Pennsylvania Wildlife Management Units, by United Arms Service

Pennsylvania's new Wildlife Management Unit (WMU) system was built from the ground up. The new units are not an updated version of any current or proposed species management unit system. Initially, the state was divided into five, large physiographic areas with similar geology, elevation, soils, vegetation and climate. The Ridge and Valley (WMU's 4A-E) and Piedmont (WMU's 5A-D) physiographic provinces accounted for two of these large units. The Appalachian Plateaus were divided into three units. Northeastern (WMU's 3A-D) and northwestern (WMU's 1A-1B) glaciated areas each formed a large unit and the remaining areas were grouped into one physiographic unit (WMU's 2A-2G). These five physiographic units were then subdivided into what turned out to be 22 WMU's.

For this step, the Pennsylvania Game Commission looked at the amount of forest land, public-owned land, and human population densities. The combination of physiographic, habitat, and human-related characteristics clearly differentiates most WMU's

Table I - WMU's with Physiographic Unit Identity and Levels of Forest, Public-Owned Land, and Human Density.

Figure A: WMU's Overlaying Physiographic Units, Forested Land, Public Land, and Human Density Levels.

WMU's 5B - 5D are the exception. These WMU's are similar, but the more agricultural 5B was separated from the more developed 5C & 5D. WMU 5D contains the highly populated area in the immediate vicinity of Philadelphia and was separated from WMU 5C.

To delineate WMU borders, in order of preference, interstate highways, U. S. traffic routes, state routes, and rivers are used. Preference was based on feature size and how easily recognizable it is. Throughout the process, when deciding whether to split or group potential units, P.G.C. kept in mind whether or not they had or could obtain adequate data to make management decisions.

The system of 22 WMU's provides more (smaller) management units for every species except deer. Under the current, county-based deer management system, the 67 counties are grouped into 31 groups for data analysis. So, in practice, for deer mamagement is changing from 31 units (not 67) to 22.

For identifying WMU's a 2-digit code was used. The number represents the large physiographic unit to which the WMU belongs. For example, WMU's 4A through 4E compose the Ridge and Valley Unit. The letter represents the specific WMU within the physiographic unit.

How antlerless licenses are issued:

By law, antlerless licenses must be issued through county treasurers, but the new WMU's do not adhere to county boundaries. Working with legislators and county treasurers a procedure was developed through which hunters will send antlerless deer license applications to a specific address for each WMU. The PGC in Harrisburg will receive them and then distribute the applications to county treasurers for issuing. The number of licenses county treasurers will issue will be based on the county's portion of a WMU. For example, if a county constitutes 25 percent of a WMU, then the county treasurer would issue 25 percent of the antlerless licenses allocated to the WMU. How to apply for antlerless deer licenses in the new wildlife management units.

Are waterfowl and elk included?

No. Waterfowl are not included in WMU's because the United States Fish and Wildlife Service sets seasons, bag limits, and management unit boundaries for waterfowl. Waterfowl seasons, bag limits, and management units are also distributed in a brochure, Pennsylvania 2007-2008 Guide to Migratory Game Bird Hunting.

Elk were not included because they are confined to a local area and elk units are too small to be of practical use for other species. Elk Season and Bag Limits.

The development of new managements units that will cover virtually all game and furbearers will eliminate the confusion of having several different management unit systems and enable the Pennsylvania Game Commission to improve its management programs.