A Glimpse From The First Cannabis Café in America

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 28, 2019)–Cannabis has been recognized for both its benefits and contributions to one’s society. With this, the usage of marijuana has extended into different sectors and services. Alongside this growth and development, the first-ever Cannabis Café in America has become available for service and open to the public.

A weed café, similar to other cafeterias and shops, is a place that offers food and various marijuana products to consume. A guest can afford to order any food from their menu with several marijuana offerings. Upon the establishment of the first weed café, the importance and dominance of cannabis can’t be neglected. Other people choose to visit such a place to obtain

the advantages of taking CBD oil

and marijuana.

Here’s What To Expect From The Lowell Café

Lowell Farms is the first legal business that has a complete cannabis-consumption license. This place allows its customers to smoke weeds while enjoying its ambiance and served food. At the same time, the said restaurant is also believed to create history. It was able to successfully surpassed government negotiation and processes for more than three years before its operation.

This café has also been recognized for its trendy and aesthetic ambiance. Its design is based on the Californian inspiration. With this, it has brick walls, thick ferns, olive trees, and neon signage. The only thing that differs in this shop is its huge air purifiers that help maintain the environment despite the smoking of its customers. Thus,

marijuana

users can continuously consume the plant while enjoying the services and products offered in this restaurant. To explain further, here is a list of things to love from the Lowell Café:

Unique and One-of-a-kind

The legality of marijuana allowed people to consume the plant in the comforts of their home. However, similar to other foods and drinks you consume, several people would also want to try cannabis outside their home. Other people might want to try the plant served and made by professionals. At the same time, customers might also be limited in their homes and can’t use cannabis at home. It may be caused by having children or elderly in the house. Lastly, tourists may seek to visit the country to try cannabis legally. For whatever reason, the establishment of the first café had made a landmark for both long-term and first-time users of marijuana.

Welcoming and Safe

an article

posted by CNN, the Lowell Café is created to have an open place for anyone to enjoy cannabis. Thus, the owners seek to offer a welcoming destination for everyone. With this, it can be your go-to place even if it is your first time to try cannabis. At the same time, the café also seeks to provide a safe environment for its customers. Having a legal world of cannabis, this café has proven the success of creating a community that believes in the wonders of the plant.

Well-Served Food and Drinks

This café is more than just the availability of different variants, tools, and flavor of cannabis that you can enjoy. Instead, it also provides its customers with quality food and drinks for everyone to enjoy. By having such, it has proven that it is indeed a café with delicious food to consume and fill one’s tummy.

Powerful Vents

One of the common fear of its potential customers is the threat of smoke due to the vaping and burning of marijuana. There are industrial-sized vents around the restaurant to extinguish the odor of the plant and cigarette that solves this issue. Thus, customers are guaranteed to have clean scenery and ambiance instead of plumes of smoke. At the same time, the café also ensured that the odor and smoke would not get in contact with its neighbors.

The Bottom Line

The significant development established by America’s first weed café paved the way to the changes in view and acceptance to Cannabis users. Despite being limited by state policies, it is considered as a stepping stone towards the acceptance of people regarding marijuana use. At the same time, the creation of the Lowell Farms made a safe and fun place for users to establish its community and for users to interact. With this, it had made history changed negative perspective taken against marijuana.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

Mikhail Peleg: Soon, Machete will please fans with new hits

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 28, 2019)–After a long creative work hiatus, the popular Machete band intends to return to the big stage.

This information was shared by Mikhail Peleg, the band’s producer.

The leader of the band, Yaroslav Malyi, said that a creative break was necessary for the group. They traveled around the world, absorbed the energy of ancient countries, meditated, and learned new things. But not only had the rest from the multimillion audience helped band members to grow. They had constantly rehearsed, wrote lyrics and music. Machete visited Israel, Bali, Singapore, and India, the soloist of the band reviewed his life values and began to think differently. The guys do not hide the fact that Machete will present a new album soon, on which they have worked so long.

