Deer and deer management received most of the attention at the recent Pennsylvania Game Commission meeting in Harrisburg. But sprinkled among the deer debate were discussions of other wildlife species, their status, yield in recent hunting and trapping seasons, and biologists' plans for future research and management.

The following is a rundown of how some wild species, other than deer, are faring in the state.

Elk

Thirty-four of 40 elk hunters tagged an elk in the 2004 hunt. All 12 hunters with bull permits were successful and 22 of 28 with cow tags downed an elk.

Most of the elk taken by hunters were three-and-a-half years old. All elk were taken to check stations where tissue samples were extracted for chronic wasting disease testing and for tuberculosis and brucellosis. The heaviest bull taken weighed 806 pounds (estimated live weight) and the heaviest cow 606 pounds.

Biologists last year discontinued the aerial survey of the elk herd because of safety concerns and high costs. A new ground survey method to be used this year is expected to produce equally valid results at lower cost and with less risk. The elk herd is estimated at approximately 500 animals.

Biologists recommended closing elk hunting in the far western portion of the elk range to allow more range expansion and a growth in numbers in that zone.

Turkey

Turkey biologist Mary Jo Casalena said that the statewide index of wild turkey numbers, as observed by wildlife conservation officers in their travels (15.4 turkeys/1,000 km), was slightly greater than in 2003 (11.9 turkeys seen/1,000 km) but less than in 2002 (19.3 turkeys seen/1,000 km).

Casalena suggested that sightings had increased because of better weather conditions during the nesting and brooding periods last spring, as compared to 2003. The Pennsylvania statewide population of turkeys peaked in 2001, and the spring 2004 population was estimated at 17 percent below 2001 levels.

A revised wild turkey management plan will be presented for public review early in 2005.

	Pennsylvania's black bear resource remains strong and continues to expand its range. Click photo for larger image.

Black bear

Game commission bear biologist Mark Ternent said that Pennsylvania's black bear resource remains strong and continues to expand its range. The number of ear-tagged bears killed last season indicates that hunters took about 18 percent of the statewide population, down slightly from recent years when tag returns indicated a 20 percent harvest.

During 2004, 420 bear mortalities were documented outside the legal hunting season; 342 from vehicle collisions; 26 killed in nuisance or damage situations; and 11 killed illegally. Another 41 bears died from unknown causes.

Biologists captured, tagged and released 576 bears from 47 counties in 2004. Among those, 312 were relocated because of nuisance problems. The average relocation distance was 24 miles.

Bobcat

As of Jan. 7, 2004, hunters and trappers had taken 123 bobcats from 24 counties in the legal harvest areas of the state. That number includes four bobcats taken from areas newly opened to bobcat hunting and trapping in Wildlife Management Unit 2C in southwestern Pennsylvania, including one cat from Bedford County, one from Westmoreland and three from Fayette County.

Furbearer biologist Matt Lovallo said that about 30 percent of Pennsylvania hunters and trappers holding bobcat permits harvest a cat. He added that Pennsylvania's success rate is one of the highest among states that restrict the number of permitted bobcat hunters and trappers.

Ruffed Grouse

Biologists are currently analyzing grouse flushing data supplied by approximately 700 cooperating hunters after the 2004 seasons. Fall flushes of grouse at the experimental grouse habitat management area on State Game Land 176 in Centre County indicated that grouse numbers there were up slightly from 2003.

Woodcock

A U. S. Fish and Wildlife spring population index showed 2004 woodcock numbers slightly higher than in 2003.

Waterfowl

The 2005 Atlantic Flyway Migratory Waterfowl Survey was conducted Jan. 5-10 using aerial surveys and ground counts. Results are being compiled but mild weather and abundant rainfall during the period made much additional habitat available to birds and may have suppressed the numbers counted by observers.

Non-Game Wildlife

Biologists documented three new nest sites for northern flying squirrels, a species of special concern. Telemetry studies of collared northern flying squirrels began in October and will continue through this spring.