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Ohio Department Natural Resources Extends Hotline Hours During Deer-Gun Hunting Season
Ohioans encouraged to report wildlife violations, illegal activity.

Ohio Department Natural Resources Extends Hotline Hours During Deer-Gun Hunting Season

Ohio Department Natural Resources

COLUMBUS, OH --(Ammoland.com)- Individuals seeking information about the upcoming youth gun and white-tailed deer hunting seasons, or to report violations of state wildlife laws, can take advantage of extended call center hours from November 19 to December 4, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), Division of Wildlife.

The 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) general hunting information hotline will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.on Saturday, November 19 and Sunday, November 20, for the ninth annual youth deer-gun season.

Staff will also be available to answer calls prior to and during the regular deer-gun season, which begins Monday, November 28, and ends Sunday, December 4.

Special call center hours prior to and during the state’s popular deer-gun season are as follows:

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, November 25
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, November 26-27
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, November 28-December 2
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 3-4
• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, December 17-18
• The hotline will be closed on Thanksgiving Day

The extremely popular deer gun season is a period when many of Ohio’s hunters have last-minute questions and the Division of Wildlife will be ready and available to assist them. Hunters are encouraged to contact the division with any question that may arise.

Ohioans also are encouraged to help enforce state wildlife laws by reporting violations to the division’s Turn-in-a-Poacher (TIP) hotline at 1-800-POACHER (762-2437). Established in 1982, the TIP program allows individuals to anonymously call toll free from anywhere in the state to report wildlife violations. The 1-800-POACHER hotline is open for calls 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.

Tipsters may be eligible to receive a cash award and are urged to leave a message during closed hours with as much information about the suspected violation as can be provided. Tips can also be submitted online at wildohio.com.

The ODNR ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR Web site at www.ohiodnr.com.

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Pennsylvania Antler Restrictions And Harvest Reporting

Pennsylvania Game Commission

Pennsylvania --(Ammoland.com)- ANTLER RESTRICTIONS CHANGE IN FOUR-POINT AREA: Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe reminds deer hunters that the Board of Game Commissioners approved a change in antler restriction definitions in the previous four-point area in the western Wildlife Management Units of 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B and 2D.

Under the new antler restrictions, which represent the first change since 2002, hunters in these five WMUs need to identify three antler points, not including the brow tine, which is the point immediately above the antler burr. This regulatory change requires three points on the main antler beam, excluding the brow tine, for a buck to be legal.

The idea of changing antler restrictions in the four-point area began a year ago when Game Commissioners Ralph Martone and Robert Schlemmer heard from many sportsmen about the difficulty of seeing brow tines.

A review of antler data collected prior to antler restrictions from the southeastern part of the state indicated this change may affect only a small percentage of antlered deer. For more information on antler restrictions, hunters should refer to page 53 of the 2011-12 Digest that they received with the purchase of their license.

HARVEST REPORTING AVAILABLE VIA POSTCARD, ONLINE OR TELEPHONE
Those participating in the upcoming deer season will be able to file their mandatory harvest reports through the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s online system; the toll-free Interactive Voice Response (IVR) telephone harvest reporting system, which is 1-855-PAHUNT1 (1-855-724-8681); or via postage-paid postcard.

To report a deer harvest online, go to the Game Commission’s website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on “Report Your Harvest” above the “Quick Clicks” box in the right-hand column, click on “You can link to PALS by clicking here,” check “Harvest Reporting,” scroll down and click on the “Start Here” button at the bottom of the page, choose the method of validating license information, and click on the checkbox for the harvest tag being reported. A series of options will appear for a hunter to report a harvest. After filling in the harvest information, click on the “Continue” button to review the report and then hit the “Submit” button to complete the report. Failing to hit the “Submit” button will result in a harvest report not being completed.

Hunters should have their Customer Identification Number (hunting license number) and field harvest tag information with them when they call, and should speak clearly and distinctly when reporting harvests, especially when providing the Wildlife Management Unit number and letter.

“Hunters may report one or more harvests in a single session,” Roe said. “Responses to all harvest questions are required.

“Hunters who use the toll-free number to submit a harvest report will receive a confirmation number, which they should write down and keep as proof of reporting. Those who report online should print or save a copy of their harvest report submission as proof of reporting.”

Roe noted that hunters still have the option to file harvest report postcards, which are included as tear-out sheets in the current digest.

“We certainly are encouraging hunters to use the online reporting system, which will ensure that their harvest is recorded,” Roe said. “The more important point is that all hunters do their part in deer management and report their harvested deer to the agency.”

HUNTERS REMINDED THAT LICENSES STILL MUST BE DISPLAYED
Hunters and trappers are reminded that they still are required to display their licenses on an outer garment, said Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe.

“The Game Commission is supporting legislation to remove the statutory requirement that licenses be displayed, and thereby allow hunters to place their hunting license in their wallet with other ID,” Roe said. “However, until such time as the General Assembly removes this statutory requirement, hunters and trappers will need to continue to display their licenses.”

HUNTERS CAN CHECK ON TRAFFIC AND ROAD CONDITIONS IN ADVANCE
Hunters can check traffic and road conditions on more than 2,900 miles of roadways by simply calling 511 or logging onto the Department of Transportation’s website (www.511pa.com) before heading out to deer camp this year.

“‘511PA’ is Pennsylvania’s official travel information service,” said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. “This service from PennDOT provides travelers with reliable, current traffic and weather information. This site enables hunters to check on the status of road conditions before heading out to camp.”

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