Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: Game Commission OKs raptor name change – Outdoor News
Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners, at their recent meeting here, gave preliminary approval to amending Title 58 of the Pennsylvania Code to incorporate a recent name change for a raptor. The measure will be brought back for final consideration at an upcoming meeting.
The commissioners action stemmed from the American Ornithological Society deciding last year that goshawks in Europe and North America are separate species due to their differing genetics and behavior.
As a result, European goshawks retained the name Northern goshawk, while those in North America were renamed American goshawk. That change soon could be reflected in state regulations.
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Spotted Lanternflies – Don’t Use Sticky Tape
Pittsburgh — Spotted lanternfly numbers are up in the state’s southwest region, and reports of well-meaning homeowners covering trees with sticky tape to capture the invasive insects are common.
Audubon Society of Western Pennsylvania encourages the public not to use sticky tape for spotted lanternfly control. The tape can capture birds and beneficial insects, leading to serious injury or a prolonged and painful death. Birds trapped in the tape fight to escape, losing feathers, breaking bones, and leaving themselves vulnerable to predators.
Minimum Age for Falconers Decreased
Harrisburg — The state’s falconers would be able to get their start at a slightly younger age, based on a proposal the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners preliminarily approved.
The commissioners voted to decrease the minimum age for a general class falconry permit from 18 years old to 16 years old, which is the minimum age established by federal regulations. The Game Commission has not identified any biological or safety concerns that would result from lowering the minimum age.
This proposal, which was requested by the Pennsylvania Falconry and Hawk Trust, will be brought back to a future meeting for final consideration and potential adoption.
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Minnesota Falconers Association celebrates 50 years of falconry
DCNR Marks 25 Years of Forest Certification
Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently received the Leadership Award from the Forest Stewardship Council for 25 years of positive forest management.
In addition to receiving the award for 25 years of Forest Stewardship Council forest management certification, the Bureau of Forestry was credited with proving success across a wide range of forest conditions, multiple agencies, and evolving public expectations.
The Forest Stewardship Council is a trusted national and international forest certification organization and its leadership awards recognize uncommon excellence that advances responsible forest management and forest conservation.
Ducks Unlimited Surpasses Milestone
San Diego (AP) — For the first time in its 87-year history, Ducks Unlimited has delivered 1 million acres of conservation across North America in a single year thanks to more than a million supporters and partners, including private landowners, hunters, corporations, major donors, and state and federal agencies.
This achievement happened in fiscal year 2024 and reflects a national surge in public and private interest in restoring and protecting wetland habitats.
One million acres of conservation – an area about the size of Rhode Island – includes long-term and permanent projects, such as conservation restorations and easements, and short-term or annual efforts, such as agricultural cover crop programs.
Spring Creek Dam Removal Started
State College, Pa. — A stream restoration and dam removal project closed part of a trail for an extended period of time.
The Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission announced July 18 that a portion of Spring Creek Canyon Trail near State College in Centre County, between its Stackhouse School shooting range and Rockview Road, and its parking area at Rock Road will be closed during the work.
Beginning Monday, July 22, the project includes removing two low-head dams on Spring Creek in Benner Township. Work is expected to last for a month. The restoration effort is aimed at restoring natural flows to the stream along with improving passage and the habitat for aquatic life like wild trout.