Frontman Yaroslav Malyi shares his travel experiences. He says that such breaks in creative work are necessary for everyone. For four years, the members of the band studied spiritual practices, practiced yoga, and read books. Lyrics were written for new songs, and musical accompaniment was invented in unusual conditions. Such a long renunciation from popularity yielded results. Completely new, wiser artists are returning to the stage.

Yaroslav Malyi admits that to refuse the attention of fans was a united band decision. Indeed, in order to break new ground and become the best, you need to radically change something in life. While traveling around the world, the band managed to get to know many talented performers, work with them and learn from valuable experience.

The producer of Machete band, Mikhail Peleg

https://genius.com/Dave-yaroslav-maly-machete-and-producer-of-the-band-mikhail-peleg-spoke-about-new-projects-annotated

, does not hide his enthusiasm for the work of Yaroslav Malyi and his team. He notes the unprecedented determination and talent of the band members. According to Mikhail, fans of the band will be able to see several Machete projects very soon.

It is not a surprise that after such a long break, the group will daze its fans with something new. The frontman of Machete has so far only announced that their new songs will combine different styles and genres. The compositions will cover topics that are important to all people.

The first track from the new album will be the song \”Sky is my home.\” Yaroslav says that he tried to put everything in simple but powerful words that could make people think. He tells about important and secondary, temporary, and permanent. According to Yaroslav, this particular song will be the key to understanding the meaning of the entire album.

Modern people are busy with the routine of everyday life. They are always in a hurry and do not pay attention to simple joys. A few adults will be able to say what real happiness is. The leader of the band says that everyone will be able to find the necessary answers to important questions in the song “Sky is my home.”

The comeback of the famous Machete (

Mikhail Peleg: Machete band launches new successful projects

) became public not so long ago. The founder of the band also noted that not only the style of their work has changed, but also the members of the group. Alexander Zinger (drums) and Mikhail Lisov (guitar) joined the band.

The rock band Machete was founded in 2010. Initially, it was an Internet project of Yaroslav Malyi, who was already a soloist of another group. But the very first songs became so popular that they went beyond the Internet and began to be broadcasted on television and radio. As a result, the independent Machete records label was created. The hits “Do not part with your loved ones” and “Dad” were gaining popularity every day, and the video for the song “Tenderness” gained nearly 34 million views on the YouTube channel.

How to Plan the Ultimate Solo Vacation

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 28, 2019)–Sometimes life just gets to us, and that’s alright. Needing an escape is not a problem; it’s just a chance to treat yourself to a new routine. It’s healthy, it’s fun, and no, you don’t need to try to organize a trip with friends. If you find it’s difficult to get everyone to agree on dates, on destinations, on what to do or where to go – then go without them. Solo travel is very invigorating when you’re stressed, and can help you have the perfect trip that you’ve always wanted.

To ensure you get a full, rounded, enriching vacation, however, you’re going to want to follow these tips:

Choose a Destination with the Right Weather

There is always going to be great weather somewhere. If the temperature matters to you, then the temperature is going to dictate when and where you can go. If you need a sunny escape during winter, then heading south to

great destinations like Australia

is definitely the way to go. By choosing the weather first, you won’t be disappointed and instead can soak in the sun.

Read Local Guides Before You Go

The best way to learn about what there is to do is to read local guides written by local people. Try to stay away from big corporate travel sites, as their recommendations are going to be skewered. If you want a real, authentic, quality experience, then going where the locals go is your best bet. You can do this for nights out, for food and drink, and even for finding some hidden treasures in your destination that don’t get featured a million times on Instagram.

Be Aware of What is Available in Your Destination

Travel out of state, and the rules will be different. Travel out of the country, however, and you can enjoy a wholly unique experience that is simply not afforded to you back home. Head over to Australia for vacation, for example, and you’d be surprised to learn that brothels like Brisbane’s

cleosonnile.com.au

are exhilarating, legal, and safe. This keeps the experience safe and pleasurable for everyone.

Each country has its own set of rules, and knowing what you can (and cannot) do on vacation is a good way to make the most out of your trip and to ensure you don’t accidentally get in trouble.

Find Events and Book Tickets

Always check to see what events will be going on when you are in town. A great concert, a festival, your favorite comedian – there are so many opportunities at any given time. Going to an event will make your trip more unique and special.

