Following up on last fall's effort to explain the state's deer management program and meet interested residents closer to home, the Game Commission is once again hitting the road in coming weeks to hold six open houses across the state.

The Commission also reminded hunters to complete their Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) report cards and mail them into the agency by February 10.

"Open houses provide a means for the agency to reach out and interact with hunters and other Pennsylvanians whose lives are influenced by deer," said Carl G. Roe, Game Commission executive director. "They have been used by the agency in the past and have been warmly received by residents who attend them. We have designed these open houses to provide the general public with information about our deer management program and an opportunity to discuss any questions that they may have."

In the 2003-07 Deer Management Plan, three goals, all identified and supported by Pennsylvanians, were established to guide the program. They were to: improve deer health, improve forest health and reduce deer-human conflicts.

The open houses that were held in 2007 gave the public the opportunity to provide input regarding the addition of two goals to the Deer Management Plan.

After receiving public input at those open houses, the agency has added two additional goals to the plan. Those goals are to manage deer to provide recreational opportunities; and to improve the public's knowledge and understanding of deer and the deer management program.

"Based on the first round of public input, we made adjustments to the deer management plan," Roe said.

Roe noted that the open houses will be held in six different locations from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. on a Saturday to maximize the opportunity for those interested in attending, and to afford those who were unable to attend last fall to do so this spring. Also, this round of open houses will be held in different locations than those held in the fall.

The schedule for the open houses is as follows:

· Southcentral Region: February 16, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the McConnellsburg American Legion Post #561, Fulton County;

· Northeast Region: February 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Saint Rose Academy, 1300 Old Plank Road, Mayfield, Lackawanna County;

· Southeast Region: March 1, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Game Commission's Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitors Center, 100 Museum Road, Newmanstown, Lancaster County;

· Southwest Region: March 15, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Game Commission Southwest Region Office, 4820 Route 711 North, Bolivar, Westmoreland County;

· Northcentral Region: March 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Red Fern Inn, St. Marys, Elk County; and

· Northwest Region: April 5, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at McLane Church, 12511 Edinboro Rd., Edinboro, Erie County.

The open houses and outreach information were developed by a Deer Communications Working Group, which was proposed by the Deer Management Section and created by Roe in late April of 2007.

"This group has worked hard to identify Pennsylvania's and the Game Commission's deer management educational and outreach needs, and develop the displays, brochures, workshops and website information, that will help deliver that important message to the public and fellow employees," Roe said. "We encourage Pennsylvanians to take time to visit one of these open houses."

The Game Commission recognizes that the public's comprehension of deer management and changes to the agency's deer program is essential to manage deer progressively and effectively.

While this outreach/educational effort targets all Pennsylvanians, there is considerable focus on hunting, primarily because hunters have helped the agency manage Pennsylvania's deer population for more than 100 years.

"Hunters have partnered with the Game Commission to manage wildlife since the agency's inception," Roe said. "Their financial contributions help support Pennsylvania's wildlife management programs and their efforts afield have helped to keep our deer populations in check. Hunters matter a great deal to the Game Commission and Pennsylvania."

For more information, visit the deer management program webpage and download a complete selection of the brochures being distributed at the open houses.

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2/8/2008