Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010 - 34

Be Careful What You Wish For
GREENE — My shipmate was a beaver in a live trap, as I paddled across a farm pond in a small canoe. Instead of thinking of the many disastrous things that could happen, my first thought was optimistic, as I’m always on the lookout for Field Note material. With a tippy canoe, a large beaver, and lots of water, this situation sure had potential. As the agitated beaver alternated between violently rocking the canoe and staring me down, my second thought hit me like a ton of bricks — for a good Field Note, something “funny” (aka disastrous) would have to happen. When I safely made it to shore, though, I realized that no matter what happened, there would be no witnesses. Neither the beaver nor I would be talking. — WCO ROD BURNS, ROGERSVILLE

Group Effort
TRAINING SCHOOL — Recently, we had several hands-on training events that required participation from both field officers and Harrisburg employees. Without these individuals giving us their time and knowledge, our training would not be as beneficial. They say it takes a community to raise a child; I guess here it takes the whole agency to train a cadet. — CADET RONDA BIMBER, HARRISBURG

Riding the Waves
WYOMING — While I watered my garden each morning during the spring, a female hummingbird enjoyed taking a bath and getting a drink. No matter where I pointed the nozzle, the hummingbird followed and dived right into the middle of the flow, seemingly untouched by the steady stream of water. — WCO VICTOR ROSA, TUNKHANNOCK

No Extension
SOMERSET — Serving as the resident instructor for the training school class certainly has its perks. For example, my room is always swept, trash removed and I’m at the front of the chow line. Everyone greets me as “sir” and when I ask for something to be done, it’s done immediately. I’m now trying to figure out how I can make this formula work when I’m home on the weekends. According to my wife, my resident instructor privileges end at the school. — WCO BRIAN E. WITHERITE, MEYERSDALE

Rude Awakening
New siding was recently installed on the equipment storage barn located on SGL 226 near Millville, Columbia County. A nesting box, placed on the inside of one of the upper windows to attract barn owls, became home to a pair of kestrels in the spring. While framing the window where the box is located, one of our contractors startled an adult bird in the box. I’m not sure who was more shocked — the kestrel or the contractor — when the raptor made its exit and flew over the workman’s head. Either way, once they realized the birds were there, the contractors enjoyed watching the adults carry mice to their young, and marveled at their flying skills. — LMO KEITH SANFORD, MIFFLINVILLE
34

Brings Back Memories
YORK — While releasing a bear we had tranquilized, I couldn’t help but notice how it might resemble a young college student waking up from a party. When it came to it was unsteady on its feet, had two new earrings (tags), a new tattoo in its lip, was missing a tooth and was in a different place from where it fell asleep. — WCO MICHAEL J. REEDER, LEWISBERRY
GAME NEWS

Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - October 2010