A few random notes from around the outdoors…
* For years, state Rep. Martin Causer of Potter County has been trying to generate more tax money for the kind of rural communities he represents. He’s still at it, having recently introduced House Bills 343 and 344.
A couple of the state’s natural resource agencies say his ideas will hurt outdoorsmen, though.
House Bill 343 would take 20 percent of the revenue generated from timber, gas and oil sales on state park and forest land and distribute it to counties, townships and school districts, with their share based on the number of acres of state land within their boundaries.
Timber, gas and oil revenues amount to about $173 million annually, said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources spokesman Terry Brady. Having to give up 20 percent of that would lead to “severe” cutbacks in services and staff, he said.
House Bill 344 would triple the amount of money the Pennsylvania Game Commission pays for each acre of game lands in in-lieu-of-taxes. The commission pays $1.20 per acre now, or about $1.8 million annually, said spokesman Travis Lau.
Under Causer’s bill, that payment would go to $3.60 per acre, or $5.4 million a year.
“Major cuts or elimination of programs would be inevitable, and programs such as pheasant stockings, habitat-improvement projects, and land acquisition could be affected,” Lau warned.
Both bills have been referred to committee for debate.
* Who knew?
Hunting, it turns out, may be good for you in more ways than expected. Researchers from the University of California-Santa Barbara have been studying hunters, examining their saliva to see what’s in it.
Some early findings suggest that hunters returning from a day afield often experience a rise in oxytocin. Sometimes called the “love hormone,” oxytocin doesn’t boost sexual drive, but it does increase sociability, reduce stress and pain, heal wounds and increase good moods.
The study was recently published in the Royal Society’s Biology Letters.
* If you go looking for turkeys this spring, keep your eyes on gas pipelines.
Ronda Bimber, a wildlife conservation officer in Venango County, said she’s noticed quite a few birds on pipelines this year. That was especially true a few weeks ago, when underground temperatures in those places were warm enough to melt the snow.
The snow will be gone before gobbler season, of course, but pipelines are also some of the first places to “green up” and attract bugs.
* Every hunter’s heard the same advice: if attacked by a bear, curl up on the ground and cover your head and neck.
It’s good advice, but does nothing to protect your back.
That’s where the Bear Attack Pack comes in. Developed by a former Marine and stuntman, it attaches to a backpack and sends out a blast of pepper spray when you pull a ripcord.
You can see a video of it by clicking here.
* Finally, some thoughts on organized coyote hunts, and how, while not for everyone, they serve a purpose. Check it out here.
