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A GUIDE FOR FIELD MAMMALOGISTS IN PENNSYLVANIA |
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Janet Wright, PA Biological Survey Mammal Technical Committee. Revised 2/28/2002
Mammals, other than humans, don't recognize state boundaries. But the lands that mammals live upon, the regulations that govern their use and protection, and the organizations and institutions that affect their future, all are largely structured along state lines.
Studying mammals at a new field location is a daunting prospect. Learning where to find the mammals in question may not be too hard, at least on a broad scale. But beyond this, you need to learn "the system": the idiosyncratic complexities of state regulatory agencies, who's who for professional and less-professional contacts, and what special resources are available. Failing to learn "the system" carries penalties: frustration, false starts, unanticipated obstacles, and even the chance of running afoul of the law.
As a new mammal researcher coming to Pennsylvania, I encountered all these roadblocks. Although I had done field research in other states, it took me years of struggle in Pennsylvania even to figure out what it was I needed to know. This document is intended to give the new researcher an overview of "the system" in Pennsylvania. It's the information I wish had been handed to me.
I. THE COMMONWEALTH
The Department of Transportation (http://www.dot.state.pa.us/) has an excellent free highway map that shows not only the usual transportation features but also County names, State Game Lands by number, State Forests and State Parks by name, and Federal lands including the Allegheny National Forest and lands under the National Parks service authority. Call DOT and ask for the Official Transportation Map.
A superb resource on the geography of Pennsylvania, available in most libraries, is:
Zelinsky, W. and R.F. Aber, eds. 1989. Atlas of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Temple University Press. (There are sections on biological resources too.)
Some useful on-line resources :
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Official Commonwealth site |
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The Pennsylvania Game Commission |
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Dept of Conservation & Natural Resources |
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The USGS guide to available maps and photos |
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The Pennsylvania Spatial Data Access system, a developing resource for GIS data, on-line mapping, etc. |
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The Pennsylvania Cable Network carries news and hearings on state issues; its web site is a good guide to news and political resources. |
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The Pennsylvania
Bulletin, Commonwealth's
official gazette for information and rulemaking. |
II. THE MAMMALS
CHECKLISTS and MAJOR REFERENCES
Mammals
of Pennsylvania: a field checklist with notes on status, habitat, and behavior.
Available from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
A one-page checklist of all mammal species in Pennsylvania. An on-line version
of this checklist is accessible through the Pennsylvania Biological
Survey site http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/pabs/mammals.htm
(choose the
mammals link).
Doutt,
J. K et al 1977. Mammals of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Game Commission and Carnegie
Museum of Natural History. Information
is dated, but contains a good history of mammalogy in Pennsylvania.
Fergus,
Charles. 2000. Wildlife of Pennsylvania and the
Northeast. Mechanicsburg, PA.,
Stackpole Books. Includes birds, herps, and mammals; no range maps; species
accounts are brief with no references.
Genoways, H. H. and F. J. Brenner, ed. 1985. Species of special concern in Pennsylvania. Special Publication Number 11, Carnegie Museum of Natural History. The original rationale for listing species of concern in Pennsylvania
Kirkland, G.L. Jr. 1986. Small mammal species of special concern in Pennsylvania and adjacent states: an overview. p. 252-267 in Majumdar, S. K., F.J. Brenner and A. F. Rhoads, eds.. Endangered and Threatened Species Programs in Pennsylvania and other States: Causes, Issues, and Management. Pennsylvania Academy of Science.
Kirkland, G.L., Jr. and P.M. Krim. 1990. Survey of the statuses of the mammals of Pennsylvania. Journal of the Pennsylvania Academy of Science 64:33-45. An update of the "Species of Special Concern" mammal analysis.
Korber,
K. & H. 1994. Pennsylvania
Wildlife: A Viewer's Guide. Northwoods
Publications, Inc., Lemoyne, PA & Pennsylvania Game Commission. Specific locations in Pennsylvania that
offer a high probability of seeing wildlife; good attention to mammals.
Kurta,
A. 1995. Mammals of the Great Lakes Region.
Ann Arbor, the University of Michigan Press.
Includes key to mammal skulls.
Merritt, J. F. 1987. Guide to the mammals of Pennsylvania. University of Pittsburgh Press. Useful both for popular and specialist audiences; ranges, habits, and references for each species.
Pennsylvania
Game Commission. 1995. Endangered and threatened species of Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA. Popular level illustrated
brochure. Also on-line at http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/contents.htm
Thorne,
S.G., K.C. Kim, K.C. Stiener (co-directors), B.J. McGuinness (editor). 1995.
A Heritage for the 21st century: Conserving Pennsylvania's native biological
diversity. Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg,
PA 17106-7000 (717 657-4518). One excellent section of this booklet is
a chapter on the authority for elements of Pennsylvania's Native Species Diversity.
