The wildlife management unit that includes Erie County picked up 2,000 additional antlerless allocations than it had a year ago, but the Allegheny National Forest region will have 7,000 fewer allocated permits this coming deer season.

Those were among the actions the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners took Tuesday during their meeting in Harrisburg, which also included setting all 2012-13 hunting seasons and bag limits except waterfowl.

Other important actions: Fall turkey hunting with a rifle will be allowed in Units 1B and 1A; fall archery season was extended one day; and a spring turkey youth mentored hunt was established.

WMU 1B, which includes Erie County, most of Crawford County and parts of Warren and Venango counties, will receive 33,000 antlerless permits, or 3,000 more than in 2011. WMU 1A will again receive 42,000, and 2D will get 62,000, or 2,000 more than a year ago. WMU 2F, the Allegheny National Forest region, was issued 27,000, or 7,000 fewer than in 2011.

The statewide concurrent antlered/antlerless season is scheduled for Nov. 26-Dec. 8. The archery deer season that starts Sept. 29 will end Nov. 12 — one day later than usual, since Nov. 12 is Veterans Day.

The board removed WMU 1A from a group of urbanized units that were approved for expanded bear hunting opportunities during all deer seasons from September through early December and during statewide bear seasons. WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D were approved.

Fall turkey hunters will be able to use rifles in WMUs 1A, 1B and 2A, which had been limited to shotguns, crossbows or bows. The use of rifles in Allegheny County, a Special Regulations Area county, remain prohibited. However, turkey hunters now will be required to wear a hat of at least 100 square inches of orange while moving or relocating and to post an orange band within 15 feet of their stationary hunting location.

The commissioners also approved the purchase of two tracts of land from Timbervest Partners II Pennsylvania, LLC, in Clarion and Venango counties. From the commission: “The first tract being offered is 82.10 acres in Farmington Township, Clarion County, adjoining SGL 24 and is referred to as the ‘Hall Tract.’  The cost of the Hall Tract is $82,100. The second tract is 545 acres in Cranberry Township, Venango County, adjoining SGL and is referred to as the ‘D. Vann Tract.’  The cost of the D. Vann Tract is $473,000. Acquiring this property will provide vital legal access into a portion of SGL 45, which is currently inaccessible. The D. Vann Tract contains an unnamed tributary to Sandy Creek which borders the property to the east. Both properties have regenerating mixed northern hardwoods and will be paid for with funds from third-party commitments for compensation of habitat and recreational losses which occurred on SGLs from previously approved projects.”

The board will next meet June 24-25 in Harrisburg. The Sept. 24-25 meeting is scheduled to take place in Franklin.

Adopted seasons for 2012-13:

ADOPTED 2012-13 HUNTING SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license, and mentored youth – Oct. 6-12 (6 daily, 12 in possession limit after first day).

SQUIRRELS, Red, Gray, Black and Fox (Combined): Oct. 13-Nov. 24; Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 23 (6 daily, 12 possession).

RUFFED GROUSE: Oct. 13–Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Jan. 26 (2 daily, 4 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail) Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license: Oct. 6-13 (4 daily, 8 possession).

RABBIT (Cottontail): Oct. 20-Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 23 (4 daily, 8 possession).

PHEASANT: Special season for eligible junior hunters, with or without required license – Oct. 6-13 (2 daily, 4 in possession).  Male pheasants only in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B.  Male and female pheasants may be taken in all other WMUs.  There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

PHEASANT: Male only in WMUs 2A, 2C, 4C, 4E, 5A and 5B – Oct. 20-Nov. 24. Male and female may be taken in all other WMUs – Oct. 20-Nov. 24, Dec. 10-24 and Dec. 26-Feb. 2 (2 daily, 4 in possession).  There is no open season for the taking of pheasants in any Wild Pheasant Recovery Areas in any WMU.

BOBWHITE QUAIL: Oct. 20-Nov. 24 (4 daily, 8 possession). (Closed in WMUs 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.)

