Fishing season</h1> <article> <h1>Fishing season</h1> <p>jrbucky — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:15:00 GMT</p> <p> I can't believe that it's already fishing season.We can get out our rods and use them at the creeks and lakes.</p> <p> </p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sport Show - Sunday</h1> <p>Mark — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 01:57:00 GMT</p> <p>Sunday was the last day of a great week here at the show. It was a slower day but there were still people interested in the site. There were still new members joining all day and I am sure this will last for a few weeks as people go through there pamphlets from the show. Welcome to all our new members and keep on posting items and help make us a great site. Working together we will be the best.</p> <p>Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sport Show - Saturday</h1> <p>Mark — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 14:10:00 GMT</p> <p>This was a very busy day here at the show. Signed on a few members right here at the show. I saw more joined from the comfort of their home. Congrats to all our new members. Lets get the forums rolling and make this a great site.</p> <p>Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>The perfect day doesn't always start that way .</h1> <p>bduran1309 — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 00:21:00 GMT</p> <p>My perfect day started in a very unperfect way. First off I was late getting to work that morning followed by a very a lousy day of work . Which set up the circumstances that made me late getting into the woods . Have you ever walked into the woods thinking that it probably wasn't a good idea that you are even going to hunt ? I was walking in that day wandering if it was even worth making a trip into my stand . I decided to continue on to my stand . Upon arriving at my stand I got my Mossy Oak coveralls on and climbed into my stand. It was only about fifteen minutes until I heard the first sounds of hooves on the dry fall leaves . As I waited I kept wondering if anything else could go wrong today . I was snapped out of that thought by a loud crack. I looked up to see two doe approaching my stand . I said to myself things are looking up . then on The trail behind the doe appeared a six point buck . Now things were really looking up . The deer were on a trail hat would put them broadside a fifteen yards. Suddenly a white animal came running through the thick brush bordering my 20yd clearing . In one quick moment all that was looking up was going . Instantly the deer turned and ran away . I was extremely angry and was figuring the animal had been somebody's dog . I watched the white figure as it worked its way back towards me . When it stepped out of the brush in front of me I could see that it wasn't a dog , but it was a pig . I had never seen a feral hog before. Remembering that feral pigs are not protected in the state I decided that I was going to harvest this animal . I slowly drew my bow and rested my site just behind the front shoulder . when I squeezed my release I watched my arrow fly straight to the spot I was aiming at. My arrow past completely through the animal . The animal fell instantly then stumbled back to his feet took two steps and fell again and remained there . As I admired my trophy I remember thinking what a perfect shot to end a perfect day . </p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sport Show - Friday</h1> <p>Mark — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 13:53:00 GMT</p> <p>We had a great crowd here today. Talked to more outdoors poeple and I see we have more members join. Looking forward to another great day Saturday.</p> <p> </p> <p>Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sport Show - Thursday</h1> <p>Mark — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 14:36:00 GMT</p> <p>Talked to more visitors at the show about MSD. They seemed interested and I am looking forward to seeing them online. I saw more joined MSD yesterday and quite a few nice pics put up also. Keep listing articles and posting pics.</p> <p> Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sport Show - Wednesday</h1> <p>Mark — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:36:00 GMT</p> <p>Wednesday was another great day for meeting new outdoors people and talking to them about MSD. I saw more joined MSD yesterday as well</p> <p>Met some great people from River Valley Game Calls. Steve, Doc, Mike, Denton, Ron to name a few. Check out their calls online.</p> <p> </p> <p>Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sport Show - Tuesday</h1> <p>Mark — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:56:00 GMT</p> <p>This was another great day of meeting new outdoors people and talking with them. It was also the longest day but we made it through. The word is getting out about MSD and we are excited. Hope to see you at the show.