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, are largely structured along state lines.

Coming into a new state to do field mammalogy 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. In a nutshell, it is the information I wish had been handed to me.

Rather than provide detailed specific information that would quickly go out of date, I’ve tried to indicate the authorities of sources from which information can be gathered. You’ll need the state "blue pages" to get some phone numbers. One encouraging development is that information is slowly becoming available on-line. As that happens, the resource names I’ve given below can be used as search words to locate updated documents.
 
 

1. THE COMMONWEALTH

 
 

The Department of Transportation 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.)

Internet address to acquaint you with the state:

Pennsylvania: http://www.state.pa.us/

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/dcnr/
 
 
 
 

2. 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.

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.

Merritt, J.F. 1987. Guide to the mammals of Pennsylvania. University of Pittsburgh

Press. Useful both for popular and specialists audiences: ranges, habits, and references for each species.
 
 

Pennsylvania Game Commission. 1985. Endangered and threatened species of

Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Game Commission, Harrisburg, PA. Popular level illustrated brochure.

Thorne, S.G., K.C. Kim, K.C. Stiener (co-directors), B.J. McGuinness (editor). 1995. A

heritage for the 21^st 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.

MAMMAL COLLECTIONS

Carnegie Museum of Natural History, O’Neil Research Center, 5800 Baum Blvd.,

Pittsburgh, PA 15206-3706. Section of Mammals, (412) 665-2611. Broad emphasis.

Shippensburg University Vertebrate Museum, 1871 Old Main Drive, Shippensburg,

PA 17257. Dr. Gordon Kirkland, Director, (717) 532-1407. Emphasis on mammals of Pennsylvania and the Northeastern US, especially small mammals.
 
 
 
 

3. 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 handles 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 handles by the Bureau of Land Management 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 (Consolidates 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 fame, Title 32 CSA (Forests, Waters, and State Parks) contains Chapter 104, the "Wild Resource Conservation Act" of 1982. "Wild Resource" animals are defines 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
 

Title 32, Pa. CSA	FORESTS, WATERS, STATE PARKS
Ch. 104	Wild Resource Conservation
Title 34, Pa. CSA	GAME
Ch. 2, § 102	Definitions
Ch. 3	The Game Commission
§ 2163	Unlawful importation of game or wildlife
§ 2167	Endangered or threatened species
§ 2904	Permit Fees – Collecting
§ 2922	Collecting Permits
§ 2963	Exotic wildlife possession permits
Title 58, Pennsylvania Code	RECREATION
Ch. 133	Wildlife Classifications
§ 133.4	Definitions,
§ 133.41	Classification of [endangered and threatened] mammals
Ch. 137	Wildlife
§ 137.1	Importation, sale, and release
Ch. 414.41	(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 Permit Application (copy attached); call Pennsylvania Game Commission Bureau of Law Enforcement for forms and instructions on how to apply. Researchers should be aware of permits for COLELCTING, WILDLIFE POSSESSION (EXOTIC), WILDLIFE PROPAGATION, ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES. Although the COLLECING permit’s wording appears to cover only specimens that are killed, you should apply for a COLLECITNG 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 (Sate Gamelands, State Forests, State Parks). State Gamelands are controlled by the Game Commission State Forests and State Parks by the Department of Conservation & Natural Resources (DCNR). Types of State Land in Pennsylvania re 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.
 
 
 
 

4. 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 of special concern. The central office is in the Bureau of Forestry, Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (Forestry Advisory Services, P.O. Box 8552, Harrisburg PA 17015-8552).

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 (1997), the PABS President is Dr. K. C. Kim (Center for BioDiversity Research, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-4900), (814) 863-0159). The Survey keeps a directory of members and their expertise.

The Mammal Technical Committee (MTC) is a committee of the Pennsylvania Biological Survey. Currently (1997) the chair is Janet Wright (Department of Biology, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA 17103, (717) 245-1292. 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.

Wild Resource Conservation Fund (WRCF) is the major state-supported source of funding for research and education relating to biodiversity, and for mammalogists it is the 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.