Latest news with #GameCommission
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Yahoo
Illegal hedgehog found on the lam in Pennsylvania captured
Saturday morning, Tracie Young received a call from a Pennsylvania Game Commission warden with a request. It happens from time to time. Young is founder and director of the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center in Washington borough in southeastern Lancaster County. This was different. That morning, the game warden was on his way to the West Manchester Township Police Department, which reported that a resident walking his dog that morning saw a critter, according to the Game Commission. Police detained the animal and called the game warden. The game warden told her it was a hedgehog. At first, she said, she thought the police might have misidentified the animal and that it was possibly a baby groundhog that had wandered from its burrow. Hedgehogs are not native to Pennsylvania, and they are illegal to possess in the commonwealth. But that doesn't discourage some people from keeping them as pets, a summary offense under state law. 'When the warden arrived at our center, we discovered that it was, in fact, a hedgehog,' Tracie wrote on the center's Facebook page. More unusual critters: Emu on the loose? 'Round here, folks call in the Mountain Lady to catch this big bird Equine comfort: Horse therapy gave this York veteran with PTSD a Leg Up to find peace on the home front It is the center's first hedgehog in its 10 years of existence, she said. (Young founded the center in 2015 to rehabilitate injured, orphaned and displace wildlife.) Pennsylvania is one of four states to ban ownership of hedgehogs – the others are California, Georgia and Hawaii. They are also banned in all five boroughs of New York City. They are banned for good reason. They are not native to North or South America and are considered an invasive species. They are omnivores, eating just about everything, including crops, fruit, vegetables, worms, bugs, mice, snakes and baby birds, among other things. Game commission's Lt. Amy Nabozny said it was not investigating. 'We have no idea whose it was, where it came from or anything like that. And it's unlikely the person will come forward.' The game commission comes across 'a handful' of hedgehogs every year, Nabozny said. It's not like there's a big infestation of them, she said. 'People get them as pets and when they get them, they probably don't realize they are illegal when they get them,' Nabozny said. 'The intent is not nefarious.' Sometimes, hedgehogs found in the wild merely wander from their homes. But other times, they are released by their owners, who don't realize what they are getting into. It is also a violation of state law to release non-native animals into the wild, something that could result in hefty fines. Why someone would want a hedgehog as a pet is a mystery, she said. 'You have to ask someone who has one." Young believes people might like them as pets because 'it's something different. It's something unusual, not your run-of-the-mill pet.' There have been efforts to legalize them as pets – they are legal in surrounding states and are available for purchase just a short drive away – but they have failed in the legislature. 'This case highlights that someone had irresponsibly turned this hedgehog loose to fend for itself in an unfamiliar environment,' Young wrote on Facebook. 'This particular hedgehog had been wandering around aimlessly for an unknown period and is starting to relax and eat now that it is in a calm area. We are working with reputable out-of-state organizations that specialize in the care of hedgehogs for appropriate placement.' Young wrote, 'For the well-being of animals, please do not release any non-native wildlife into the environment. It is your responsibility to find a proper placement or do your research to understand the care involved for specialized animals and the laws for your state. Animals should not have to suffer after the thrill of owning them is gone.' Columnist/reporter Mike Argento has been a York Daily Record staffer since 1982. Reach him at mike@ This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Illegal hedgehog found in Pennsylvania will be sent out of state
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Pennsylvania hunting licenses to go on sale, with a change
(WHTM) — This year, all Pennsylvania residents are guaranteed to get an antlerless deer license, as long as they buy one in time. The licenses will go on sale Monday, June 23, along with all other general 2025-2026 hunting and furtaker licenses. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now But this time, all PA residents are guaranteed to get an antlerless license for the Wildlife Management Unit of their choice when they buy it by 7 a.m. on Monday, July 14, the day license sales open to nonresidents. That's three full weeks to make a purchase. 'Guaranteeing resident hunters an antlerless license for the WMU of their choice provides them flexibility in deciding when to purchase, and ensures every resident hunter can get a license without waiting, if so inclined,' said Game Commission Executive Director Steve Smith. To purchase a license online, go to and sign in or create a new account on the platform. Online purchases should arrive within 20 business days, but they also come with an immediate digital license. Those who prefer the traditional route can check out the commission's interactive map for stores selling licenses near them. Anyone purchasing in-store will get their license and harvest tags immediately. Pennsylvania lawmakers pass changes to Sunday hunting The new license year begins July 1, at which time 2024-20255 hunting and furtaker licenses, as well as mentored permits, will expire and new licenses will be needed. General hunting licenses cost $20.97 for resident adults and $101.97 for nonresident adults. Antlerless deer licenses cost $6.97 for residents and $26.97 for nonresidents. A full list of prices can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Newsweek
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
Pennsylvania House Votes to Reverse 19th Century Hunting Law
