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Click for info and to print application
4th. Annual
USP Coyote Hunt
Details and Application

Another Disappointing Deer Season? Click here

 


Lime Aid
Old farming method proves fruitful in state forests.
Read more

Penn State Expert Blames Forest Problem On Acid Rain, Not Deer Read more

Appalachian Forests Dying From Acid Rain Read more

The Hubbard Brook Ecosystem Study - Acid Rain Revisited
Read more

Linking Mercury Science with Public Policy
Read more

 


Timber...

We have all heard the complaining from the timber industry regarding the alleged adverse affects that deer have on the forests, and on the timber industry. It has not been acid rain, poor harvest management, or other causes. It culprit has always been the deer. The DCNR has certainly been a cheerleader for this industry group. This was always a bit difficult to accept as a single cause of mediocre forests in PA. Now, after reading a new brochure from the PA Dept of Agriculture entitled "Pennsylvania Hardwoods for the World" I suggest that the claims against the deer herd should be discarded.

Here's a few excerpts from the brocure:

* PA leads the USA in hardwood lumber production.
* PA is known as the Black Cherry Capital of the World.
* PA is the #1 state in hardwood lumber exports.
* PA hardwoods are known throughout the world for their quality, sustainability, and beauty.
* The statewide timber volume growth continues to grow, increasing 20% in the last decade.
* The state-managed forest (2.1 million acres) is the largest single-holding of FSC certified hardwood forest in the US.

Unless the brochure was prepared with bogus input. The readers are led to believe that PA forests are healthy and productive.

Bill Miller, USP Director

For additional information, the most likely contact seems to be:

Keith A Craig, Executive Director, PA Hardwoods Development Council
kecraig@state.pa.us or, visit www.hardwoods.state.pa.us

 


THE PURCHASE OF DOE PERMITS
Protect the doe, only buy one or none at all.
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania

 


Unhappy with deer management plan in Pennsylvania ? Click here

 


Unified Sportsmen of PA Legal Defense Fund

Financial donations in support of the lawsuit will be greatfully accepted.
Please make check payable to:

Unified Sportsmen of PA Legal Defense Fund
C/O John Johnson
7928 Cassel Avenue Harrisburg PA 17112

Click here to print legal defense fund donation form.

 


Watch the Morris Seminar online with Jim Slinsky discussing deer management, state forestry practices and the "PA Wilds" program.

 


Link to us

Advertise in PWW

USP, PA's #1 Sportsman's Group

Pennsylvania Woods and Waters

      The Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania distributes a quarterly publication to all members in good standing; individual, club, camp, business, etc.

      PW&W includes articles on hot legislative sportsmen topics, what's new on the sporting scene, land use issues, interesting hunting and fishing stories, letters to the editor, classified ads, field notes, animal rights issues, anti issues, official USP opinions, list of USP officers, meeting times and places, membership applications, descriptions and ordering forms for USP promotional items, hunting trips advertisement, anything new and exciting in the Pennsylvania outdoor world can be found in PW&W.

Get all of the "Pennsylvania Woods & Waters" news and articles. We do not publish everything online, join today and stay informed, Join Now. Below are some of the news and articles in "Pennsylvania Woods & Waters".

Advertise in Pensylvania Woods & Waters

 

Click here to read
Full Pennsylvania Woods & Water Articles



Below are some of the articles from the lastest edition of Pensylvania Woods & Waters

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE

Summertime does seem to be a rather slow time for the hunters of Pennsylvania as well as for the USP. It seems to be a time for kickin' back and thinking about the past good times and planning for the upcoming seasons. As fall and winter approach, activities afield, and issues afield, both seem to get back into motion. But, by no means does "slow" mean stopped. Read more

 

 


They deserve a chance to live...don't they?

Steve Mohr, President USP

Another fawning season has come and gone for the whitetail deer of Pennsylvania. For most of us, hunters and non-hunters alike, just seeing all of the newborn wildlife gives us a refreshing feeling. Read more

 


Marcellus Canaries Are Alive and Thriving

By Dr. Dennis Wydra

I grew up in the Mount Carmel area in the heart of the Anthracite Coal Region and I always remember my grandfather raising canaries in his home. I always enjoyed hearing these birds sing, but I noticed he was always giving them away and raising new ones. Read more

 


August 18, 2009

Re: Unified Sportsmen of PA versus PA Game Commission

Att: Attorney General Tom Corbett:

Dear Tom, Read more

 


Send Your Picture for the W&W Photo Contest!

Is that really how and where your copy of "Pennsylvania Woods & Waters" is read? Read more

 


Down The Trail

John Johnson

This column is aptly titled, as that's what I often do - go down the trail. Not literally, but I often go down the trail in my mind. Read more

 


FISHING & BOATING

The fishing and boating seasons are both in high gear. Trout fishing is winding down for most anglers, and our thoughts are now on bass, walleye, and the big guys... pike and muskies. Read more

 


USP News
The section below is outdoor news not found in our Woods and Waters publication.

