HARRISBURG - Each hunting season offers new opportunities. However, in some cases, there are changes that may raise questions in hunters' minds. In an effort to answer some of this year's questions, Carl G. Roe, Pennsylvania Game Commission executive director, offered the following advice.

"With the new license sale system and new look and feel of the licenses, there have been a lot of questions about whether these licenses still need to be displayed in the middle of the back, as has been required in the past," Roe said. "The short answer is, yes, state law still requires that hunting and furtaker licenses be displayed, but it can be pinned in the middle of your back, on your chest or on your hat.

"We are supporting legislation - House Bill 460 - that would remove the requirement from law and allow hunters and trappers to carry their licenses in their pockets or wallets, with the other form of identification hunters and trappers are required to have while afield."

Roe also cautioned hunters and trappers to not mistakenly place their new licenses in the dryer or near any source of heat, as it will cause the material to shrivel and turn black.

"Hunters and trappers who venture out in the rain should be extra careful to take their licenses off of their jackets if they put them in the dryer or near any other source of heat," Roe said. "The new material is made of thermal paper, and will become illegible if placed in the dryer or left near a heat source for any length of time. Similarly, don't leave licenses lay on the dashboard of your car, as this will cause them to turn black as well.

"If the new licenses get wet, simply wipe them off with a towel and let them air dry."

Hunters who go out hunting for deer, turkey or bear should also add a ball-point pen to their list of equipment they plan to take out with them.

"Only ball-point pens will work when filling in the harvest field tags that must be attached to harvested big game," Roe said. "Felt tip pens will smear, and pencils and other sharp implements used in the past, such as the pin tip of most back-tag holders, will not work on the new license material."

Roe also noted that any properly licensed hunter participating in the statewide archery deer and archery bear seasons may now use crossbows. In the past, a hunter needed a disabled person permit to use a crossbow during these seasons. However, in approving this change, the Board also prohibited the use of crossbows in the early muzzleloader and late flintlock seasons.

Another recent change is the change in law made by the General Assembly that allows archery hunters to carry a handgun if they have a permit to carry, issued by a county sheriff. This change, however, does not allow archery hunters to use the handgun to hunt other species while participating in archery seasons.

Lastly, as part of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program, Roe noted that those hunters who already have harvested an antlered deer still may serve as an adult mentor for a youth hunting antlered deer.