Mange Samples Still Needed
As part of a larger study on sarcoptic mange in Pennsylvania’s black bears, and with the help of many trappers and hunters throughout Pennsylvania, we collected skin samples from 14 coyotes and 5 red foxes with signs of mange this past winter. Mange is caused by a parasitic mite that burrows under the skin and causes a hypersensitivity reaction so severe that it can lead to changes in behavior and movement, weight loss, secondary infections, and even death. Coyotes and red foxes have historically been affected by sarcoptic mange, however the first case of this disease in black bears was only described in 1991 in Pennsylvania. It has since increased in geographic range, incidence, and number of bears euthanized due to this disease. To better understand why mange is now present in PA’s bear population and best management practices for this disease, we are studying differences in host immune responses, mite burden, and mite genetics between canids and black bears. While we have yet to find mites present on a coyote that presents with mange symptoms, we are still able to gather other critical samples for this research. Some of these animals also had samples removed for heartworm and nematode testing. While we have not found any mites on these coyotes, we have found mites on four foxes. Many of the coyotes presented with more mild symptoms of mange compared to the foxes, which may be one of the reasons we were unable to find any mange mites on the coyotes submitted. To better understand the different symptoms observed and difficulties of finding mange mites on coyotes compared to red foxes and black bears, we are taking skin biopsy samples to study the different types of hypersensitivity responses and number of mites observed in different animals and different species suffering from mange.
We also collected a variety of samples including hearts, blood serum, and fecal samples from coyotes and foxes at the Mosquito Creek, Cresson Community, and Sinnemahoning Predator Hunts. We will be using these samples to survey Pennsylvania for heartworm and intestinal nematodes (worms) in Pennsylvania’s canid population. It is important to understand the parasite burden in our wildlife for several reasons. As many of you are aware, these parasites can cause a decline in animal health and body composition- potentially affecting fur quality and obviously affecting animal welfare. This is also important in terms of surveillance of these diseases for other wildlife and for domestic animals. While heartworm can be prevented in domestic dogs (and a reminder to keep your furry friends’ heartworm vaccinations up to date!), it cannot be prevented in wildlife and consequently wildlife serve an important role in disease surveillance.
With the help and support of trappers and hunters in Pennsylvania, we were able to collect samples from a total of 27 coyotes and 14 foxes. These samples are imperative to wildlife disease surveillance and management. We will continue to collect samples from animals with symptoms of mange until March 2020. Please contact Hannah Greenberg if you capture a canid with mange at hsg14@psu.edu or 717-226-7464. Stay tuned as we continue to collect samples and look for answers to these and many more questions on the range of mange in Pennsylvania’s wildlife!
Thank you to all who donated your time and animals to this valuable research!
Donation
Autumn McEntee pictured here with her 2016-17 raccoon catch. She is donating her entire catch to be tanned and made into fur items to raise money for District #8. Autumn would like to challenge all members of District #8 to donate at least one pelt to this worthy cause.
From Miss Teen Rodeo PA 2019
“I am completely in love with my Pennsylvania harvested, raccoon fur vest!”
R and R Trading Post did an amazing job bringing together the pelts donated by the Hohmann’s, Jennifer and her husband Willie, along with the Pennsylvania Trappers Association. I’d also like to thank Witmer’s once again for tanning these hides to prepare them for the sewing process. Reach out to Ryan and Renee for all of your fur needs! From rugs to quiver, moccasins to vests, they’ve got the skills to make it happen!
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Bradford County Farm Days
“Bradford County Farm Days 1866” held in Troy. Pictured are Terry Lutz District 9 and Herb Senderling District 7 along with Sullivan County fourth grade students.
National Tourism Week
PR Director Barry Warner spent the day at Great Bend Welcome Center and cooperated with PENNDOT Welcome Center to celebrate National Tourism Week. Good turnout with a large number of visitors with questions regarding fur and trapping. Individuals from Canada, a number of US states, along with several of our PTA members.
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D3 Lifetime Achievement Award
John Wilkinson accepting the D3 Lifetime Achievement Award
The PTA & PGC
Don Powell, the Vice President West of the Pennsylvania Trappers Association, is pictured Meeting with Bryan Burhans the Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director. Having a working relationship with all of our officials is important! Powell said both the PGC and PTA are doing great jobs as stewards of our land and renewable resources. Pennsylvania is the land and water of opportunity for us! Our future will continue to be bright as long as we are willing to work and willing to work together! The Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen and Conservationists need us all to support them as they fight for us.
GAME COMMISSION RECOGNIZES TRAPPER INSTUCTOR
Barry Warner receives award for outstanding service to agency and PA trappers
The Northeast region of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) recently awarded Dallas resident Barry Warner with an Outstanding Hunter-Trapper Education Instructor award for his contributions to the agency’s Successful Furtaker and Cable Restraint certification programs.
Mr. Warner logged over 240 volunteer hours since becoming an instructor in 2008 and donated 27 hours teaching advanced Game Commission trapping classes in 2018. He provides trapper training to cadets attending the Game Commission’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation in Harrisburg and State Game Wardens stationed in the Northeast region.
“Barry is a highly passionate, knowledgeable and skilled trapper,” said Game Commission Information and Education Supervisor William Williams. “His instruction at trapper training classes is very hands-on and he sets up a demonstration area that provides valuable visual aids, driving home key teaching points on legal and illegal sets.”
Warner also instructs at numerous Pennsylvania Trappers Association (PTA) training schools held around the state each year. He is the PTA’s public relations director and has been instrumental in developing Best Management Practices for North American furbearers.
Skull Cleaning
Joey Della Penna and his father Chris have been helping Dan Lynch of the PGC with cleaning some of the many skulls the trappers of PA have been donating for youth education. Joey has a real interest in wildlife and recently asked if he could clean a variety of skulls and then use them in a display for a program at school. Joey does museum quality work and will probably one day be involved in wildlife as a career and part of it will be due to his extreme interest in wildlife. The PTA members should be proud to be a small part of his future.