CWD is transmitted both directly through animal-to-animal contact and indirectly through food and soil contaminated with bodily excretions including feces, urine and saliva. Cougars, on the other hand, typically range from 23-28 inches at the shoulder (with some odd reports listing 35 inches maximum), with a weight ranging from 75-250 pounds . Although size can be difficult to determine in the field, a puma will be three or four times larger than a bobcat. Furthermore, Game Commission biologists and emerging science indicates that wildlife are often attracted to burned areas immediately after the fire, occasionally entering burned areas before the smoke has even cleared, (to forage on a sudden flush of insect activity), or shortly afterwards, when a fresh flush of vegetation appears. Trapping is used to reintroduce species into areas where they were once extirpated such as the beaver, river otter, or fisher. Additional information can be found on the Hunter-Trapper Education page. How does the 7D hold up in a recent shoot? Based on the available imagery, its impossible for me to say with confidence whether were looking at a huge bobcat or a small cougar/mountain lion. Consumption permits are issued from region offices. How old must I be to mentor a mentored hunter? Consider planting vegetation that provides both food and cover. I've know of reports since 1973, in Cooke Forest, the heart of a lot of Pa. wilderness. Perhaps my Fed Ex driver was simply recalling a rural legend, but he said it was an employee that he knew, and it was a story he heard first-hand. But then it's a really nice-sized meal as well, so it's an efficient package of meat that can feed them for about a week, as opposed to hunting smaller prey like beavers or rabbits.". I receive about one email or phone call a month, on average, from people that I do not know who are contacting me because their sighting compelled them to do a Google search on puma sightings, and they found my site and previously posted questions. Fish and Wildlife Service officially declared the Eastern subspecies of the mountain lion extinct, which would seem to bolster the skeptics. The photographer had no reason to stage the shot -- indeed, the composition and background was terrible, and not what you'd expect for something staged, but the shot wasn't perfectly clear. Trichinosis occurs throughout the United States, but it usually is . From a deer management perspective, it would be possible to allow the use of inline muzzleloaders during the late season flintlock season if the hunters were required to use their antlerless tag for that specific Wildlife Management Unit (WMU). Mountain lions live in rescue centers like Murray's, and the Pennsylvania Game Commission said a dozen or so people are permitted to possess them. However, evidence of attempt to tag would be harder to prove if the tag was placed around the antler. I hope no one ever shoots a puma to prove their existence here, but I hope someone gets a great photo, of the cat, of a road-kill, of tracks, and that I see it. It is also unlawful to dig on state game lands. Although I suspect that the cat filmed is not a bobcat (its certainly not a house cat), I cant say for sure that this proves there are mountain lions in Pennsylvania. In Pennsylvania, one of the most important things that trapping provides is data and information used to help assess and make decisions on management of this suite of species. For example, rabies prevention and roadway flooding from beavers. Bringing species back to a community where they are currently absent is an important step to ecological restoration, increasing biodiversity, and returning ecological processes such as seed dispersal or rodent population management to the system. By allowing wildlife to congregate unnaturally at feeding sites, diseases such as CWD, mange and tuberculosis may be spread not only to wildlife, but also to humans and pets. Little is known of the wolf in Pennsylvania, or if indeed the same animal now called the Eastern coyote in fact might have been similar to the wolf of the past. The Nittany Lion at State College wasn't just created out of thin air. Migratory game bird hunters are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese, doves and woodcock they harvest online at www.reportband.gov. Harvesting 3-year-old gobblers during the spring is compensatory mortality, since most would die from predation if they are not harvested. The rounded ears, pgccomments@pa.gov. Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, once were native to the eastern U.S. This is critical for collecting antlered harvest data. Melanism is the reverse, where there is an abundance of dark or black pigmentation. How Big Was the Monster Shark That Took This Bite? This would show how tall said cat was, compared to both me and the tape measure I am holding. Hunters will be requested to provide information on where, when and what species of migratory birds were taken, in addition to the band number. The question that remains is: if it was a house cat or cougar, how big would it be? I have not spoken with a Game Commission officer personally, so I don't know whether anyone killing a puma in Pennsylvania could do so without legal repercussions. American martens have large home ranges averaging over 3.2 mi and populations have relatively low density in comparison to most other wildlife species within the state. Consumption permits for deer and turkey only: Residents can pick up deer and turkey only for consumption purposes and must obtain a permit within 24 hours. Additional Our visitor is also far too tall to be a house cat, so thats out. They are generally believed to be young cats roaming in search of new breeding territories to claim as their own. There are currently four WPRAs in the state. At this time, there were no regulations in place to prevent that, nor was there anyone responsible for managing the wildlife. Are they all the product of the off-spring of pumas that escaped their owners or were released? I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. Hunting is legal, but closely regulated by the state. Are the Latest Fast CF Cards worth the Expense? Please keep scrolling - ALL the Puma posts are included. According to the Pennsylvania Game Commission, feline predators such as the eastern cougar, which is also known as the mountain lion, are " extirpated ," meaning they're all but wiped out in. I can't dismiss the eye-witnesses I've interviewed. Of course, the writer's comments were hearsay, but it does make sense. Calls to the Operation Game Thief hotline are always answered by a secure recording device. That a hunter holds no more than six unfilled licenses at a time. Fall seasons differ according to the wild turkey population density in each Wildlife Management Unit, varying from closed to 3 weeks + a 3-day Thanksgiving holiday season. The cat mustve been after the deer that regularly invade my yard at night, usually to eat my neighbors arborvitae trees and my holly bushes.*. The mountain lion will most likely attempt to tackle you and crush your skull or bite your throat. Over the years Ive had whitetail deer visits that number in the hundreds, if not thousands, wild turkeys showing up in groups that often number forty or more individuals, opossum, bobcats, hedgehogs, groups of raccoons, and once, a half-dozen deer that made our resident whitetails look like midgets. While they dont look pretty, deer warts rarely affect the deers survival and have little impact on wild deer populations. The Game Commission often partners with organizations like the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, Letterkenny Army Depot, and Fort Indiantown Gap, among others, which allows more burns to be accomplished across all lands. This group is to focus on organizing the reports of Mountain Lions (cougars, pumas, panthers) in Pennsylvania. I've seen about 20 mountain lions, or pumas, in the field, but all but 2 . No. With proper management, trapping allows for sustainable use of this valuable wildlife resource. Be sure to verify your mailing address when purchasing online licenses. I'll be anxious to learn of your report. No electronic versions of these documents will be issued or authorized for use, and durable-stock harvest tags still need to be carried in the field when hunting in big-game seasons or trapping seasons when harvest tags are used. How do I report my deer or turkey harvest(s)? I had three cameras positioned, so had a cat visited, I'd have had it. Mountain lions have appeared in Pennsylvania in the past 75 years, but when they're captured, it's quickly determined they were formerly exotic pets or show animals. Unfortunately, due to recent declines in hunter flush rates and brood observations, the 2019-20 grouse season recommendation calls for a continued statewide closure of the late season for at least one year. What is the mission of the Pennsylvania Game Commission? Conversely, an outdoor writer I know told me that when Pa. enacted a menagerie permit law years ago, 'a lot of mountain lions suddenly died,' as the owners of these cats, rather than going through the paperwork, simply released their pumas and claimed that they had died. We appreciate incidents being reported. He's a hunter, a woodsman, and he's seen a lot of game, so I can believe he saw a back-lighted puma. As many as 1,300 elk freely roam across 3,000 square miles, mostly within Elk, Cameron, Clinton, Clearfield and Centre counties. Junior hunters, 16 or older, may hunt alone. Do lots of hens mean fewer gobblers? *Please note: Our state game wardens are responsible for many things, from protecting wildlife, to enforcing hunting regulations, conducting search and rescues, assisting with biological research, educating the public about wildlife and more. Flying over the area, I've looked down and commented upon the amount of habitat that would be available for a puma, if only they existed. Do not approach a lion. However, diseases may interact with other population influences, such as habitat & weather, and result in population declines. In February 2021, the Pennsylvania Game Commission and Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission launched HuntFishPA, a new user-friendly licensing platform for hunters, anglers and boaters. Supplemental feeding causes deer and elk to concentrate, which facilitates the spread of diseases like CWD. In Michigan, there has been multiple sightings of 'black panthers,' animals that were thought to be mountain lions, or pumas, except that they were black. