As snowmobilers wait with anticipation for sufficient snow to get out and enjoy the state's winter landscape, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross is reminding them that winter is a very stressful time for wildlife.

"The Game Commission annually cautions snowmobilers that running their machines near, through, or around winter habitat such as thickets, cattails, and wooded areas, may inadvertently scare wintering wildlife, causing them additional and unnecessary stress or injury," Ross said.  "We ask snowmobilers to take this into consideration, and to give wildlife a little comfort space when out enjoying their sport.

"When snow gets deep, every once in a while a snowmobiler is out in a remote area going from one corner of a field to another, a deer pops up, and suddenly the chase is on.  Such thoughtless activity not only stresses animals, but also is illegal."

Ross also noted snowmobilers may ride on State Game Lands from the third Sunday in January (Jan. 16) through April 1 on designated snowmobile areas, roads and trails marked with appropriate signs, so long as the snowmobiles are registered and display a valid registration decal from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

However, due to severe damage to some previously approved trails caused by Hurricane Ivan, some popular trails have been closed for this year.  Those include certain trails on State Game Lands 29, 214 and 263 in the Northwest Region, and on State Game Land 211 in the Southeast Region.

Ross also emphasized that all-terrain vehicles are not legal anywhere on State Game Lands, except for certain disabled hunters on select roads on specific State Game Lands.

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