HARES (SNOWSHOE RABBITS) OR VARYING HARES: WMUs 2F, 2G and 3A – Dec. 26–Jan. 1 (1 daily, 2 possession); CLOSED in all other WMUs.

WOODCHUCKS (GROUNDHOGS): No closed season, except: Sundays; during the regular firearms deer seasons. No limit.

PORCUPINES: Sept. 1-March 31, except during overlap with the regular firearms deer season. Daily limit of three, season limit of 10.

CROWS: July 1-April 7, on Friday, Saturday and Sunday only.  No limit.

STARLINGS AND ENGLISH SPARROWS: No closed season, except during the antlered and antlerless deer season. No limit.

WILD TURKEY (Male or Female): WMU 2B (Shotgun and bow and arrow) – Oct. 27-Nov. 16 and Nov. 22-24; WMUs 1A, 1B, 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 4A, 4B and 4D – Oct. 27-Nov. 10 and Nov. 22-24; WMUs 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4C and 4E – Oct. 27-Nov. 16 and Nov. 22-24; WMU 5A – Oct. 30-Nov. 1; WMUs 5B, 5C and 5D – CLOSED TO FALL TURKEY HUNTING.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): Special season for eligible junior hunters, with required license, and mentored youth – April 20, 2013.  Only 1 spring gobbler may be taken during this hunt.

SPRING GOBBLER (Bearded bird only): April 27-May 31, 2013. Daily limit 1, season limit 2.  (Second spring gobbler may be only taken by persons who possess a valid special wild turkey license.) From April 27-May 11, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until noon; from May 13-31, legal hunting hours are one-half hour before sunrise until one-half hour after sunset.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide) Archery: Nov. 12-16. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Statewide): Nov. 17, and Nov. 19-21. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 3D, 4C, 4D and 4E): Nov. 28-Dec. 1. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (Designated Areas): Nov. 26-Dec. 1. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

- WMUs 3A and 3C;

- Portions of WMU 3B, East of Rt. 14 from Troy to Canton, East of Rt. 154 from Canton to Rt. 220 at Laporte and East of Rt. 42 from Laporte to Rt. 118 and that portion of 4E, East of Rt. 42; and

- Portions of WMUs 2G in Lycoming and Clinton counties and 3B in Lycoming County that lie North of the West Branch of the Susquehanna River from the Rt. 405 Bridge, West to Rt. 15 at Williamsport, Rt. 15 to Rt. 220, and North of Rt. 220 to the Mill Hall exit, North of SR 2015 to Rt. 150; East of Rt. 150 to Lusk Run Rd. and South of Lusk Run Rd. to Rt. 120, Rt. 120 to Veterans Street Bridge to SR 1001; East of SR 1001 to Croak Hollow Rd., South of Croak Hollow Rd. to Rt. 664 (at Swissdale), South of Rt. 664 to Little Plum Rd. (the intersection of SR 1003), South of SR 1003 to SR 1006, South of SR 1006 to Sulphur Run Rd., South of Sulphur Run Rd. to Rt. 44, East of Rt. 44 to Rt. 973, South of Rt. 973 to Rt. 87, West of Rt. 87 to Rt. 864, South of Rt. 864 to Rt. 220 and West of Rt. 220 to Rt. 405 and West of Rt. 405 to the West Branch of the Susquehanna River.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 15-Sept. 28. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) archery: Sept. 29-Nov. 10. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D) muzzleloader: Oct. 13-20. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

BLACK BEAR (WMUs 2B, 5B, 5C and 5D): Nov. 26-Dec. 8. Only 1 bear may be taken during the license year.

ELK (Antlered or Antlerless): Nov. 5-10.  Only one elk may be taken during the license year.

ELK, EXTENDED (Antlered and Antlerless): Nov. 12-17. Only one elk may be taken during the license year. Eligible elk license recipients who haven’t harvested an elk by Nov. 6, in designated areas.

