Haycock Bouldering Possible Closure

Bump. Thank you Bob!

bump!

Okay, if you an AF member and live in PA or adjoining states you will get the Action Alert. If you aren't here is the AF position and the bullet points we are asking you to push in your email comments. This should be done by the end of Saturday as the "festivities" start Sunday with Public Commentary/testimony.

If I can answer anything email me at bobv512@gmail.com as between this mess and a crazy work week I might not check this forum in a timely fashion.

Thanks to everyone who has reached out in what is really the 1st statewide crisis we have seen in my 45 years of climbing.

access fund access alert language

6:48 PM (5 minutes ago)

Protect Climbing on Pennsylvania State Game Lands!
Take Action On This Issue

The vast majority of climbing in Pennsylvania is located on PA Game Lands, which hosts exceptional climbing opportunities at Haycock Mountain, Hunter's Rocks and Coll's Cove, to name just a few. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management is currently studying the feasibility of having the PA Game Commission implement a free permit system for secondary users of PA Game Lands—including climbers, hikers, and mountain bikers—who do not possess a hunting or furtaking (trapping) license. The permit system would allow the agency to disseminate educational and safety information and collect data from secondary users, but it would also close PA Game Lands to all secondary users, climbers included, for nearly six months during hunting seasons (except on Sundays).

Hunting seasons are defined as:

The last Saturday in September until the third Saturday in January
The second Saturday in April through the last Saturday in May

These proposed closure periods would prohibit climbing and other forms of outdoor recreation during some of the finest times to enjoy Pennsylvania’s Game Lands. While the Access Fund supports the goal of the permit system to disseminate educational materials so that climbers can safely coexist with hunters and help conserve the environment, a blanket closure during hunting seasons is unwarranted and unduly restricts a large group of PA Game Lands’ stakeholders. Across the country, there are many excellent examples of climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, paddlers, and equestrians coexisting with hunters during hunting seasons. And the free permit system also is an opportunity to incorporate secondary uses into Game Lands’ management decisions, and educate secondary users in a way that will preclude the need for closure periods.

We need your help to make climbers voices heard by Monday, January 26! The public is being asked to comment on the proposal, and you can submit your thoughts on this closure to the Pennsylvania Game Commission using our letter writing tool below. We have provided the following bullet points to guide your thoughts. In addition to personalizing the bullet points, tell the commission who you are, where you live, and why the game lands are an important resource. Finally, thank them for considering your comments.

I am supportive of the proposed free permits for Game Lands if they are accessible and easily obtainable by secondary users, and used by the commission to inform management decisions and educate secondary users on safely coexisting with hunters and trappers and protecting natural resources.
I do not support the extensive closure periods that are proposed for secondary users during hunting seasons. There are many excellent examples from across the country of state and federal game lands being successfully managed for multiple uses during hunting season.
Properly administered, a free permit system should effectively educate secondary users about safety and responsible use of game lands during hunting seasons, eliminating the need for a closure.
There are exceptional climbing resources on PA Game Lands, and rock climbers are important PA Game Lands stakeholders and provide economic benefits to local communities.
Rock climbers nationwide have proven to be responsible stewards of public lands, state and federal game lands, and are able to coexist with hunters.

Email BY end of Saturday to pgccomments@pa.gov

Bump for Bob! If you haven't already please read Bob's latest post and and if you are willing please send an e-mail expressing your concern to the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC). Almost 6 months of no climbing at some spots straight up sucks! Hopefully a nice balance can be struck for sure.

Bump for Bob! I sent an e-mail using the guide you provided, thanks!

You're the man Ted, badass dude! I sent my email already also, if you havent already and are willing (feel comfortable) please send one yourself. Bump!

In an email:

Thank you for your comments.
The entirety of the agenda item proposing creation of a state game lands user permit is being deleted from the board’s Jan. 27 meeting agenda.

Thanks to everyone here, at the Access Fund, and AAC for helping get the word out! It looks like there will still be a ways to go though, to make sure it is open indefinitely:

Schlemmer said the board received hundreds of public comments about the proposal and wants to allow more time to properly consult with hunters, conservation partners and elected officials about it.

