Public Tour Of Game Lands October 1

A tour of one of northern Pennsylvania's most popular state game lands is scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 1. It's being held on SGL 44, in Elk County.

Those attending should meet no later than 1:00 p.m. at the Pa. Game Commission headquarters on Commission Road, about a half-mile south of Rt. 949 at the Toby Creek Bridge. Take Rt. 949 South from the Elk County Courthouse in Ridgway for about eight miles and then turn left onto Game

The tour will include areas where visitors can view habitat improvements as well as wildlife habitat demonstration areas. Those attending will use their own vehicles to travel from site to site. Only high clearance vehicles can be used on the dirt roads, although fourwheel drive is not necessary.

"This tour will allow hunters and trappers and others who appreciate wildlife the opportunity to see one way the agency is spending license fees," said Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe

Roe noted that staff shortages and limited financial resources forced a reduction of services on a number of State Game Lands this year. During fiscal 2004-05, the Game Commission spent more than $6.9 million on habitat improvement.

Much of it financed the planting of grain, grasses and legumes for wildlife. Wildlife food plots were limed and fertilized. More than 21,000 acres were mowed to maintain high-quality grasses and legumes. Field and road borders were cut to provide nesting and escape cover. Wetland restoration work was completed on 11 sites. Trees were pruned to improve fruit and seed production and nest boxes were erected.

Also, nearly 2.7 million seedlings were planted on State Game Lands and public access lands. These consisted of 26 species of important food and cover trees and shrubs.

The game lands program dates back to 1919, developed

for the protection, propagation and management of wildlife, and to provide areas for public hunting and trapping. Since that time, the Game Commission has acquired more than 1.4 million acres in 65 counties. Most purchases were made through license sales; timber, coal, oil, gas and mineral operation revenues and the state's share of a federal excise tax on sporting arms and ammunition.