Hunting on hold

[NEPAbowhunter]

Hunting seasons on hold in Poconos due to hunt for Eric FreinThe closure affects Price, Barrett and Paradise townships in Monroe County; and Blooming Grove, Porter, Lehman and Greene townships in Pike County.
From a news release from the state Game Commission:
"The Pennsylvania Game Commission has temporarily closed all hunting and trapping seasons within seven townships in northeastern Pennsylvania, where the search continues for a fugitive wanted in the shooting death of a state police trooper.
Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough issued an executive order today to close temporarily the hunting and trapping seasons within Price, Barrett and Paradise townships in Monroe County; and Blooming Grove, Porter, Lehman and Greene townships in Pike County.
The townships all are within Wildlife Management Unit 3D.
The closure affects all private and public lands, including the portions of State Game Lands 180, 183 and 221 located within those townships. Those portions of game lands are closed to all public access while the executive order is in effect.
Hunting and trapping seasons will remain closed in the identified townships until the executive order is lifted, which will be announced by the Game Commission in a statewide news release that will be posted on the agency’s website at the time it is issued.
The closure was initiated after the Pennsylvania State Police advised on Tuesday that troopers who are part of the search for fugitive Eric Frein had uncovered explosive devices that apparently were left behind in wooded areas by the fugitive, and would pose an obvious danger to anyone who would encounter them.
Hough said the discovery of the devices, and the danger associated with the search effort in general, would pose too great a risk to hunters, trappers and members of the general public.
“While we realize this temporary closure might disappoint some of the hunters and trappers it affects, we’re certain, too, they understand the gravity of the situation, as well as the danger in allowing the seasons to continue as scheduled, given this new information,” Hough said. “Plenty of good hunting and trapping opportunities remain outside of the temporarily closed area, and we need hunters to readily adjust their plans to help bring resolution to this case and see that justice is served.”
Frein is wanted in the Sept. 12 ambush-shooting death of Pennsylvania State Police Cpl. Bryon Dickson II outside the state police barracks in Blooming Grove, Pike County. Trooper Alex Douglass was wounded in the attack. The search for Frein has continued since, and police recently discovered explosive devices – at least one of which was attached to a trip wire – in the area they were searching.
The Pennsylvania Game and Wildlife Code authorizes the Game Commission to close any hunting or trapping season, or otherwise take necessary action, to assure the purposes of the code, including assuring the health and safety of the persons who hunt or take game and wildlife.
The Game Commission earlier this week issued an advisory to those who might be planning to hunt in the area of the search, and indicated that the seasons would continue as scheduled, but the recent findings by state police changed the circumstances.
Game Commissioner James J. Delaney Jr. , who represents Pike, Monroe and other northeastern Pennsylvania counties as part of the eight-member board that sets policy for the Game Commission, said the temporary closure is supported in full by the commissioners and is necessary given the totality of circumstances.
By closing the hunting seasons in the area of the search, the Game Commission hopes to remove risks to human safety, and ensure there will be no interference in the effort to apprehend Frein.
“The suspect has demonstrated a disregard for human life,” Delaney said, “The safety of the law-enforcement officers who are part of the search, as well as that of the sporting public, must take precedence here.”

[Kegbelly]

Not good news for hunters in that area. Even if it was open I wouldn't want to be in the woods with an armed nutcase that's already demonstrated his willingness to kill people. Hope they catch this guy soon.

[Rusty Gate]

Boy I hope they catch this guy soon. Certainly first for the troopers families involved in this horrendous act, but for the general community in the region as well. I have a lot of close friends in the Pike/Wayne county region that I know are not sleeping well these days. For 30+ years I've hunted on the upper border of the effected 3D management area, but not in any of the specific townships mentioned....but this is a little to close for comfort, and honestly has me worried about the upcoming season. I'll hope for the best. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the folks in the effected region.

RG

[dutchhunter]

wow thy can really stop a man from hunting his own land .that is hard to believe . wish you the best of luck with the rest of your season Dutch

[xcaliber]

Hope they nab him soon.

[Ont_Excal]

With the technology available today, how is he still on the loose???

Deer travel patterns will be messed up for some time after this is all done.
If you can then hunt elsewhere until the rut. That may be the earliest deer movements will be predictable.

[Starvin' Hillbilly]

I was a wondering who/or all on the forum this was going to affect . . . sorry this self proclaimed rocket scientist is ruining it for my brother hunters and my brother officers, my heart goes out to the deceased and injured officers and their families.

ken

[cevans]

I feel for you guys that can't hunt your fav. spots..its a pita especially when its caused by a crazy idiot that the police have yet to find. Eventually they will, but still...be careful as you just don't know how he might have screwed the woods up with the boobie traps he has set. Keep us posted.

[Sandman]

The Policeman stood and faced his God,
which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining
just as brightly as his brass.

"STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN.
HOW SHALL I DEAL WITH YOU?
HAVE YOU ALWAYS TURNED
THE OTHER CHEEK?
TO MY CHURCH, HAVE YOU BEEN TRUE?"

The Policeman squared his shoulders
and said "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a Saint.

I've had to work most Sundays
and at times my talk was rough.
And sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awful tough.

But I never took a penny
that wasn't mine to keep...
Though I've worked a lot of overtime
when the bills got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help.
Though at times, I shook with fear,
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
among the people here.
They never wanted me around,
except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
but if you don't, I'll understand.

There was silence all around the Throne,
where the Saints had often trod,
As the Policeman waited quietly
for the judgement of his God.

"STEP FORWARD NOW, POLICEMAN.
YOU'VE BORNE YOUR
BURDENS WELL.
COME WALK A BEAT
ON HEAVEN'S STREETS.
YOU'VE DONE YOUR TIME IN HELL."



One can only hope that he resists arrest~!

Cheers,
Robin

[cevans]

Very well put. Amen!

[Starvin' Hillbilly]

Amen, thank you