Heh all thanks to any who commented. Yes if you haven't commented I would still do so as my personal, not AF thoughts, are that the SGC didnt do their homework and talk to their partners etc and got hit by a shit storm...this will in some form or fashion resurface. For the record I am a long time hunter here as well so I can see both sides of this whole argument but I have encouraged everyone to comment still if they havent!

I am just now seeing this. As stated above the propsal was removed the agenda in january, has the been any utterings of the sort since?

Thought itd be wise to post a comment as well, since im moving to the philly area & am really friggin' stoked to check out the surrounding areas... Any update since january?

Anyone have any updates as to what the current regulations are? I believe I found something mentioning a closure for hunting only from Nov 15 - Dec 15.

climbed there last week without issue, saw plenty of other climbing groups as well

as for the mid-nov to mid-dec time range, i believe that time frame denotes when climbers and park goers must wear a sufficient amount of orange (or else be penalized with a hefty fine) to make aware hunters of our presence

Climbing is allowed during hunting season but Blaze Orange is required. Its posted at the entrance and is best practice to follow this rule in order to keep the area open to climbers during the peak season just as you would with 'leave no trace'.

Happy trails and safe sends!

BUMP

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Bob Value wrote:Okay, if you an AF member and live in PA or adjoining states you will get the Action Alert. If you aren't here is the AF position and the bullet points we are asking you to push in your email comments. This should be done by the end of Saturday as the "festivities" start Sunday with Public Commentary/testimony. If I can answer anything email me at bobv512@gmail.com as between this mess and a crazy work week I might not check this forum in a timely fashion. Thanks to everyone who has reached out in what is really the 1st statewide crisis we have seen in my 45 years of climbing. access fund access alert language 6:48 PM (5 minutes ago) Protect Climbing on Pennsylvania State Game Lands! Take Action On This Issue The vast majority of climbing in Pennsylvania is located on PA Game Lands, which hosts exceptional climbing opportunities at Haycock Mountain, Hunter's Rocks and Coll's Cove, to name just a few. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management is currently studying the feasibility of having the PA Game Commission implement a free permit system for secondary users of PA Game Lands—including climbers, hikers, and mountain bikers—who do not possess a hunting or furtaking (trapping) license. The permit system would allow the agency to disseminate educational and safety information and collect data from secondary users, but it would also close PA Game Lands to all secondary users, climbers included, for nearly six months during hunting seasons (except on Sundays). Hunting seasons are defined as: The last Saturday in September until the third Saturday in January The second Saturday in April through the last Saturday in May These proposed closure periods would prohibit climbing and other forms of outdoor recreation during some of the finest times to enjoy Pennsylvania’s Game Lands. While the Access Fund supports the goal of the permit system to disseminate educational materials so that climbers can safely coexist with hunters and help conserve the environment, a blanket closure during hunting seasons is unwarranted and unduly restricts a large group of PA Game Lands’ stakeholders. Across the country, there are many excellent examples of climbers, hikers, mountain bikers, paddlers, and equestrians coexisting with hunters during hunting seasons. And the free permit system also is an opportunity to incorporate secondary uses into Game Lands’ management decisions, and educate secondary users in a way that will preclude the need for closure periods. We need your help to make climbers voices heard by Monday, January 26! The public is being asked to comment on the proposal, and you can submit your thoughts on this closure to the Pennsylvania Game Commission using our letter writing tool below. We have provided the following bullet points to guide your thoughts. In addition to personalizing the bullet points, tell the commission who you are, where you live, and why the game lands are an important resource. Finally, thank them for considering your comments. I am supportive of the proposed free permits for Game Lands if they are accessible and easily obtainable by secondary users, and used by the commission to inform management decisions and educate secondary users on safely coexisting with hunters and trappers and protecting natural resources. I do not support the extensive closure periods that are proposed for secondary users during hunting seasons. There are many excellent examples from across the country of state and federal game lands being successfully managed for multiple uses during hunting season. Properly administered, a free permit system should effectively educate secondary users about safety and responsible use of game lands during hunting seasons, eliminating the need for a closure. There are exceptional climbing resources on PA Game Lands, and rock climbers are important PA Game Lands stakeholders and provide economic benefits to local communities. Rock climbers nationwide have proven to be responsible stewards of public lands, state and federal game lands, and are able to coexist with hunters. Email BY end of Saturday to pgccomments@pa.gov