PITTMAN-ROBERTSON ACT UNDER ATTACK

 Pittman-Robertson Act Under Attack-

Everyone who cares about wildlife should join us.

The PR Act, as it’s often referred to, is under attack by some legislators who see the funding of the Pittman-Robertson Act as an affront to the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. The proposed (by Rep. Andrew Clyde, R-Ga.) act, called the RETURN Act, wants to do away with the excise tax and thus the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act.

In 1937, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed into law the landmark legislation. This legislation, named for the two senators who championed it, specifically outlined how funds collected from the sale of firearms, ammunition, and archery equipment, were to be allocated to the states for the purpose of wildlife restoration and enhancement.

Last year, Pittman-Robertson and the Sportfish Restoration Act, known as Dingell-Johnson, combined to bring in $1.5 billion for conservation. Currently, those funds go into a USFWS account called the Wildlife Restoration Trust Fund. Some of the money is earmarked for Hunter Education, target range construction, and projects that require cooperation among several states. The bulk of the money is divided among the 50 states based on each state’s land area and the number of paid hunting and fishing license holders.

Pennsylvania will receive more than $47.6 million in federal wildlife and fish restoration funds announced recently by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Pennsylvania Game Commission will see $38,340,930 from the Wildlife Restoration Program. The total amount allocated to the states and territories for 2022 is more than $1.1 billion.

It is said that the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act has been one of the greatest things to happen to wildlife conservation. Since its inception, over $10 billion has been awarded to the states. It is allocated based on two things: the number of licensed hunters and the area (square miles) of the state.

This act, H.R. 8167, proposes, under the guise of protecting Second Amendment Rights, to gut the most successful wildlife conservation funding model in history, putting politics above wildlife. Gun manufacturers have never asked that the excise tax be removed and 43 national wildlife-based organizations, including the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny, have joined under one banner decrying this potentially devastating act. Everyone who cares about wildlife should join us.

ST. PATRICK'S DAY FUN HUNT

The following article was published in the July 2022 issue of 

THE RABBIT HUNTER

magazine

The article is being reprinted here for the reading pleasure of the members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny with the authority of the writer.

 

From the Pennsylvania Wilds,

the

Allegheny Plateau,

and the

Allegheny National Forest.

 

ST. PATRICK’S DAY FUN HUNT

 

17 on the 17^th

St. Patrick’s Day in the Shamrock Room at

The Kelly Hotel

Members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny breakfasting at the Kelly Hotel

Breakfast from the other end of the table.

St. Patrick’s Day, March 17^th, the Shamrock Room, the Kelly Hotel with seventeen special individuals. What an omen! An omen of good things to come. Fourteen members of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny, one future member, and two special guests are gathered for a pre-hunt breakfast at the Kelly Hotel in downtown Marienville, Pennsylvania.

All are individuals, each possessing their own unique and interesting story. Seventeen sportsmen and women joined in fellowship, comradery, and harmony. Sportsmen and sportswomen engrossed in the same endeavor. A remarkable way to start any day.

The Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny (AKA The Loyal Order) has assembled for pre-hunt breakfasts hundreds of times over the years but not with this many members in attendance. This is a record-setting number of Bonafede snowshoe hare hunters. The fact that this is the largest group for a breakfast meet in the history of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny is far and beyond special.

Assembled around the breakfast table are the most distinguished sportsmen and sportswomen in the hare hunting community of Pennsylvania. Dedicated sportsmen representing hundreds of years of experience in the great outdoors. At the table is a new arrival to the sport of snowshoe hare hunting. He is ready and willing to acquire all the benefits the great outdoors has to offer.

 Coffee and drinks are served. I’m prompted to go around the table introducing each to one another. Although I’m friends with each many have never met one another. Sometimes we live in a small world and our paths never cross.

Going around the table from left to right I first introduce Mr. Jim Jeffers, DuBois, PA. Jim, a member of the Rockton Mountain Boys, is not only a rabbit and hare hunter he is also a big game hunter. Jim successfully killed an exotic Pennsylvania snowshoe hare back in 2007 in front of my beagles.

 

January 2007, Jim Jeffers (L) and our late hunting buddy, Jim Hanson, with the trophy hare and a pack of great beagles.

Next to Jim is Mr. L. T. Corso. L. T. hails from Knox, PA. L. T. and I have spent many hours hunting snowshoe hare in Pennsylvania and New York State. I have not, as yet, had the pleasure of witnessing L. T. kill a hare in front of my hounds but the day is coming. L. T. is a recent inductee into the Loyal order joining on February 1, 2022.

