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Additional State Forest Roads Opened for Start of Deer Hunting Season

Posted on: Monday, 20 November 2006, 12:00 CST

HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire/ -- Additional state forest roads will be open to hunters in 17 of the 20 state forest districts when Pennsylvania's regular two-week deer hunting season opens Monday, Nov. 27, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Michael DiBerardinis announced today.

"Many roads normally gated in our state forestlands will be open when hunters take to the woods in search of deer on opening day," DiBerardinis said. "Offering hunters easier access to often-remote areas enables our forestry experts to channel deer hunting pressure where they think it is needed to benefit forest regeneration."

During the state's archery season, which closed Nov. 11, and the state's other deer hunting seasons, running into January 2007, more than 6,500 miles of state forest roadway have been open to hunters.

"More than 90 percent of all state forestland is now within one-half mile of an open road during deer season, affording hunters access to areas where we believe larger deer harvests are necessary for the regeneration of the forests," DiBerardinis said. "The state's deer hunters are an invaluable tool in both wildlife management and forest stewardship."

DiBerardinis noted some of these additional roads will be open only during deer season at the discretion of the district forester. Others only will be opened for the second week of the traditional rifle season because they cannot withstand the expected heavy traffic of the first week. Extended openings will be in effect only where there is minimal threat of damage or deterioration on road surfaces or in forest surroundings.

Hunters also are advised that extended wet weather has led forest officials to lift a standard open-fire ban in six state forest districts. Normally forbidden through Dec. 1, small fires for warming and cooking will be permitted in state forests when precautions are taken to prevent fire spread. The ban has been lifted in Tioga, Susquehannock, Tiadaghton, Elk, Moshannon and Sproul state forests.

Road openings are planned in the following state forest districts and counties:

Michaux: Franklin, Cumberland and Adams counties; Buchanan: Bedford, Blair, Fulton and Franklin counties; Tuscarora: Huntingdon, Franklin, Cumberland, Perry, Juniata and Mifflin counties; Forbes: Fayette, Westmoreland and Somerset counties; Rothrock: Huntingdon, Mifflin, Blair and Centre counties; Gallitzin: Somerset County; Bald Eagle: Centre, Mifflin, Snyder, Clinton, Union and Lycoming counties; Clear Creek: Venango and Jefferson counties; Moshannon: Clearfield, Centre, Clinton, Cameron and Elk counties; Sproul: Clinton and Centre counties; Tiadaghton: Western Lycoming, Clinton, Union, Tioga and Potter counties; Elk: McKean, Cameron, Potter and Elk counties; Susquehannock: Potter and Clinton counties; Tioga: Tioga County; Valley Forge: Berks County; Delaware: Monroe and Pike counties; and Loyalsock: Sullivan, Bradford and eastern Lycoming counties.

Listings of open roads, effective dates and district office telephone numbers can be obtained at DCNR's web site at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/ (select Forestry), or by telephoning a district office.

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

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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