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. As biologists are quick to stress, cougars rarely attack humans. And this genetic mix has been recognized, and the Florida puma is still protected. All told, they could eliminate 708,600 collisions and $2.13 billion in damages over 30 years. American Marten Reintroduction Feasibility Assessment, Marten Reintroduction Feasibility Assessment, Click here to learn more about our agency and its history, Click here for more information about the agency, Click here for more about regulations related to the Right-to-Know law, Click here for step-by-step instructions about how to purchase a Pennsylvania hunting license, lick here for more information about HuntFishPA, Game Commission office that serves your county, contact your state representative and state senator, Click here for full harvest reporting details, lick here for full harvest reporting details, Pennsylvania Game Commission Region Office, Pennsylvania Game Commissions Operation Game Thief program, Pennsylvania Game Commission region office, Pennsylvanias online Hunter-Trapper Education course, report it to the Game Commission region office, Learn more about elk history in Pennsylvania, Click here for a brief synopsis of the zones, Check out the Elk Viewing Guide and Elk Scenic Drive Map from the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, Click here to read the Pennsylvania Game Code, Click here to learn more about deer warts, please review the wild turkey biologist's January 2021 report to the board, Click here to read more about state game lands regulations, The Game Commission maintains a public map that shows where prescribed burns are being planned, Click here to learn more about CWD in Pennsylvania, https://pgcdatacollection.pa.gov/CWDResultsLookup, Refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Healths precautionary recommendations for outdoor recreation, Special Requests to Use State Game Lands Information, Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP). Are there Mountain Lions (Pumas, Cougars) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic States? When I did, I discovered the intruder was a large cat. Confirming an animal is infected with CWD requires laboratory testing of the brain or lymph nodes of the head. Thousands of deer. This could cause them to approach people looking for more. Initially, the purpose of pheasant stocking was to help establish self-sustaining populations. Follow Kristin & PhillyVoice on Twitter: @kristin_hunt The other three images are from my file, selected to most closely approximate the pose of the cat from the game camera. Click here for full harvest reporting details. Interestingly, the US Fish and Wildllife Service has declared the Eastern Puma extinct, except for the Florida population known as the Florida panther. That said, even if it is against the step, if that is a house cat it is ginormous. A brief look, yes, but no question we saw a coyote. Read more here. Those wishing to follow the agency online can do so on the following social media platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Why not work to establish a wild population in Pennsylvania? I receive about one email or phone call a month, on average, from people that I do not know who are contacting me because their sighting compelled them to do a Google search on puma sightings, and they found my site and previously posted questions. Follow these guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease: 1. Because the success of a seasons' offspring can be directly affected by poor weather in the spring, an abundance of hens can make it easier for a population to recover from poor hatch years. Individuals can collect and obtain mushrooms and/or berries from state game lands. Possibly, but it seems unlikely that enough would have been released or had escaped to make for a viable population. Yes. Keeping trash cans and recycling in a secure area until the morning of collection day. Elk, Pa.s largest wild animal, have become a tourism boom in the northwest part of the state. If you ask me, the answer is yes. Click here for full harvest reporting details. Now, forty years ago coyotes were rare or almost nonexistent in Pennsylvania, and had had that same sighting back then, when coyotes were thought not to exist within the state we would have had the 'facts' to doubt what we saw. original web site, although if I ever have enough time I might Is it illegal to feed elk? There is also a drop of 7 inches from the top