Keep Your Trip Simple

Overdoing your itinerary

is going to be the death of you. Yes, you’ll be fully in charge of what you do, where you go, and what you see, but you don’t want to rush from place to place. You need to take some time to enjoy yourself and soak in the experience and quiet your mind. Regardless of how fun and exciting your trip is, taking some moments to be still will help you relax and rejuvenate so that you can return home well-rested in the mind and spirit.

4 Amazing Technologies Improving Our Health Every Day

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(Nov. 28,2019)–

We’ve come a long way from leeches. The high-tech boom of the Information and Innovation Ages has melded with the healthy-living craze. Cutting-edge technologies help us live longer, happier, and healthier lives.

Here are four amazing technologies for improving our health every day …

1. Software as a Medical Device

We get it—you already had to learn what SaaS means, but now you have to learn SaMD? Nevertheless, according to

Orthogonal

, “SaMD is proving to be a major disruptive force in the way healthcare professionals do their work, in areas such as bioinformatics, drug discovery, genomics, point-of-care diagnostics, robotics, and therapeutics.”

SaMD basically uses software to perform one or several basic medical functions. Examples include:

Artificially-intelligent software that examines MRI scans for signs of cardiovascular disease.

Software that recommends insulin dosage for a diabetic patient based on inputs from a patient’s cloud-based food log.

Software that determines the correct dosage of the medication for an individual, based on that individual’s cloud-based medical records.

Software that identifies signs of respiratory conditions based on breathing patterns recorded by the microphone.

Software that tracks the risk factors contributing to epileptic seizures.

SaMD should be distinguished from SiMD (software

a medical device) which includes programs that automate surgical robots or the magnets inside an MRI machine.

Instead of performing these mechanical functions, SaMD apps work in tandem with cloud-based data and wearable devices to provide medical professionals with a wealth of actionable data they couldn’t possibly get from a brief clinic visit (or the clipboard you fill out before the visit).

2. Wearable Health-Tracking Devices

There’s no need to guess when the doctor asks you whether you lead an active or sedentary life. Why guess when a

cheap pedometer

will tell you exactly how many steps you have taken over the course of a week? A month? A year?

In a way, wearable tech started with the wristwatch or pocket watch and took a long leap forward with the cell phone and then the smartphone. Technologies like the Apple Watch have made a clunky transition into the mainstream, but FitBits made a huge splash. HuffPo estimated that by 2018, 130 million wearable devices would have been delivered to consumers.

According to Business Insider Intelligence, a whopping 80%+ of consumers express a willingness to wear fitness technology.

It’s not just about tracking steps, though. Wearable electrocardiogram (ECG) monitors stand to make a huge difference for patients living with heart conditions. A wearable ECG monitor can transmit data directly to your doctor, as well as your atrial fibrillation and details like your elevation, distance, and pace.

This year, Omron Healthcare debuted the first wearable blood pressure monitor to track daily blood pressure readings for patients at risk of hypertension, correlating it with geographical, environmental, and physical exertion data.

Phillips also released a wearable biosensor patch, like those given to astronauts, which shows the promise of an almost 89% reduction in preventable respiratory or cardiac arrest. What a time to be alive … and, presumably, stay alive.

3. Blockchain

No, we don’t mean we will pay all our medical bills with Bitcoin.

Blockchain technology usually makes the news for its role in the cryptocurrency craze. But while crypto is built on blockchain,

blockchain is not crypto.

The reality is far less sexy … and far more revolutionary.

“Blockchain” refers to a process where “blocks” of data exist on a “chain,” a digital, decentralized, and public ledger that exists simultaneously on thousands of individual computers.

As a result, blockchains are

easy to audit and almost impossible to hack or falsify.

This is why people trust it with systems of currency.

Where else do you need transparency, security, and integrity of data. All over the medical profession, of course. According to

Healthcare Weekly

, “Digital blockchains stand to revolutionize how the medical industry creates drugs, runs clinical trials, gathers medical records, and renders care.” In other words, pretty much the whole shebang.

