Running In The Woods: Cautions For Hunting Season

Off The Beaten Path

The State College Area is full of great woodland trails for outdoor sports and activities. But runners should use caution, especially during hunting season. Particular care should be exercised when running in State Game Lands, which are often used by runners and come close to populated areas. However, hunting is not limited to State Game Lands. Be aware that the farmer who has told you it was OK to run across his field may have also told hunters that they could clear his land of deer. The message below comes from a local hiker's bulletin board, but the message applies to anyone who takes to the woods. The dates mentioned apply to the 2005-06 season, and we'll try to keep this information updated from year to year. However, the approximate times will probably be good from year to year, and the message is clear.
 
<>Forest Coalition ALERT # 534              –Hunting Seasons for non-hunters
 
Many people who are not hunters are not aware of the many seasons which put hunters in the woods for their lawful hunting activities.
 
Starting October 1, there will be many different hunting activities going on in Pennsylvania; hunters will be:
 
  • Quietly sitting in tree stands, waiting for Deer
  • Sitting with their backs to trees, calling in Wild Turkey
  • Standing or slowly stalking Small Game
<>Some hunting activities require Blaze Orange Caps and Vests; others allow complete camo.   Some hunters will have bows, some use shotguns, some use high-power rifles . . .It all depends on what game they are seeking.
 
"SAFE" means "absence of risk".  You might consider doing your outdoor activity in areas where hunting is not allowed.  We don't want anyone to interfere with lawful hunting activity. Neither do we want to read about someone being killed or injured while walking out there, enjoying the woods. 
 
Recent PGC Regulation:

IT IS UNLAWFUL  for non-hunters to be present on State Game Lands from November 15 through December 15 inclusive without wearing at least a Fluorescent Orange hat, visible from 360 degrees (a vest or jacket of 250 sq. inches is of  Safety Orange is recommended ).  .  .    
 
     BUT  11/15 to 12 /15 IS NOT THE ONLY "HUNTING SEASON"

 HUNTING  AND TRAPPING SEASONS, 2005 - 2006
SQUIRRELS : Junior hunters, Oct. 8-14
SQUIRRELS :  Oct. 15-Nov. 26;  Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb
RUFFED GROUSE:  Oct. 15-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28
RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 22-Nov. 26, Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4
PHEASANT:  Junior hunters Oct. 8-14
PHEASANT:   Oct. 22-Nov. 26 , Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Feb. 4
BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 22-Nov. 26
HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) Dec. 26-31
WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays, during the antlered & antlerless deer seasons; and until noon daily during the spring gobbler season.
CROWS: July 1-Nov. 27 and Dec. 30-April 2, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only
STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer seasons and until noon daily during the spring gobbler turkey season.
WILD TURKEY:   Oct. 29-Nov. 19 (depending on the area).
SPRING GOBBLER : April 29-May 27, 2006.
SPRING GOBBLER : Junior hunters, April 22, 2006.
BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 21-23.
BLACK BEAR (special areas only)  Nov. 28-Dec. 3.
ELK :   Nov. 7-12.
ELK : Sept. 18-23, 2006.
DEER, ARCHERY (Statewide) : Oct.1-Nov. 12 & Dec. 26-Jan. 14.
DEER, ALL WEAPONS (Statewide): Nov. 28-Dec. 10.
ANTLERLESS DEER (Statewide):   Oct. 20-22. Junior and Senior License Holders, etc.
DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 15-22.
DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 14.
DEER, Antlerless ( areas vary) : Dec. 12-23 and Dec. 26-Jan. 28.
COYOTES: No closed season.
RACCOON & FOXES: Oct. 15-Feb. 18
OPOSSUM, SKUNKS & WEASELS: No closed season, except for prior to noon during the spring gobbler season.
BOBCAT: Oct. 15-Feb. 18.
    Not listed :  Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TRAPPING SEASONS   (Don't  let your dog run unleashed)
MINK & MUSKRAT: Nov. 19-Jan. 7.
COYOTE, FOXES, RACCOON, WEASELS (etc) : Oct. 16-Feb. 18.
BEAVER : Dec. 26-March 31, 2006
BOBCAT : Oct. 16-Feb. 18.

As you can see, "Hunting Season" isn't just one month. 
Please be aware of these lawful hunting activities.  You don't want to ruin a hunter's day - and he or she doesn't want you to be endangered.
 
    IF YOU'RE OUT THERE,  BE AWARE !  . . .   WEAR BLAZE ORANGE FOR SAFETY

R. Martin ,Coordinator,  Forest Coalition


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