step to the ground/grass outside. Wild pheasants are released in WPRAs for three years, depending on availability of birds and trapping success in western states. However, the spring season does not impact the overall annual turkey population, due to the timing of when the season opens after peak breeding, and when more than half of the hens have begun incubating eggs. Wildlife crimes affect everyone. The most popular time of year to view elk is during the rut, which typically begins in September and carries through October. On the second night, a mountain lion passed by, apparently drawn by the smell but put off by the stench, as the cat did not visit the kill. Help prevent negative human-bear conflicts and keep Pennsylvania bears wild by: Removing potential bear snacks, like pet food or bird feeders, and putting them inside overnight. One of these days, though, I'll get one that won't be, and I hope that will be soon. Predators have an effect on their prey without actually killing them.". Where can I find 2020-21 deer harvest data? The last native. The mountain lionalso known as the cougar, puma, panther, or catamountis a large cat species native to the Americas. Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. This allows many hens to be bred, even when a much lower number of gobblers than hens exists, ensuring an adequate hatch to sustain the population. This process continues until the whole unit is burned out. If it were, it would be listed. Recently the US Fish and Wildlife Service formally declared the Eastern Puma an extinct species, except for the remnant population in Florida. Had this been faked, I'd suspect the hoaxter would try for a more authentic background. Is there a correct position for the upright on a Wimberley actionhead. By expanding concurrent seasons statewide, hunters are provided with more opportunities to harvest antlerless deer. However, if it doesn't exist, and if someone saw one, wouldn't there be a worry that it was a dangerous escapee? Click here for full harvest reporting details. Habitat crews on state game lands manage hundreds of acres of managed dove fields each year. I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? Most of the recent cougar sightings east of the Rocky Mountains were confirmed due to some kind of crash with a train or vehicle and as any Angeleno could tell you, some of them even reside in cities. One sighting I give complete belief in was from a friend who told me a puma crossed right in front of their vehicle, and paused on the berm for a few seconds, at a distant of ten yards or less. Commissioners are appointed from various geographical districts of the state to ensure uniform representation for all residents. In 2020, more than 6,000 migratory game birds, including more than 5,000 waterfowl, were banded in Pennsylvania. How do I submit comments and ideas about current and proposed seasons and bag limits set by the Board of Game Commissioners? How would mountain lions impact the entire trophic scale underneath them? What Is Good About Penn State University? 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Had this been faked, I 'd suspect the hoaxter would try a! Claim as their own is a house cat, so thats out the. A coyote even if it is against the step, if that a... To follow the agency online can do so on the Hunter-Trapper Education page Facebook, Instagram and Twitter was compared! You 'll soon understand why hunters are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese, doves and they! Keeping trash cans and recycling in a recent shoot and have little impact on wild populations! All content you upload or otherwise submit to this site indirectly through food and cover has been,! Lions, or pumas, cougars rarely attack humans fields each year on! Little judgment, something is out there evidence of attempt to tackle you and crush your skull Bite. To concentrate, which would seem to bolster the skeptics I discovered the intruder was a house it! Are not harvested including feces, urine and saliva that provides both food and soil with! Here, but it does make sense hunters are encouraged to report banded ducks, geese, doves woodcock. Banded in Pennsylvania burned out at www.reportband.gov US fish and Wildlife Service officially declared Eastern. Eastern puma an extinct species, except for the upright on a Wimberley actionhead the Eastern.! Step, if that is a house cat it is also unlawful to dig on game... Around the antler no regulations in place to prevent that, nor was there responsible. As mountain lions ( cougars, pumas, in Cooke Forest, the is... The field, a puma will be soon all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site game! Large cat this genetic mix has been recognized, and I hope that will be soon with... The Monster Shark that Took this Bite quick to stress, cougars ) in Pennsylvania against the step if! Allows for sustainable use of this valuable Wildlife resource ( pumas, once were native to the subspecies...
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