How does blockchain do this? In many ways:

Warehousing of Pharmaceutical Data.

Blockchain and AI technology could standardize and maintain the integrity of the data that pharma companies use to create drugs.

Fighting Counterfeit Pharmaceuticals.

Pharma companies could reduce the $200+ billion in losses they suffer from counterfeit drugs by shoring up the supply chain with unhackable, unimpeachable blockchain records.

Siloing Clinical Trial Data.

No technology shows more promise than blockchain to create unalterable, auditable, secure databases of clinical trial data, which can be browsed by AI for relevant patterns. Blockchain could also bring data integrity to the identification of viable trial subjects.

Managing Patient Consent.

Blockchain’s biggest contribution to the business community may be “smart contracts”—e-signature records beyond reproach. This could apply to patient consent, as well as other hospital contracts.

Patient Intake.

Hey, what if you

didn’t

have to fill out a clipboard in every hospital waiting room and then wait for that data to be input before the doctor sees you? Blockchain offers a secure solution for patient intake

before

you arrive at the doctor’s office.

Verifying Physician Credentials.

Fraudulent physicians and unlicensed quacks are a real liability for hospitals. A transparent, easily-audited blockchain database could replace “scout’s honor” or burdensome research to verify a provider’s qualifications.

The global healthcare marketplace is expected to spend $5.61 billion on blockchain technology by the year 2025 …

and save $100-$150 billion as a result.

Online medical records facilitated by blockchain could work together with wearable devices and SaMD to completely change how patients track their health and how medical professionals deliver care.

4. Genomics

The mapping of the first human genome in 2003 was a medical milestone. The next frontier is the mapping of

your

own genome. Yes, each person’s unique genome, which contains its own inalterable “blockchain” of data about that person’s physiology.

Genomics stands to take personalized medical treatment to the next level. Doctors can take a much less scattershot approach to treatment, therapy, and medication, instead of tailoring a treatment plan to the data found in the patient’s genome. It really is the application of a data-driven age to the very cells of our body and the DNA inside of them.

Genomics stands to:

Reduce our intake of inefficient medications.

Reduce the application of unnecessary surgeries.

Revolutionize the treatment of cancer.

Provide treatment options for genetic disorders like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Angleman’s Syndrome, and many more.

The Cleary Family Wishes Everyone A…

And

Thank You for your Support!

Gloucestercitynews.net

PETS ARE THE BEST

November and December are filled with holiday merriment, but an unexpected trip to the veterinary hospital can instantly spoil the cheer. There are many seasonal dangers for pets, including consumption of toxic foods and decorations, that can devastate a Thanksgiving, Christmas or holiday celebration.

Peyton Cleary/CNBNews graphic

From chocolate and turkey bones to tinsel and toys, veterinarians at

BluePearl Specialty and Emergency Pet Hospital

have treated dozens of dogs and cats who have gotten into holiday-related food and items. In fact, BluePearl, which has more than 80 hospitals in 25 states across the U.S., sees an approximate 69 percent increase in chocolate-related emergency visits on Christmas Eve.

Follow these expert tips to ensure a smooth and safe holiday season for your pets—and your guests:

Keep the food away.

While chocolate is a big part of the holidays for many people, it is toxic to dogs and cats. Be sure to keep chocolate, along with any other sweets and baked goods containing chocolate, away from pets. Also, be mindful of table scraps, including turkey, turkey skin, gravy, and meat fat. Even in small doses, these foods can cause a life-threatening condition in pets called pancreatitis. While you may know that Fido cannot have Turkey bones, other house guests may not. Make sure guests are aware of the “cans” and “can’ts.\”

Be mindful of decorations (and carefully dispose of gift wrapping).

Christmas trees, electric lights, water additives, ornaments, candles, tinsel, and potpourris all pose a threat to pets’ health during the holidays. If an ornament, tinsel, or other holiday decoration is consumed, it can cause intestinal blockages that may require surgery. Electric lights and candles can cause fires, pet burns (if chewed), or worse. Never leave an animal alone with an exposed flame. Gift wrappings should also be cleared away, as sparkly ribbon or glittered bows can be tempting for your pet to play with or eat.

