Pennsylvania Game News - June 2012 - 7

awesome from top to bottom.” When Aversa returned to his home in Woolwich, New Jersey, he discovered he had become a hometown hero of sorts, and it reminded him of a cherished day from his childhood. “When I was in kindergarten, my father came to pick me up early one day. He had shot a monster 10-point buck that morning, and with the deer in tow, he came to get me at school. My entire class came outside to admire his trophy, and then he took me home and we took tons of pictures. I was so happy my dad made me such an important part of his celebration that day.” In the same spirit, driving home from elk country, Aversa called his son’s school and advised them that he would be picking his boy up from kindergarten early that day and, in a very real sense, history repeated itself. By the time they arrived home, a crowd of at least 20 people had gathered, eager to get a look at the massive bull. Later the Aversa family would host a “scoring party,” feasting on elk chili and elk cheese steaks while Gary Vail scored the elk and con-

firmed the trophy’s record book status. Like his father, Aversa believes it’s vital to instill an appreciation of the outdoors in the younger generation. “Many people today don’t know what it is to spend time out in the woods enjoying what Mother Nature has to offer,” he said. “I feel it’s our responsibility to try to teach our children that life isn’t all about video games and TV. You need to get out in the fresh air and realize that there is more there to be experienced. That’s why I try and take my kids with me every chance I get.” Aversa is hardly one to rest on his laurels. In addition to his traditional deer and turkey hunting on his property in Buckhorn, PA, he also plans to apply for the New Hampshire moose lottery. While it’s highly unlikely he’ll ever top his Pennsylvania elk trophy, if his astonishing good luck holds out, you never know. But you can bet that if he does get a chance at a New Hampshire moose, he’ll be keeping his trusty cell phone close by his side. 

The Game Commission bases its Big Game Scoring Program after the well known Boone & Crockett Club system. Scoring and keeping track of big game animals is important because harvesting a record book animal brings to attention the excellence of habitat and wildlife management practices that produce healthy wildlife populations. The scoring program also stresses hunter and conservation ethics, and is another tool that promotes recreational hunting and supports Pennsylvania’s strong hunting heritage. A printed version of the current PA records is available for $5 (includes sales tax) plus $1.25 shipping. The updated 2012 Record Book will be available in September 2012. To order call 1-888-888-3459. The categories and minimum scores for inclusion in the “Pennsylvania Book” are: Typical White-tailed Deer — Firearm, 140-0/8; Typical White-tailed Deer — Archery, 115-0/8; Nontypical White-tailed Deer — Firearm, 160-0/8; Nontypical White-tailed Deer —Archery, 135-0/8; Black Bear — Firearm, 19-0/16; Black Bear — Archery, 17-0/16; Typical Elk — Firearm, 300-0/8; Typical Elk —Archery; 200-0/8; Nontypical Elk Firearm, 325-0/8; Nontypical Elk — Archery, 275-0/8. To enter a big game animal or for more information about the Game Commission’s Big Game Records Program, send an email to rdangelo@pa.gov or call the Game Commission Harrisburg Headquarters.

JUNE 2012

Pennsylvania Game News - June 2012

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