The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to the 2024-25 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits.

Modifications proposed for the 2024-25 seasons include:

• For black bear, the October muzzleloader season is proposed to be shortened to three days to reduce harvest rates on female bears and thereby promote stabilization of the bear population.
• Pheasant hunting within the Central Susquehanna Wild Pheasant Recovery Area (WPRA) is currently limited to youth participants drawn in a lottery. The agency has proposed to eliminate the age restriction and permit requirements and provide the Executive Director the authority to annually designate WPRAs to be opened to hunting and establish appropriate season date(s) and bag limits.
• A proposal to include mentored hunters of all ages to be eligible to hunt in the early October pheasant season segment, known best as the Junior Hunt.
• For wild turkey, fall season length changes are proposed for numerous Wildlife Management Units (WMU). Season length would be increased in 11 WMUs and WMU 5A, which was previously closed to fall hunting, would be opened for a 3-day season. Season length would be reduced in two WMUs (3D and 4C).
• For furbearers, WMU 2D is proposed to be opened to bobcat hunting and trapping. Also, the fisher trapping season is proposed to be increased by one week in all WMUs open to fisher harvest. This will allow concurrent fisher and bobcat trapping seasons.
• No changes are proposed for elk or white-tailed deer seasons. However, after-Christmas extended firearms seasons for antlerless deer might be recommended in April for up to five WMUs – 2C, 2E, 4A, 4D and 5A – where both Chronic Wasting Disease is present and antlerless licenses remained at the start of over-the-counter sales this year. Until 2023-24 deer harvest data is finalized, it won’t be known whether extended seasons will be recommended in any of these WMUs, because data could indicate harvest goals have been met and additional opportunity isn’t needed. If extended seasons are recommended by staff to the board, they would run there from Jan. 2 to Jan. 20, after a week of deer hunting open only to flintlock and archery hunters.

The public may offer comments on all proposed 2024-25 seasons and bag limits, as well as other board actions, between now and the board’s April meeting, when 2024-25 seasons and bag limits will be finalized, and antlerless deer license allocations will be determined.

The board is scheduled to meet April 12 and 13 at the Game Commission’s Harrisburg headquarters.

PROPOSED 2024-25 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

HARRISBURG, PA – 01/27/2024—The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners met today in Harrisburg, hearing public comment and conducting official business. The commissioners gave preliminary approval to the 2024-25 hunting and trapping seasons and bag limits, which are outlined in a separate news release. Other highlights from today’s meeting follow.

FIRST News Now

FNN Article Update © Friday, January 26, 2024.

First 2 images by FNN Staff © Jan. 26, 2024.

MANSFIELD, PA – (UPDATE) A section of West Wellsboro Street (Route 6) was closed down for nearly 2 hours after a Mansfield woman was killed after being struck by a vehicle early Friday evening, January 26, 2024, around 7:17 PM in Mansfield Borough.

Mansfield Borough Police, Mansfield fire and EMS, as well as Pennsylvania State Police and Mansfield University Campus Police responded to 33 West Wellsboro Street where a woman was struck by a vehicle in front of Sara Jo’s Stop ‘N Go (Subway/Gas Station).

Mansfield Borough Police were first on scene and were providing care to the patient. Mansfield fire and EMS personnel were next to arrive as CPR was already started on the female victim.

A medical helicopter was requested immediately, however, all helicopters declined due to weather as rain was falling across the area at the time of the incident.

Although those on scene tried to resuscitate the woman, she passed away due to the injuries she suffered in the accident. The coroner was called in by 7:35 PM.

The driver was not injured in the accident and the vehicle had a PA license plate on it.

Both lanes of West Wellsboro Street were reopened to traffic around 9:14 PM, as all remaining fire and police units were cleared to return back to their stations, with a heavy heart.

Mansfield Borough Police nor Pennsylvania State Police have released any information on this tragic pedestrian accident.

According to family, Amy Mattison of Tioga View Apartments lost her life after being struck by a vehicle in this tragic incident.

It was nearly five months ago, that Amy’s husband, Jamie Mattison, suffered serious injuries and had to have surgery after he was struck by a vehicle at the crosswalk by Sheetz back on August 17, 2023. So this family knows the dangers of crossing the roadway along West Wellsboro Street. The family asks drivers to slow down, and pay attention to pedestrians walking or crossing the roadway in that area of town.

A Gofundme account has been set to assist the family with burial costs. Those wishing to assist the family can simply click the provided link and make a donation of any amount; https://www.gofundme.com/f/amy-harriston… .

Prayers appreciated for the family, the driver and all those who assisted with this incident.

A reminder to all of our customers. Starting this week, we will only be open Thursday, Friday and Saturday for our winter hours until March.

The Elk County Council on the Arts (ECCOTA) is pleased to announce the winners of the Region 2 contest of Poetry Out Loud®. The first place student winner is AninTruchan from Ridgway Area High School. The second place spot was a tie between Hailey Fleming and Sarah Hasselman, both from Elk County Catholic High School.

The McKean County Conservation District announces the following application dates for the Agricultural Conservation Assistance Program (ACAP) for funding to implement agricultural conservation practices. 

2024 Application Deadlines:

• February 9, 2024
• May 31, 2024
• August 30, 2024
• November 20, 2024

OLEAN, N.Y., January 25, 2024 — The Cattaraugus Region Community Foundation’s  scholarship process for 2024 will open to applications from area students on February 1.

Students can apply using the online scholarship portal at cattfoundation.org/apply-for-scholarships.

Clearfield, PA – The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), Pennsylvania State Police, Penn Highlands Healthcare, and the Highway Safety Network observed Winter Driving Awareness Week with a press conference today where they stressed the importance of postponing any unnecessary travel during a winter storm. If travel is unavoidable, they also stressed the life-saving benefits of seat belts.

There are very polarizing opinions about winter weather – you either love it or hate it. While ice and snow are beautiful and bring winter sports fun, they can also cause treacherous conditions for roads and sidewalks with the potential to wreak havoc on our bodies. Though many people may prefer to stay inside and wait for the outdoor activities until spring, getting some fresh winter air is important, not just physically, but mentally as well. Here are some common winter injuries to be aware of as well as some tips on how to prevent them and treatment options. 

Preventing Common Winter Injuries

Slips and falls cause the most common winter weather related injuries – fractures. In the elderly population, fractures from falls are more often seen in the hips. At the same time, younger people sustain fractures in other areas, including the extremities, shoulder, clavicle, and wrist. Head injuries can also happen from a slip on the ice and being knocked unconscious in blistering conditions can turn deadly. To help prevent slips and falls, consider the following tips: