Deer Hunting in SE PA

Opening day of shotgun season for the southeastern portion of Pennsylvania, including Chester County begins on December 1st, the Monday after Thanksgiving.  Whether you are a hunter, hiker, or horseback rider there are some things that you should keep in mind to make your outdoor experiences pleasant for all during this time.

• Educate yourself about where you spend time outdoors. Natural lands with active recreation often have deer management plans in place that include various hunting schedules. Also, there are state regulated schedules, that vary over the season.  Don't be in the right place at the wrong time. 
• Wear 'blaze' orange so that you do not surprise hunters, other hikers, horseback riders, or other recreational users of the land.  This includes your canine pals.  You are wearing orange not because a hunter will mistake you for a deer but making it so that other users of the land (hunters, hikers, horseback riders) are alerted to your presence. 
• Most properties where hunting is allowed is done so in an effort to better manage the effect of deer herds on the local region.  Over browsing of native flora and automobile accidents are primary reasons for appropriate deer management.  Please respect any property closing signs.
• If you notice irregular activity on a property that you hunt, or hike; contact the landowner or call for assistance from 911 or the SE PA Game Commission office.   
   
  Game Law/Poaching Violation in PA
  ·  Call 911 to report any incidences, they may direct you to call the PA Game Commission or they will put the call through to the PA Game Commission
  ·  Call the SE Game Commission office:  610-926-3136 to report poaching in progress
  ·  Call the Game Commission Hotline to turn in a poacher: 1-888-742-8001

 

Please visit our Hunting Rules webpage for information about hunting season at TLC's Preserves. 

2014 Master Naturalist Program

Geology Field Trip with State Geologist

This past Saturday our 2014 Master Naturalist trainees braved the wet weather and ventured out to the Bucktoe Creek Preserve to learn about stewardship and restoration projects conducted at the site for the final day in their 55-hour training class. The adventurous and enthusiastic group of eight have now completed requirement 1 of 3 in becoming a certified Pennsylvania Master Naturalist. This 55-hour training course provides foundation training in natural resources and natural history of the southeastern and coastal plains eco-region here in Chester County. The classes were held once per week at the Stroud Water Research Center, and every other Saturday at the Bucktoe Creek Preserve. The topics range from geology and watersheds to botany and wildlife studies. Each topic is led by a professional in their field, and we would like to thank everyone for volunteering their time to help our master naturalist reach their potential.

Botany Field Trip with Botanist, Janet Ebert

The next step in becoming a certified master naturalist is the required eight hours of advanced training and thirty hours of service. Service projects are implemented through a partnering organization, and must build upon topics covered during the 55-hour training program. Over the past two years, TLC has partnered with eight master naturalist and we are looking to partner with another four or five again this year. Projects have included, making of a Bucktoe Creek Preserve Arboretum Tree Brochure, installation of a native meadow (currently underway), monitoring of bat boxes at our nature preserve, and the creation of a conservation documentary called, Blank Spot, featuring local conservationist. We look forward to working with another group of naturalist with an unyielding passion for the environment.

Group shot of the 2014 PA Master Naturalist Trainees