - 5,998; Athens - 5,747; Washington - 5,612; Ashland - 5,047; and Jefferson - 5,014.
The deer-gun season resulted in the greatest portion of the overall harvest with 103,195 deer taken. Archery hunters took a total of 77,234 deer. Deer killed during the early muzzleloader season (273), youth-gun season (10,515), the extra deer-gun weekend (17,710), and the statewide muzzleloader season (21,473) added to the overall total. Figures for the number of deer killed during special hunts are still being compiled.

Ohio ranks sixth nationally in annual hunting-related retail sales and fourth in the number of jobs associated with hunting-related industries. Each year, hunting has a $1.5 billion dollar economic impact in Ohio. Deer hunting accounts for 90 percent of all hunting that occurs in the state.
Following is a list of deer checked by hunters during the four-month deer-hunting season. Numbers for 2006-07 are listed in parentheses ( ).
Adams - 3,113 (3,071); Allen -1,161 (1,069); Ashland -5,047 (4,825); Ashtabula -4,591 (5,078); Athens -5,747 (5,417); Auglaize -822 (733); Belmont -3,929 (3,917); Brown -3,472 (3,240); Butler -1,349 (1,517); Carroll -3,219 (3,739); Champaign - 1,973 (1,869); Clark - 1,176 (1,158); Clermont -3,697 (3,582); Clinton -1,124 (1,052); Columbiana -4,461 (4,579); Coshocton -5,998 (6,936); Crawford -1,835 (1,816); Cuyahoga -793 (375); Darke -808 (475); Defiance -1,481 (1,205); Delaware -1,988 (2,090); Erie -991 (873); Fairfield -4,339 (3,820); Fayette -463 (523); Franklin -1,064 (1,218); Fulton -788 (660); Gallia -3,209 (2,966); Geauga -2,335 (2,148); Greene -796 (730); Guernsey -7,416 (7,619); Hamilton -1,791 (1,607); Hancock -1,037 (975); Hardin -1,087 (1,033); Harrison -7,164 (6,889); Henry -435 (374); Highland -3,429 (3,524); Hocking -3,929 (4,314); Holmes -7,585 (6,898); Huron -2,357 (2,419); Jackson -3,896 (4,632); Jefferson -5,014 (5,376); Knox -4,595 (4,470); Lake -1,274 (1,222); Lawrence -2,877 (3,069); Licking -7,964 (7,529); Logan -1,828 (1,811); Lorain -2,305 (2,731); Lucas -956 (1,049); Madison -376 (415); Mahoning -1,854 (1,772); Marion -674 (733); Medina -1,833 (1,670); Meigs -4,298 (4,940); Mercer -600 (620); Miami -373 (266); Monroe -3,860 (4,470); Montgomery - 820 (725); Morgan -3,221 (3,118); Morrow -2,145 (2,095); Muskingum -4,792 (5,381); Noble -4,103 (4,474); Ottawa -341 (323); Paulding -763 (772); Perry -3,910 (4,161); Pickaway -1,769 (1,718); Pike -1,831 (2,127); Portage -1,783 (2,417); Preble - 820 (765); Putnam -1,291 (1,201); Richland -3,038 (2,880); Ross -4,244 (4,863); Sandusky -551 (604); Scioto -3,314 (3,296); Seneca -1,820 (2,030); Shelby -1,327 (1,134); Stark -3,459 (3,109); Summit -1,987 (1,656); Trumbull -3,773 (3,775); Tuscarawas - 9,473 (9,673); Union -972 (1,208); Van Wert -540 (445); Vinton -2,623 (2,515); Warren -1,910 (1,732); Washington -5,612 (6,534); Wayne -1,417 (1,469); Williams -1,383 (1,355); Wood -1,052 (984); Wyandot -1,476 (1,313); Total -230,400 (233,278).

2008-2009 DEER HUNTING REGULATIONS PROPOSED
Proposal: Zone C hunters may use antlerless deer permits during deer-gun week

COLUMBUS, OH - Ohio archery and Zone C (listed below) deer-gun hunters may again have the opportunity to take additional doe deer this fall if a proposed regulation is accepted by the Ohio Wildlife Council in April, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Under the proposal, hunters could again buy additional antlerless deer permits at reduced prices for hunting in an urban zone, participating in a controlled hunt, or hunting during the September 27 to November 30 portion of the archery season. The Division is proposing the deadline for using the anterless permit be extended to December 7 for those hunting in Zone C. Cost of the antlerless deer permit remains at $15.
As was the requirement last year, hunters must purchase a regular deer permit before purchasing anterlerless deer permits. The permit system remains otherwise unchanged from last year: hunters may still take up to one additional antlerless deer in Zone A, up to two additional antlerless deer in Zone B and up to three additional antlerless deer in Zone C.