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sport Show - Monday</h1> <p>Mark — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:12:00 GMT</p> <p>MSD had another great day at the show. New members are signing up daily and its all looking great. </p> <p>Don't wait, join up today.</p> <p>Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sports Show - Sunday</h1> <p>Mark — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:16:00 GMT</p> <p>Sunday was a very exciting day. We had a lot more people interested in our site. We handed out our pamphlets and had a great response. Looking forward to seeing all those that were interested sign up.</p> <p> </p> <p>Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>Eastern Sports Show - Saturday</h1> <p>Mark — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 14:12:00 GMT</p> <p>It's exciting to be able to join all our outdoor friends here at the show. We have met some vendors as well as visitors. </p> <p>There was a large crowd with a few interested in the site. For the first day it was a learning experience as to how to promote our site. Looking forward to the rest of the week.</p> <p> Mark</p> </article> <article> <h1>Testing</h1> <p>Fletchman — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:38:00 GMT</p> <p>Ok. So, I am just testing this to make sure I have everything working.</p> <p></p> </article> <article> <h1>A Wind of Change</h1> <p>aengleman79 — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:02:00 GMT</p> <p> </p> <p>The northeast wind blew strong into my face. I thought to myself, "There's no way deer are going to move in this wind." Shortly after light a small doe fawn made her way up the thicket behind me. It wasn't long until she winded me and was gone. I felt a little disappointed, but she's too young to be in estrous now and there would be no buck following her trail.</p> <p> I spend a lot of time as of late thinking about my future and the future of my family. I've always taken life as it comes, rolling with the punches. My wife is away this weekend and my daughter Ava spent the night at my in-laws so that I could wake early and go hunting. They would be spending the day outside at a soccer tournament. Ava has been battling a cold the past few days. I thought about her and my responsibility as her father. Was leaving her there overnight the right thing to do? Should I have sucked it up and not hunted this morning? My wife will be home this afternoon with plenty of time for me to hunt this evening.</p> <p> As each gust of wind sways the tree my thoughts return to my little girl and her little snotty, running nose. I can hear her lying in her crib at night breathing heavily through the monitor. It can't be good for her to be out in this. I resolve that I must lower my gear, return to the truck and retrieve my daughter. After all what greater reward is there in life than fatherhood? Would any man look back at the end of his life and say," I wish that I had spent less time with my family and more time hunting"? I've concluded that I could never be proud of a trophy if my absence from the ones I love the most leaves them hung out to dry in a cold, stiff wind.</p> </article> <article> <h1>Target shooting</h1> <p>mike — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 18:53:00 GMT</p> <p>Does anyone happen to know that if you live in a shotgun hunting area, if you can sight in a rifle. I have a safe location on my property to do this, but one neighbor complained last year, and I just want to check if anyone know if that is allowed. Thanks</p> </article> <article> <h1>EHD in PA deer herd</h1> <p>Mark — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 21:42:00 GMT</p> <font size="2"> <p>Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) Updates</p> <p>Background</p> <p>*</p> <p>Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) is the most common infectious disease of white-tailed deer in the Eastern United States. It is not transferable to humans.</p> <p>*</p> <p>EHD is caused by a virus. Only rarely does it cause illness in other animals. The virus is spread from animal to animal by biting midges that live in or near water and wet, muddy areas. These midges transmit the virus as they feed.</p> <p>*</p> <p>Outbreaks of EHD typically strike in late summer or early fall. An EHD outbreak is more likely if the weather has been unusually warm and dry leading to concentrations of deer at whatever water is available, which is where the virus-carrying midges live. Fortunately, drought alone does not mean a possible EHD outbreak in Pennsylvania. Similarly, practices like supplemental feeding and placement of mineral blocks can concentrate deer leading to increased exposure to infected midges.</p> <p>*</p> <p>Deer in the early stages of EHD may appear lethargic, disoriented, lame, or unresponsive to humans and other stimulus. As the disease progresses the deer may drool, have bloody discharge from the nose, sores on the mouth, and swollen, blue tongues. They may become thin because they stop eating. Sometimes they stop drinking, although many die close to or in water likely because they are attracted to it as a result having a high fever.