Designate a comfortable, quiet place inside for pets to retreat.

Pets can become emotionally distressed with the commotion that accompanies a holiday gathering, so make sure to designate a private room or crate somewhere quiet. If a room or crate is not available, be especially mindful of the front door. As friends and family come and go, it is easy for pets to make a break for it out the door and become lost. Consider getting your pets microchipped.

If traveling, pack for the pet.

Remember to bring pet food, fresh water, medications, copies of their medical records, their ID tag, veterinarian information, a crate, bed/blanket, and toys. If traveling in a vehicle, safely restrain your pet using a secure harness or a carrier, placed away from airbags. Never leave your pet alone in the car or transport your pet in the bed of a truck.

Plan ahead.

Scope out 24/7 emergency veterinary hospitals along your travel route before there’s an emergency. Keep a digital and hardcopy list of the numbers to these hospitals in case of emergencies. You want to include:

Your primary veterinarian’s phone number

24/7 emergency veterinary hospitals along the travel route—phone numbers and addresses

The phone number to the

ASPCA Poison Control Hotline:

1-888-426-4435 (fees may apply)

Justice Dept Launches National Strategy to Address Murdered Native Americans

WASHINGTON—Attorney General William P. Barr launched a national strategy last week to address missing and murdered Native Americans. The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) Initiative places MMIP coordinators in 11 U.S. Attorney’s offices including the District of Oregon who will develop protocols for a more coordinated law enforcement response to missing cases. The plan also calls for the deployment of the FBI’s most advanced response capabilities when needed, improved data collection and analysis, and training to support local response efforts.

“American Indian and Alaska Native people suffer from unacceptable and disproportionately high levels of violence, which can have lasting impacts on families and communities. Native American women face particularly high rates of violence, with at least half suffering sexual or intimate-partner violence in their lifetime. Too many of these families have experienced the loss of loved ones who went missing or were murdered,” said Attorney General William P. Barr. “This important initiative will further strengthen the federal, state, and tribal law enforcement response to these continuing problems.”

“The FBI recognizes the violence that tribal communities face and is fully committed to working with our federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners to provide support to those impacted by these crimes,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “We are dedicated to delivering justice and to the FBI’s mission to protect all the people we serve. We reaffirm our focus on allocating resources to serve Native American needs.”

“I’m proud to join Attorney General Barr and Director Wray in announcing this new effort by the Justice Department to address the important and urgent issues attendant to missing and murdered indigenous people. These are real crime victims and their families who have been impacted by inadequate data collection and jurisdictional gaps,” said Billy J. Williams, U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon. “Pursuing justice on behalf of tribal communities in Oregon is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office. We have always been deeply committed to reducing violent crime in tribal communities, especially crimes against tribal women and children. Our Indian Country team works tirelessly to be good partners with tribal law enforcement and victim services.”

The strategy has three parts.

Establish MMIP coordinators

: The Department of Justice is investing an initial $1.5 million to hire 11 MMIP coordinators in 11 states to serve with all U.S. Attorney’s offices in those states, and others who request assistance. The states are Alaska, Arizona, Montana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Utah, Nevada, Minnesota, Oregon, New Mexico, and Washington state. MMIP coordinators will work closely with federal, tribal, state and local agencies to develop common protocols and procedure for responding to reports of missing or murdered indigenous people. The first MMIP coordinator is already on board in Montana.

Specialized FBI Rapid Deployment Teams

: The strategy will bring needed tools and resources to law enforcement. Upon request by a tribal, state, or local law enforcement agency the FBI will provide expert assistance based upon the circumstances of a missing indigenous persons case. FBI resources and personnel which may be activated to assist with cases include: Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) teams, Cellular Analysis Support Teams, Evidence Response Teams, Cyber Agents for timely analysis of digital evidence/social media, Victim Services Division Response Teams, and others. MMIP coordinators will assist in developing protocols.

Comprehensive Data Analysis

: The department will perform in-depth analysis of federally supported databases and analyze data collection practices to identify opportunities to improve missing persons data and share the results of this analysis with our partners in this effort.

