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PA Game Commission 2010 Calendar On Sale; Game Commission Urges Hunters To Consider Sharing Venison

Posted on: Tuesday, 27 October 2009, 12:20 CDT

HARRISBURG, Pa., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the holiday gift-giving season coming up, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is pleased to announce that its popular 2010 wildlife calendar now is available. To purchase a calendar, priced at $8.95 (plus tax and shipping), call the Game Commission at 1-888-888-3459 (toll-free) or visit "The Outdoor Shop" in the upper right-hand corner of the agency's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Pennsylvania Game Commission Outdoor Shop" in the lower-left, click on "Merchandise" and then choose "Misc. Items" in the left-hand column.

"Last year's calendar sold out quickly, so don't delay and order today," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director.

The 2010 calendar includes approved hunting and trapping season dates from Jan. 1-June 30, and tentative season dates for July 1-Dec. 31, as well as a reminder about National Hunting & Fishing Day in September, and many other interesting bits of information about wildlife and the outdoors.

The 2010 calendar features a year's worth of dramatic wildlife photos taken by current and retired agency employees, including: Jacob Dingel, radio dispatcher in the Northwest Region Office; Timothy C. Flanigan, retired Bedford County Wildlife Conservation Officer; Coy D. Hill, retired Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer from Fulton County; and Willard C. Hill, retired Game Lands Management Supervisor in the Southcentral Region.

Each month features a full-color photo of a different wildlife species. This calendar's subjects are: short-eared owl; cotton-tailed rabbit; Eastern bluebird; common loon; house wren; male hooded warbler; green heron; a trio of white-tailed bucks; elk; black bear; wild turkey; and running white-tailed buck.

Also included are photo inserts of Game Commission employees conducting many wildlife management tasks.

The calendar also provides a brief overview of the Game Commission and a list of contact information for the agency's Harrisburg headquarters and six region offices.

GAME COMMISSION URGES HUNTERS TO CONSIDER SHARING VENISON

Hunters who are successful in the upcoming deer hunting seasons are encouraged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to consider participating in the state's Hunters Sharing the Harvest (HSH) program, which channels donations of venison to local food banks, soup kitchens and needy families. Pennsylvania's HSH program is recognized as one of the most successful among similar programs in about 40 states.

"Using a unique network of local volunteer area coordinators and cooperating meat processors to process and distribute venison donated by hunters, HSH has really helped to make a difference for countless needy families and individuals in our state," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "Pennsylvanians who participate in this extremely beneficial program should be proud of the role they play. HSH truly does make a tremendous difference."

Started in 1991, HSH has developed into a refined support service for organizations that assist the Commonwealth's needy. Each year, Hunters Sharing the Harvest helps to deliver almost 200,000 meals to food banks, churches and social services feeding programs for meals provided to needy Pennsylvanians.

"This program is all about the generosity of hunters and their desire to help make a difference," Roe said. "It's a program that many hunters have become committed to and enjoy supporting. After all, what is more gratifying than providing needed food to families?"

As part of the program, hunters are encouraged to take a deer to a participating meat processor and identify how much of their deer meat - from an entire deer to several pounds - that is to be donated to HSH. If the hunter is donating an entire deer, they are asked to make a $15 tax-deductible co-pay, and HSH will cover the remaining processing fees. However, a hunter can cover the entire costs of the processing, which is tax deductible as well.

HSH established a statewide toll-free telephone number - 866-474-2141 - which also can answer hunters' questions about where participating meat processors can be found or other general inquiries about the program.

To learn more about the program and obtain a list of participating meat processors and county coordinators, visit the Game Commission's website (www.pgc.state.pa.us), click on "Hunting" and then select "Hunters Sharing the Harvest." Information also can be found on the HSH website (www.sharedeer.org).

Note to Editors: If you would like to receive Game Commission news releases via e-mail, please send a note with your name, address, telephone number and the name of the organization you represent to: PGCNews@state.pa.us

SOURCE Pennsylvania Game Commission

Source: PR Newswire

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