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

Warren County has seen a few citations by the state Game 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 protection of institutions, parks and resorts. The charge was officially filed with Judge Raymond Zydonik’s office on Oct. 25.

“The defendant did unlawfully hunt for or take game or wildlife or to discharge a firearm of any description into or upon any lands, waters or premises of any park or resort set aside for the use of the public where people may congregate in the open for health, recreation or pleasure,” the nature of offense states on the citation. “To wit the defendant shot at a duck within 150 yards of Betts Park.”

There were fewer than 170 such violations across the commonwealth in 2022, since the charge didn’t appear on the list of top violations, citations and prosecutions included in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s most recent yearly report.

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

Regionally, Butler County Game Warden Drew Barger reports he’s​ detected an increased number of deer being taken out of season, according to the Game Commission’s Northwest Region field report for Oct. 11. A more recent report hasn’t been posted.