However, use of the antlerless deer permit during the first part of the archery season and deer-gun week in Zone C would not count against the hunter's zone bag limit, under the proposed rule. The sale of these permits will cease after November 30 so hunters need to commit early to buying and using the extra reduced-cost opportunity.

Archery season would run from Saturday, September 27 through Sunday, February 1, 2009. The popular youth deer-gun season is proposed for Saturday and Sunday, November 22-23. Regular deer-gun season would run Monday, December 1 through Sunday, December 7. An additional deer-gun hunting weekend is proposed for Saturday and Sunday, December 20 -21. Statewide muzzleloader season would run Saturday, December 27 through Tuesday, December 30. Special area muzzleloader hunts would be open Monday, October 20 through Saturday, October 25 at Salt Fork, Shawnee and Wildcat Hollow. Muzzleloader hunts at these areas will no longer require a special permit and hunters may use either deer permit for this hunt. The bag limit remains at one deer of either sex with any antlered deer harvested counting toward the one-buck yearly limit for the year.

The proposed regulations maintain the same deer zones as the last three years. A three-deer limit (Zone C) would cover 38 central, south, southeastern, and southwestern counties. The 30 counties of Zone B would have a two-deer limit, and the 20 northwestern counties of Zone A would have a one-deer limit. A hunter may take only one buck in Ohio, regardless of zone, hunting method or season.
During the youth deer-gun season, young hunters would be permitted to bag only one deer of either sex in any county of Ohio. Any deer taken would be part of the young hunter's total season limit.

During the 2007-2008 season, which concluded February 3, hunters bagged more than 230,000 deer. Approximately 475,000 people hunted white-tailed deer in Ohio this year.
Open houses will be held on Sunday, March 2 in each of the state's five wildlife districts to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or visiting wildohio.com on the Internet.

A statewide hearing on all the proposed rules will be held at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 6 at the wildlife division's District One Office, located at 1500 Dublin Road in Columbus. After considering public input, the Ohio Wildlife Council will vote on the proposed rules during its April 2 meeting.

Proposed bag limits and Deer Hunting Zones
FOR THE 2008-09 SEASON:
Zone A -- Hunters could take only one deer during the 2008-2009 seasons, which could be a deer of either sex. The zone includes 20 counties: Allen, Auglaize, Darke, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Ottawa, Paulding, Preble, Putnam, Sandusky, Shelby, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood.
Zone B -- Hunters could take no more than two deer during the 2008-2009 seasons, of which only one could be an antlered deer. The zone includes 30 counties: Ashland, Ashtabula, Butler, Champaign, Clark, Clinton, Crawford, Cuyahoga, Fayette, Geauga, Greene, Hancock, Hardin, Huron, Lake, Logan, Lorain, Madison, Mahoning, Marion, Medina, Portage, Seneca, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, Union, Warren, Wayne, and Wyandot.
Zone C -- Hunters could take no more than three deer during the 2008-2009 seasons, of which only one could be an antlered deer. The zone includes 38 counties: Adams, Athens, Belmont, Brown, Carroll, Clermont, Columbiana, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Gallia, Guernsey, Hamilton, Harrison, Highland, Hocking, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Knox, Lawrence, Licking, Meigs, Monroe, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Perry, Pickaway, Pike, Richland, Ross, Scioto, Tuscarawas, Vinton, and Washington.

EIGHT LORAIN COUNTY RESIDENTS ARRESTED FOR
ALLEGEDLY POACHING WHITE-TAILED DEER

COLUMBUS, OH — Eight suspects from Lorain County face 164 misdemeanor charges and eight felony charges involving the alleged poaching of white-tailed deer in Coshocton and Knox counties, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
The investigation, dubbed "Operation Overkill," began in September 2006 as an anonymous tip through the division's Turn-In-a-Poacher (TIP) hotline. Wildlife officials allege that the group of suspects drove to Coshocton and Knox counties on several occasions and shot deer from inside their vehicles or along the roadway in violation of state laws.
Numerous charges will be filed in Coshocton Municipal Court, Knox County Court of Common Pleas, and the Mount Vernon Municipal Court.
Charges include felonies for the illegal handling of firearms, as well as misdemeanor wildlife violations including: shooting deer from the roadway, hunting with the aid of a motor vehicle, taking more than the bag limit of deer, taking more than one buck deer, hunting on private property without permission, failing to tag and check deer, hunting outside of legal hunting hours, using a radio for hunting purposes, and hunting deer without a deer permit.
The investigation into this case is ongoing. Additional arrests may follow.
The Division of Wildlife's TIP line continues to curtail wildlife violations across the state by encouraging citizens to report any illegal activity they observe. Tips may be phoned anonymously to 1-800-POACHER or submitted online at www.wildohio.com