Wilson,
D. E. et al. 1996. Measuring
and Monitoring Biological Diversity:
Standard Methods for Mammals.
Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institution Press.
The ultimate how-to for assessing mammal biodiversity.
Whitaker,
John O. Jr. and W. J. Hamilton, Jr. 1998.
Mammals of the Eastern United States, 3rd ed.
Ithaca, NY Comstock Publishing Associates, Cornell University Press.
Description of each species includes a range map and references to
primary literature.
Wright,
J. and G.L. Kirkland. 1999. Mammals: Review of status in Pennsylvania. p.
121-135 in Inventorying and Monitoring of Biotic Resources in Pennsylvania,
Pennsylvania Biological Survey. An on-line version of this review is accessible
through the Pennsylvania Biological Survey site (http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/pabs/mammals.htm)
The
Carnegie Museum hosts an on-line information site about Pennsylvania
mammals, written for the general public, at http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmnh/mammals/collections/PAmamm/PAmamA.htm.
MAMMAL COLLECTIONS
State Museum of Pennsylvania, 300 North St., Harrisburg, PA. Curator for Zoology, Dr. Walter Meshaka. The State Museum is an official repository for mammal specimens for state agencies. There are plans to emphasize the research collection; currently the on-line information is quite limited. http://www.statemuseumpa.org/curatorscollections/meshaka.html
Carnegie Museum of Natural History, O'Neil Research Center, 5800 Baum Blvd., Pittsburgh, PA 15206-3706. Section of Mammals, (412) 665-2611. Broad emphasis. Web page at http://www.einpgh.org/cmnh/mammals/mammals.html. Some on-line information is available about the contents of the Mammal Collection, and staff will answer data requests.
The Reading Public Museum http://www.readingpublicmuseum.org/ in Reading, PA has several thousand mammal specimens. They are well preserved but there is no computer catalog; you will need to visit to find what is in the collection.
The Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia http://www.acnatsci.org/ has a mammal collection. Although there is not currently a curator of mammals, the collection is computerized and data requests are answered.
Although not in Pennsylvania, the mammal collections of the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution) are nearby, accessible, and important. Records are available on-line. http://www.nmnh.si.edu/vert/mammals/mammals.html
III. REGULATORY AUTHORITY AND PERMITS
Wild mammals, whether they are game species or not, fall under the authority of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797, (717) 787-4250. The Game Commission is divided into Bureaus. Three of these are most relevant to mammal researchers. The Bureau of Wildlife Management oversees both game and non-game mammals (the non-game branch is the Wildlife Diversity section). Permits are handled through the Bureau of Law Enforcement, including Wildlife Conservation Officers at the local level (you will want to know yours). Access to Gamelands for research is handled by the Bureau of Land Managment and by a local Land Manager for each Gameland. A good way to keep a current listing of the divisions and bureau directors is to subscribe to Pennsylvania Game News, a monthly publication. The Commissioners, Executive Officers, and Bureau Directors are listed in each issue. Call the Game Commission to subscribe.
GAME LAWS and RECREATION. Wild mammals are covered in Pennsylvania Law under Title 34 of the Pennsylvania Statutes (Consolidated Statutes Annotated, or "CSA" in law libraries) and Title 58 of the Pennsylvania Code. These sections define categories of game and wildlife, specify the activities that are regulated, and deal with protection and permitting. The latest amendments to both sets of regulations are published in a newsprint bulletin, the Pennsylvania Bulletin. All these publications are available at the State Library in Harrisburg, at law libraries, and some other libraries.
Game seasons and regulations are available from the Game Commission, and retail sporting suppliers.
WILD RESOURCE CONSERVATION ACT. In addition to the regulations for game, Title 32 CSA (Forests, Waters, and State Parks) contains Chapter 104, the "Wild Resource Conservation Act" of 1982. "Wild Resource" animals are defined as "all [non-domestic] fauna not commonly pursued, killed or consumed either for sport or profit," and this Act sets up the Wild Resource Conservation Fund (§5305) to fund programs to enhance wild resources.
SOME REGULATIONS RELEVANT TO MAMMAL RESEARCH IN PA
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Title 32, Pa. CSA |
FORESTS, WATERS, STATE PARKS |
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Ch. 104 |
Wild Resource Conservation |
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Title 34, Pa. CSA |
GAME |
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Chapter 2, §102 |
Definitions |
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Chapter 3 |
The Game Commission |
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§ 2163 |
Unlawful importation of game or wildlife |
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§ 2167 |
Endangered or threatened species |
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§ 2904 |
Permit Fees -- Collecting |
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§ 2922 |
Collecting Permits |
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§ 2963 |
Exotic wildlife possession permits |
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Title 58, Pennsylvania Code: |
RECREATION |
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Ch. 133 |
Wildlife Classification: |
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§133.4 |
Definitions, |
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§133.41 |
Classification of [endangered and threatened] mammals |
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Ch. 137 |
Wildlife. |
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§ 137.1 |
Importation, sale, and release |
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Ch. 147.41 |
(Regulations governing collecting) |
PERMITS. Types of permits issued by the Game Commission, and the legal authority for them, are listed on the back of the Game Commission's Permit Application; call Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Law Enforcement for forms and instructions on how to apply. Researchers should be aware of permits for COLLECTING, WILDLIFE POSSESSION (EXOTIC), WILDLIFE PROPAGATION, ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES. Although the COLLECTING permit's wording appears to cover only specimens that are killed, you should apply for a COLLECTING permit for capture-recapture studies. In addition, short-term or special projects may be covered by a SPECIAL USE PERMIT (call for information). Get a SALVAGE permit if you intend to use road-kills or similar sources. Some permits are free and others charge a fee; all require reports and are issued for a particular time period, usually a year. While you're at it, get a listing of the Hunting Seasons for the current year.