</p> <p>*</p> <p>Even though EHD is not transmissible to humans, secondary infections may take advantage of the weakened condition of the animal making it unfit for human consumption. The Game Commission always recommends hunters avoid shooting or consuming deer that appear ill.</p> <p>*</p> <p>The outbreak is usually cut short by the first hard frost, which will kill the disease-carrying midges. Since the incubation period for the disease is five to seven days, affected deer may be observed for a couple of weeks after frost. Wetter weather may also help to reduce the effect of the outbreak by spreading the deer out and away from midge-infested areas.</p> <p>*</p> <p>In recent times, outbreaks among white-tailed deer have occurred in Pennsylvania in 1996 (not actually confirmed), 2002, and now in 2007. The more frequently a deer is exposed to the virus the more likely it is to develop immunity allowing it to recover. For this reason, EHD outbreaks in southern states, which occur more frequently than in more northern states like Pennsylvania, typically have lower mortality rates than are seen when the disease comes to the Commonwealth.</p> <p>*</p> <p>Rapid decomposition, lush summer vegetation, and other factors make actual counts of affected deer impractical. However, even after the most severe outbreaks deer numbers rebound quickly.</p> <p>*</p> <p>Other hoofed wildlife, such as elk, could be infected with the disease, but are usually not stricken in large numbers like white-tailed deer. However, farmed deer are every bit as susceptible as wild cervids; deer imported from areas where the virus is present can potentially serve as viral reservoirs, thus putting nearby wild deer at risk.</p> <p>*</p> <p>EHD has a very close relative known as the Bluetongue virus. Bluetongue is not thought to cause illness in wild deer, but does affect traditional domestic animals, like cattle, sheep and goats. While it is quite rare for EHD to cause illness in livestock, it has been reported in areas where there are outbreaks of EHD in wild deer.</p> <p>Release #128-07</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>GAME COMMISSION ANNOUNCES EHD CONFIRMED IN ALLEGHENY AND WESTMORELAND COUNTIES</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>HARRISBURG - Dr. Walter Cottrell, Pennsylvania Game Commission wildlife veterinarian, today announced that test results of dead deer from the southwestern part of the state have confirmed that epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) has been found in Allegheny and Westmoreland counties.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Results released today involved an adult female deer that was found dead in Jefferson Hills Township, Allegheny County, and an adult female deer that was found dead in St. Clair Township, Westmoreland County. Other counties in which EHD has been confirmed are Beaver, Greene and Washington counties.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>As a reminder, Dr. Cottrell and other agency personnel from the Southwest Region are holding an informational meeting at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 28, at the Waynesburg Fairgrounds Auction Building, Greene County, to provide the public with an update on the current outbreak of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in the southwestern part of the state.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p>Additionally, to provide the public with more information about EHD, the agency has posted an EHD fact sheet <</font><a href="http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=465&q=172441"><u><font color="#0000ff" size="2">http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=465&q=172441</u></font></a><font size="2">> on its website (</font><a href="http://mysportsmansden.community.acrosonic.com/controlpanel/blogs/www.pgc.state.pa.us"><u><font color="#0000ff" size="2">www.pgc.state.pa.us</u></font></a><font size="2"> <</font><a href="http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/"><u><font color="#0000ff" size="2">http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/</u></font></a><font size="2">> ). The website also chronicles the agency's news releases issued about this outbreak since Aug. 27.</font></font><font size="2"> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>EHD is a common but sporadic disease in white-tailed deer populations of the United States, and is contracted by the bite of insects called "biting midges." In more northern states, such as Pennsylvania, EHD occurs less often and the deer are less able to mount an effective immune response. The virus usually kills the naïve animal within five to 10 days. It is not spread from deer to deer by contact. While EHD is not infectious to humans, deer displaying severe symptoms of EHD are usually not suitable for consumption because of the rapid deterioration of the meat and secondary bacterial infection.