PA considers deer-feeding ban

HARRISBURG, PA — A committee of the Pennsylvania Game Commission recommends that the commission extend the current regulations prohibiting feeding of bear and elk to include deer and turkey.

There was little support from the committee members to ban the feeding of all wildlife, primarily because of the wide use of bird feeders. Expanding the feeding ban to include all big game would address some of the concerns related to wildlife feeding, while allowing for limited feeding of birds.
Pennsylvania’s wildlife resources face a variety of threats, according to the commission. These threats are often related to both natural and human-caused factors. As the state agency responsible for managing Pennsylvania’s wildlife, the game commission says it must mitigate these threats whenever possible.

Diseases including chronic wasting disease, mange and tuberculosis have the potential to significantly affect wildlife populations. Though these diseases do spread naturally, their spread is significantly increased when wildlife is unnaturally concentrated. When people feed wildlife, they escalate this concentration.

In winter, deer normally move less and rest more as an adaptation for conserving energy and safeguarding their fat reserves.

Boy rescued from Jensen Ledges

TOWN OF HANCOCK, NY — On August 24 at 3:26 p.m., the New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) received a request from Delaware County 911 for forest ranger assistance with a high-angle, technical rope rescue at Jensen Ledges. A 10-year-old boy from New York City reportedly fell two tiers from the top of the falls while on a hike with his mother and a family friend.
The Hancock Fire Department established a high-angle rescue system to access the child. After rescuers reached the boy, he was provided care. Forest Ranger Jason Seeley assisted the Hancock Fire Department with raising the boy to the top of the ledges.

The child was then transitioned to a utility task vehicle for transport to the trailhead approximately half a mile away at Bouchouxville Road. At the trailhead, the boy was transported by Hancock Ambulance service to a landing zone established by Equinunk Fire Department from Pennsylvania. The boy was flown by LifeNet to a hospital in the Syracuse area for treatment. All resources were clear of the scene and back in service by 7:50 p.m.

Delgado recognized as active new Congress member

KINGSTON, NY — In a report released last week by Quorum Analytics, Rep. Antonio Delgado (NY-19) was recognized as one of the most active new members in the 116th Congress thus far. This report looks at the work of members of Congress to introduce legislation and pass legislation through the House and Senate, as well as the work of members to keep their constituents informed through social media.

Delgado introduced 11 bills between January and July. To date, the congressman has introduced and co-led 16 bills. The report also recognized Delgado for being one of just six House freshman from either party to have legislation pass in both the House and Senate. Since the report’s release, Delgado’s bill, the Family Farmer Relief Act, was signed into law by President Donald Trump.

“My role as representative is to listen to the concerns of folks in Upstate [NY] and turn these concerns into legislative solutions, which is why I’ve held 23 town halls across the district, opened five district offices and established four in-district advisory committees,” Delgado said in a statement. “I came to Congress to be part of the solution and work with partners on both sides of the aisle to achieve results for NY-19. Our work is just beginning. I will continue to ensure the ideas I hear from small business owners, veterans, farmers and others inform my work in Congress.”

Zane Grey Museum to temporarily close

LACKAWAXEN, PA — The Zane Grey Museum will be shutting down early this season for what officials there say is a much-needed facelift. The museum will remain open through Sunday, September 8 and then will close its doors through the fall season. The Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River has received funding to repaint the exterior of the building and to replace deteriorating woodwork. The work will bring the building back to its original glory, when famed Western writer Zane Grey called this place home from 1912 to 1918.

Simultaneously, the original wood floors will be refurbished. In order to accomplish this work, all the exhibits, as well as the sales outlet, will be temporarily removed from the building. The work should take approximately two months to complete. The museum will reopen in January.