Outdoors

Controversial blaze orange requirements dropped but safety is still a top priority. Outdoors by Ken Hunter Back in August I reported that the Pennsylvania Game Commission was considering changes in our present blaze orange requirements. The preliminary change being proposed would have required fall turkey hunters, muzzleloader hunters and bow hunters to wear 250-square inches of blaze orange at all times while hunting.

Decking all hunters out like a Halloween pumpkin in my opinion would have only furthered the notion that if it was moving and it didn’t have blaze orange it must therefore be something to shoot. Along with many other hunters, outdoor writers and pro-hunting organizations, I voiced my disapproval of the new proposal and it appears our collective voices were heard. Apparently the original proposal introduced at the June meeting generated more comment than any controversial regulation proposal made by the Game Commission in recent memory. An amended version of the blaze orange requirements will take affect in 2004.

Jerry Zimmerman, National Wild Turkey Federation director for Pennsylvania, said the amended regulations should be easier for both the hunter and wildlife conservation officers to understand, and that an increased emphasis on hunter safety is the most effective way to reduce firearm-related hunter incidents.

I realize that myself and a lot of other outdoor writers and TV show hosts hammer on hunter safety every year, especially in turkey season, but it is one of those topics that needs constant attention. There are new hunters coming into our ranks every year, most are young and not yet "woods wise" and of course there are always those among us who are careless or they think an accident can’t happen to them. I know too many innocent victims. After hearing their stories first hand, it has caused me to become much more safety conscious, trying to be careful not to take anything for granted.

Specifically, let's take a look at some important safety precautions while turkey hunting.

1) Never shoot at anything that you have not positively identified, 100 percent for sure as a turkey. In the spring season you must be even more careful to make sure the turkey is a bearded bird.

2) Make sure there are no other hunters in the line of fire.

(Actually, if people followed the first couple rules there would be no need for any additional rules, but until we can educate every hunter to do that we must continue with the following defensive measures.)

3) Wear the required blaze orange when walking and place the required blaze orange in a nearby tree. Always check your game regulations to find what’s required and to look for any changes in the law.

4) Select a calling location with your back to a sufficiently large tree, stump or rock. This will protect you from hunters coming in from behind. You are more likely to spot a hunter in front or to the side.

5) Don’t wear any red, white, black or blue—the colors of a turkey.

6) Do not set up and call from thick brush. You have not protection and visibility is poor.

7) When signaling another hunter of your presence, do so by shouting loudly and not by waving your hands.

Hopefully these rules and regulations will give you both a safe day afield and a successful day like the hunter pictured in this article. BACK TO THE TOP

Call it what you like, it’s one heck of a fly Fishing With Mike O’Brien If it is true that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery," then Russ Blessing, creator of the popular and effective Woolly Bugger, has been excessively complimented. This streamer-style fly has possibly been copied more than any other pattern in the history of fly fishing.

With slight alterations, many fly tiers have proudly announced an improved fish-catching Bugger, usually with their name attached to the so-called new creation.

One of those changes made to the original pattern was the use of a flash material for the Bugger’s body. Again, numerous tiers take satisfaction in claiming credit for the modification. I have heard this fly called Cactus Minnow, Sparkle Grub, Hill’s Harasser, Murray’s Marauder, Finn’s Golden Retriever and Bruce’s Bugger, among others. The best and most accepted name remains the Crystal Bugger.

Many of the effective patterns we use are a testament to simplicity, both in design and construction. Point in case, the Crystal Bugger, consisting of nothing but a marabou tail and wrapped body. You will find a number of suitable materials for the body including Ice Chenille, Cactus Chenille, Crystal Chenille or Estaz. I favor Estaz because of the full appearance when wrapped on the hook shank and its durability.

Estaz is a synthetic material offered in 15 standard colors, along with 3 fluorescent and 9 opalescent colors. Mixed with the multitude of marabou colors available, the combinations are endless.

The Crystal Bugger can be tied without weight for shallow presentations or weighted when fishing deep or during high water flows. The latter is achieved by adding a bead or cone for the head, lead eyes or simply applying lead wire around the hook shank before the Estaz is wrapped. In any case, the weight kept toward the front on the hook will incorporate an up-and-down jigging motion when fished. Most predator fish find this action hard to resist. The correct size lead eyes also will turn the hook upside-down enabling one to more effectively fish with a bottom-bouncing technique often required during high, cold water situations.

