If it was just a house cat, it would be obvious. So is the second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a living in the Keystone state? When was CWD detected in Pennsylvania? People still report cougar sightings in Pennsylvania all the time. How old must I be to mentor a mentored hunter? Encourage officials at all levels of government to support the steps necessary to slow the spread of CWD across Pennsylvania. Those buying licenses from an issuing agent will be issued harvest tags at the time of purchase and will have the opportunity to have digital licenses provided through email. *Please note: Licenses may take up to ten business days to arrive. Although size can be difficult to determine in the field, a puma will be three or four times larger than a bobcat. There have been no confirmed reports of mountain lions, AKA Puma concolor, in Pennsylvania since the late 1800s. Over time, cats that had been released in Florida, probably pets that outlived their welcome, bred with the native puma, and their genes mingled. Where can I learn more about Pennsylvanias state game lands? Who knows? "Cougars are hunting deer year-round. Is there a way for Pennsylvania hunters to donate extra venison? When he told me this, he commented on how an experience like the one he and his friends had just is not forgotten. Big bulls, as well as a huntable population of elk, can be found in each of the 14 zones. This means the cat in question is at least 7 inches taller than it appears in the film. The population declined significantly and experienced a near total reproductive failure in 2018. And again, while they may have been mistaken, they certainly were completely convinced that they had seen a puma. What are the wart-like bumps that can grow on deer? Where can I find a local hunting license vendor? How will I know where and when burns are planned? However, bear are present all across the state. Providing contact information for the landowner is the quickest and easiest way for a game warden to verify a landowner has granted permission to a hunter. Unless I am only dealing with a lot of delusional people with little judgment, something is out there. In Yellowstone, definite puma country (perhaps not ideal habitat, but pumas are found in every section of Yellowstone), I've spoken to guys on road crews and with rangers, each with 20 years of field or road experience in Yellowstone, and the ranger had only seen 2 (both road kills and together) and the road crew guys two or three in all their years. Except there's one big problem, at least for East Coasters: cougars don't really live here. 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. A sample permission slip is available on page 4 of the 2022-23 Hunting and Trapping Digest. The Game Commission manages this land primarily to provide the best habitat for wildlife, but also to provide opportunities for lawful hunting and trapping. Yes. How can I buy a bear hunting license? What does a Mountain Lion look like on a game camera? Where can I find information about hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits? However, recently I saw a photo of a melanistic bobcat, as black as could be, with bright yellow eyes. 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. (Remember: Prescribed burns are not the same as wildfires.) Mountain lions, which continue to be reported across Pennsylvania throughout the year, are officially extinct east of the Mississippi River and north of Florida, according to the U.S. I'm wondering, then, if the complete dismissal of sightings of Eastern pumas (other than the acknowledgement of released or escaped pets) isn't motivated by economics. They're able to hunt deer in suburban areas where it's not safe to hunt. Crews are highly trained and qualified to light fires in a way that allows wildlife to escape, often with crew members walking through units before and during burns to ensure the area is clear of wildlife. 2019 mountain lion in Pennsylvania / definitive proof Joe and Angelika Kelley 12 subscribers Subscribe 91 16K views 3 years ago When something digs up your yard and you film it. 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. Check out the Elk Viewing Guide and Elk Scenic Drive Map from the Pennsylvania Great Outdoors Visitors Bureau. . 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. That's true. Cougars had long been targeted by early American settlers paranoid over livestock losses, the agency found, with some states going so far as to offer bounties for dead cougars. How Big Was the Monster Shark That Took This Bite? I am hoping that more and more people will learn of my own interest in this, and will pass on this information and that I'll receive more reports and, hopefully, sometime, a game camera photo that is definitive. Frankly, I was afraid to call it in, as I feared someone would come and shoot the animal. I spend a lot of time outdoors, and I've seen about 10 black bears in Pennsylvania, and all within ten miles of my home. If Sundays were added to the legal waterfowl seasons, Pennsylvania waterfowl hunters would actually lose hunting opportunities. Mace weighs a bit over 15 lbs and stands 12 at the shoulder. The board also prohibited the use of rifles in the fall season to potentially further reduce the harvest by 20 percent, statewide. 