ACCESS TO LANDS. Even after you receive a permit, you still must contact the authority in charge of the land if your research involves trapping or other manipulations on State land (State Gamelands, State Forests, State Parks). State Gamelands are controlled by the Game Commission, State Forests and State Parks by the Dept of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR). Types of State Land in Pennsylvania are well illustrated on the Official Transportation Map (Department of Transportation). The DCNR Bureau of Forestry and the Game Commission both are broken down into regional branches; call the State office for a map that shows them. The Pennsylvania Game Commission has a map of each of the gamelands available on-line. Follow the link for Game Lands Maps from the agency site at http://www.carnegiemuseums.org/cmnh/mammals/collections/PAmamm/PAmamA.htm
IV. OTHER RESOURCES OF INTEREST TO MAMMAL RESEARCHERS
Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory (PNDI). This is a heritage database on the location of endangered and threatened species, and species of special concern. It is similar to heritage programs in other states, but it is unusually complex in that it consists of a coalition of three bodies (The Nature Conservancy, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, and the PA Bureau of Forestry) The central office is in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,P.O. Box 8552, Harrisburg PA 17015-8552. <http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/pndi/pndiweb.htm>
Pennsylvania Biological Survey (PABS). This is a body of "professionals and dedicated amateurs" organized for the purpose of increasing the knowledge of and fostering perpetuation of natural biological diversity of Pennsylvania. It was incorporated as a non-profit scientific organization in 1988. Currently (2002), the PABS President is Jerry Hassinger of Pennsylvania Game Commission’Äôs Wildlife Management Bureau, Wildlife Diversity Branch., (e-mail jhassinge@state.pa.us). The Survey keeps a directory of members and their expertise. <http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/pabs/pabs_main.htm>
The Mammal Technical
Committee (MTC) is a committee of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey. Currently
(1998) the chair is Dr. Alicia Linzey (Department of Biology, Indiana
University of Pennsylvania, Indiana, PA 15705; e-mail AVLINZEY@iup.edu.
The MTC meets twice yearly to forward the aims of the PABS with respect to
mammals. In 1989 the Pennsylvania Game Commission designated the Survey's
Mammal and Ornithological Technical Committees as official scientific advisory
committees to PGC. The heads of these Technical Committees meet annually with
bureau representatives of the Game Commission to discuss mutual concerns. New
members are welcome in the MTC, and joining is a good way to make mammalogist
contacts in the state. The MTC has a link (Mammals)
from the Pennsylvania Biological Survey web site http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/pabs/pabs_main.htm.
I have appended the roster of MTC members at the
time of this web page revision, and it provides a good network of Pennsylvania
mammalogists.
Wild Resource Conservation Fund (WRCF) is the major state-supported source of funding for research and education relating to biodiversity, and for mammalogists it has been a main source of funding for non-game research. Information and applications are available from the Executive Director, Frank Felbaum, P.O. Box 1467, Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 783-1639. A publication, Keystone Wild!Notes, is free and gives updates on WRCF projects and other initiatives. It is available from WRCF. <http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/wrcf/wrcfmain.htm>
A list of licensed Wildlife Rehabilitators
in Pennsylvania is at http://www.vicon.net/~robyn/PArehab.htm
American Society of Mammalogists Animal Care
and use Guidelines. http://www.mammalsociety.org/committees/commanimalcareuse/98acucguidelines.PDF.
The national professional society’Äôs
recommended practices for capture, handling, and care of research mammals.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission’Äôs Wildlife Diversity Branch of the
Wildlife Management Bureau maintains several monitoring databases for mammals
in Pennsylvania. These include
maternity colonies and hibernacula of bats, surveys for small mammals of
concern, and site surveys for population so Allegheny woodrats. For
information, contact Jerry Hassinger (jhassinge@state.pa.us).
The Wildlife Society promotes research and
policy directions pertaining to wildlife; the Pennsylvania chapter is very
active. http://www.cas.psu.edu/docs/CASDEPT/FOREST/TWS/index.html