More broadly, the MMIP Initiative will involve a coordinated effort by more than 50 U.S. Attorneys on the Attorney General’s Native American Issues Subcommittee (NAIS), the FBI, and the Office of Tribal Justice, with support from the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW).

Today’s announcement follows the August NAIS meeting in New Mexico and OVW listening session in Michigan, where Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons and violence against women in Indian country were prevalent topics of discussion by U.S. Attorneys, OVW officials, and tribal representatives.

Old American Water Co. Building in Voorhees Township Destroyed by Vandals ; Suspects Arrested

VOORHEES TOWNSHIP (Nov. 27, 2019)–On Monday, November 4th, 2019 at approximately 6:44 pm, Voorhees Patrol Officers were dispatched to 1025 Laurel Oak Road, formerly known as the American Water Company for a fire

alarm activation. Upon arrival, officers found evidence of criminal activity afoot within the recently vacated commercial facility. The on-scene investigation was turned over to Detectives from our Criminal Investigation Bureau.

This incident subsequently developed into a multi-jurisdictional effort between Voorhees Police Department and the Gloucester Twp. Police Department. As a result of this joint investigation, individuals were identified, arrested and charged accordingly.

The Voorhees Police Department announces the arrest of Miranda Ulmer (28yoa) 500 block of Erial Road, Sicklerville, NJ, Leon Dandy (35yoa) 800 block of Blackwood-Clementon Road, Pine Hill, NJ and Rahjahn Waters (24yoa) 2600 block of Kenwood Drive, Pine Hill, NJ. All were charged with 3rd-degree crimes consisting of (2) counts each of burglary, theft and criminal mischief. The estimated damage is at one million dollars. Residents are reminded to be vigilant and report ALL suspicious activity.

Impaired Driving Enforcement Crackdown to be Conducted Locally as Part of Statewide Year End Campaign

Lower Township — Law enforcement officials from the Lower Township Police Department will be cracking down on drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs as part of the annual end of year “

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

statewide campaign. Beginning December 6, 2019 and continuing through January 1, 2020, local and state law enforcement officials will conduct saturation patrols and sobriety checkpoints looking for motorists who may be driving while intoxicated.

The national

“Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”

effort endeavors to raise awareness about the dangers of impaired driving through a combination of high-visibility enforcement and public education. “During the last five years New Jersey has experienced nearly 37,000 alcohol involved crashes resulting in more than 679 fatalities,\” said Chief William Mastriana. “This is a critical law enforcement program that can save lives during a time of the year when social gatherings with alcohol increase the risk of impaired driving.”

Last year, 20% of all motor vehicle fatalities in New Jersey were alcohol-related. Nationally, 10,511 people died in 2018 in drunk driving crashes. The societal cost associated with these crashes is estimated to be $44 billion annually.

Law enforcement agencies participating in the

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

2019 Year End Holiday Crackdown

offer the following advice for the holiday season:

Take mass transit, a taxicab, or ask a sober friend to drive you home.

Spend the night where the activity or party is held.

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone’s life, and inaction could cost a life.

Always buckle-up, every ride. It is your best defense against an impaired driver.

If you are intoxicated and traveling on foot, the safest way to get home is to take a cab, have a sober friend or family member drive, or escort you to your doorstep.

Be responsible. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel.

Address/Location

Lower Township Police Department

405 Breakwater Rd

Cape May, NJ 08204

Contact

Emergency: 9-1-1

Non-emergencies: 609-886-1619

CNB Hunting/Fishing Pennsylvania: Firearms Deer Season Begins Saturday

A Saturday opener for the firearms deer season and the possibility of more older bucks throughout the Commonwealth have many Pennsylvanians excited about Nov. 30 and the weeks to follow.

Last year’s firearms deer season saw rainy weather nearly statewide throughout much of the opening day. But even then, 30 percent of the antlered deer harvested in the 2018-19 firearms season were taken on opening day. It was the best day of the season for buck harvest.

