The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is again hosting a Jr Game Warden Camp at various locations in the state.

The camp is an interesting and informative day of learning that youngsters ages 12-15 don’t learn in public schools.

Pennsylvania wardens perform a variety of duties like collecting forensic evidence that will bring animal poachers to justice, tracking down lost hikers, stocking pheasants and live-trapping black bears for research.

Game wardens have among the most unique, diverse and exciting careers in wildlife conservation.

The PGC is holding one-day Junior Game Warden Camps within six regions in the state, which is a structured, fun-filled day of learning about the career of a Pennsylvania State Game Warden.

Campers will spend the day with game wardens gaining insight into the job while learning the PGCs mission of managing and protecting the state’s wildlife and habitats while promoting hunting and trapping. Campers will join wardens in light physical fitness activities, confidence-building exercises and hands-on learning stations.

Junior Wardens will learn about wildlife forensics and methods used by wardens to catch poachers and solve wildlife-related crimes. Other activities will involve wildlife capture techniques, woodland tracking and outdoor survival.

Registration for the camps can be completed online by going to the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s website. It’s noted that the number of students is limited at these locations:

*Northwest Region: Saturday, June 27, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., at the Butler City Hunting and Fishing Club, 200 Grant Ave., East Butler, PA 16002. Registration is limited to 40 participants.

*Southwest Region: Thursday, July 23, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the PGC Southwest Region Office, 4820 Route 711, Bolivar, PA 15923. Registration limited to 40 participants.

*Northcentral Region: Tuesday, June 30, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Scotia Building, State Game Lands 176, Scotia Range Road, Warriors Mark, Pa, 16877. Registration is limited to 30 participants.

*Southcentral Region: Saturday, June 20, 8 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Greencastle Sportsman’s Association, 3260 Sportsman’s Road, Greencastle, PA 17225. Registration limited to 40 participants.

*Northeast Region: Thursday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m., at Moscow Sportsman’s Club, 230 Union Mill Road, Covington Township, PA 18444. Registration limited to 45 participants.

*Southeast Region: Friday, July 24, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area Visitor Center, 100 Museum Road, Stevens, PA 17578.

FORMER ALBURTIS RESIDENT WINS PRESTIGIOUS BIANCHI CUP

Doug Koenig, former Alburtis resident, Doug Koenig won his 21st Bianchi Cup, the prestigious and challenging national multistage handgun sport shooting event held last week at Green Valley Rifle and Pistol Club in Hallsville, Missouri. Koenig shot a perfect score of 1920x182x.

As Captain of Ruger’s Professional Shooting Team, Koenig beat out s long list of other top professional shooters from around the country. Bianchi is recognized as the top shooting event in the country as it requires consistency, precision and speed in competitive competition. Koenig credited his win to hard work, preparation and support from Ruger as he was using Ruger’s Custom Shop SR 1911 pistol.

While Koenig was a local resident, he had a range set up with moving targets at Topton Fish and Game Association’s range in Topton. And in an interview with him several years ago, he admitted that he puts lot of miles on his bike, ran miles and worked out with weights to stay in shape. And after 21 wins, his regime seems to be working for him.