I have used the Crystal Bugger successfully for a variety of species, both in fresh and saltwater. One tied with a yellow tail and fluorescent chartreuse body is very effective for both smallmouth bass and stripers. In a size 10 or 12, it also is a good choice for the heavily stocked special regulated trout waters around the region. An excellent color for smallmouth and trout has a white tail and opalescent white body. Stocked rainbow trout really like this color.

As stated earlier, many color combinations can be created; translucent for clear water and opaque when something is needed that stands out against off-color water. Several colors you may not be accustomed to using, especially those throwing flies to trout, are purple, orange and pink. These three colors will catch plenty of bass and trout, particularly during discolored water conditions. BACK TO THE TOP

Furbearing seasons begin in Pennsylvania

HARRISBURG--Pennsylvania's general furbearer hunting and trapping seasons got under way in mid-October without much notice as hunters and trappers began calling or stringing steel for coyotes, foxes and raccoons. Longstanding staples of the state's outdoors scene, the sport annually attracts thousands to the fields and forests in pursuit of furbearers.

"I have shared the outdoors with trappers, predator callers and raccoon hunters for most of my life and have learned that these people are quite skilled and knowledgeable about wildlife and the environment," said Vern Ross, Pennsylvania Game Commission executive director. "As an independent agency for more than 100 years, the Game Commission has been able to ensure that trapping remains an important tool in our wildlife management programs.

Pennsylvania's furbearer populations--with the exception of muskrats--are thriving, according to Game Commission biologists. Coyote, fox, raccoon and mink populations have been in outstanding shape for some time. Beavers also are plentiful and continue to re-establish themselves in many areas of the state where they have been absent for decades.

The general trapping season for coyotes, foxes, raccoons, skunks and weasels runs to Feb. 21. The mink and muskrat season runs from Nov. 22 to Jan. 10. Beaver may be trapped from Dec. 26 to March 31.

The hunting season for raccoons and foxes runs to Feb. 21. Coyotes, skunks, opossums and weasels may be hunted from July 1 to June 30.

"The change in our muskrat harvest probably was the most eye-opening," said Tom Hardisky, Game Commission furbearer biologist. "Pennsylvania experienced an almost 40 percent drop in its muskrat harvest from 2001 to 2002. But what you need to know before you draw conclusions is that the muskrat harvest increased 35 percent from 2000 to 2001. BACK TO THE TOP

Game Commission urges hunters to be good sports

HARRISBURG—Pennsylvania Game Commission Law Enforcement Director Michael Dubaich is asking hunters for their cooperation and assistance in reporting violations of the game and wildlife laws and regulations.

"The illegal killing or taking of wildlife is not just a violation of hunting's ethics of fair chase and sportsmanship, but also is a crime committed against all Pennsylvanians," Dubaich said. "In many cases, the Game Commission would never have been able to successfully prosecute such criminals without the information and assistance of the public.

"If you care about wildlife and you witness someone breaking the law, please consider getting involved. Call the Game Commission's region office serving the county in which the violation occurred and report the incident. Call as soon as possible, especially if you're afield with a cell phone."

The Game Commission also encourages hunters to participate in its Sportsmen Policing Our Ranks Together program (SPORT), now in its 26th year. SPORT promotes ethical and responsible hunting, and asks hunters to get involved when they witness Game and Wildlife Code violations occurring.

"Most people who break our hunting laws do it knowingly and are challenged only rarely," Dubaich explained. "We need to change that, and one of the best ways to accomplish that is through participation in the SPORT program. Remember, those who break the law cheat ethical, law-abiding hunters, show great disrespect to the game they hunt, and often selfishly take more than their fair share.

"Even if you don't want to testify against the violator please call. In most cases our officers are able to gather enough evidence to successfully prosecute alleged offenders without a witness. The important thing is making us aware of a potential violation. On any given day there are hundreds if not thousands of hunters for every one officer we have in the field. All of those extra eyes and ears could be used to help us increase our efficiency and effectiveness and protect your wildlife."

To report a violator, call the Game Commission region office serving the county where the violation occurred. You also can report a violator via the Internet. To participate, go to www.pgc.state.pa.us, then click on "Hunting Information," scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on "SPORT and TIP programs." BACK TO THE TOP

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