 

L. T. Corso’s induction.

 

Next, Jackson Baker, a snowshoe hare hunting prodigy, and the youngest future member of the Loyal Order of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. Jackson comes from a family long in the tradition of sportsmanship. There are big things in Jackson’s future. Jackson will fulfill his heritage with honor. I would love to be present the day he harvests his first snowshoe hare.

Jackson’s grandfather is next. Mr. Mark Baker, Cranberry, PA, is a veteran hunter and erstwhile beagler. Mark and I have hunted snowshoe hares in New York State and chased many snowshoe hares across the Allegheny. Mark and his son, Matt, were featured on the cover of a 2020 issue of The Rabbit Hunter. Mark was inducted into the Loyal Order in 2020.

 

Mark Baker with Adirondack Hare in 2020.

 

Mr. Marty Hrin, Rockton, PA. Marty is a beagler and true lover of the wild outdoors. Marty is a member of the Rockton Mountain Boys Chapter of the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny and successfully bagged a trophy Pennsylvania snowshoe hare back in 2009 in front of my beagles. He was officially inducted into the Loyal Order on a cold day back in 2011.

             

Marty, beagle, and trophy back in 2009.

 

We welcome Mr. Lane Potts to the table. Lane is a Wildlife Health Technician with the Wildlife Futures Program at the University of Pennsylvania and is our special guest and speaker for today. More about the Wildlife Futures Program later. Lane works out of the Northwest Region office of the Pennsylvania Game Commission in Franklin, PA.

 

Ms. Barbara Kazmarek, New Bethlehem, PA, has been a member of the Loyal Order since forever. Barbara is a snowshoe hare hunter and beagler winning many field and bench trials with her beagles. Barbara and her husband, Kaz, are a team raising and training beagles.

Jim “Kaz” Kazmarek, second in command, Captain, at the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. He became a prospective member on February 9^th, 2009, and was welcomed as a full-fledged member on February 23^rd of that same year. On March 8^th, 2010, Kaz was awarded his captain bars. 

Kaz was welcomed into the Loyal Order on a cold day by the High HareMan in 2009.

He has hunted snowshoe hare across Pennsylvania and Maine. Kaz has been featured on the cover of this magazine. He and I have spent hours on Allegheny training beagles and running snowshoe hare.

Introduced as a unit is the father and son team of Jaret and John Zimmerman from Cranberry, PA. Both are veteran cottontail and snowshoe hare hunters having tramped the Big Woods of the Allegheny Plateau, Allegheny National Forest, Adirondack Mountains, the Tug Hill Plateau of New York, and the Central Mountains of Maine.

John received his official cap and insignia in 2020.

Jaret is being inducted in 2020.

 

The old hymn by J. B. F. Wright comes tumbling back; Precious memories how they linger How they ever flood my soul- In the stillness, of the midnight- Precious sacred scenes unfold precious memories fill my soul

Jaret breeds, whelps and raises trains and trials, and hunts his beagles. He also judges field and bench trials. I’d call Jaret the complete beagler. He is young, energetic, and enthusiastic about the sport of beagling and snowshoe hare hunting. John and Jaret were welcomed into the Loyal Order in January of 2020.

Mr. Vic Taylor is introduced as the “Mentor’s” son and was inducted into the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny in 2008. Vic is an avid snowshoe hare hunter and whitetail deer hunter. Sitting next to Vic is the “Mentor”, Mr. Jim Taylor.

Vic Taylor received his official cap and insignia back in 2008.

Jim is considered the “Official Mentor” to the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. It was Jim who started me and others on this snowshoe hare hunting journey many years ago. We’ve hunted the Wilds of Pennsylvania and fished the Great Lakes together too many times to count. Jim is a young 88 years and a charter member of the Loyal Order.

I continue around the table introducing each sportsman or sportswoman, my mind is distracted from my assigned task by the many wonderful memories I’ve shared with each one of these hunters over many years. With each name, a flood of recollections comes collecting and cascading through my brain.

Mr. Roy Towner, a past beagler, inducted into the Loyal Order in 2020, is a rabid snowshoe hare hunter, loves hunting over the hounds, and a lover of the outdoors. Roy and I chase snowshoe hare across the Allegheny and the Adirondack Mountains of New York State.

 

Roy, Sammie, and trophy Adirondack hare in 2020.

 

Sitting beside Roy is Ms. Jan Towner, a future prospective member as soon as we get her into the woods one day and make memories.

