Game Commission Applauds Change in Law for Antlerless License Sales
The way hunters apply for Pennsylvania antlerless deer licenses is about to change for the first time in decades.
Senate Bill 431, which would allow hunters to buy antlerless licenses through the HuntFishPA automated licensing service, was signed into law this week. When it takes effect with the 2023-24 license year, antlerless licenses will be available for purchase online or in person at any license issuing agent.
The Game Commission, hunting organizations including the National Deer Association, Pennsylvania Chapter of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists and others, and everyday hunters supported the bill, championing it as the final step to fully modernizing license sales.
“Allowing for the sale of antlerless deer hunting licenses through other means such as online or through issuing agents will make it far more convenient for hunters,” said Dan Laughlin, the Erie County Senator and Chairman of the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee, who sponsored of Senate Bill 431.
Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans agreed.
“We thank Pennsylvania’s legislators, and in particular Chairman Laughlin, for tackling this issue and look forward to implementing a system that provides great customer service to our hunters,” Burhans said. “Our mission here at the Game Commission is twofold, to manage and protect wildlife and their habitats, but also to promote hunting and trapping for current and future generations. Modernizing how we sell antlerless licenses helps us achieve both.”
Until now, hunters applied for antlerless licenses via mail, sending those familiar pink envelopes to county treasurers, the only entity permitted to sell them. They had to do so according to a set schedule, with various deadlines based on state residency and rounds of sales, using a self-addressed stamped envelope and paper checks, something increasingly foreign to some hunters.
There were, in short, a lot of variables in play, and that occasionally led to problems with hunters getting licenses or not.
Given all that, the pink envelope system was seen by many as a barrier to hunting participation, especially when it comes to recruiting new hunters. Allowing for antlerless license sales through HuntFishPA will address those issues.
PA Permit Violations Issued
| PA Permit Violation Issued to CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA LLC in Auburn Twp, Susquehanna County |
| Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 11/01/2022 to CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA LLC in Auburn Twp, Susquehanna county. 78a86 – CASING AND CEMENTING – DEFECTIVE CASING OR CEMENTING – Operator failed to report defect in a well that has defective, insufficient or improperly cemented casing to the Department within 24 hours of discovery. Operator failed to correct defect or failed to submit a plan to correct the defect for approval by the Department within 30 days. |
| Incident Date/Time: 2022-11-01 00:00:00 |
| Tags: PADEP, frack, violation, drilling |
| PA Permit Violation Issued to CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA LLC in Terry Twp, Bradford County |
| Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 10/28/2022 to CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA LLC in Terry Twp, Bradford county. 78a85(a)5 – CASING AND CEMENTING – CEMENT STANDARDS – The operator failed to prevent gas flow in the annulus. In areas of known shallow gas producing zones, gas block additives and low fluid loss slurries shall be used. |
| Incident Date/Time: 2022-10-28 00:00:00 |
| Tags: PADEP, frack, violation, drilling |
| PA Permit Violation Issued to CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA LLC in Terry Twp, Bradford County |
| Description: Environmental Health & Safety violation issued on 10/28/2022 to CHESAPEAKE APPALACHIA LLC in Terry Twp, Bradford county. 78a86 – CASING AND CEMENTING – DEFECTIVE CASING OR CEMENTING – Operator failed to report defect in a well that has defective, insufficient or improperly cemented casing to the Department within 24 hours of discovery. Operator failed to correct defect or failed to submit a plan to correct the defect for approval by the Department within 30 days. |
| Incident Date/Time: 2022-10-28 00:00:00 |
| Tags: PADEP, frack, violation, drilling |
November 5th Potter County Farmers Market is CANCELLED
The November 5th Potter County Farmers Market is CANCELLED as many of our vendors are attending Christmas festivals in the area. However, we will be at Riley Gallery the following week. The fall and winter market schedule is as follows:
Fall market: November through the week before Christmas we will be in the Riley Gallery next to the Crittenden on Saturdays 10am to 2pm.
Winter market: First Saturday (10am to 2pm) of each month beginning in January and continuing to May.
If you have any questions please call me. Netra Baker 814-544-7313 or netrabaker@hughes.net. Thank you for your faithful support of the vendors at the market this year.
Causer Bill Removing Prohibition on Manufacture, Ownership of Automatic Knives Now Law
HARRISBURG – Legislation sponsored by Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) to end the state’s prohibition on automatic knives was signed into law Thursday by the governor.
