Peter Wulfhorst Extension Educator Penn State Cooperative Extension

 Started in 1903  Responsible for managing all of PA’s wild birds & mammals  Manage wildlife in PA  monitor wildlife populations  establish laws & regulations  set seasons and bag limits  habitat protection  no seasons on species  public education

 Game land regulations  Fluorescent Orange requirements  Youth hunting opportunities

 Big Game – White-tailed Deer, Black Bear, Elk  Small Game – Turkey, Ruffed Grouse, Squirrel  Waterfowl – Ducks & Geese  Furbearer – Beaver, Fox, Coyote

 Predator – Prey Relationship  Endangered Species – In danger of becoming extinct  Extinct Species– No longer found on earth  Extirpated – Gone from PA, but still found in other areas of their range  Reasons for Endangered Species – Habitat loss, Pollution, Introduced Species

 What species are prone to become endangered?  Specialists  Low reproduction rates  Prized by people  Naturally rare

 Precocial – born with eyesight & fully furred or feathered  Altricial – born blind & naked  Crepuscular – active at dawn & dusk  Nocturnal – active at night  Diurnal – active during day  Carnivore – eats meat  Herbivore – eats plants  Omnivore – eats both meat & plants

 Carrying Capacity - # of animals of 1 or more species a habitat can support at a given time  Habitat needs – food, water, shelter, space  Biodiversity – Species, genetics and natural communities or ecosystem  Fragmentation and destruction of habitat  Disturbance of wildlife during breeding seasons  Use of pesticides and other chemicals

 Incisors  Canines  Pre-molars  Molars  Diastema

 Chronic Wasting Disease – neurological (brain and nervous system) disease found in deer & elk. CWS has not been found in PA.  White-nosed Syndrome – White fungus found on noses of affected bats. Bats are flying outside during the day in winter and using up fat reserves needed to survive hibernation.

 Black Bear  Common Nighthawk & Whip-poor-will  Mourning Dove  Elk  Opossum  Diving Ducks  Eastern Coyote  Minks & Muskrats  Thrushes  Chickadees, Nuthatches, Titmouse & Brown Creeper

 Beaver  Hawks  Foxes  River Otter  Wild Turkey  Bobcat  Finches & House Sparrow  Owls  White-tailed Deer  Puddle Ducks

 PA Game Commission -  PA Audubon Society -