Next, the Chief Advisor to the High HareMan, Brenda Ewing. Brenda would not consider herself a beagler, however, she really is an accomplished beagler. Brenda spends many hours yearly training beagles. Brenda, a charter member of the Loyal Order, is experienced in whelping, raising, and training the little hounds.

With breakfast complete, it’s time to head for snowshoe hare habitat on the Allegheny. The snowshoe hare season ended in Pennsylvania on January 1^st but that doesn’t mean we have to lock the beagles up and quit running the elusive hare. I have a feeling there won’t be much hunting today though.

Pickup trucks parked, I launch my beagles knowing if I don’t, they will make quite a racket. The group gathers around Lane wanting to know what he has to say.

 

The first outdoor lecture series for this group.

Lane Potts, a Wildlife Technician with the Wildlife Futures Program, despite his young appearance, is an expert in wildlife disease ecology, toxicology, and pathology working closely with the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Lane holds degrees in these fields from Penn State University. The Wildlife Futures Program is a science-based, wildlife health program that serves to increase wildlife health surveillance, management, and research to better protect wildlife across  Pennsylvania and beyond.

Wildlife Futures is a partnership between the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine and the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). The program includes experts in wildlife diseases working close with PGC personnel. Wildlife Futures focuses on conducting wildlife disease surveillance, diagnostics, and innovative applied research.

One of the biggest worries in Pennsylvania is the highly contagious Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease (RHD). Mr. Potts outlined the ways in which hunters and the public can help stem RHD and RHVD2. Reporting wildlife disease concerns to the PGC or the Wildlife Health Tech, remaining informed to emerging wildlife diseases and mitigation efforts through the Wildlife Futures website (www.vet.upenn.edu/wildlife-futures) are two ways. The public can contact the regional Wildlife Health Tech to submit hunter-harvested or found-dead wildlife for ongoing surveillance programs. Among the many animals Lane listed were snowshoe hare, Eastern cottontail rabbits, and Appalachian cottontail.

When Lane concludes his talk, he is awarded an official Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny cap and is made an honorary member. The members give their full approval.

 

Roy Towner photo.

The High HareMan, Joe Ewing congratulates Lane Potts on becoming an honorary member.

 The air is warming quickly. There is no snow on the ground contrary to many past St. Patrick’s Days. While Lane was speaking, I heard the beagles cold trailing a time or two which at least spurred my hopes of getting a chase. Everyone heads for the cover.

After two hours it becomes apparent today is not the day. The time is not wasted as the hunters visit and compare war stories. As I head back toward the pickups the faint smell of food cooking is detected. Barbara and Kaz are cooking lunch on the tailgate.

Roy Towner photo

Barbara and Kaz prepare lunch. 

With lunch complete, it’s time for a special ceremony. Jackson Baker officially becomes the youngest member ever inducted into the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny. With a minor amount of indoctrination and propaganda, I award Jackson the official insignia of the Loyal Order commemorating his official induction.

Roy Towner photo

The High HareMan presents Jackson Baker with his official membership documents.

Roy Towner photo.

Jackson receives his official patch from the High HareMan. 

Roy Towner photo

The High HareMan and Master Hare Hunter and Mentor, Jim Taylor, congratulate the newest member, Jackson Baker, on his induction into the Big Woods Hare Hunters of the Allegheny.

To conclude the day’s activities, Jim Taylor, the oldest member, congratulates Jackson Baker, the youngest member, on his induction into the Loyal Order.

The beagles, Maggie, Peaches, and Nickie, and Sid, Music, Nasty, and Hollie did not chase snowshoe hare today but they tried which counts for a lot. We’ve run hare here many times and we will chase them here again; however, it makes no difference today.

It’s been a great day with great friends and fellow hare hunters. The day was advertised as a “Fun Hunt”. It turned out to be just plain fun.

 

 

AMERICAN MARTEN

 AMERICAN MARTENS ARE GOING TO BE REINTRODUCED IN PENNSYLVANIA.

Here is more information from: https://animalia.bio/american-marten

American martens are small animals, that live in trees. They belong to the same group as skunks and weasels. The marten's body is slim and legs are short. American marten has curved claws that help it to climb quickly. The head is broad and tapers to a pointed nose. It has black eyes and big, rounded ears. The fluffy tail is half-length of its body. Its coat is velvety and stiff, having different shades, from pale buff to dark brown, in different parts of its body. Meanwhile, the summer coat of the marten is light-colored and shorter in length. It has also a creamy to orange-colored “breastplate” on its chest and throat.