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. Although Pennsylvania still has more trappers than probably any other state at around 44,000 individuals, this is still a small percentage of the Commonwealths estimated 12.8 million residents. The animal could not be a wild mountain lion, because "there are no wild mountain lions in Pennsylvania." This was the approach of the PGC until a farmer named Roger saw a mountain lion, along with several other people on his remote farm, during a large outdoor party -- a party which included a big roast pig barbeque, near the edge of a forest. Reporting is mandatory, regardless of harvest, for DMAP (Deep Management Assistance Permits) and second spring turkey licenses. Road-killed deer should be reported directly to the Pennsylvania Game Commission region office that serves the county where the animal is located. I believe that the folks that are reporting, in detail, their sightings are faced with a similar situation. Harvest management to improve turkey numbers is with more conservative fall seasons. I'm thinking of the solution often suggested for pesky endangered species out west, namely wolves and grizzly bears. // February 12, 2021 Many believe mountain lions still exist in Pennsylvania. Although this is impossible to confirm, in the interest of being as conservative as possible, Im going to assume that it was pretty much up against the concrete steps when Im crunching numbers. [SECRET REVEALED]. Mature trees are left standing and are typically not impacted by the fire, (unless that is the desired effect). Be sure to verify your mailing address when purchasing online licenses. Of the deer harvested in the 2020-21 hunting seasons approximately 174,780 were antlered and 260,400 were antlerless deer. They are there to help us. Can you shoot a mountain lion if it attacks you? By the time he returned the vehicle was gone, and so was the cat, and no mention was ever made of this road kill in a radio or newspaper report. It is also unlawful to dig on state game lands. Several populations of Gray Squirrels scattered around the country are black, and recently I heard of a neighborhood of black Eastern Chipmunks. CWD was first found in Pennsylvania in captive deer in October of 2012, and in wild, free-ranging whitetails collected during the 2012 firearms season. Mountain Lion / Cougar sighting in Pennsylvania - October 2019 (Part 2) Flatsquatch Productions 1.8K subscribers Subscribe 4.7K views 3 years ago Scott describes his mountain lion /. Pennsylvanias management plan and seasons are not, and should not, be the same as other states, again, to ensure long-term sustainability of the wild turkey population. In some areas, entire populations of a species exhibit this trait, for unlike albinism, which results in a conspicuous white color and light-sensitive pink eyes, there are no ill effects with melanism. The dashboard is updated weekly and features an all-new way to view past and current information related to the disease. Thousands of deer scamper onto American streets each year, colliding with startled drivers and causing roughly 200 deaths. After that period, they must obtain a license to hunt. So is the second largest extant cat in North America still managing to eke out a living in the Keystone state? All of these forests are, with few exceptions, open to hunting, and hunting is a very important industry in Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, Maryland, and Virginia. Their bodies are mainly covered in tawny-beige fur, except for the whitish-gray belly and chest. Hunters overwhelmingly pass on jakes, further enhancing their survival to fill the place of older toms removed after breeding each year with minimal impact to the population. This could cause them to approach people looking for more. Continually feeding many wild animals in the same place can harm the habitat, people and the animals themselves. No. An animal's coat can stray far from the norm. They have adapted to live in the suburbs in woods, fields or even backyards without being seen by people.. This process continues until the whole unit is burned out. What can I do to help? I don't want to seem like a nut case here, but I must ask this question and you'll soon understand why? In personal contacts, that monthly average might even be higher. 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.". Pennsylvanias 1.6 million acres of state game lands are open for public access, at this time. 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.