COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
Department of Conservation
and Natural Resources
Commonwealth News Bureau
Room 308, Main Capitol
Harrisburg, PA 17120

CONTACT:Larissa B. Johnson
(717) 772-9101

HARRISBURG (Sept. 2, 1998) -- The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) today announced that an early Canada goose season will be held at certain Pennsylvania state parks in September.

A significant increase in the Canada goose population has drawn complaints of nuisance problems on beaches and mowed areas in parks, golf courses and residential neighborhoods, in addition to crop damage concerns from farmers. The impact "goose droppings" have on water quality, especially in parks with lakes open for swimming, also is an issue.

Hunting will be allowed until Sept. 25 at Black Moshannon State Park, Centre County (except for Sept. 6); Evansburg State Park, Montgomery County; Kettle Creek State Park, Clinton County (except for Sept. 6-7); M.K. Goddard State Park, Mercer County (except for Sept. 5-6); Moraine State Park, Butler County (except for Sept. 5-7); Prince Gallitzen State Park, Cambria County (except for Sept. 5-6); Whipple Dam State Park, Huntingdon County (except for Sept. 5-7); and Yellow Creek State Park, Indiana County (except for Sept. 5-6).

The following state parks are participating in the early Canada goose season but only will allow hunting from Sept. 8-25. These are Bald Eagle State Park, Centre County; Beltzville State Park, Carbon County; Bendigo State Park, Elk County; Canoe Creek State Park, Blair County; Chapman State Park, Warren County; Clear Creek State Park, Jefferson County; Frances Slocum State Park, Luzerne County; Gifford Pinchot State Park, York County; Lackawanna State Park, Lackawanna County; Little Buffalo State Park, Perry County; Mount Pisgah State Park, Bradford County; Nockamixon State Park, Bucks County; Oil Creek State Park, Venango County; Pine Grove Furnace State Park, Cumberland County; Presque Isle State Park, Erie County; Promised Land State Park, Pike County; Pymatuning State Park, Crawford County; Raccoon Creek State Park, Beaver County; Ricketts Glen State Park, Luzerne County; Ryerson Station State Park, Greene County; and Shawnee State Park, Bedford County.

Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations regarding early Canada goose season will apply. More information on the rules and regulations can be obtained from the Game Commission by writing Goose Permit, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797 or by calling (717) 787-4250.

Persons with disabilities who wish to participate in the hunt and anticipate the need for specific accommodations should contact the state park directly for further information, or use the Pennsylvania relay number (TT) at 888-537-7294. Outside Pennsylvania, call (717) 558-2711. For park phone numbers, call 888-PA-PARKS (888-727-2757).

For more information, visit the DCNR homepage directly at www.dcnr.state.pa.us, or the Pennsylvania homepage at www.state.pa.us.

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1998