Cross Fork Raffle Winners

Prize 1 - Tawney Jablonski
 
Prize 2 - William Miller   Philadelphia PA
 
Prize 3 - Dave Klinedinst    York PA
 
Prize 4 - Edward Moorhead   Hummelstown PA
 
Prize 5 - Ed Caudill
 
Prize 6 - Frank Hauss   New Albany PA
 
Prize 7 - Chad Horst
 
Prize 8 - Donald Green Jr   Newark DE
 
Prize 9 - Jeff Dengler   Koppel PA
 
Prize 10 - John Debeneditto

 


For almost two years now the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania has been engaged in a lawsuit against the Pa Game Commission. The main objective of the lawsuit is to obtain better deer management. The lawsuit is being heard in Commonwealth Court by a three-judge panel. The Unified Sportsmen's legal defense committee and its lawyer have been working with persistence and determination to achieve what Keystone Sportsmen want the most, namely a deer management system that meets the expectations of hunting license buyers of all ages. Of course, protecting and restoring our hunting heritage is what it's all about except the emphasis of the lawsuit is on deer management.

With the support of sportsmen from far and wide, an approving membership, a capable lawyer and an Honorable Court, the lawsuit may soon earn sportsmen distinction as it prevails against what once appeared to be insurmountable odds.

Knowing right from wrong and injecting honest, sincere and logical arguments based on hard data is proving advantageous toward winning the lawsuit. More hard work needs to follow as well as financial support from well-meaning people.

Within the past month or so, the Pa Game Commission attempted to throw its' weight around in a familiar, but yet legal fashion by requesting that the Court Compel the USP to provide a list of the names of all USP members, plus tell the Court how many deer there are in each Wildlife Management Unit....if the USP did not comply, then severe sanctions should be imposed by the Court on the USP....thus end of case! Not so fast was the reaction of the Honorable Court and the proposal to Compel was denied. The case will go forward in the heat of legal maneuvering and eventually reach a conclusion.

The Unified Sportsmen is in this battle to win on behalf of better deer management for sportsmen/women of all ages. Our goal is to do so in an honorable manner based on reliable data and not presumptions. All sportsmen are encouraged to join this noble effort in one way or another by supporting our legal activity required to get the job done and convince the Court to grant injunctive relief to the many sportsmen and their families who have seen deer hunting slide too far down hill. To help this effort of Sportsmen helping Sportsmen please send a donation to the USP Legal Defense Fund, Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania, 260 Orchard View Drive, Leola, Pa. 17540. Thank you.

N. Charles Bolgiano, PhD
Legal Defense Committee, USP

 


Pennsylvania Game Commission Objections Overruled

June 16, 2008

The Commonwealth Court overruled the PGC's preliminary objections to the Unified Sportsmen of PA's lawsuit alleging abuse of discretion in managing the state's deer herd. The PGC is now required to prepare a legal defense of their deer management program. In their responding press release, the PGC stated they look to moving forward and resolving this issue once and for all. However, they erroneously stated that it is unfortunate that valuable license dollar revenue will be wasted defending against this lawsuit. It has been long-established that the Attorney General's office provides all legal services in lawsuits against the PGC. Furthermore, any supporting documentation of the current deer management plan should be at their fingertips as this program is ongoing. There is practically no cost to the PGC in this matter. It is only appropriate that the PGC defend their actions for the last eight years.
The Unified Sportsmen of PA also looks forward to a speedy, but successful trial for sportsmen, our deer resource and all those who are effected by deer management in PA.

Court Ruling: www.courts.state.pa.us/OpPosting/CWealth/out/427MD07_6-16-08.pdf

Stephen Mohr
President
Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania

Unified Sportsmen of PA Legal Defense Fund

Financial donations in support of the lawsuit will be greatfully accepted.
Please make check payable to:

Unified Sportsmen of PA Legal Defense Fund
C/O John Johnson
7928 Cassel Avenue Harrisburg PA 17112

Click here to print legal defense fund donation form.

 


Team 4: Where Not To Hunt

WTAE-TV 4
November 20, 2008

PITTSBURGH -- Team 4 has analyzed four years worth of citations issued by the Pennsylvania Game Commission and has found the places where game wardens are most likely to issue hunters a ticket. Plenty of hunters head to Clarion County, but those familiar with the area urge caution. More

Where Not To Hunt - VIDEO

 


 

USP Hunting License Increase Proposal

Dear Senators and Representatives,

Our level of concerns with the policies and direction of the PA Game Commission (PGC) have no parallel in the 100 + year old history of the PGC, yet we are willing and dedicated to defend it's independency and help solve it's financial difficulties. We recognize that to do this rests on the decisions that will come forth from the Pennsylvania General Assembly. We hope and pray that your final decisions will respect the needs of the one-million sportsmen of the Commonwealth in a careful and non-political process of deliberation. To contest the values of hunting shared by the sporting community for decades would be neglectful, yet to defend them would be deeply appreciated. Read Proposal

 


Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania
Expectations of a Scientific Deer Management Plan

1.) We expect a credible deer census to accurately determine how many deer actually exist in Pennsylvania.

2.) We expect to know how many deer can be killed each year based upon the biological carrying capacity for each WMU, without jeopardizing the social benefit of the deer herd for the citizens who live and hunt there.

3.) We expect to know how many deer are killed each year by implementing mandatory reporting systems.

4.) We expect pH studies of the soil to determine if desired plant species can even grow, before condemning deer for the condition of our forests.

 


The Game Commission and Wildlife Ownership

Before America was settled by Europeans, Indians relied on nature to provide food. What little food they learned to raise themselves was insufficient and so the abundance of nature's wild game- fish, turkey, deer and bison comprised their main diet. Without these natural and renewable resources the Indians would not have survived. Read Article

 


Lehigh River Stocking Association - River Water Quality Probe Online

 

Go to LRSA website: www.lrsa.org

 


Unhappy with Derr Management

Register to Vote

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