Public (Archery only) Deer Hunting Program (2014)
Overview
Purpose
The intent of this document is to establish the parameters and details for a pilot program to allow hunting on a portion of Airport owned property at the Pittsburgh International Airport during the 2014-2015 deer hunting season. Based on a review of operations at the end of the season, the Allegheny County Airport Authority will judge the perceived success of the program as a means of helping the Airport meet its Wildlife Hazard Management Goals, required by FAA Regulations. The Airport is dedicated to strive for safe and secure airport operations at all times. Based on the annual review, it is anticipated that the airport will then choose to continue, expand, modify or suspend the program in the interest of safe and efficient operations.
General Provisions
1. For this pilot program, designated hunting zones of roughly 832 acres will be made available to hunters authorized to hunt. Exhibit 1 identifies the designated areas. Please note that this is substantially less than the 2,300+ acres available during last season, due to construction activity throughout much of the property. These areas will be posted to indicate “No Hunting or Trespassing Without Required Permit.” Anyone hunting within the areas without an Airport issued permit shall be subject to Trespass. Similarly, Permitted hunters shall be restricted to hunting only within the designated zones and will be sited for trespass if they are found to be hunting elsewhere on Airport property. Areas that are prohibited from hunting will simply be posted as “No Hunting or
Trespassing”. All authorized hunters are subject to Pennsylvania Game Laws at all times. It is anticipated that the PA Game Commission will periodically patrol the areas in order to ensure compliance with game laws.
2. Hunting will be limited to Archery-only (No firearms) during the period 10/4/14-1/10/15. 3. Hunters will be encouraged to report their taking of game to the Authority so that an
assessment of the program’s merit in meeting target population reductions under our Wildlife Hazard Management Goals.
4. A limited number of permits (< 100) will be made available for hunters in accordance with safety recommendations (i.e. # hunters/acre). As it is anticipated that there will be more individuals interested in hunting the property than the number of permits to be issued, the Authority will collect applications from interested parties until 9/21/14 and will conduct a public lottery (tentatively scheduled for 9/24/14) in order to select candidates for a permit.
http://www.flypittsburgh.com/archery. Note: Only one application per person will be
accepted. Incomplete applications will be rejected. Deadline for online application is Sunday, September 21, 2014.
6. Each eligible application for a permit will be assigned a number and a random number generator shall be used to select the winning application numbers. Individuals selected for a permit will be contacted by e-mail with instructions for obtaining their permit in-person. Recipients will be required to provide a government issued photo identification and hunting license information, and sign a liability waiver before they are issued a non-transferrable permit authorizing them to hunt. A detailed Participant Guideline
Document is attached and will be issued to each permit holder. Should a given permit holder fail to follow all established procedures, the permit assigned for their use will be revoked and their hunting privileges suspended.
7. Hunting permit holders will also be issued vehicle passes for display when parking on airport property.
Allegheny County Airport Authority
Pittsburgh International Airport
Public (Archery only) Deer Hunting Program (2014)
Participant Guidelines
Rules and Regulations
1) Access to property granted by permit only issued by the Allegheny County Airport
Authority. Those individuals assigned a valid permit must carry the permit while on airport property. The Airport Authority will have personnel patrol the designated areas to monitor for potential violations to this policy. Permit holders must be willing to present the Permit assigned for their use, as well as a valid government issued photo ID at all times. Persons not carrying a permit are subject to trespassing violations.
Exception: Any permit holder who requires assistance with setting up/removing a stand, getting to/from a stand, and/or dragging a deer is authorized to escort up to two
individuals for those purposes only. Those individuals under escort are not authorized to be on the property for any other purpose and shall not have a weapon in their
possession. Unescorted individuals who are called to assist a permitted hunter must be able to identify the name and permit number of the permit holder, and be able to contact them immediately if questioned.
2) Permit is valid only within the defined area of airport property (see enclosed map) and is
valid only during the approved deer season dates as specified on the permit. Accessing areas outside of the defined area will result in trespass charges.
3) Permit holders are responsible to be cognizant of their where about at all times.
Issuance of a permit does not authorize trespass or hunting on neighboring properties.
4) Park in approved areas only. The parking tag must be displayed in the vehicle while on
airport property.
5) Archery Hunting Only. No firearms permitted. Applicants must have completed the
Pennsylvania Basic Hunter-Trapper Education Course and have a valid archery hunting license. The Authority recommends applicants also complete the Pennsylvania
Bowhunter Education Course.
6) An antlerless deer tag for the appropriate wildlife management unit (i.e. 2A) is strongly
encouraged.
7) All PA Game rules apply.
8) No permanent tree stands or motorized vehicles allowed. Tree stands must be removed
recommended when hunting from the stand.
10) It is recommended that the permit holder know their location and carry a cell phone at
all times in the event of an emergency and to report infractions. The airport emergency telephone number is (412) 472-5700.
11) Please remember to report your harvest (along with your permit number) to the
Allegheny County Airport Authority Wildlife Administrator by email at:
[email protected], in addition to submitting the required deer harvest report card to the PA Game Commission. Successful hunters are also required to cover/bury the entrails to discourage the attractant of scavenging birds.
12) The permit is issued on an individual basis and is not transferrable. Everyone who enters
the property must have a permit. No escorting of unpermitted individuals is allowed
(except as noted in section 1).
13) ACAA encourages all hunters to “Share the Harvest” with local food banks. Contact the
ACAA Wildlife Administrator for details.
14) Littering, fires, or other destruction of property is not permitted. Attention should be
exercised to ensure no damage occurs to operations, construction activity, wetlands, fence lines, structures or navigational aids on airport property.
15) Hunters must be cognizant of their surroundings at all times as there may be authorized
workers in the area attending to construction and/or environmental management needs. Always be sure to positively identify your target.
16) Absolutely NO pushing/driving of deer.
17) Violations of these rules are subject to permit revocation and/or termination of the
program. The permit is the property of the Allegheny County Airport Authority and must be surrendered upon request from Airport Authority personnel or law enforcement.
Allegheny County Airport Authority
Pittsburgh International Airport
2014/2015 Deer Control Participation and Indemnification Agreement
I, _________________________________, do hereby agree to assume the risk of any personal injury, loss or damage to property while on Pittsburgh International Airport property, and that the Allegheny County Airport Authority (the “Authority”), its employees, officers, directors and representatives, shall not be liable under any circumstances for my death, personal injury, loss or damage to my property, arising from my participating in the deer control activities at the Pittsburgh International Airport during the 2014/2015 deer seasons, and I release the Authority, its employees, officers, directors and representatives, from any such claims that could be brought by myself, or by my heirs, successors and assignees. I also agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Authority, its employees, officers, directors and representatives from and against any claims for injury, loss or damage that I may arise from my participating in the deer control activities at the Pittsburgh International Airport during the 2014/2015 deer seasons.
I have received, read and understand the rules for participation in the deer control program and agree to abide by them. I further understand that failure to comply with any of the rules, regulations, safety measures, Pennsylvania game laws, or verbal directives from Authority personnel, game control or law enforcement will result in my dismissal from the program. Applicant’s signature: ____________________________________ Date: _______________
2014/2015 Permit Required (Archery Only) Hunting Areas
Permitted areas shaded in dark green
