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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP OUTDOOR RECREATION BRIEF

TURN SPEAKERS ON FOR BRIEF

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MAP OF FTIG TRAINING AREAS

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Corridor

17,150 Acres Cantonment: Ranges & Training Areas South of Blue Mountain Training Corridor: Majority of Accessible land for Outdoor Recreation

Cantonment

Outdoor Recreation (OR) at Fort Indiantown Gap (FTIG) is a Privilege and is at the discretion of the Garrison

Commander. The Garrison Commander may suspend any and all

activities based on training requirements, available personnel, staffing resources, and/or

installation security.All Participants must comply with Pennsylvania Game Code Laws and Regulations as well as FTIG Regulation

215-2.

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OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

Required by Department of Defense and Department of Army.

Outlines rules and regulations for Outdoor Recreation participants at Fort Indiantown Gap.

Pick up a Copy at the Outdoor Recreation Check-in Facility or the Wildlife Office (Building 26-151)

It is Mandatory for all OR participants to know and follow all rules and regulations within this handbook

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FIG REGULATION 215-2 OUTDOOR RECREATION IN TRAINING AREAS

For COVID-19 Mitigation the Garrison Commander has authorized the use of remote check-ins. Those individuals able to check-in through the use of a cell phone or mobile device will be able to do so without going through the screening station in area 11.

Anyone that needs to use the kiosk to check-in will need to travel through the drive-up screening station directly next to the check-in station and answer the questions asked and wear their screening sticker while at the kiosk.

All individuals will need to continue to use the dash cards and should plan to keep dash cards in their vehicle to avoid having to come to check station.

All hunters must be screened to enter any building on post. All hunters must be checked in to a training area while hunting.

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COVID-19

Public use of Fort Indiantown Gap may be l imited or terminated as a result of alerts or threats to the installation.

FTIG 215-2 Chapter 2, Sub-Chapter 4: RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES, Line a, states that: Recreational activities are permitted on Fort Indiantown Gap at the discretion of the Garrison Commander. The Garrison Commander may suspend all activities in the training areas based on training requirements, available personnel, staffing resources, and/or installation security.

FTIG 215-2 Chapter 2, Sub-Chapter 2: FEES, Line b, states that: All Outdoor Recreation Access Fees are non-refundable.

COVID-19 is a serious threat to all soldiers, employees, support staff and visitors of Fort Indiantown Gap. The screening stations and other mitigation techniques are not to be taken lightly. Anyone found to be avoiding these areas, when required, will be permanently removed from the hunting program.

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COVID-19

Established PA Game Commission/PA Fish and Boat Commission seasons and bag limits; however, the Garrison Commander may limit or suspend seasons at any time.

No Quail hunting at FTIG

No Amphibian/Reptile hunting or collecting

PGC Wildlife Management Unit 4C

FTIG Seasons: First Tuesday after Labor Day we open for scouting. We close at the end of small game season in February. We reopen for Spring turkey season in late April and close at the end of the last day of Spring turkey season.

Hunting and Scouting are not permitted on Fort Indiantown Gap on Sundays for any reason.

Outdoor Recreation is closed during the annual Wounded Warrior Hunt and the annual March For The Fallen.

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FTIG SEASONS AND BAG LIMITS

Fishing is authorized along Indiantown Run from bridge at St. Joseph Springs, south along route 443 into Marquette Lake and from Marquette Lake south to Memorial Lake.

Fishing is authorized with FTIG access permit in Training Areas available to outdoor recreation.

Trappers see Wildlife staff (Building 26-151) to register trap lines

Trappers must confirm areas open to trapping at Building 26-151.

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FISHING & TRAPPING

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UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION

Returning registrants please update your personal information annually.

Emergency Contacts, Address, Phone Number and Vehicle information often change year to year. Any vehicle used on the installation must be added to your account.

After logging in: Click My Account, Account Details and then the Manage Account button to update your information.