*. When we consider apex predators currently we have the black bear, and then to a lesser degree the coyote. Elk hunters are encouraged to spend some time in Pennsylvanias elk country to become familiar with the area in advance of the elk hunting seasons. Commissioners are appointed from various geographical districts of the state to ensure uniform representation for all residents. Is a mountain lion bigger than a bobcat? But they'd need the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and, for now, that's a non-starter. It was discovered when it was killed by a vehicle while crossing a highway. Click here to learn more about our agency and its history. He's. For information about local game lands, please reach out to the Game Commission region office that serves the county in which the lands are located. More information is available here. A few could, perhaps, be mistaken idenity. The Hunting and Trapping Digest serves as a great resource when it comes to questions about hunting seasons, bag limits and regulations. They cover large areas of the state; in fact, many counties only have one game warden assigned. Are Pennsylvanians OK with these changes? Exact dates for reporting vary annually, but are generally January through May. What do I think of the Canon 1D Mark IV? What is a prescribed fire? Click here to find a class in your area. Deer populations are managed through the allocation of antlerless licenses. California state law requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue permits to kill mountain lions that attack domestic animals. I've since worked with schools and districts all over the country, helping them improve their curriculums and instruction methods. One spotted in the Delaware Water Gap 25 years ago this week was believed to be the first in over a century. It is lawful for individuals to find and retain deer and elk antlers on public land, so long as they were shed through natural causes. Several regulations regarding the use of state game lands prevent the removal of any such artifact, or any other objects, besides lawfully taken fish and wildlife, mushroom and/or berries. For many decades, cougars confined themselves to prowling the wooded and mountainous areas of the western U.S. I usually follow-up on these reports and, via email or phone conversations, I receive more details. Would my mountain ridge be declared 'Critical Habitat' for the puma? *Please note: Comments posted on social media sites are always not shared with the commissioners or staff due to the high volume received. The most important aspect of the spring turkey season is this timing. Where reports dating that far back from escapees? What species can a mentored hunter hunt? Pennsylvania has more roads and hunters than just about every other state in America. Eyes are normal and are not light sensitive, and the over-all color, generally black, is usually not detrimental and may actually be of benefit. Its a wonderful defense against mountain lions (also known as cougars, pumas, or panthers). No wild cougars have been found in Pennsylvania since their extirpation in 1871. This group is to focus on organizing the reports of Mountain Lions (cougars, pumas, panthers) in Pennsylvania. Its the basis of a classic fishing trick; you hold a fish a bit away from you to make it appear larger for the camera. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. How do I report a banded waterfowl harvest? All rights reserved (About Us). Wildfires on the other hand, are unplanned fires that occur during extreme conditions, which can pose threats to public safety and cause damage to natural resources. In Pennsylvania, most burns take place in March, April, May and November when grass is dormant and leaves are off, allowing sunlight and wind to dry the forest floor. The goal of a WPRA is to establish a sustainable wild pheasant population that can be hunted. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. I went back there with the cop who showed up. Refer to the Pennsylvania Department of Healths precautionary recommendations for outdoor recreation. Public health officials are warning hunters to cook their bear and cougar meat well after 10 Idahoans contracted a rare strain of trichinosis from tainted cougar jerky. 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. NEW! Youngsters who participate in the mentored program for at least three years before turning 12 are required to get a license at 12, rather than continuing as a mentored hunter. To help meet this goal, the Game Commission provides locations and approximate dates (2-4 day windows) for stocking on its website. Why are rifles being banned for fall turkey hunting in the 2021 season? Yet, all is not lost. Hold your ground and back away slowly. The Pennsylvania Game Commission periodically receives reports and photos of mountain lions. But in recent years, the animals have been moving east. Last year, the board allowed concurrent seasons in select WMUs, mainly in areas where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) had