A duck hunter was cited for shooting too close to Betts Park.

Warren County has seen several citations from the state Gaming Commission in recent days, though a ticket issued Oct. 18 against an Ohio man is perhaps the most noteworthy. The Game Commission charged Phillip Wentworth of Wadsworth, Ohio with the protection of institutions, parks and resorts. The charge was formally filed in Judge Raymond Zydonik’s office on October 25.

“The defendant has unlawfully hunted or taken game or wild animals or discharged a firearm of any description into or upon any land, waters or premises of any park or resort intended for the public where people may assemble in the open air for health , recreation or pleasure” the nature of the offense is specified on the summons. “For the record, the defendant shot a duck 150 yards from Betts Park.”

There were fewer than 170 such violations in the Commonwealth in 2022 because the charge did not appear on the list of top violations, citations and prosecutions included in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s most recent annual report.

An East Springfield, Pennsylvania man has been charged with illegal license acts and illegal taking or possession of game or wildlife. Those charges were filed Sunday in Judge Todd Woodin’s office for an Oct. 19 felony in Pittsfield after Gregory Brown, 41, killed a black bear without a license. It is the second such charge in Warren County in as many days in mid-October after a Clarendon man was also cited for illegal taking or possession of game or wildlife on Oct. 20 in Sugar Grove. Illegal taking of game or wildlife is the highest charge filed by state Game Commission game wardens.

Regionally, Butler County Game Warden Drew Barger reports seeing increased numbers of deer taken out of season, according to the Northwest Region Game Commission’s Oct. 11 field report. A more recent report has not been posted.