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Pennsylvania State Parks Open for Early Goose Hunting

Posted on: Wednesday, 30 August 2006, 12:00 CDT

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Pennsylvania state parks again will allow Canada goose hunting during the state's early season beginning early next month.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources said the statewide season, designed to reduce local nuisance geese populations, runs Friday, Sept. 1, through Monday, Sept. 25.

Hunters should contact individual park offices for starting dates and other details. Some parks are closed to hunting. Also, with the early-season starting date falling just before the busy Labor Day holiday, some parks will not allow hunting until Sept. 5, the day after Labor Day.

Geese may be hunted during the early season at all state parks with designated hunting areas. No early goose season hunting will take place in the portion of Crawford County south of Route 198 from the Ohio line to the intersection of Route 18; to the intersection of Route 322/18; to the intersection of Route 3013; south to the Crawford/Mercer county line. This area includes Pymatuning State Park and the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area in Crawford County. No hunting will take place on the controlled hunting area at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area in Lebanon-Lancaster counties.

Canada geese may be taken on Pymatuning State Park Reservoir and an area extended 100 yards inland from shoreline of the reservoir, excluding the area east of Route 3011 (Hartstown Road).

Non-migratory Canada goose populations have increased drastically in recent years, causing crop damage and nuisance problems in residential neighborhoods. Park visitors often complain about goose excrement on state park beaches and other facilities, and water quality at some state parks has been adversely affected.

Resident Canada geese have been among the suspected cause of high fecal coliform counts at some Pennsylvania state park beaches, forcing swimming restrictions during peak usage periods.

Many state parks have taken measures, including anti-goose fencing and/or the use of loud noisemakers, in an attempt to deter the waterfowl, or scare them away.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service again have authorized the early goose hunt. Sunday hunting is not permitted in Pennsylvania.

A statewide eight-goose daily bag limit, and a 16-bird possession limit will be in effect.

All Game Commission rules and regulations governing the early Canada goose season will apply at state parks. Additional details can be obtained from the Game Commission by writing PA Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, or by calling (717) 787-4250.

Persons with disabilities wanting to hunt geese in the early season should contact specific state parks for further information. Park phone numbers can be obtained by calling 1-888-PA-PARKS, or visiting the DCNR Web site at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ (select State Parks).

Sportsmen's groups interested in volunteering for waterfowl habitat improvements and other projects in state parks should contact their local state park manager.

CONTACT: Terry Brady

(717) 772-9101

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

CONTACT: Terry Brady, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, +1-717-772-9101

Web site: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/

Source: PRNewswire

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