The Wildlife and Forestry of fice has moved to Bldg. 26-151 along Tomstown Road adjacent to Training areas B-08 and Rg 30.

There are approximately 45 tagged deer in the cantonment area, some of which have radio col lars attached. These tagged deer wil l aid in providing movement and population data to the Wildlife Program. These deer should be harvested as though they are any other deer. This study requires a non-biased approach in order to give accurate data; selecting for or against these deer because they are tagged would alter the results of the study. That said, the harvest of a tagged deer wil l require the addit ional step of contacting the wildlife of fice immediately upon recovery of the animal. Fai lure to do so wil l result in an immediate revocation of hunting privi leges.

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IMPORTANT REMINDER

Army Regulation 200-3: Forest and Wildlife Management

63 Installation permits and fees b. Fees

(1) (a) Such fees are to be used on the installation from which collected for the protection, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife, including habitat restoration and improvement, biologist staff and support costs, and related activities, but for no other purpose. Management of this source of funds will be the responsibility of the installation’s natural resources management professional.

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WHY IS THERE AN ACCESS FEE?

ADULTS: General Access Adult Permit - $50.00 Firearms Deer Season Access Adult Permit - $20.00

YOUTH: General Access Youth Permit – Free $0.00 Firearms Deer Season Access Youth Permit - $20.00

MENTORED YOUTH: All Permits – Free $0.00

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PERMITS & FEES

This permit must be purchased to hunt in the corridor during the 14 days of the regular firearm deer season.

A lottery may be used to allocate the number of hunters that can utilize FTIG North of Blue Mountain during any of the 14 days of Regular (“Rifle”)Deer Season.

The number of total hunters allowed in rifle areas during these 14 days has been reduced from 128-80. Unlike other years, areas will be held to their individual cap. When an area is full, it will close.

Cantonment Areas are not part of the Firearms Season Access Permit

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FIREARMS SEASON ACCESS PERMIT

Mentored persons hunting are permitted in accordance with PA Game Code Registered guardians wanting to participate must

register the mentee into the iSportsman system and fill out a Hold Harmless Agreement. Hold Harmless agreements must be submitted to the

Wildlife Office before participating in recreation activities. If the Hold Harmless form is completed the day of use, it can be placed in the Harvest Card Box. Mentors are responsible for ensuring that the child

understands the dangers associated with UXO’s Mentees must remain with their registered Mentor at all

times14

MENTORED YOUTH AND ADULT HUNTING

PA Game Commission Permit to use vehicle as blind is required to obtain a Disabled Hunter permit from FTIG Wildlife Office

FTIG permit must be displayed on the dash of the vehicle at all times

Permit allows OR participants with disabilities to travel on any accessible permanent trail or road within an open Training Area.

See Wildlife staff for more information

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OR PARTICIPANTS WITH DISABILITIES

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CHECK-IN AND OUT PROCEDURES

Check - In Enter Login User Name and Password Select Activity (ex: Archery, Deer Rifle, Scouting, etc.) Select Two Training Areas Available For Those Activities Confirm Check-in Log Out Fill out a Dash Card and place in vehicle

Check-Out Enter Login User Name and Password Check-Out Confirm Game Harvested Confirm Check-Out Log Out

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CHECK-IN AND OUT PROCEDURES

Mobile check-in has been approved until further notice

Participants may now check in using a mobile device

Kiosks will still be available for check-in/out

Participants may NOT enter a training area or travel FIG roads/trails without being checked in, with the exception of public roads

Vehicle dash cards and Harvest cards must still be filled out.

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DAILY VEHICLE DASH CARD

A Dash Card must be fil led out and placed in the dash of your vehicle once it is parked near the training area of which you are hunting/scouting.

The dash card must be displayed on the dash of the vehicle at all times for each individual hunter that rode in that vehicle.

