Pennsylvania State Fox & Coyote Hunter's Association

Results of our efforts, in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, to Benefit All Houndsmen in Pennsylvania:

• Reached agreement to develop a Bear Hound/Handler's Registry to be utilized by the PGC for bear maulings
and other bear/human conflict incidents. (2019)

• Presented proposal to resolve overlap of extended flintlock season and bobcat hunting season for 2021. (2019)

• In-depth discussions regarding HB 1603 - Trespassing While Hunting and HB 2503 - Transporting of Hounds on Public Roads in PA. (2018)

• Renewed discussions - Access to SGL Roads after Big Game Seasons. (2018)

• In November, 2016, two coyote hounds (BTW) were shot, one fatally, by a fall turkey hunter, who claimed he mistook them for coyotes.
During the Sporting Dog Owner's Meeting with the PA Game Commission, at PGC Headquarters in Harrisburg, on June 27th
Dick Bednarczyk, President, PA State Fox & Coyote Hunter's Assn. presented the Association's plaque to
Tioga County WCO Steven Brussese. The award indicated the coyote hunter's appreciation for the role that the officer played in the
successful investigation of Game Law violations connected to the shooting.
PA State Police Officer, Donald Wolfe, Mansfield Barracks, led the criminal phase of the investigation, which resulted in the
shooter paying $7500.00 restitution to the hound owner. The shooter faces additional game law violations, including riding
an ATV with a loaded shotgun. (2017)

• Training Moratorium Does Not Affect Coyote Hunting on State Game Lands.
One of the main items included on the agenda of the 2017 Sporting Dogs Owner's Meeting was the affect, if any, that the three week
training moratorium, prior to the pheasant season might have on coyote hunting. We received clarification that the moratorium
does not affect any legal hunting such as grouse or coyote hunting on those lands during that time frame. (2017)

• The PGC announced that they have totally eliminated mean seeds from their seed mixes.
Previously they were reduced to 1% and restricted to low traffic areas. (2016)

• The DCNR clarified that they will eliminate mean seed grass awn species on DCNR lands by 2017 and
eliminate mean seeds from the mixes in their guidelines for the gas companies for well pads and pipeline restoration by 2017 as well. (2016)

• Dr. Matt Lovallo provided an overview of the bobcat hunting scenario. (2016)

• Josh Zimmerman, PGC Legislative Liaison provided an update on HB 2083 and SB 1166.
The hound community has expressed our opposition to HB 2083, which would impose a committee of political appointees over the
Game Commission, and expressed our support for SB 1166 which would remove hunting license fee scheduling
from the political process. (2016)

• Rabbits were added as an eligible species to the Mentored Youth Program. (2015)

• The Bobcat Season was rescheduled to start on a Saturday, giving the "working hunter" additional hunting opportunities.
Three additional days were also added to account for the non-eligible Sundays imbedded in the hunting season. (2015)

• Confirmation was provided that the DCNR did link up with the PGC regarding "mean seeds" plantings.
The extent of DCNR reaction is solely within their prerogative, however. (2015)

• Clarification was provided regarding the genesis of 7-day licensing for non-residents wishing to hunt coyotes. (2015)

• The Game Commission reported that they have expressed their opposition to the Anti-Tethering Bill to the legislature. (2015)

• Jim Katchko, President, PA Beagle Gun Dog Federation provided two form letters to all present to use to contact
their legislator to oppose the anti-tethering bill (SB 373) and support SB 77, which provides for improvements to licensing
and special permits for dog training areas. (2015)

• Dr. Ben Jones (PGC) reported on the commission's findings and action concerning Awns Disease (mean seeds),
which resulted from discussions at the 2013 meeting of the groups. The commission has identified Canadian wild rye, foxtail
and two other weeds and the source of Awns Disease. Dr. Jones reported that PGC plantings have been reduced to approximately
1% of problematic seed content and are further restricted to application in low dog-use areas. (2014)

• Dr. Jones presented details regarding snowshoe hare habitat and density and measures taken to improve such. (2014)

• Dr. Matt Lavallo (PGC) provided data concerning the 2014 Bobcat harvest, as it pertains to the split
hunting season, and further reported on the density of Fishers throughout the state. (2014)

• Bruce Knopsnider, President, PA Nite Hunters, reported on counsel he has recently received
regarding their quest for 'Right to Retrieve" legislation within the state. (2014)

• The Game Commission interceded on our behalf with the Dog Law Agency, to achieve clarification that dogs engaged in hunting, training
or field trialing were not subject to “Running at Large” citations. (2013)

• A “Hound Friendly” split Bobcat Season, designed to avoid conflicts with the Flintlock Season, was approved and implemented. (2012)

• Dog shooting language was strengthened in the Game Commission Hunting and Trapping Digest. (2011)

• The unauthorized removal of any collar from a dog now constitutes a Game Law Violation under Regulation 2302
Disruption of a Legal Hunt. (2010)

• A permitting procedure was adopted to allow for the guiding of coyote hunts on State Game Lands. (2010)

• A Youth Rabbit Season was approved and implemented. (2010)

• The Rabbit Season was extended to the end of February. (2010)

• Coyotes were added as a legal species to the Mentored Youth Program. (2009)

• The employment of electronic recovery collars such as; e-collars, radio telemetry dog recovery systems and beeper collars were legalized
in Pennsylvania. Previous to 2006, this was not the case. (2006)

• The open training season for houndsmen was extended to year- round. Previously, the season opened on August 1st
and closed March 31st. (1997)

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