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20 Years of Learning about Deer and Hunters in the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative

Kane, Pa. – “Quality Deer, Quality Habitat, Quality Hunting,” are the words John Dzemyan used at the October Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum to describe the 74,000 acres of the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative open to public hunting in McKean County.  Over 20 years ago, five major landowners formed the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative (KQDC) and agreed to work together to better habitat, increase early successional food supplies for deer, establish vegetation and deer research plots, establish deer check stations, and provide information useful to hunters.  John Dzemyan is the Leader of the KQDC.  The five landowners are Allegheny National Forest, Bradford Municipal Water Authority, Conservation Forestry, Kane Hardwoods-Collins Pine Company, and Ram Forest Products.

“We want to share that hunting can be used to help meet goals of the landowners.  We want to see land stay open to public hunting,” said John to the 100+ attendees at the Forum in Wilcox, Pa.

John started his presentation with a 1931 publication from the PA Game Commission (PGC) entitled ‘Share the Bag of the Game’, an effort almost 100 years ago to help feed Pennsylvanians.  Richard Gerstell, one of the first ever deer biologists with the PGC, shared stories with John about his early years and the “don’t shoot does” sentiment from many hunters.  Bob Frye, a well-known outdoor writer in PA, covered the social, scientific, and emotional aspects of attempts by the PGC to align the size of the deer herd with habitat available in his entertaining book called “Deer Wars.”

Mother nature cooperated bringing water to the Driftwood Branch of the Sinnemahoning Creek.  Last year the race was cancelled due to high water.  All racers registered in 2024 were deferred to this years event which took place April 12.  Emergency responders reporting everyone who started finished.  A few reported rolling kayaks or canoes but finishing within 2 and a half hours.

The top finisher in the race was Russel Haines in the Canoe Racing division.  Haines from Corsica finished the 12 mile race in 1:35:35.  The top female competitor was Edna Spang from Gibsonia who finished the kayak long race 1:40:12.  For the first time in recent years there were 2 competitors in the junior divisions.  The youngest, 12 year old Ruth Anne Kane from Cameron County finished the race in 2:17:20.  15 year old Alan McCracken from  Clearfield cleared the race in 1:40:41.  McCracken has qualified for the US Nationals this summer.

The division named for one of the founders of the event, Bob Umbenhauer features a traveling trophy.  This year the winning team traveled from Ohio.  Ed Leszek and Joe White finished the course in 1:41:27.

Several teams with connections to Cameron County took home first place paddling awards include a 4 person woman canoe with Toni Flament.  Cameron Horning and Dylan Morton in the Clydesdale Class, Benjamin Patt and Alan Lichtenwalner in the Recreational canoe class and Constance Boyce in the women kayak medium class..

Second place finishers for Emporium competitors include Adam Goldsmith in men kayak short, and Abigail Kane in women kayak short. The father son duo of  Saul and Eastyn Solveson took home second in the Recreational canoe class. 

Dustin Burgoon and Steve VanEerden each placed third in their respective kayak classes. A mother daughter duo of Juneann Major and Lily Major took third place in the tandem kayak event.

 Safety crews from the region coordinated by Mountaineer Search and Rescue line the course.  “This event cannot happen without the support of the swift water teams, fire police, and ambulance crews,” thanked Cameron County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Tina Solak.   Solak continued thanking the community including sponsors and volunteers that organize bibs, and stream clean up before the race.  The day of the event, Emporium Rotarians serve free hot drinks, committee members handle timing, awards and social media postings.

Beyond the Dirt is the next adventure race scheduled for August followed by the Sinnemahone Ultra Trail Run in October.  Information on both can be obtained by contacting the chamber office.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave final approval to the 2025-26 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits.

The adopted seasons and bag limits contain a handful of significant changes compared to 2024-25. 

There are two changes pertaining to the after-Christmas extended firearms season for antlerless deer. First, the extended firearms deer season will be open on all Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) properties statewide from Dec. 26-Jan. 24, 2026, with participating hunters needing a valid DMAP permit for the property they’re hunting. And second, an extended firearms deer season to run Jan. 2-19, 2026 will be held in Wildlife Management Unit 4C, where Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) was recently detected. WMU 4C was not initially among the WMUs slated for an extended season.

The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners met today in Harrisburg, hearing public comment and conducting official business. The commissioners gave final approval to the 2025-26 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits, which are outlined in a separate news release. Other highlights from today’s meeting follow.

ELK LICENSE APPLICATION PROCESS TO SEE CHANGES

A number of changes meant to update and improve Pennsylvania’s elk license application system were given final approval today by the Board of Commissioners.

DESCRIPTION: * WHAT…Visibility as low as one quarter mile at times in dense fog.

* WHERE…Wyoming, Livingston, Ontario, Chautauqua, Cattaraugus,
Allegany, and Southern Erie Counties.

* WHEN…Until 8 AM EDT Sunday.

* IMPACTS…Hazardous driving conditions due to low visibility.

INSTRUCTIONS: If driving, slow down, use your headlights, and leave plenty of
distance ahead of you.

Issued By: NWS Buffalo NY

Soil Remediation Project Next Week on Route 220 SB in Piatt Township, Lycoming County

Montoursville, PA – Motorists are advised of a lane restriction next week on Route 220 southbound in Piatt Township, Lycoming County, for a soil remediation project due to a previous crash.

On April 12, at 10:52 am Shinglehouse Fire and Ambulance were dispatched to Tennessee Ave. For and unknown medical

Coudersport, PA — Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine three years ago, Olga Snyder—a U.S. citizen originally from Ukraine—has carried a powerful legend close to her heart. According to Ukrainian folklore, as long as pysanky (Ukrainian Easter eggs) are being created, evil cannot prevail in the world.

Trophy Nut Company of Tipp City, Ohio is recalling 143 cases of its Heinen’s 8.25 oz cans of Honey Roasted Peanuts due to possible presence of cashews. People who have an allergy or severe sensitivity to cashews run the risk of serious or life-threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

Reauthorized Law Strengthens Underground Utility Protection Efforts and Helps Emphasize Steps to Prevent Utility Damage