Elk, Special Conservation Tag (Antlered or Antlerless): Sept. 1-Nov. 10.  One elk tag for one antlered or antlerless elk, which was auctioned at the Safari Club International Banquet.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlerless Only) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Sept. 15-28, and Nov. 12-24.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D: Jan. 14-26. One antlered deer per hunting license year.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ARCHERY (Antlered and Antlerless) Statewide: Sept. 29-Nov. 12 and Dec. 26-Jan. 12. One antlered deer per hunting license year.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 1A, 1B, 2B, 3A, 3D, 4A, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D: Nov. 26-Dec. 8.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER (Antlered Only) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Nov. 26-30. One antlered deer per hunting license year.   (Holders of valid DMAP antlerless deer permits may harvest antlerless deer on DMAP properties during this period.)

DEER (Antlered and Antlerless) WMUs 2A, 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4D and 4E: Dec. 1-8.  One antlered deer per hunting license year.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Statewide): Oct. 18-20.  Junior and Senior License Holders, Disabled Person Permit (to use a vehicle) Holders, and Pennsylvania residents serving on active duty in U.S. Armed Services or in the U.S. Coast Guard only, with required antlerless license. Also included are persons who have reached or will reach their 65th birthday in the year of the application for a license and hold a valid adult license, or qualify for license and fee exemptions under section 2706.  One antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS MUZZLELOADER (Statewide): Oct. 13-20.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (Statewide): Dec. 26-Jan. 12.  One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERED OR ANTLERLESS FLINTLOCK (WMUs 2B, 5C, 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 26.  One antlered deer per hunting license year, or one antlerless deer and an additional antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, Antlerless (WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D): Dec. 26-Jan. 26. An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

DEER, ANTLERLESS (Military Bases): Hunting permitted on days established by the U.S. Department of the Army at Letterkenny Army Depot, Franklin County; New Cumberland Army Depot, York County; and Fort Detrick, Raven Rock Site, Adams County.  An antlerless deer with each required antlerless license.

ADOPTED 2012-13 FURBEARER HUNTING SEASONS

COYOTES: No closed season.  Unlimited. Outside of any big game season (deer, bear, elk and turkey), coyotes may be taken with a hunting license or a furtaker license, and without wearing orange.  During any big game season, coyotes may be taken while lawfully hunting big game or with a furtakers license.

RACCOON and FOXES: Oct. 20–Feb. 16, unlimited.

OPOSSUM, SKUNKS and WEASELS: No closed season, except Sundays.  No limits.

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Jan. 15-Feb. 5.  One bobcat per license year, but all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2012-13 TRAPPING SEASONS

MINK and MUSKRAT: Nov. 17–Jan. 6. Unlimited.

COYOTE, FOXES, OPOSSUM, RACCOON, SKUNKS and WEASELS: Oct. 21–Feb. 17.  No limit.

COYOTE and FOXES (Statewide) Cable Restraints: Dec. 26-Feb. 17.  No limit.  Participants must pass cable restraint certification course.

BEAVER (Statewide): Dec. 26–March 31 (Limits vary depending on WMU).

BOBCAT (WMUs 2A, 2C, 2E, 2F, 2G, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4C, 4D and 4E): Dec. 15-Jan. 6.  One bobcat per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

FISHER (WMUs 2C, 2D, 2E, 2F, 2G and 4D): Dec. 15-20. One fisher per license year, and all licensed furtakers may obtain one permit.

ADOPTED 2012-13 FALCONRY SEASONS

SQUIRRELS (combined), BOBWHITE QUAIL, RUFFED GROUSE, COTTONTAIL RABBITS, SNOWSHOE OR VARYING HARE, RINGNECK PHEASANT (Male or Female combined): Sept. 1-March 31.  Daily and Field Possession limits vary.  (Migratory game bird seasons and bag limits for falconers will be set in accordance with federal regulations in August.)

No open season on other wild birds or mammals.  Waterfowl and Migratory Game Bird seasons will be established in accordance with Federal Regulations this summer.