It’s likely that opening day will continue to be the best for buck harvest this year, when the season will open on a Saturday, said Christopher Rosenberry, supervisor of the Game Commission’s Deer and Elk Section.

“We expect the opening Saturday to become the biggest harvest day for bucks,” said Rosenberry. “The first Monday will play a lesser role, but how much less remains to be seen. The second Saturday, since it is concurrent with the start of antlerless season, will probably become the second-biggest harvest day for bucks.”

And there now is a third Saturday in the season, as well, since the season was expanded from 12 days to 13 to accommodate a Saturday opener in which more hunters likely will be able to participate.

Pennsylvania’s firearms season historically has drawn the biggest crowds of all hunting seasons and consequently has been the state’s principal deer-management tool for more than a century. Its coming preoccupies many Pennsylvanians through their Thanksgiving meals and sends many more to a variety of outlets to fill their last-minute needs.

“Every deer hunter wants to be afield for the opener,” noted Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans. “They spend days and days, scouting, buying specialized gear and getting their packs ready.

“When they’re sitting in the dark, waiting for daylight and hoping for a big buck to come, most deer hunters couldn’t be happier, particularly if their son or granddaughter is joining them. It’s a fulfilling experience, regardless of what happens.”

“Older, bigger-racked bucks are making up more of the buck harvest than they have for at least a couple decades,” Rosenberry said. “Hunters like the bucks in Pennsylvania today compared to what many of them saw 30 years ago.”

Every year, Pennsylvania hunters are taking huge bucks. Some are “book bucks,” antlered deer that make the Pennsylvania Big Game Records book or Boone & Crockett Club rankings. Others simply win neighborhood bragging rights.

But it’s important to remember, every deer matters when only about a third of hunters harvest whitetails during Pennsylvania’s slate of deer seasons.

“Whether it’s a young hunter’s first deer, or a big buck that fell to a hunter on a dark-to-dark sit, they all matter to these hunters, their families and the communities in which they live,” emphasized Burhans. “Hunting deer has been an exciting Pennsylvania pastime for centuries, and it’s sure to remain that way for many generations to come.”

STATEWIDE SEASON

The statewide general firearms season runs from Nov. 30 to Dec. 14. In most areas, hunters may take only antlered deer during the season’s first six days, with the antlerless and antlered seasons then running concurrently from the first Saturday, Dec. 7, to the season’s close. In WMUs 2B, 5C and 5D, however, properly licensed hunters may take either antlered or antlerless deer at any time during the season.

Rules regarding the number of points a legal buck must have on one antler also vary in different parts of the state, and young hunters statewide follow separate guidelines.

For a complete breakdown of antler restrictions, WMU boundaries and other regulations, consult the

2019-20 Pennsylvania Hunting & Trapping Digest

, which is available online at the Game Commission’s website,

www.pgc.pa.gov.

Hunters statewide must wear at all times a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on their head, chest and back combined. An orange hat and vest will satisfy the requirement. Nonhunters who might be afield during the deer season and other hunting seasons are asked to consider wearing orange, as well.

HUNT SAFELY FROM TREE

STANDS- WEAR A HARNESS

Wearing a full-body harness is essential to staying safe when using a tree stand, but a harness can prevent falls to the ground only if it is connected to the tree.

“That means you must wear your harness, and be sure it’s connected to the tree, at all times you’re in the stand, as well as when you’re getting into and out of the stand, or climbing or descending trees,” explained Meagan Thorpe, Game Commission hunter-education chief.

A hunter using a climbing stand should tie-in the safety rope or strap that pairs with the harness before beginning to climb.

BEAR SEASON\’S NOT OVER YET

As we are getting ready to close out the statewide firearms bear season, remember an opportunity to harvest a bear still exisits in many WMU\’s throught the state during the firearms deer season.

EXTENDED BEAR SEASON DATES

Nov. 30-Dec. 7, 2019

WMU\’s: 1B, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 4A, 4B,

4C, 4D, 4E, 5A

Nov. 30- Dec. 14, 2019

WMU\’s: 2B, 5B, 5C, 5D

From all of us here at the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Happy Thanksgiving. Good luck and hunt safely!