been detected in free-ranging deer. In July and August I received seven different reports, and everyone involved had done a search of some type to compare images of bobcats and pumas. Pennsylvania Game Commission officials say it's very unlikely it was a mountain lion. Fire improves wildlife habitat and hunting opportunities by increasing soft mast production in shrubs like blueberry, huckleberry and blackberry. This spring, the Game Commission released its annual deer harvest report, which estimated hunters harvested 435,180 deer in Pennsylvania during the 2020-21 hunting seasons. The agency is focused on putting wildlife first, improving wildlife habitat, following sound business practices, serving the Pennsylvania public and improving support for hunting and trapping. Ive seen pictures of traps with large teeth on them in the past or pictures of large birds of prey with traps on their legs. He's a hunter, a woodsman, and he's seen a lot of game, so I can believe he saw a back-lighted puma. What happens on the day of the burn? Will Chris Rock joke about Will Smith's Oscars slap during live Netflix comedy special? In July and August I received seven different reports, and everyone involved had done a search of some type to compare images of bobcats and pumas. The most common areas to see mountain lions in Arizona are in places of rocky and mountainous terrain. If you ask me, the answer is yes. The increased light provided from knocking back small saplings and brush coupled with reduction in leaf litter or grass thatch will greatly enhance opportunities for new species to grow, particularly native grasses and forbs. You know; the closer an object is to the lens, the bigger it appears. Traps are a tool that can be used for a variety of reasons. At headquarters, there is an executive staff and seven bureaus: Wildlife Habitat Management, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Protection, Administrative Services, Marketing and Strategic Communications, Information and Education and Automated Technology Services. Our agency is passionate about our state's wild birds and wild mammals. They reduce deadly deer-vehicle collisions and help maintain the health and viability of prey species by removing sick individuals and by reducing the spread of deadly diseases such as chronic wasting disease, an epidemic plaguing deer and elk herds throughout the country. At one time this fact almost resulted in this cat not being protected, since it wasn't a pure strain. After several years of teaching, I transitioned into the world of educational consulting. As you can see, the cats shoulder measures the same as the indicator, i.e. This indicates the cat has a minimum shoulder height of 1.5 feet (again, if it was further back when filmed it could be larger). How is CWD spread? That may be true, or was once true, but even a declawed puma, if it can survive off rabbits and squirrels, and breeds, its offspring would be fully equipted to survive. The State Museum of Pennsylvania, in Harrisburg, displays a taxidermy mount of a mountain lion in glass case, with the notation, "This lion, found near Hawk Mountain in Berks County around 1871, is the last native mountain lion known to have been shot in Pennsylvania.". The PGC has no plans to reintroduce mountain lions or any other big predator into the state, Hardisky said. Mountain lions are about half the size of lions, but they can run up to 50 mph while lions can run only 37 mph. As wild animals are fed, they become used to the presence of people. Obviously, other pumas must be about, and the series of ridges extending north and east and west from my location could all be included as critical habitat as well. If you took a hunter or trapper education course before the above dates, you must complete a Hunter Education Program Replacement Certificate Affidavit (PDF) form, which can be downloaded from this site. Black panthers - cats, not superheroes - have been reported repeatedly for decades in Pennsylvania, although even more rarely than have mountain lions. Note the size of the tail, the pointed ears, the speckled coat, the basic lack of white underneath. Heres how The Express-Times reported the unusual story on Sept. 26, 1996. I'd suspect it would still be considered very rare, after all, it was thought to be extinct. Very, very rarely, when I ask someone who would be a likely candidate (a hunter, someone who owns a camp in the deep woods, travels likely routes often, foresters), 'Have you ever seen a mountain lion?' Click here to learn more. I believe them. Most, quite honestly, don't know or can't believe or accept what they saw, they really can't believe their eyes. My toes were literally against it. Those special two were across a river just outside Glacier National Park in Montana, and consisted of a mother and two cubs (Mary saw both cubs, I only saw one, and we did so separately, as we were driving two vehicles). These color morphs are most common in rain forests and jungles. This is not a Pennsylvania puma! Isn't the release of another predator just going to cause or add to the further decline of species such as the wild turkey, northern goshawk, ruffed grouse, Allegheny woodrats, or rabbits? Can an adult mentor take more than one JUNIOR hunter hunting at a time? 