GOOSE BLIND DEADLINES FOR CONTROLLED HUNTING AREAS
Application deadlines are fast approaching for waterfowl hunters interested in being selected for the limited number of goose blinds at the controlled hunting areas at the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Pymatuning or Middle Creek wildlife management areas during the regular Canada goose season. A goose blind application must be submitted on the form that is found on page 28 of the 2010-11 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations.
Hunters may apply to only one area per year and may submit only one application, which must include the individual’s 2010-11 nine-digit Customer Identification (CID) Number.
The Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area will accept applications through the mail until Sept. 7, at: PGC Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, P.O. Box 110, Kleinfeltersville, PA 17039-0110. A public drawing will be held at 10 a.m., Sept. 8.
Applications for the Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area will be accepted through the mail until Sept. 11, at: PGC Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area, 9552 Hartstown Rd., Hartstown, PA 16131. A public drawing will be held at 10 a.m., Sept. 18.
Blinds at Middle Creek and Pymatuning will not be operational during the September season. Shooting days at Middle Creek during the regular season are Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Shooting days at Pymatuning are Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
A separate drawing is held for blinds that accommodate hunters with disabilities. Applicants must submit a current copy of their Disabled Person Permit (to hunt from a vehicle) issued by the Game Commission.
Also, this agency again will hold a special youth-only waterfowl hunting day at the controlled hunting blinds at both Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area and Pymatuning Wildlife Management Area. The youth day for Middle Creek will be Nov. 20, and for Pymatuning it will be Nov. 27. A special drawing of applications submitted by junior license holders will be held immediately before the regular drawing for goose blinds. Interested youth should use the same application on page 28 of the 2010-11 Digest. Only one application will be accepted per junior hunter.
Successful applicants will be mailed a hunting reservation entitling them to be accompanied by up to three guests. On hunting days, hunters also may apply, in person, for a chance at any blinds unclaimed by a reservation holder.
Persons who have previously hunted a controlled goose hunting area at the Game Commission’s Pymatuning or Middle Creek wildlife management areas may apply for unclaimed blinds on the morning of the designated shooting day, but only when there exists an absence of applications for the unclaimed blinds from persons who have not previously hunted a controlled goose hunting area.
