Field Officer Reports - March 17, 2023

• Venango County Game Warden Andrew Kopec reports an increase in nuisance complaints involving skunks and raccoons with the unseasonably warm weather.

• Erie County Game Warden Andrew Hueser reports an Erie man recently pleaded guilty to charges related to an unlawfully tagged deer taken in the fall 2022 hunting season. The hunter had shot a small buck that did not meet the antler restrictions in WMU 1B. Instead of reporting it as a mistake kill, the hunter falsified his tag to suggest the harvest occurred in a WMU with a lower point requirement.

• Jefferson County Game Warden Andrew Troutman reports he is conducting an ongoing investigating into a deer case where a hunter who already had shot a buck in archery season shot a second one in muzzleloader season, then had his friend tag it. Other violations are being uncovered in this case , such as hunting without the proper licenses, and failing to report harvests.

• Erie County Game Warden Cody Jones reminds spring turkey hunters to review the regulations set forth in the Hunting & Trapping Digest prior to heading afield. Also, there will be a Women’s Instructional Firearms Clinic April 15 for those who wish to become more proficient with a firearm. The clinic will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Springs Rod & Gun Club, located at: 24609 PA-99, Cambridge Springs, PA 16403. Registration is required at wot.nra.org/find-a-clinic/.

• Erie County Game Warden Cody Jones reports an Erie resident was found guilty of harvesting and not tagging a sublegal antlered deer in Waterford Township. Also, a Corry resident was charged with harvesting a second antlerless deer without possessing a valid tag, citations are pending.

• Mercer County Game Warden Daniel Carl reports citing three Mercer County waterfowl hunters during February for having loaded firearms in their motorboat while it was underway.

• Butler County Game Warden Drew Barger reports an increased number of mistake kills in beaver sets in Butler County. Multiple muskrats and an otter were accidentally caught in beaver sets. This highlights the importance of doing your best to properly scout an area and identify sign of the animal you intend to trap, Warden Barger said.

• Warren County Game Warden Jeffrey Gibson reports that charges have been filed against a Warren resident who illegally caught a fisher in a body-gripping trap placed outside of a watercourse. The individual also failed to report the harvest to the Game Commission. The individual posted photos of the kill on Facebook and quickly took them down after multiple comments were made about the unlawful set.

• Forest County Game Warden Levi Haenel reports that, with the weather warming slightly, he has noticed increased unlawful ATV activity. ATVs are unlawful on State Game Lands, Hunter Access properties and the Alleghany National Forest.

• Mercer County Game Warden Mario Altieri reports multiple enforcement actions for the month of February, including a citation issued to a trapper who exceeded the maximum number of body-gripping traps set for otters, a warning issued to a trapper who did not possess a furtaker license while trapping, and a warning issued to a hunter who did not possess a hunting license while hunting coyotes.

• Crawford County Game Warden Meagon Aikey reports the otter trapping season was successful with a total of six harvests from the district. Sets checked on State Game Lands and elsewhere were legal, and trappers were cognizant to avoid bait visible to the air. Meanwhile, late season goose hunting pressure has been light, and the flocks are taking advantage to feed in the fields.

• Venango County Game Warden Michael Ondik reports a man recently was cited for unlawfully removing the head from a road-killed buck. The report came in after a State Police trooper, who pulled in behind the subject’s vehicle along I-80, thinking the vehicle was disabled. As a reminder, in order to possess a deer that you don't have a tag for, or its parts, you need a permit from the Game Commission.

• Erie County Game Warden Michael Stutts reports several citations are being issued to hunters who left tree stands and blinds on State Game Lands beyond the allowable period. Stands and blinds must be removed no later than two weeks after the close of the final deer season in the WMU where they’re placed.

• Crawford County Game Warden Randy Crago reports spring will be here before you know it, and it is important to remember to leave young wildlife alone. Often people find young wildlife they think is abandoned, but in most cases, the mother is not far off, and is just waiting for the people to leave. Handling wildlife, however, can cause the mother to abandon her young or cause unintended harm to it

• Crawford County Game Warden Stephen Wingenbach has received multiple reports about stolen traps. Additionally, an individual recently was found guilty at trial of hunting over bait and not wearing the required fluorescent orange during the firearms deer season. Another individual pleaded guilty to a safety zone violation and trespassing while hunting.

• Clarion County Game Warden Steven Ace reports there were a few coyote hunters out during the big coyote hunts so far this winter. “I checked a few of them in the middle of the night during the Mosquito Creek hunt and the Clarion County Rod and Gun hunt, which occurred the same weekend,” Ace said. “To say they were surprised when the Game Warden showed up at 2 in the morning would be an understatement.” But these hunters appeared fully in compliance with the law

• Sgt. Susan Edmiston, State Game Warden Group Supervisor for Forest and Warren counties, reminds trappers to be certain they collect all equipment from the field as seasons end.

• Butler County Game Warden Taylor Gunderson reports an antlerless deer was shot from the road near Sarver, Pa. around 6 a.m. on Feb. 26. A white Ford sedan was seen leaving the area after the shot was heard.

• Warren County Tyler Brundage reports that, during the big-game seasons, Deputy Game Wardens Mike Wright and Spencer Palczer found 54 baited tree stands. “This fact speaks to two things,” Brundage said. “One being how driven and dedicated these two officers are, the second being how prevalent baiting is. The public needs to recognize that this is unsportsmanlike behavior and is another form of poaching. If baiting is seen it should be reported immediately.”

​The range on State Game Lands 109 in Erie County will be closed effective August 9^th until further notice for upgrades and maintenance

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​Access Routes for hunters with Disabilities (PDF)

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