The PA Game Commission in its January Quarterly Meeting brought up some new ideas that may affect hunters in Pennsylvania.

Ideas that will broadly be considered include allowing the use of centerfire semi-automatic shotguns for deer, elk and bear hunting.

The shotguns, also known as slug guns, fire a single projectile bullet that needs to be 12 gauge or larger for elk.

Shotguns can be adapted to use an interchangeable rifled barrel or can be purchased as a slug hunter unit.

In many states, shotguns are the only firearm allowed due to population density and flat areas. The limited range of several hundred yards is generally safer than a high-powered rifle that can shoot a projectile up to five miles. This issue will be considered further in upcoming PGC meetings.

Tree stand safety is another area that is under consideration by the PGC.

Accidents by hunters using tree stands of many types are increasing. Safety harnesses being accessories with most tree stands are commonly included with new sales. However, many hunters continue to hunt without the aid of a safety harness by choice.

We all would be hard pressed to say that we have not known someone who had an accidental fall from a tree stand or ladder.

Serious injury or death has resulted in falls and the PGC is taking the lead in preventive measures for hunter safety.

Initially the efforts will be with hunters using the State Game Land areas and not on private lands. It will likely be also included on all State and Federal lands eventually.

I am as guilty as the next guy when it comes to cutting corners with the safety harnesses.

Handicapped hunters or those with disabilities are also on the agenda with the PGC as they discuss different ways to enhance hunting opportunities for those with mobility issues.

Permits for motorized hunting, wheelchair access and disabled motorized access equipment are under way. That would include ATV’s, golf carts, and motorized chairs being allowed on special road of up to 100 yards off the regular road.

More on this proposal will be coming as well.

My neighbors, Greg and Jeff Anderson, had a sure cure for the midwinter blues as they arranged a February free range Barbary Sheep hunt in New Mexico. They were in the mountainous regions about one hour from Roswell, New Mexico. The aoudad or Barbary sheep is a native of the mountainous regions of North Africa and were introduced into the United States and other countries in the 1900s.

The aoudad is an unusual animal in that it is a cross of sheep, goat and antelope and takes characteristics of each of these species. They can grow up to 300 ponds and sport an impressive set of curled horns that reach lengths of 30 inches.

They have adapted well to the harsh desert and high-country environment and are now part of the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish Regular Big Game Hunting Program.

The fellows reported that the hunt was in rugged terrain that was covered with stone rubble, cactus and long hikes up and down mountainous hill country. They had employed a local guide service, which was happy to see that both of them were in good hunting shape.

Jeff described the hunt as challenging and that the Barbary sheep rams were extremely tough and physical animals. They were surprised at the size of the animals and how wary they are in the high country. Greg saw a nice anger of sheep (that’s what they call a herd) and found a nice ledge to lean on for a shot.

He has been practicing long range shooting and he was going to need that practice as the aoudad ram was reaching the 600-yard range.

He has a scope that has the BDC component and dialed it in for the long shot and made it.

Jeff reported that he also got a shot at the 200-250 range and made that shot as well.

The horns on the rams were in the trophy class of 25-30 inches.

The environment had everyone digging out cactus spikes and the rams even had spikes in their legs that had long healed over.

That’s one tough place!

The boys had a banner year in hunting the western states of Montana, Colorado and New Mexico. I don’t know what their next adventure will be but I am sure that they will make the most of it.

Jay Hewitt is an outdoors columnist for the Butler Eagle.