Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: New manager for Pymatuning State Park – Outdoor News

Harrisburg — The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources recently announced the appointment of Jessica Fischer as the new park manager for Pymatuning State Park in Crawford County.

She assumed management of the 16,872-acre park in late December. Pymatuning State Park, home to the 17,088-acre Pymatuning Reservoir – Pennsylvania’s largest lake.

An Erie native, Fischer previously managed Little Buffalo State Park in Perry County and has held multiple roles within DCNR. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in park and resource management from Slippery Rock University.

Former Pymatuning State Park Manager Dan Bickel has transitioned to a new leadership role overseeing the Western Plateau Division of State Parks.

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Maryland Midwinter Waterfowl Numbers Up

Annapolis, Md. — Aerial survey teams of pilots and biologists from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have completed their annual population estimates of ducks, geese, and swans along the state’s Chesapeake Bay, tidal Potomac River and Atlantic coast shorelines.

This year, the teams counted about 705,300 waterfowl, which was higher than both the 593,200 birds observed in 2024 and the most recent five-year average of 624,300 birds.

Overall, estimated numbers of dabbling duck (126,000) were higher than the 2024 count of 91,300 birds. The number of mallards (62,300) and black ducks (47,600) were higher than their respective 5-year averages (54,740 and 27,840).

John Dzemyan Speaker at Forestry Forum

Kane, Pa. — The April 10 Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum here will feature John Dzemyan, leader of the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative, for the upcoming forum celebrating 20 years of the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative. 

Dzemyan is a well-known naturalist and woodsman in northcentral Pennsylvania, and is beloved for his interesting presentations on natural events. He currently serves as the coordinator for the Kinzua cooperative, is an avid deer hunter, and a former game warden, laborer and lands manager with the Game Commission.

For more information, call the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group at 814-837-8550 or email [email protected].

Pa. Parks, Forests Foundation Gets McCauslin

Camp Hill, Pa. — Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation recently announced that Joseph McCauslin is its new office and online retail facilitator.

With a strong background in technology management and a passion for community service, he brings   needed experience to support the group’s mission of stewarding Pennsylvania’s parks and forests.

McCauslin joins the foundation after 16 years with the Harrisburg School District, where he was assistant technology manager.

Wildlife Sanctuary Offers Unique Valentines Activity for Guests

Penns Creek, Pa. — A wildlife sanctuary here in Snyder County,  again this year offered a unique activity for those looking to move on from their exes during Valentine’s week.

Visitors to T&D’s Cats of the World were able take part in a popular fundraising event where they toss cookies inscribed with the names of their former partners to the wolves.

Participants purchased a tasty wolf treat for $5 and added their ex’s name to it. Photos from the event were to be pasted on the business’s Facebook page.

Delaware River Named 2025 River of the Year

Harrisburg — The Delaware River has been named Pennsylvania’s 2025 River of the Year after securing the most votes in a public competition, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced recently.

This marks the third time the Delaware River has earned the title, having previously won in 2002 and 2011. The public cast a total of 8,037 votes, with the Delaware River receiving 2,962, followed by the Youghiogheny River (2,784) and Perkiomen Creek (2,291).

Once heavily polluted, the river has undergone a dramatic recovery and now boasts more National Wild and Scenic designations than any other river.

PGC Releases ‘Surplus’ Pheasants for Hunters

Harrisburg —The Pennsylvania Game Commission released approximately 8,400 pheasants, mostly hens, in early February to provide additional hunting in the last two weeks of pheasant season, which runs through Feb. 28.

The agency had arranged to have “backup” birds in case avian flu was detected at its pheasant farms, but the commission’s facilities were not hit by the disease. So, these surplus pheasants were  released on game lands across the state a few weeks before the end of pheasant season to provide late-winter hunting opportunities.

Source: https://www.outdoornews.com/2025/02/21/pennsylvania-mixed-bag-new-manager-for-pymatuning-state-park/