 |
|
Director,
Ned Connelly
November,
2007
Archery Bear Season Committee Report
As you read this the third year of the Archery Bear season will be just about to start or just completed. UBP President Wes Waldron and I met recently with the PGC to discuss the results of the Archery Bear Season to date. The meeting was held at the DCNR Laurelton Building in Bald Eagle State Forest. Attending from the PGC was Bureau of Wildlife Management Director Cal DuBrock, PGC Mammals Section Leader Matt Lovallo, and PGC Bear Biologist Mark Ternent.
Mark presented data from the first two years of the study. He explained that because of the timing of the Game Take Survey three years of data actually needs four years to collect because the results of the third year will not be available until after the fourth year actually starts. From the Game Take Survey they can calculate participation and success rate based on WMU. He asked for our help with one problem, to ask bowhunters to be sure they know what WMU they are hunting. On the Game Take Survey 21-25% of the bowhunters failed to indicate what WMU they hunted. This affects the accuracy and precision of the WMU specific data.
An estimated 7,607 participated in 2006, taking 79 bears with a hunter success rate of 1.0%. In 2007 an estimated 5,402 hunters took 41 bears for a success rate of 0.8%. The success rate for rifle hunter’s three-day season was 2.6% in 2006 and 1.7% in 2007. Participation was 12-16 times greater.
We asked if they had any concerns about what effect the bad weather, experienced on one or both days of the past seasons, could have on the study. They said that it was a concern. We told them that if we had bad weather again this year we would not be opposed to extending the study in the interest of getting valid data. We stressed that we wanted the season to be based on sound studies.
We did not ask for additional days as it is set up as a three year study. We did ask them to look at possibly expanding the areas in light of the expanded bear season in some areas and the increasing number of bears in other areas. They said that they would consider it, but they are almost at their goal in some of the expanded areas and may shut some down for next season. They are reluctant to split seasons within a WMU.
We asked if the inclusion of crossbows in all seasons would affect the study, and they said that it would certainly change things.
Baiting was not the problem that everyone said it would be. Four cases were prosecuted in 2006 and eight in 2007. This is similar to what is seen in the regular bear season.
Two things surprised them. The participation was lower than expected and the success rate was higher than expected.
Mark said that the bear population can sustain a 25% harvest. Currently PA is running around 20%. The PGC is going to do a public opinion survey on the bear management goal in each WMU. Results of this survey may result in additional opportunities for bowhunters down the road.
Overall it was a good meeting, and we plan to meet again after the 2008 seasons results are in and the results of the Game Take Survey have been tabulated.
Visit the UBP website www.ubofpa.org for more data provided by the PGC Bureau of Wildlife Management.
Director,
Ned Connelly
November,
2007
8th Annual UBP Family Campout & 3D Shoot
The Eighth Annual Family Campout and 3D Shoot is now history and memories. The weather this year wasn’t as hot as last year, with the evenings cooling off nicely for sitting around the campfire and sleeping. As a result of last year’s storm, there were several new tents at the campout this year, and Buck Appel found himself with extra time on his hands. The repair and repitching of his tent that had become an annual event did not take place this year, as the small storm we had was not enough to wipe out his tent.
Attendance was up from last year with 59 registered campers and a total of 122 people. There were plenty of children this year with the youngest camper being nine month old, Elizabeth Rose Connelly. The Campout was certainly different this year for her dad and mom, Patrick and Stacey. Children seemed to be everywhere, shooting bows, looking for friends from prior campouts and making new friends. You could track them at night by the glow sticks the Campout Committee provided.
The courses were in fine shape thanks to the work party the weekend before. The falling clay target, running and turbo pig saw plenty of action. Office Manager Art Keefer ran the popular watermelon shoot again. The winners were: Kid’s class: Aaron Tupper-1st; Cody Fiddler-2nd; Mid-Range: Paul Herceg-1st; Randy Raub-2nd; Long Range: Ryan Harr-1st; Jeff Uschak-2nd. Ryan hit the watermelon at about 196 yards with his fourth shot. Jeff was 38 inches away. Paul was 10 inches away, beating Randy by only 1.5 inches.
On Saturday afternoon under the big tent there was a lot of activity. Jeff Uschak helped a crowd of children make and decorate their own traditional arrow, Ed Wentzler amazed young and old alike with his flint knapping, while I, along with a host of assistants, cooked venison cheese steaks for the campers.