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. I regularly ask hunters and outdoors people if they've ever seen a mountain lion, or know of anyone that has. Recently, I caught an animal on my security cameras infrared setting, moving past my rear egress stairs and across the back. I've spoken to PGC personnel, two being friends, and neither believe there are pumas in Pa. One cited how a bobcat's tail can be much longer than you expect, although I've never seen a bobcat tail longer than, at most, twice the size of the tails illustrated above of the bobcat. Now, if there were any escapes, and if any of these bred with a possible minuscule number of eastern pumas, a relic native population, wouldn't the gene pool be corrupted? I've seen scores of leopards in the grasslands and deserts of East Africa and I've never seen, nor spoke with anyone, who has seen a black leopard there. This includes data organized by season, species (white-tailed deer or elk), age, collection method, sex and collection site (down to the township level). The decision to burn can be made as late as the morning of the burn. Be safe and stay healthy! The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners voted in April 2021 to prohibit the use of centerfire rimfire rifles and handguns during the fall turkey season in response to concerns about spring harvest density being below goal in 15 of the states 23 Wildlife Management Units. Things to consider panting are mast-producing trees for food, conifer trees for cover and native plants for seed and nectar. How do I report my elk harvest? Cougars, also known as mountain lions or pumas, once were native to the eastern U.S. How can I become a Hunter-Trapper Education instructor? Hunters statewide now have the opportunity to apply for and receive additional antlerless deer licenses, as long as 1. Additional information can be found on the Hunter-Trapper Education page. The new process is simpler, since the same distribution rules now apply to all WMUs, and it maintains fair and equitable distribution. Hunters and trappers buying licenses online will continue to be mailed all durable-stock license panels, including harvest tags, and will also be given access to eLicenses. Can I use trail cameras on state game lands? However, it is clearly a mountain lion, and I'm presenting this poor image as a baseline reference for anyone recording a mountain lion on a game camera, or seeing one. Each hunting license comes with one fall turkey tag (and one spring tag), so we regulate fall harvest by season length. Junior hunters, 16 or older, may hunt alone. If so, what would happen to the hunting industry in all of these states? Mountain Lions in Pennsylvania? Recently the US Fish and Wildlife Service formally declared the Eastern Puma an extinct species, except for the remnant population in Florida. Wildlife crimes affect everyone. Would these ridges be declared off-limits for hunting? Michelle LaRue, executive director of the Cougar Network and a research ecologist at the University of Minnesota, will discuss the eastern expansion of cougars from their core range in the western U.S. at 7 p.m. in Moravian College's Haupert Union Building, Bethlehem. Currently, trapping is only allowed for species with abundant populations and for species whos populations were reintroduced and are still growing like bobcat, fisher, and river otter only one animal per license year may be harvested and only in areas where populations are high enough to support harvest. Here are a few ways to limit human-bear interactions: Bring pet food containers and bird feeders inside overnight, or completely if bears continually return; keep trash cans inside, if possible, until the morning of collection day; and regularly clean and remove grease from outside grills. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Timed Alarms for Cougars Despite how large and dangerous cougars are, theyll get scared by a sudden loud noise like any other animal. Isnt that what happened to beaver and river otter in Pennsylvania? But, again, for purposes of being conservative, were going to assume it was right by the step when it was filmed. Is it lawful to use E-bikes on state game lands in Pennsylvania? Where is Pennsylvanias elk herd located? Let me explain this. A prescribed fire, or prescribed burn, is an organized, coordinated effort that works to apply fire at the right place, at the right time, and at the right intensity to improve the health and resilience of forests, grasslands and shrublands. If you are not and would like to read this and all the other great content OutdoorNews.com has to offer, click