“This change in law will benefit the Commonwealth’s outdoor enthusiasts and tradespeople who find automatic knives helpful in their work and activities,” Causer said. “It will also benefit knife manufacturers here in the state who have been at a competitive disadvantage with manufacturers in 43 other states where there was no prohibition on these tools.”
Prior law prohibited individuals from repairing, selling, dealing, using or possessing an “offensive weapon.” Included in the definition of an offensive weapon, along with bombs, grenades and machine guns, was automatic knives. The new law authored by Causer simply removes automatic knives from the list of prohibited offensive weapons.
However, someone in possession of an automatic knife with the intent to employ it criminally would still be in violation of the state’s Crimes Code, ensuring there is a mechanism in place to continue to protect the community while also removing an outdated restriction on law-abiding people.
Act 119 of 2022 takes effect in 60 days.
Veteran Resident Honored at The Laurels
Wellsboro, Pa., November 3, 2022 – Clifford Murray, a resident at The Laurels, part of UPMC Senior Communities, and a World War II Navy veteran was recently honored by Family Hospice, part of UPMC Home Healthcare of Central Pennsylvania, and U.S. Veterans Affairs. During the ceremony, Clifford was pinned with an American flag, given a certificate in honor of his service and presented with a star of a retired flag. This was made possible by UPMC’s We Honor Veterans program. Pictured is Clifford and representatives of UPMC. To learn more about We Honor Veterans at UPMC in North Central Pa., call 570-320-7691.
Beautiful weather welcomed the annual Coudersport Rotary Halloween Parade
Beautiful weather welcomed the annual Coudersport Rotary Halloween Parade on October 29, 2022. Thank you to everyone who participated and all our First Responders who helped to make it a reality! More photos are on their Facebook page.
Lillian O. Bliskey, 96, of Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys and formerly of Johnsonburg and Lady Lake, FL
Lillian O. Bliskey, 96, of Elk Haven Nursing Home, St. Marys and formerly of Johnsonburg and Lady Lake, FL, died late Tuesday night, November 1, 2022 at Elk Haven following a brief illness. She was born on January 22, 1926 in Johnsonburg a daughter to the late Francis C. and Bertha Mae Armagost McAlee. On June 25, 1947 in Holy Rosary Church she married her grade school sweetheart Eugene F. “Gene” Bliskey. He preceded her in death on November 30, 2015.
Lillian grew up in Johnsonburg and graduated from Johnsonburg High School Class of 1943. She attended Nursing School in Erie and received certification as a Registered Nurse. She was a member of Holy Rosary Church and the Christian Women’s Assn. She had been a member of the Johnsonburg Elk’s Women’s Aux.
Lillian had retired as a private duty care nurse in Lady Lake FL after 29 years of serving her community. She had also worked as a nurse at Penntech Papers in Johnsonburg for many years and at Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital for many years.
Lillian is survived by her children Beverly Paff of Sorrento, FL, Deborah, Mrs. Frank Roos of Placerville, CA, Joseph John Bliskey and his wife Etta Dietz of Ridgway and Kery jo Leader and her life partner Hugh Dornisch of Ridgway. She is also survived by her grandchildren; Patrick Geitner, Nichole, Mrs. Matt Bean, Joshua Paff and his wife Shelly, Isaac Paff, Abram Paff, Patrick Paff and his wife Jen, Frankie Roos and his wife Nicole, Morgan, Mrs. Justin Walling, Courtney Bliskey and his wife Ester, Chelsa Bliskey and her companion Josh Kleinpeter, Angel, Mrs. Joe Fritz, Chad Leader and his wife Annie and Nate Dornisch and his companion Hannah Freeburg and she is also survived by her great-grandchildren; Patrick Geitner, Jr., Addie Geitner, Julia Geitner, Laten Paff, Elijah Paff, Hadley Roos, Jocelyn Bliskey, Jaylon Bliskey, Isaac Fritz, Halle Fritz, Benji Leader, Lottie Leader and Hanna Baddock. She is also survived by a brother William “Bill” McAlee and his wife Eileen of Utica, NY.
In addition to her parents and husband, a daughter D’Arcy Geitner. Lillian is predeceased by brothers Father Eugene McAlee and John R. “Jack” McAlee and a sister Cleo Sheets.
Funeral Services for Lillian O. Bliskey will be conducted at a later date and will be announced by the Anthony F Ferragine Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 401 Chestnut Street Johnsonburg, Pa
If desired, memorial contributions should be made in her name to Elk Haven Nursing Home, 785 Johnsonburg Rd., St. Marys, PA 15857.