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PA Boy Draws Elk and Bobcat Tags

It was a stroke of good luck when Andrew D. Bowers, 15, of Belle Vernon was awarded one of 1,435 bobcat permits issued for the 2008-2009 season. Lightning struck twice when Bowers got one of only 45 elk-hunting licenses for the Nov. 3-8 Pennsylvania hunt. His father David Bowers said the boy plans both hunts in Elk County, targeting antlerless elk with a bow and driving bobcat with dogs.

Hunting licenses

The long-awaited automated hunting license sales system is up and running, sort of. It's being tested at 15 sites, mostly in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. The nearest point-of-sale location to Pittsburgh is the Game Commission's Southwest Regional office in Bolivar (724-238-9523).

Hunting access

Hanson BMC, a Dallas-based producer of asphalt and concrete, has opened more than 2,000 acres in Westmoreland County to public hunting, trapping and outdoors activities that don't include the use of off-road vehicles. The company is permitting access to lands straddling Chestnut Ridge, including parts of Derry and Ligonier townships. A parking lot for hunters will be built. The property was previously posted because of illegal use of ATVs, four-wheel drive vehicles and other property damage.

Doe tags

All WMUs are sold out except 2A (55,000 allocated) 10,824 remaining, 2B (68,000) 38,708 and 5D (22,000) 11,438. A daily update is posted at www.pgc.state.pa.us. Counter sales at county treasurer's offices are available for unsold anterless tags in 2B and 5D; counter sales for 2A begin Nov. 3.

Sportsman's pledge

Anglers who swear to a "Sportsman's Stewardship Pledge" Sunday at Dick's Sporting Goods at Westmoreland Mall in Greensburg will get a packet of outdoors gifts. The non-profit group Recycled Fish will administer the oaths 11 a.m.-3 p.m.