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Lawmakers have begun to reverse a centuries-old hunting law that banned the practice on Sundays in Pennsylvania. The state legislature voted to overturn the blue law today after centuries of Sunday hunting restrictions, which were originally introduced to preserve the day as a religious occasion. Why It Matters "Blue laws" are pieces of legislation that ban certain activities at certain times for religious reasons. In Pennsylvania's case, the law banned hunting, along with several other activities, on Sundays to maintain the day's status as a day of rest and religious observance. What To Know The hunting ban was reversed today after a 131-72 vote on House Bill 1431, which saw 69 Republicans and three Democrats vote in favor of keeping the ban. The bill's sponsor, Democratic Representative Mandy Steele, stated that the law was outdated and no longer fit for modern-day life in Pennsylvania. "This is an archaic 'blue law,' not based in the reality of today. It's a law that most states have eliminated long ago," Steele said on the floor while debating the bill. "Not being able to hunt on Sundays creates major hurdles for busy families," she said. A man peers through binoculars while hunting for deer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on May 2016. A man peers through binoculars while hunting for deer in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, on May 2016. Getty Images Steele's bill would allow Pennsylvania's Game Commission to legalize hunting on Sundays of its choosing, while outlining new regulations related to hunting, such as trespassing penalties. The ban, introduced in the 19th century, had previously allowed the hunting of pests like coyotes, foxes and crows. There was also a cut-out for three specific Sundays each calendar year on which hunting traditional game, such as deer, was allowed. What People Are Saying Brook Lender, executive director of the Keystone Trails Association, opposed the bill, arguing that repealing the ban makes hiking trails less safe, because walkers can no longer travel "without having to worry about any safety risks from hunting activity or the startling noise that can accompany it." "I just think we should be allowed to enjoy Penn's woods without risk of being hit by a bullet or hearing gunfire." Steve Smith, the executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, in a statement: "Hunting takes time, and a lack of time is one of the biggest reasons cited by hunters who stop hunting. "Repealing the Sunday hunting ban and allowing the Game Commission to fully regulate Sunday hunting is an opportunity to provide hunters more time, which will help keep them engaged and carrying out their vital role in managing key wildlife populations. This legislation is beneficial to hunting's future and the future of wildlife management in the Commonwealth." What Happens Next The bill will need to be approved by Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to pass into law.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Otter rescued in Franklin County succumbs to injuries during surgery
(WHTM)– The otter rescued by Pennsylvania State Police last week passed away during surgery, according to the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center. The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center took the otter in for surgery last week after troopers from Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg responded to a report of it being injured and in distress. Police said the otter had suffered a broken leg and would require surgery. It was transferred to the Game Commission, then to the Raven Ridge Wildlife Center last Friday. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now The Raven Ridge Wildlife Center said in a Facebook post early Friday morning that the otter succumbed to its injuries during surgery. Raven Ridge said the procedure, which involved pinning the elbow bone, was progressing well when the otter's heart stopped without warning. The team attempted CPR, but the animal didn't pull through. 'We are profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work with this incredible creature, even for a brief period. Learning from such experiences is invaluable, as river otters are rarely seen and contribute significantly to our understanding of wildlife,' said Raven Ridge. 'Treating aquatic mammals, such as otters, beavers, sea lions, and walruses, presents unique challenges due to their specialized circulatory systems, particularly when administering anesthesia.' They added that they remain deeply committed to helping every possible, and are grateful for the opportunity to try and save the otter's life. 'While we understand that we can't save every animal, we will never stop trying because each life matters deeply to us. It's imperative that we continue to advocate for the well-being of all creatures, doing everything we can to provide the compassion and care they deserve,' they said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Bill to allow for Sunday hunting in Pennsylvania passes House
PENNSYLVANIA (WTAJ) — A bill that would repeal the state's Sunday hunting ban has made its way through the House. The bill was introduced by Representative Mandy Steele (D-Allegheny) and has gained support from some lawmakers alongside the Game Commission. House Bill 1431 has now passed through the House with a 131-72 vote. It's headed to the Senate for their consideration. The bill would end the state's prohibition on Sunday hunting and allow the Game Commission to include Sundays when establishing hunting seasons. The Game Commission noted that there have been Sunday hunting opportunities for foxes, coyotes and crows, but it is otherwise prohibited. 'The initiative to repeal the ban has a broad base of support behind it. Many sportsmen's groups back the proposal, as does the Pennsylvania Farm Bureau. The Game Commission has been working with this coalition to get the bill across the finish line, an outcome that would benefit hunters and help ensure the future of wildlife management,' according to a release from the Game Commission. You can keep up to date with the bill's progress here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