As usual, the Saturday night campfire dinner proved to one of the highlights of the weekend. The quantity and quality of the food was unbelievable. Wild game of all sorts along with homemade soups, salads and desserts left everyone full. Many requests for recipes could be heard. Anyone who didn’t get enough to eat only had themselves to blame.
This year’s raffle was held Saturday evening after dinner and was a huge success. As usual, free raffle tickets were provided to kids 12 and under for the raffle. The raffle had plenty of neat stuff for everyone. The highlight of this year’s raffle was a custom made neck knife made and donated by Muldoon. Perry Hartman was the lucky winner. The raffle helps pay the campout expenses, and without our many member and business donors the raffle would not have been so successful. Thanks to Ivy Waldron for a great job selling 50-50 tickets. Thanks also go out to the following for their generous donations. Apologies if we missed anyone. Please let us know if we did. They include: Bowhunters Super Store, Gander Mountain Inc., Dicks Sporting Goods, Roy Painter, Mike Wherley, Jeff Uschak, Wayne Sobetsky and family, Ned & Rosemary Connelly, Muldoon, Amy Klinedinst, Jen Sager, Brian Harr, Ed Wentzler, Tom, Betty and Dylon Burge, Brock Waldron, Bill Elias, Brett Bacon, Perry Hartman, Greg and Aaron Tupper, Bill Fehon, Brad Gehman, and Greg Bekelja
We would like to extend our deepest thanks to the Murray-McGee Corporation for the use of their property.
Special thanks needs to go to those who worked to so hard to make the campout so successful. Muldoon and Brock Waldron spent a lot of time preparing the grounds and laying out the course even before the work party arrived. The weekend before the campout saw the work party set up targets, cut firewood and weed whack the course. It was hot, but with all the help, the work was done before it really got unbearably hot.
Thanks to: Muldoon, Bob Kern, Buck Appel, Ned Connelly, Brock Waldron, Tom and Dylon Burge, Chris Knarr, Mike Laychur, and Dan Zerbe.
Thanks to all those who helped Muldoon, Brock, and I man the registration booth so we could shoot and do some visiting.
After everyone departed on Sunday, the cleanup crew went to work bringing in the targets and
straightening things up. Their job was made a lot easier by the fact that the campers left the grounds as clean as they found it. Thanks to: Brock Waldron, Muldoon, Ed Wentzler, Bob Kern, Glenn Kelly, Ned and Patrick Connelly, and Mark Taylor.
If we have missed anyone it was not intentional and please let us know. A very special thanks goes to Anne Waldron for providing lunch for both work parties.
Finally I would like to thank Muldoon and Brock Waldron, my fellow campout committee members, for all the time and effort they put into making this a successful event.
The committee is already looking forward to next year’s campout and dates have been set for July 31, August 1 and 2 so mark your calendars. Thanks to all who attended and helped make this a great event. We hope to see everyone again next year.
Director,
Ned Connelly
November,
2007
WCO Cadets Take Bowhunter Education Class
On September 12, 2007 the 23 cadets at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Ross Leffer School of Conservation participated in the PGC’s Bowhunter Education Course, Successful Bowhunting. This is the first time that the course was taught at the school as part of the curriculum. It was well received by the cadets, most of whom are bowhunters.
The class was taught by UBP members Steve Otto, Region 1 Director Fran Devlin and Director at Large Ned Connelly and PGC employees Joe Kosack and Jason Raup. The class covered such topics as responsibilities of a bowhunter, game anatomy, shot placement, blood trailing, treestand safety, bowhunting techniques and basic map and compass use.
If you have not already done so, you should consider taking a bowhunter education course. It is a great introduction to bowhunting for new bowhunters, but also contains valuable information for experienced hunters.
Half
the states and many Canadian provinces have a mandatory bowhunter education
requirement to get an archery license. Successful Bowhunting meets
this requirement. Additionally, many special deer management hunts
are requiring this course in order to participate. Classes are posted
on the PGC website www.pgc.state.pa.us with most classes being held in
the late spring and summer. Plan to take one next year. Don’t
wait until the last minute only to discover that you need this course and
all the classes are filled.