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>"This outbreak of EHD is more significant than the one in 2002 and has impacted more deer in a larger area," Dr. Cottrell said. "The fact that we are finding EHD earlier this year means that it will take longer before the first good frost, which is what is needed to kill the insects responsible for spreading the virus.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>"Reports of dead or dying deer are important to us. Though an actual body count of afflicted deer is almost impossible to obtain, because of the rapid decomposition and the area where the outbreak is occurring is large, we still value these reports. Also, tissue samples must be extracted within 24 hours of death to be suitable for conducting tests. That is why it is so important that we hear from residents as soon as possible after they find a suspect deer."</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Dr. Cottrell reminded hunters that EHD cannot be contracted by humans and it is rare for this virus to cause clinical signs in traditional livestock, such as cattle, sheep or goats. However, as has been the case occasionally in the past, there is evidence of an EHD outbreak in domestic cattle, both dairy and beef, in southwestern Ohio, while sheep on one of the two farms affected do not seem to be ill. However, farmed deer and elk are susceptible. Anyone who suspects EHD in their livestock should contact their private veterinary practitioner.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>"While there is no evidence that humans are at risk from EHD, other diseases may be transmitted by careless hygiene when processing deer. As a routine precaution, all hunters are encouraged to wear rubber or latex gloves when handling or field-dressing any animal, and wash their hands and tools thoroughly after field dressing," Dr. Cottrell said. "As with any wild game, meat should always be thoroughly cooked."</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>Dr. Cottrell stressed that even though some EHD symptoms are similar to those of chronic wasting disease (CWD) - such as excessive drooling, weakness and a loss of fear of humans - there is no relationship between EHD and CWD..</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>"However, because these diseases coexist, as many of the deer as possible that are submitted for EHD testing also are being tested for CWD," Dr. Cottrell said. "It also is worth noting that like CWD, EHD is one of those diseases whose mortality rate can be amplified by anything that serves to congregate deer, such as supplemental feeding, and placement of salt or mineral blocks. While the disease is not spread through deer to deer contact, congregating animals through feeding does make transmission easier by allowing midges that carry the virus greater access to a larger number of animals in a more confined area. Therefore, such feeding activities should be discontinued immediately.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>"The good news from this situation is that the public is reporting these sightings to the Game Commission. Should the state's deer herd be infected with other serious diseases, the Game Commission will need to rely on the continued vigilance of the public so that we can respond in a timely manner."</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>EHD was first confirmed in Pennsylvania in 2002, when an outbreak caused the death of 70 deer in Greene and Washington counties. That same year, EHD was confirmed in Maryland, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>In 1996, EHD was suspected to be the cause of death in nearly 25 deer in Adams County, but test results in that case were inconclusive.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p>This year, numerous other states also are finding EHD-related mortality, including: Alabama; Georgia; Tennessee; Kentucky; Indiana; South Carolina; North Carolina; Virginia; Ohio; and West Virginia.</p> <p> </p> <p> </p></font> </article> <article> <h1>Hunting with dad.</h1> <p>jengles — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 00:49:00 GMT</p> <p>I enjoy hunting with my dad very much. My dad has taught me a lot about hunting and has given me the chance to take deer in some very great areas. My dad is numbe one when it comes to teaching me about hunting. I appreciate my dad very much.</p> <p> </p> <p>Thanks dad,</p> <p>Jake</p> </article> <article> <h1>First day of archery.</h1> <p>admin — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 23:43:00 GMT</p> <p>Today is Tuesday the 25th of September. Three more long days until the opening day of Pennsylvania's archery season. </p> <p>I am getting more excited with each day that passes. My clothes are washed and hanging outside on the cloth line. My gear is ready and bow tuned to make a clean kill. The bucks we were watching this summer have lost their velvet and antlers are being polished. All I need now is a little more patience to make to opening day.</p> <p> Anyone else feel like me? Please write.</p> <p> Mark</p> </article> </main></body></html>