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PARKING AREAS

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ACCESSIBLE AREAS

OR participants are responsible for obtaining, learning and understanding the FTIG OR Map. Red areas are OFF LIMITS. Blue areas are restricted to archery weapons only. Purple areas al low archery and shotguns ( S i z e 4 s h o t o r s m a l le r ) .

See FTIG REG 215-2 or Wildl i fe Staf f for fur ther explanation.

RETRIEVAL OF WOUNDED DEER

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Track Your Deer!

Not All Deer That Enter The Impact Area May Be Safely Recovered!

It is unlawful for a hunter under PA Game Code to refuse or neglect to make a reasonable effort to retrieve any game or wildlife that the hunter may have killed or wounded

Contact Range Operations or Wildlife ASAP if wounded game enters closed area

It is at the discretion of Range Operations as to whether game can be recovered from closed areas

Contact the PA Game Commission if wounded game enters private property

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RECOVERING DEAD OR INJURED WILDLIFE

All fish and game harvested must be reported within the FTIG iSportsman system and a Yellow Card filled out with all harvest information.

Failure to report ANY game harvested could result in revocation of permit

Successful hunters are required to bring their deer to the deer harvest station throughout regular deer firearms season (Check In Facility) or whenever open

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GAME HARVEST STATION

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REQUESTED DATA ON HARVESTS

Measure Around Chest Behind Front Legs

Nose LengthPoint to Point

Antler base circumference

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HARVEST DATA

Your data helps us effectively manage the wildlife populations at FTIG

Without it we cannot provide the best outdoor recreational experience

Every harvest matters regardless of species

Buck Doe M. Fawn F. Fawn Antlerless Total2019-20 113 172 37 18 172 3402018-19 104 123 44 38 205 3092017-18 128 140 33 22 195 3232016-17 96 144 26 32 202 2982015-16 82 131 35 24 190 2722014-15 84 151 29 22 202 2862013-14 88 88 21 22 131 2192012-13 61 127 35 26 187 2492011-12 81 160 32 23 215 2962010-11 76 114 26 25 165 2412009-10 67 154 26 32 212 279

2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011Squirrel 15 10 11 3 1 1 1 2 1

Pheasant 85 75 108 90 115 63 49 69 71Grouse 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Rabbit 2 14 13 5 5 12 6 10 21Turkey 2 15 28 37 26 31 9 10 11

Woodcock 1 0 0 0 1 4 2 3 1Raccoon 7 9 12 10 2 24 10 1 1Opossum 0 5 0 4 0 5 2 0 2

Bear 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0Grey Fox 0 1 2 3 1 0 0 0 1Red Fox 0 3 4 4 6 1 0 2 2Coyote 2 0 1 4 2 1 3 3 1Bobcat 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 NA

26Check Station is Mandatory When Open

Hunters Control the Deer Population

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Carrying Capacity and Recruitment: Habitat Quality

10 Adult Doe And 3 Fawns (Only One Is A Button Buck)

5 Adult Doe And 8 Fawns (4 Are Button Bucks)

Deer Manager’s Goal is Producing Lots of Healthy Fawns

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IDENTIFYING SEX OF FAWNS

Deer Manager's Goal Is Have Healthy Does That Produce Large, Healthy Fawns.

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DEER MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: DMAP

Hunters May Receive up to 4 DMAP Coupons per area After Viewing Safety Brief—See Announcement tab on iSportsman home page for information on times and locations that coupons will be handed out.

Take Coupon to License Vendor, Pay $10 + $0.90 Handling Fee, and Receive Tag from Vendor.

Only valid as antlerless tag in DMAP unit on Fort Indiantown Gap DMAP Coupons MUST BE REEDEMED For Tags. Unredeemed Coupons

Will Result in Revocation of DMAP Privileges Hunters Must Report (Via Card or Online)To PGC Even If They Do Not

Harvest a deer with the tag. Names Of Hunters Receiving DMAP Coupons Will Be Provided To PGC

IAW PA Game Code. It is preferred that hunters harvest mature doe and or female fawns over

male fawns to achieve the best practice population ratios.