Director, Jen Sager
September, 2007
UBP’s Effectiveness
From time
to time, it is good to reflect on the accomplishments of the United Bowhunters
of PA, and what better place to do it than in Pennsylvania Bowhunting.
The UBP has called, literally called, upon its members to respond to its
requests for input on some recent issues, in particular the 30 minute hunting
hour extension.
In January
over 80% of our membership received an automated telephone call from the
UBP. This call asked you to contact the PGC with your support of the 30
minute hunting hour extension. The PGC recorded the following input
on this issue. Most of the input was received between the time of
the UBP call and the PGC January meeting.
EXTEND HUNTING
HOURS:
Supports:
265
Opposes: 17
Supports for
Archery Only: 52
In January,
334 communications were received by the PGC on this issue. Even though
265 is less than 10% of our membership, it was enough positive comments
to persuade the PGC staff to change their recommendation to be in favor
of the hunting hour’s extension.
Prior to the
April PGC meeting, and prior to final adoption of the change to the existing
hunting hours regulation, the UBP again called upon its membership to help
to “seal the deal”. The PGC received the following input on this
topic.
EXTEND HUNTING
HOURS:
Supports:
202
Opposes: 31
Supports for
Archery Only: 8
Supports for
Water fowlers Only: 1
What needs
to be noted here is the effectiveness of the UBP’s communication vehicle.
For both of the recording periods listed above, there were only 3-4 other
topics which generated noticeable results. These individual topics
topped out at only 137 comments and that being during a time of much supposed
controversy. Therefore, it is easy to see that any subject
with over 200 comments is quite noticeable to the PGC.
As you take
to you stands this year, I hope that you will also reflect on your accomplishments,
whether these accomplishments are for the future of bowhunting or on a
more personal level. What we do today can have a profound impact
on tomorrow. Keep your ear out for that next telephone call
from the UBP.
Note:
100% of our membership was not contacted due to several reasons.
One of which is simply the lack of a telephone number. If you
wish to be a part of this service to UBP members, please contact the UBP
Office with your telephone number, and wait for the next call.
Director,Wes Waldron
January, 2006
Many of our members are well acquainted with what our Legislative Director has and continues to do, but many are not aware as to the work done by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors are, directly responsible for the day to day operation of the UBP, but unless one has served in that capacity the realization of what we actually face as a group is not normally known, nor often times understood. In addition to making decisions, which define UBP policy and actions, the Board is also required to make financial decisions, order and inventory merchandise, and address questions and complaints, to name but a few responsibilities. Board member’s chair 13 of 25 currently active UBP Committee’s, and at least one member serves on 5 of the remaining 12 committees.
This past year Board Members have conducted four face-to-face meetings including the open meeting at the Winter Rendezvous. The Board has also conducted six on-line meetings, and with the President and the three Board Members of the Legislative Committee, conducted no less than four on-line legislative meetings. One or more Board Members have attended all four of the PGC quarterly Commissioner Meetings, two meetings with the Bureau of Wildlife Management on the bear/archery proposal, two meetings with the Bureau of Law Enforcement on equipment issues, and attended two hearings of the House Game & Fisheries Committee. One or more Board Member’s have accompanied the Legislative Director during two trips to the Capitol to discuss issues with House Members, met with Department of Agriculture Director Dennis Wolff on CWD, and participated in two meetings as UBP representatives for the Pennsylvania Sportsman’s Coalition. Board Members have also attended numerous outdoors and archery shows, to work in UBP booths, conducted the Youth Hunter Education Challenge archery competition at State College, and attended a number of sportsman’s events as representatives of the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania.
The Legislative Director and Senior Board Member were also invited to,
and attended, the retirement dinner for retiring PGC Executive Director
Vern Ross. An event, which we discovered, that had a very short list of
invitee’s. The UBP Board of Director’s will continue to serve this organization,
and its members, with the continued perspective and goals of what is best
for Pennsylvania’s bowhunters, as well as the wildlife and habitat of the
Commonwealth. Our position as Members of the Board is one of dedication
and the hope to preserve, protect and promote the sport we represent. However
we also would like to see an increased commitment from our members. The
Board would relish increased interest from the members to serve as officers
of this organization, both as regional directors, county representatives,
and as board members. Please consider becoming involved at one of these
levels. Some of us “old horses” are ready for some pasture time and we
certainly welcome new blood.