TIME TO PURCHASE OHIO HUNTING AND FISHING LICENSES

COLUMBUS, OH — Anglers and hunters are reminded that it's time to purchase 2008-2009 fishing and hunting licenses. The 2007-08 licenses expire February 29. New licenses can be purchased at vendor outlets across the state and at wildohio.com on the Internet after February 15, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
New licenses are valid March 1, 2008 through February 28, 2009. Hunters, especially those gearing up for the popular spring wild turkey season, are reminded that licenses purchased now are also valid during the 2008 fall hunting season.
Resident hunting and fishing licenses cost $19 each; deer and turkey permits are an additional $24 each. Hunters age 17 and under and some Ohio senior citizens are eligible for discounted licenses. A one-day Ohio fishing license costs $11, an amount that can later be applied to the purchase of an annual license. Complete listings of license prices are available in current copies of the Ohio Hunting Regulations, the Ohio Fishing Regulations, or at wildohio.com .

OHIO WATERCRAFT REGISTRATIONS TOP 415,000 MARK FOR 2007

COLUMBUS, OH — The total number of registered watercraft hit 415,562 in Ohio last year, proving that boating remains one of the state's most popular recreational activities. The number is the fifth-highest registration total in the state's history, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.
The 2007 figure represent an increase of 2,984 boats from the 412,578 registered in 2006. It is the fifth time Ohio's boat registrations topped the 415,000 mark. The state registered an all-time high of 418,701 watercraft in 2000.
Trend data since 2000 reveals a continued decline in powerboat registrations, coupled with a sharp increase in hand-propelled boats such as canoes and kayaks, according to Division of Watercraft figures. Some of the decline in registrations seen in urban counties such as Franklin, Cuyahoga and Hamilton has been offset by increases in adjacent metropolitan counties such as Delaware, Lake and Warren - likely the result of suburban development.
Franklin County again topped the 2007 list with the highest number of registered watercraft at 26,376. Other counties with high registration numbers were: Cuyahoga - 24,391; Summit - 19,356; Hamilton - 17,903; and Montgomery - 15,512. Noble County registered the fewest number of watercraft - 600.

YELLOW PERCH DAILY LIMIT COULD BE REDUCED IN WESTERN LAKE ERIE

COLUMBUS, OH — The Ohio Wildlife Council is considering a proposal to reduce the Lake Erie yellow perch daily bag limit in Ohio waters west of Huron, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
Under a rule change, the daily bag limit for yellow perch would drop from 30 to 25 fish per angler, but only in waters west of Huron. The daily bag limit will remain at 30 fish per angler in Ohio waters from Huron eastward.
The council also heard a proposal to reduce the statewide daily bag limit for muskellunge from two fish to one fish.
Open houses will be held on Sunday, March 2 in each of the state's five wildlife district offices to provide the public an opportunity to view and discuss proposed hunting and trapping regulations with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or visiting wildohio.com on the Internet.

STATE TOURNAMENT TO SHOWCASE OHIO'S "ARCHERY IN THE SCHOOLS" PROGRAM
COLUMBUS, OH — Nearly 700 students from all over Ohio will compete in the state's second annual National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) State Tournament, scheduled for Friday, February 29, at Veterans Memorial, 300 W. Broad St., Columbus.
The tournament will once again be held in conjunction with the annual Arnold Sports Festival, spearheaded by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife, which oversees the statewide program.
Participants will compete for individual and team awards in high school, middle school, and elementary school divisions. The top-finishing team in each division will represent Ohio in Louisville, Kentucky at the NASP National Competition in June.
The NASP program is rapidly growing and gaining popularity among both students and educators. It was introduced into 17 Ohio schools in 2004.
NASP teaches target archery to elementary, middle and high school students, right in the school gym. The curriculum covers archery, safety, equipment, technique, concentration skills and self-improvement.
For details on the upcoming tournament, or to learn how your school can join the NASP program, visit wildohio.com on the Internet.

ODNR PROPOSES THREE OHIO RAPTORS BE REMOVED FROM ENDANGERED LIST

COLUMBUS, OH — Wildlife biologists proposed to change the status of three Ohio raptors from endangered to threatened at the January 9 Ohio Wildlife Council meeting, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.
"Down-listing is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of biologists and volunteers across the state that assisted in the restoration of these raptors," said David M. Graham, chief of the Division of Wildlife.

Bald eagles, peregrine falcons and osprey will continue to be protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. And, the bald eagle will have additional protection under the Bald Eagle Protection Act. Killing any threatened or endangered species can result in a significant criminal charge and fine.
Ohio adopted its first list of endangered wildlife in 1974, listing 71 species. An extensive examination of the list is conducted every five years. Wildlife officials solicited comments from more than 100 research biologists, noted professional and amateur wildlife experts, and academics before proposing the current de-listing.
Ohio's current list includes six categories of classification, encompassing 352 species. The categories include: endangered, 128 species; threatened, 47 species; species of concern, 93 species; special interest, 41 species; extirpated, 34 species; and extinct, 9 species. Visit wildohio.com for more information on the state-listed species.
Open houses will be held on Sunday, March 2 in each of the state's five wildlife district offices to provide the public an opportunity to discuss proposed changes with state wildlife officials. Directions to the open houses can be obtained by calling 1-800-WILDLIFE or visiting wildohio.com on the Internet.

PYMATUNING LAKE 2008 FISHING FORECAST IS HOT DESPITE COOLER EXPECTATIONS FOR WALLEYE

AKRON, OH — Hot fishing opportunities and a new fisheries management strategy to boost the walleye population are in store for Pymatuning Lake in 2008. The fish community in this 14,650-acre lake, which straddles Ohio and Pennsylvania, has shifted to provide excellent fishing, but poses a walleye population mystery for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Ohio Division of Wildlife, which jointly manage this fishery. The 2008 Fishing Forecast for Pymatuning Lake calls for excellent fishing for muskellunge, smallmouth bass, black and white crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, white bass, and channel catfish, but reduced expectations for walleye. Fisheries biologists from both agencies, as well as researchers from Bowling Green State University in Ohio are in the process of attempting to determine why the survival of young walleye has generally been so poor since 2001.

Pymatuning Lake has been long known for good fishing and that tradition will continue in 2008 with some new twists. For example, smallmouth bass, which often go unnoticed, are plentiful, with nearly one out of five fish measuring at least 14 inches. Both black and white crappie have increased in both number and size over the past few years, with average fish kept by anglers being mostly 11 to 12-inch “slabs”. Bluegill, too, are doing well, and 8-inch fish are commonly caught.
Fishing bonuses include a recent explosion of yellow perch and under-fished populations of both white bass and channel catfish. The number of yellow perch ranging from 8 to 12 inches may never have been better.
White bass, although not as numerous as crappie or yellow perch run big right now, with a population tipped toward fish that are measuring 15-inches. Channel catfish offer a good bite and fight, especially during the dog-days of July and August, when other fish can be stubborn. Catfish can be caught during the day and night and are typically 18 inches and longer.

Anglers interested in catching large, toothy predators should consider the trophy opportunities for muskellunge and walleye this year at Pymatuning Lake. Muskellunge, which can approach the 50-pound range, have rebounded from a long-term bout with a bacterial disease called “Red Spot”. Opportunities are prime for trophy walleye, with exceptionally heavy 26 and 27-inch fish approaching 10 pounds. However, the fishery is currently dominated by larger fish since first-year survival of walleye has been poor since 2001, so anglers shouldn’t expect to catch large numbers of walleye as in the past. Catching lunker walleye at Pymatuning Lake may require changes in tactics and expectations by anglers accustomed to catching limits. Limit catches of walleye will likely be the exception rather than the rule until the survival of young walleye improves.

Returning to the days of limit catches of tasty walleye will require some research, experimentation, and patience. Historically, stocking millions of 1/4-inch walleye fry, which have supplemented poor or inconsistent natural reproduction, has successfully maintained good fishing. However, first-year survival of walleye has been poor in five of the past seven years, despite increases in numbers of fry stocked. Fisheries biologists from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Ohio Division of Wildlife, as well as scientists from Bowling Green State University, are currently looking at a number of factors that could explain the recent downturn in walleye numbers. These factors include changes in the watershed, microscopic plankton, climate, prey fish, and the number of fish predators in the lake, all of which may affect survival of stocked walleye.

Fisheries biologists with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission and the Ohio Division of Wildlife are stepping up to the challenge of helping walleye rebound by adjusting their stocking strategy. Biologists cannot pinpoint why young walleye are not surviving as well as they had prior to 2001, but they are moving ahead with a plan to stock 586,000 fingerling walleye ranging from 1 to 2 inches during late May to determine whether these larger fingerlings may survive better than the traditionally-stocked fry. However, 4,000,000 walleye fry will still be stocked earlier in the spring as part of this experiment to assess the situation. Biologists will evaluate success of each size of stocked walleye using a special fish-marking technique which may indicate the best stocking approach and provide clues as to recent problems with survival of stocked fish.
As anglers enjoy excellent catches of a mixed bag of fish this year from Pymatuning Lake, fisheries biologists will be working hard to begin the process of rebuilding one of the best walleye fisheries that both states have had to offer.