PA hunter safety course – unit 11 – Flashcards

Hunting and trapping opportunities exist in abundance on public and private lands throughout Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, many sportsmen and sportswomen do not take advantage of these areas. Through the years, hunters and trappers continuously return to familiar locations, never considering the possibilities that lie "around the corner." Other hunters and trappers are unaware of the opportunities that exist nearby and across the state. In addition to the excitement of hunting new fields or trapping forgotten areas, hunters and trappers can enhance their time afield by hunting different game species, trying more challenging methods, or using traditional equipment. Opportunities to apply hunting skills also exist before and after hunting season. Trap and skeet shooting, sporting clay courses, and 3-D archery courses are other activities that enhance hunting involvement.

Pennsylvania has an area of about 28,682,880 acres of mountains, streams, valleys, forests, and fields. About 4,290,000 acres are owned by the public and are open to hunting and trapping. This land can be located using maps or the Internet, or by calling the agencies responsible for their management.

Pennsylvania Game Lands •1.4 million acres •Agency: Pennsylvania Game Commission Pennsylvania State Forest Land •2.1 million acres •Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources National Forest Land (Allegheny National Forest) •513,000 acres •Agency: United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Pennsylvania State Park Land •277,000 acres •Some areas open to the public for hunting and trapping •Agency: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

All states have federal- or state-owned public lands that are available for hunting. Public lands may have special regulations that regulate hunting on these properties and may require special permits. Be sure to check with the appropriate agency and obtain maps before you go out to hunt. Public lands that may be open for hunting are: •Bureau of Land Management properties •Bureau of Reclamation properties •National Wildlife Refuge properties •National forests •National parks •State parks and forests •State-owned wildlife management areas

Wear street clothes when you contact the landowner well in advance of the date you wish to hunt. Other hunting and trapping opportunities exist on privately owned land. Prior to going on private property, you need to get permission. How you present yourself and explain what you would like to do on the property will influence the landowner's decision

•Make contact at least a week in advance. •Present yourself properly. ◦Wear street clothes—no hunting gear or firearms. ◦Dress neatly. ◦Be polite. •Don't bring companions—a "crowd" could make the landowner uncomfortable. •Explain exactly what you would like to do and who would be participating. •Provide your phone number and address. •Offer to help the landowner with work on the property. •Offer to share part of the game or furbearers taken. •Obey all of the landowner's rules and requests. •Obtain written permission, if possible, and carry it with you. •Accept "no" as an answer. •Thank the owner, whether permission is granted or denied.

Some wildlife conservation groups include: •Ducks Unlimited •National Wild Turkey Federation •Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs •Pheasants Forever •Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation •Wildlife Forever

There are other opportunities available for hunters and trappers year-round. Many agencies, organizations, and sportsmen's clubs offer advanced courses that provide instruction in specific areas of hunting, shooting, trapping, and outdoors skills. These types of programs are both informative and challenging. In addition to participating in advanced hunting and trapping programs, involvement in other shooting sports and wildlife conservation organizations offers enjoyable and rewarding experiences. Opportunities for advanced training are available to hunters and trappers who first complete a basic hunter-trapper education class. The Pennsylvania Game Commission, other agencies, organizations, and sportsmen's clubs offer a variety of courses that are designed to make you a more successful hunter. Some PGC courses are species-specific, such as turkey hunting. Other PGC programs will train you to use equipment including bows, muzzleloaders, traps, and cable restraints. Most of the PGC training is conducted outdoors and uses hands-on, interactive learning exercises. For more information about classes and to register online, visit www.pgc.state.pa.us.

•4-H Shooting Sports ◦Firearms training programs •Local sportsmen's clubs and organizations ◦Firearms training ◦Trapping education ◦Competitive and recreational shooting programs •National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) ◦Bowhunting programs •National Rifle Association ◦Firearms training programs •National Trappers Association ◦Trapping education programs •National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) ◦Wild turkey hunting programs ◦Youth education programs •Pennsylvania Game Commission ◦Education ◦Hunter-Trapper Education instructor certification programs

This program is designed to meet or exceed the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA) and the National Bowhunter Education Foundation (NBEF) International Bowhunter Education Program's standards for bowhunter education. Students who complete the course receive a training certificate accepted throughout North America. Successful Bowhunting includes online study that takes about 4 to 6 hours to finish before attending a one-day, eight-hour class. Students at the class will learn about these skills and more: •Responsible bowhunting methods and techniques •Big game anatomy, recovery, and care •Using a map and compass •Distance estimation •Basic bow shooting and shot placement •Treestand use and safety

