Deadline for PA Exam

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Thursday January 12, 10:00 am ET

HARRISBURG, Pa., Jan. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Those interested in becoming a taxidermist in Pennsylvania have until March 15 to submit a completed application for the upcoming exams that will be conducted in Huntingdon. Exam fees are $300 for an initial examination and $50 for any re-takes of the exam. Applications may be obtained from the Game Commission's Harrisburg headquarters by calling 717-783-8164. All applications must be returned to the Game Commission, Bureau of Law Enforcement, 2001 Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797.

After an application is received, individuals will be sent a letter containing the date and time to report for the exam, which is scheduled for the week of April 10, at the agency's Southcentral Region Office in Huntingdon, Huntingdon County.

The examination consists of three parts, including the presentation of five specimens prepared by the applicant within the past three years. Required specimens for the general category permit include: an antlered white- tailed deer head; a small mammal; one upland game bird; a duck or other waterfowl; and a fish. Birds must be mounted with feet and legs visible. All specimens must be representative of wildlife found in Pennsylvania.

The second phase of the testing process is a written examination on taxidermy methods and procedures. The third portion requires applicants to actually perform some part of the taxidermy process on a selected specimen. Passing scores must be attained on all three parts of the examination. In Pennsylvania, state law also requires all persons performing taxidermy work for others must have a permit issued by the Game Commission.

SNOWMOBILERS CAUTIONED AGAINST WILDLIFE HARASSMENT

As snowmobilers wait for more snow to get out and enjoy the state's winter landscape, Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe is reminding them that winter is a very stressful time for wildlife.

"The Game Commission annually cautions snowmobilers that running their machines near, through, or around winter habitat such as thickets, lowlands, cattails, evergreen stands, spring seeps and wooded areas, may inadvertently scare wintering wildlife, causing them additional and unnecessary stress or injury," Roe said. "We ask snowmobilers to take this into consideration, and to give wildlife a little comfort space when out enjoying their sport."

Roe urged riders to use lawful designated trails to avoid situations that could disturb wildlife. Snowmobilers may ride on State Game Lands from the third Sunday in January (Jan. 15) through April 1 on designated snowmobile areas, roads and trails marked with appropriate signs, so long as the snowmobiles are registered and display a valid registration decal from the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

The Game Commission, Allegheny National Forest and state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, with the assistance of local clubs, maintain hundreds of miles of snowmobile trails across the state. Trails may be found in other areas as well.

"It is the rider's responsibility to know where they are riding, and to know the dates of trails openings, as they are different on each public land in the Commonwealth," Roe said. "Those witnessing harassment or chasing of wildlife with snowmobiles are encouraged to call and report the unlawful act to the nearest Game Commission Regional Office."

Phone numbers and a listing of counties that each office serves can be found on the agency's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on the "Regional Information" map in the right column or on page 3 of the 2005-06 Pennsylvania Hunting and Trapping Digest.

Roe also emphasized that all-terrain vehicles are not legal anywhere on State Game Lands, except for certain disabled hunters on select roads on specific State Game Lands.

GAME COMMISSION ANNOUNCES DEADLINE FOR ADS IN DIGEST

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe today announced Liberty Press Publications, publisher of the Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations, has set April 1, as the deadline for advertising copy in the 2006-2007 Digest.

"To offset costs, the Game Commission went to a magazine-sized Digest and began accepting paid advertising," Roe said. "Ad revenues have saved the agency more than $435,000 over the past five years. In addition to improving Digest content by going to a larger, full-color format, the ad revenues also enabled the agency to begin including in the Digest a 'Hunting Annual' insert filled with valuable information on wildlife and its management."

A copy of the digest is given to every license buyer, and a current copy is posted on the agency's website (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us) under the "Hunting-Trapping" section. The 2006-07 Digest will be posted on the website on July 1.

Liberty Press serves as publisher and handles all advertising accounts for the digest. Ad rates range from $10,300 for a full-color page to $495 for a classified box ad. Promotional advertising does not constitute endorsement by the Game Commission or Liberty Press.

For additional advertising information concerning the Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting & Trapping Regulations, contact Guy Van Dyke at Liberty Press Publications. The toll-free telephone number is 1-800-296-6402.