American martens are widespread around the northern part of North America. Habitat of martens stretches from the northernmost forests of Alaska and Canada to northern New Mexico, from California to Newfoundland. However, some small populations of American martens are estimated in the American Midwest – Wisconsin and Minnesota. Nevertheless, the major area of martens’ habitat is dense northern forest. These animals live on shore pines, fir trees, and Douglas firs. American martens are more frequently found in mature and impassable forests, at all altitudes. They build their dens in empty hollows, burrows left by former dwellers, and clefts in trees.

They are omnivores, eating food of both plant and animal origin. Generally, they hunt on small species of mammals, preferring red squirrels above all. However, in reality, they feed upon any kind of prey: frogs, fish, carrion, insects, and birds. From plant food, they eat seeds, nuts (particularly beechnuts), berries, and fruits.

The American marten is polygynous, which means that one male mates with a number of females. Males fiercely defend their territory against unwanted guests such as other males. The breeding season takes place in summer and lasts 3 months (June-August). The gestation period lasts 28 days, after which a female gives birth to 1-5 babies. Females give birth in “natal” dens, moving then babies to maternal dens. Young grow up rapidly, being weaned at 43 days old. Thereafter, the mother leaves young by themselves, tending to breed again in the next season. American martens reach sexual maturity at 15-24 months old.

Over a long period of time, American martens have been killed and persecuted within their home range because their pelts had a huge demand in the market. Another threat is deforestation of coniferous woods, which is the major component of American martens’ habitat. Forest fires and human intervention are among the factors, threatening the marten's population in North America.

Being predators, martens have a huge influence on prey populations, controlling and contributing to the formation of forest communities.

MORE ABOUT THE MARTEN

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will be introducing the American Pine Marten into PA.

MORE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PINE MARTEN Martes americana

American martens are small and agile members of the weasel family. With their sharp and semi-retractable claws, they easily climb trees and jump from branch to branch. Strong scent glands are used to mark trails through the treetops and territories on land. Martens are opportunistic feeders and typically forage on the ground. Their diet varies seasonally, and usually includes small mammals, such as red squirrels, red-backed voles, meadow mice, white-footed mice, snowshoe hares, and marmots. Depending on availability, as well as the season, martens will eat birds, eggs, insects, berries, beechnuts, and carrion. Martens are very curious, and actively investigate every crevice, log, or stump in search of food. They are active throughout the year and are well-adapted for life in a cold and snowy environment. During winter, martens have thick, dark brown fur and an orange throat patch. Their summer coat is lighter in color and texture. Broad feet and fur-covered soles enable martens to travel on top of deep snow, but they often tunnel under the snow in search of prey. Martens prefer mature coniferous or mixed-wood forests.

https://www.zooamerica.com/animals/american-marten/

MARTEN REINTRODUCTION TO BE FURTHER EXPLORED

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today (July 9, 2022) took the next step in considering American marten (Martes americana) reintroduction by directing the Game Commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Management to develop a plan for reintroduction and management.

A native furbearer, the marten once was found commonly in portions of Pennsylvania but extirpated from the Commonwealth in the early 1900s due to deforestation and unregulated harvest. Adult martens weigh between 1 and 3 pounds and measure 19 and 27 inches, the same size as adult mink.

The Bureau of Wildlife Management, in accordance with the agency’s 2020-23 Strategic Plan, has completed a feasibility assessment of marten reintroduction. The assessment considered current habitat suitability, future climatic impacts, interactions with other species, and public opinion. It concluded that based on literature review, diet studies, expert evaluations, and prior, out-of-state reintroduction efforts, marten's impact on other species is minimal. At the same time, impacts from other predators to marten are also minimal.

Habitat suitability modeling shows that there is sufficient habitat within Pennsylvania for a marten population. Extensive research from across the marten’s range proves that most of their diet consists of small mammals such as voles, mice, and shrews, as well as insects, and plants.

Most of the public supports marten reintroduction, and it would likely be successful based on the assessment. Reasons for reintroduction cover ecological, political, social, and cultural aspects and this is an appropriate next step in the Game Commission’s history of species restoration within the Commonwealth. The assessment is available here. More information on American martens can be found here.

The American Marten Reintroduction and Management Plan to be developed by the Bureau of Wildlife Management will identify optimal release sites, and potential source populations, as well as provide specifics on translocation methodology, research and monitoring, cooperative partnerships, and long-term management. An important part of this plan will also be providing the public with information and education on the marten and its ecology. Once completed, this plan will be made available for public review and comment prior to being presented to the Board of Commissioners for their review and final approval to move forward with reintroduction.