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DMAP UNIT 643

DMAP UNIT 643 is only composed of Training Areas South of Blue Mountain

This includes all A-Training Areas and C-01

DMAP 643 Tags are not valid in any rifle areas

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DMAP UNIT 2840

DMAP UNIT 2840Boundary Change!

Located in the Training Corridor.

This includes B, C, (Excluding C-01) and D training areas. It also includes two Managed Woodlots

Point system is used to assist those unwilling to comply with rules and regulations.

Notification of infractions and number of points will be sent via mail to participant.

Any participant who accumulates 3 points will lose privileges for up to one year. Violations of The PA Game Code and any unsafe act will result in revocation from 1 year to forever.

2018-19 recorded fewer than 10 violations. This is a step in the right direction. Keep it up.

Still , there has been at least one permanent revocation of privileges in each of the last 3 years.

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VIOLATIONS

Examples Failing Check-in/out Properly Littering (including flagging and cat-eyes) Accidental Entry Into a Closed Area Failing to Present Permit When Asked Speeding Failure to Display Dash Card Interfering in the Recreation of Other Hunters Will Result in 1-2 Points

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IMPROPER ACTIONS:

Falsifying information Entry into Impact Area (3-strand wire fence) Spotlighting Willful entry into closed areas Harassment or intimidation Supplemental feeding or stocking of wildlife Possession of illegal substances Vandalism, theft or target shooting Shooting across ranges or other off-limit areas Could Result in Permanent Revocation of Privileges, Fines,

and/or Legal Action35

ILLEGAL, UNSAFE ACTIONS, ORINTERFERE WITH TRAINING

Announcements Page – Your first stop for current information

Open Areas? – iSportsman area availability number: (855)-522-2068 Navigation Map Page – See what’s open today and tomorrow

Questions – Visit the FAQ page for answers to common questions

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STAYING UP TO DATE

Know Where You Are And What You Are Doing

Keep your contact information up to date.

New Training Area Boundaries: Major changes to map as of 2018. Info posted on the announcements page

Check-in and Out Properly

Harvest Station is Mandatory When Open. Hunters & Anglers MUST report any and all harvests

Follow DMAP Regulations where they apply

All PGC & PFBC Regulations Apply to Hunting at FTIG

Noncompliance of FTIG REG 215-2 = Reduced Opportunities For ALL

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REMEMBER!!!

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CONTACT INFORMATION

Building Number Email Comment

Range Operations 11-9717-861-2152 or

2153 Call for all access/safety concerns

Fort Indiantown Gap Police 7-005 717-861-2727 All emergencies

Wildlife Cell 26-151 717-821-3028 RA-MVORP@pa.gov Preferred Contact

Nick Hoffman 26-151 717-861-2663 Outdoor Recreation Program Leader

Public Affairs Office 8-41 717-861-8468

Fish and Game Conservation Club 13-4 NA Facebook page Meets third Thursday of each month

Training Area Availability 855-522-2068 ftig.isportsman.netWill read same info displayed on iSportsman Nav Map

The Wildlife/Forestry Office Building 26-151 is along Tomstown Road just across from training area B-08. Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ftindiantowngap/

By acknowledging that you have watched the entire video, you are stating that:

You understand that you are solely responsible for knowing the rules and regulations of the Outdoor Recreation Program at FTIG.

You recognize and assume all of the risks associated with participation in outdoor recreation activities at FTIG.

You give FTIG the right to use your sti l l photo or video image, or words (audio or text-based) in any media, for purposes of evaluation, activities, research, promotion, marketing, recruiting, fund raising, exhibits or any other lawful purpose.

You AGREE TO HOLD HARMLESS, for any and all purposes, FTIG, U.S. Army, Department of Defense, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and their respective officers, agents, volunteers and employees of and from any and all l iabil ity for any damage to or loss of property, any injury to person, including death, arising directly or indirectly out of participation in the activities.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT