HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners recently gave final approval to add coyotes to the list of species that can be hunted by youths under the age of 12 while with a mentor.

Under the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, a mentor is defined as a properly licensed individual at least 21 years of age who serves as a guide to a mentored youth while engaged in hunting or related activities.

A mentored youth is defined as an unlicensed individual under the age of 12 who is accompanied by a mentor while engaged in hunting or

HARRISBURG —Continuing to implement recommendations of its Urban Deer Management Plan, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners recently gave final approval to a regulatory change that will allow homeowners associations and nonprofit land-holding organizations to apply for a Deer Control Permit under the same process provided for political subdivisions, such as boroughs and townships."In developed landscapes, lower deer populations result in fewer deer human conflicts," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "And, although we prefer to use hunting to manage deer populations, hunting is not always feasible in an urbanized setting due to safety zone restrictions. We must, therefore, consider alternative herd reduction tools for communities to address their growing deer populations"

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners recently gave preliminary approval to expand the lawful use of crossbows to include both the archery deer and bear seasons. The Board must approve the measure at another public meeting for the proposal to take effect, so this change will not be in place for the 2008-09 seasons.The proposal given preliminary approval also would remove the lawful use of crossbows during the October muzzleloader or late flintlock muzzleloader season.

HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Game Commission recently rescinded protection on feral swine found in the wild in Butler, Bedford and Cambria counties.The Game Commission has determined that the eradication of feral swine in the state is necessary to prevent further harm to public and private property, threats to native wildlife and disease risks for wildlife and the state's pork industry.Licensed hunters, including those who qualify for license and fee exemptions, are eligible to participate in the unlimited incidental taking of feral swine.Any person who kills a feral swine must report it to the Game Commission Region Office that serves the county in which the harvest took place within 24 hours.