Being a Pennsylvania state game warden is more than just a job; it’s a passion fueled by protecting our state’s wildlife and natural resources. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to become a game warden – wonder no more – because this episode is packed with insight right from the Game Commission’s Director of Training Kyle Jury and State Game Warden (SGW) Hannah Robinson.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission’s training program takes place at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation in Harrisburg. The school started in 1936 and has produced just 728 graduates since that time. Hear how Director Jury and SGW Robinson’s paths led them to being two of those 728 and why they are passionate about their unique roles in protecting wildlife here in the Keystone State.

The official training currently takes about 44 weeks, but the process to getting to that point requires multiple steps. Director Jury provides insight on that process, from the civil service announcement, to applying online, to the written, oral and physical assessments, to background checks and more.

SGW Robinson is a Wayne County native and recent graduate of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation’s 32nd class. She was just assigned to her first district in southern Bucks County in February. Hannah had the opportunity to harvest her first pheasant while on field training last fall. As a graduation present, her family surprised her with a new bow and she’s looking forward to becoming an archery hunter this fall. Listen to the episode here. You can also click here to watch the recent graduation of the 32nd class on YouTube.

During the live briefing, Game Commission Waterfowl Biologist Nate Huck and Wildlife Management Program Chief Ian Gregg discussed the proposed 2021-22 waterfowl hunting seasons, proposed regulations, proposed federal frameworks and the 2020 waterfowl hunter survey results. A question-and-answer session followed the presentation.

The briefing can be viewed on the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Facebook page. The event was also recorded and a link will be available in the upcoming days at www.pgc.pa.gov.

Public comments on the proposed 2021-22 waterfowl hunting seasons and regulations will be accepted through March 21, 2021.

Those interested can send comments via letter to Game Commission headquarters or via email at waterfowlcomments@pa.gov.

More info here.

It’s that time of year, when whitetail bucks start to “shed” or drop their antlers and many of us will take to the woods in hopes of finding them!

If you’re already planning on searching Penn’s woods, why not take part in the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s 2021 Shed Hunt Photo Challenge? To enter, simply send a photo of your shed hunting experience, prior to March 12, 2021, to pgc-contest@pa.gov, with the subject line: “Shed.” Photos can include individuals, friends, dogs, or just a shed.

Participants could win a free trail camera, binoculars, or a free copy of Penn’s Woods Passages by Bob Sopchick! For contest details, click here.

Thanks to Kyle Bish, who submitted this photo and was a finalist during the 2019 Shed Hunt Photo Challenge.