Peter Wulfhorst Extension Educator Penn State Cooperative Extension.

Peter WulfhorstExtension EducatorPenn 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 -http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/

PA Audubon Society - http://pa.audubon.org/