Pennsylvania Game News - January 2009 - 43

The Way of the Times WASHINGTON — New technology has been made available for use in HTE classes, and the students should have little trouble adapting to this new style of teaching. After going through the transition training for the instructors and officers, though, I feel there may be more trouble hooking up the equipment. During the transition training we spent two hours learning how to hook up the laptop and assorted equipment. I know that if any of the instructors have any trouble, all they have to do is ask for help from the students. — WCO DAN SITLER, MEADOWLANDS For the Birds LYCOMING — I was driving on Route 322 to Harrisburg when I looked at a bunch of trees off to the right of the highway and spotted 30 turkey vultures with their huge wings outstretched, drying them from the morning dew and testing the morning thermals. It resembled a scene from a horror movie. — WCO JONATHAN M. WYANT, MONTOURSVILLE Priorities PIKE — When I noticed I had a bear in one of my culvert traps I hurried back to my truck to get my tagging equipment. When I returned, two cubs were crawling all over the trap, so I called my neighboring officer Scott Malicky. Scott’s job was to keep the cubs away while I tranquilized and processed Mom. After that we turned our attention to the cubs. The first one was easy, but the second was more elusive. When Scott finally got a dart into the little bruin it ran about 20 yards, grabbed a doughnut from the nearby bait pile and began munching on the treat before the drug finally took effect. I’m not sure whether it figured it was going to be its last meal or it just wanted a sweet snack before taking an afternoon nap. — WCO MARK KROPA, GREENTOWN Gotta Do . . . MERCER — Deputy Al Dewald and I were checking goose hunters when we happened upon Joe Levish from Westmoreland County. Joe’s hunting party knocked down a few geese, but they had fallen into a pond. Without a dog, boat or anything else that floats, Joe was left no other option than to remove his hunting attire and swim out into the cold water to retrieve the birds. Taking it all in stride and with good humor, Joe announced that it had been 20 plus years since he had been checked by a “game warden,” and he exclaimed, “Wow, you talk about getting caught with your pants down!” — WCO LAWRENCE R. HERGENROEDER, GROVE CITY Couldn’t Have Worked Out Better ELK — During a recent cooperative enforcement effort with the State Police Aviation Unit, three ATV operators, who were on land where they were not permitted, saw myself and other officers and turned to take flight. When Deputy Foltz pointed skyward and shouted “helicopter” that was all it took for the machines to halt. Moments later the helicopter was hovering overhead. I love it when a plan comes together. — WCO DICK BODENHORN, RIDGWAY JANUARY 2009 Strange “Triple Trophy” VENANGO — On the opening day of fall turkey season we picked up a roadkilled bear, three roadkilled deer and an unfit turkey. — WCO LEONARD C. HRIBAR, OIL CITY 43

Pennsylvania Game News - January 2009

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - January 2009