If you are new to turkey hunting and want to pick up some knowledge and skills to help you increase your chances of success in the turkey woods, this course is for you. Successful Turkey Hunting will make sure you really enjoy your next turkey hunting experience. Successful Turkey Hunting also includes online study that takes about 4 to 6 hours to finish before attending a one-day, eight-hour class. Students at the class will learn about these skills and more: •Scouting methods and proper decoy use •Turkey hunting techniques •Using a map and compass •Distance estimation •Shotgun patterning and shot selection •Turkey calls and how to use them

This course is based on the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies (AFWA) standards for trapper training and their Best Management Practices. When finished with the course, a training certificate is issued to the student that will allow them to use cable restraints in Pennsylvania. Additionally, this training course allows students to purchase a furtaking license, which is required to trap furbearers. In order to hunt furbearers, students still need to successfully complete a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course. Successful Furtaking also includes online study that takes about 6 to 8 hours to finish before attending a one-day, six-hour class. Students at the class will learn about these skills and more: •Identifying furbearer tracks and signs •Setting cable restraints and snares •Running a trapline •Making water sets and land sets •Preparing hides More classes are being developed; just visit www.pgc.state.pa.us to see what classes are available and sign up!

The Pennsylvania Game Commission's social networking pages provide information about the state's birds, mammals, and their habitats. This is done by sharing photos, posting information, and chatting with interested sportsmen and others who enjoy wildlife. Other posts include season openings, hunting regulations, and reports about game population from field officers. The sites are a great way for the agency to connect with sportsmen. The Pennsylvania Game Commission's Facebook page provides hunting and trapping season reminders, wildlife information, and safety tips. Additionally, hunters and furtakers can post pictures of their success in the field, interesting wildlife encounters, and shots of their outdoor adventures. By following the Pennsylvania Game Commission on Twitter @PAGameComm, sportsmen receive current updates from the field, news articles, and hunting and trapping opening day alerts. Share your favorite hunting and furtaking photos with other sportsmen by tagging @PAGame Comm in your tweet. Subscribe to the Game Commission's YouTube channel for the latest in game forecasts and wildlife news. You'll also find clips featuring major habitat management projects, tutorials on deer aging, and how to use the agency Mapping Center. Additionally, you can find PowerPoint presentations on important wildlife issues, short films about various wildlife species, and so much more.

NASP (National Archery in the Schools Program) NASP is designed to introduce youth to the lifelong sport of archery. The program is a cooperative effort between state education and wildlife agencies, focusing on students in grades 4 through 12. Learn more at www.nasparchery.com. Youth Field Days Youth Field Days introduce participants to outdoor sports through supervised hands-on activities. These events are usually held from May until the end of September. Activities vary for each event, but usually include archery, trapping, hunting, fishing, canoeing, boating, and much more. Learn more at www.pgc.state.pa.us. Junior Pheasant Hunts These are special hunting opportunities for youth between 12 and 16 years of age, who have successfully completed the basic Hunter-Trapper Education course. Each year, sportsmen's organizations from around the state host these events. Hunting licenses are not required, but participants must wear the necessary amount of fluorescent orange and be accompanied by an adult. Learn more at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

A final way that you can expand your hunting and trapping opportunities is to become a mentor or teacher to someone who is interested in those activities. As your skills increase, passing along your knowledge to someone else can be rewarding. By taking a friend deer hunting for the first time or showing a young neighbor how to set up a trapline, you are not only teaching, but you also are helping to pass on the heritage and traditions of hunting or trapping in Pennsylvania.

hunters and trappers have many opportunities year-round, including advanced courses offered by agencies, organizations, and sportsman's clubs.

All states have federal- or state-owned public lands that are available for hunting. Public lands may have special regulations that regulate hunting on these properties and may require special permits. Be sure to check with the appropriate agency and obtain maps before you go out to hunt. Other hunting and trapping opportunities exist on privately owned land. Prior to going on private property, you need to get permission.

Utilize tools such as social media and Pennsylvania advanced hunting courses to expand your knowledge, interact with other hunters, and, eventually, mentor others as they begin the sport.