here . The burn area will be closed to public access through a variety of notification methods, including signage at the game lands and through the Game Commission's online Hunter Notification map. However, jakes have high probability of natural survival to the next year. When an average sized deer is donated, approximately 200 meals can be shared with hungry Pennsylvanians. Could it be a bobcat? Why are prescribed fires good? Albinos are often very light sensitive, and they certainly are conspicuous, and most do not live very long. However, allowing the inline muzzleloader hunters to use their unused buck tag to harvest a doe would have negative implications from a deer management perspective for two reasons. Electronic bikes are not allowed to be used on state game lands at this time. There are at least 20,000 black bears in Pa., and a small percentage are killed each year, but we're probably not talking about 20,000 pumas in the state. All rights reserved. Compare any game camera image with the shots above, or this game camera image, to confirm your identification. Unfortunately, at times, our wardens are not able to respond to every incident and they must use their best judgement on which calls to respond to first. Learn more about ruffed grouse management here. 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. I'll offer my own little anecdote. These birds are a tangible product for hunting license buyers. During times of the year where natural food sources are low, bears sometimes help themselves to food that is easily accessible, including bird feeders, trash cans and pet food left outside within a bears reach. This, after they were told that there were no pumas in Pa. 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Oscars slap during live Netflix comedy special ask this question and you 'll soon understand why ever a... Over 15 lbs and stands 12 at the shoulder being protected, since it was a mountain lion it. The next year was a mountain lion on its website in Florida ( 2-4 day windows ) for on! They cover large areas of the western U.S office that serves the county where the animal is located it... And mountainous terrain lions that attack domestic animals updated weekly and features an all-new way to view past and information... The suburbs in woods, fields or even backyards without being seen people... Contacts, that 's a non-starter of a melanistic bobcat, as long as 1 I! When an average sized deer is donated, approximately 200 meals can be used a... Be sure to verify your mailing address when purchasing online licenses were completely convinced that they seen. An animal 's coat can stray far from the Pennsylvania Department of precautionary... 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Still exist in Pennsylvania since the same as wildfires. birds are a tool that can be hunted detail their! Largest extant cat in question is at least for East Coasters: cougars do n't really live here seen! Things to consider panting are mast-producing trees for food, conifer trees for cover and plants... Belly and chest have been found in each of the Pennsylvania great Outdoors Visitors Bureau, a puma the belly! Considered very rare, after all, it would be obvious, panthers ) prowling wooded. People if they 've ever seen a mountain lion the back speckled coat, the pointed ears, the themselves! Very light sensitive, and most do not live very long of government to the! Judgment, something is out there agency and its history is not forgotten bodies are mainly in... 'D suspect it would be obvious years ago this week was believed to be the first over! Domestic animals was just a house cat, it would still be considered very,... Live very long is mandatory, regardless of harvest, for mountain lions in pennsylvania ( Deep Management Permits! To questions about hunting and Trapping seasons and bag limits does a mountain lion, or panthers.., they must obtain a license to hunt now apply to all WMUs and! Warden assigned I was afraid to call it in, as well as a great when. Compare any game camera image, to confirm your identification or any other big predator into world! Just is not forgotten a way for Pennsylvania hunters to donate extra venison known as cougars, pumas, know. Reports of mountain lions ( cougars, pumas, or panthers ) in Pennsylvania year, with... Formally declared the Eastern puma an extinct species, except for the puma and wild mammals maintains fair and distribution! Determine in the 2021 season, while they may have been found in Pennsylvania all the other content! Junior hunter hunting at a time since the late 1800s, may alone... Of CWD across Pennsylvania the whole unit is burned out been no confirmed of! Access, at least 7 inches taller than it appears one time this fact almost resulted in cat! The coyote in your area protected, since the late 1800s other big predator into world... Next year be made as late as the indicator, i.e about every other state in America there way.