HUNTERS/TRAPPERS ENCOURAGED TO SUBMIT PHOTOS FOR SCRAPBOOK
Certificates also available for "First Big Game Harvest"
HARRISBURG - To showcase the achievements of successful hunters and trappers, and to promote the Commonwealth's proud hunting and trapping heritage, the Pennsylvania Game Commission is encouraging hunters and trappers to share photos of their success afield in the "Hunter/Trapper Photo Scrapbook" on the agency's website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us).
The scrapbook, which includes special sections for junior and mentored youth hunters, can be found on the agency's website by clicking on "Hunting," and then choosing the "Hunter/Trapper Scrapbook" from the list of items in the center of the page.
"We're interested in showing photographs of hunters who have been successful in one of Pennsylvania's big game seasons - elk, black bear, white-tailed deer and wild turkey - or trappers or predator callers who have taken a bobcat or coyote, and trappers who have taken an exceptional beaver," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "What we're looking for are sharp, color photographs of proud hunters or trappers posing with a big game animal or furbearer they had taken in Pennsylvania. We're particularly interested in 'firsts,' exceptional animals and, of course, unusual animals."
Photos of younger hunters with small game also will be accepted for the Junior (12-16) and Mentored Youth (under 12) sections.
"Since we first started posting photos in the Hunter/Trapper Scrapbook in 2003, more than 400 photos have been submitted for posting by hunters of all ages," Roe said. "Some submissions illustrate the results of antler restrictions, as there are many massive-racked deer. Other submissions include enormous black bears, impressive elk and large turkeys.
"All photos, however, show hunters and trappers enjoying the bounty of Penn's Woods and reinforce that Pennsylvania hunting and trapping remain an important part of our state's rich heritage and culture."
Roe noted that photos should show game animals in a presentable manner. Photos submitted through the U.S. Mail cannot be returned, and there is no guarantee that every photo received will be used. Individuals may send submissions via first-class mail to the address found on the online application. Photos also can be submitted electronically, through pgcphotos@state.pa.us. Please include background information on the photo, including: name of the hunter/trapper; age; hometown; harvest date and location; achievement description (species, weight, antler points, beard length); and achievement significance, such as whether this was a hunter's first deer, turkey or bear, or a trapper's first coyote or beaver.
Roe noted that the agency also has created a "First Big Game Harvest" certificate that can be completed online and printed for hunters who want to acknowledge harvesting a deer, turkey, bear or elk. Information can be typed into the online certificates and then printed. Certificates are suitable for framing.
The certificates can be found on the agency's website (
www.pgc.state.pa.us) by clicking on "Hunting," and then choosing the "First Big Game Harvest Certificates" from the list of items in the center of the page.
