Pennsylvania Mixed Bag: PGC has two new deputy executive directors

Harrisburg — The Pennsylvania Game Commission has two new deputy executive directors.

David Gustafson, who had directed the agency’s Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, has taken over the deputy executive director role vacated when Stephen Smith became executive director. And Kelly O’Donnell, who comes to the Game Commission from the state Department of Agriculture, began work in the deputy executive director position that opened when Deana Vance retired.

Gustafson has worked for the Game Commission since 2003, most recently overseeing and directing wildlife habitat management practices on the Game Commission’s more than 1.5 million acres of state game lands, as well as gas, oil, coal and timber operations on game lands, in addition to other responsibilities.

O’Donnell, who graduated from Penn State in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, worked in several capacities for the state Department of Agriculture. Most recently, she was director of the agency’s Bureau of Administrative Services.

MORE COVERAGE FROM PENNSYLVANIA OUTDOOR NEWS:

Number of Pennsylvania game lands with Deer Management Assistance Program tags nearly doubles

Adjust fly-fishing tactics to catch more trout as summer fades to fall

Commentary: Politicians wrong – Pennsylvania needs more game lands, not less

Gauger Named CEO of Keystone Elk Alliance

Benezette, Pa. — Keystone Elk Country Alliance board of directors recently announced that Jeff Gauger has been appointed as the next CEO and president for the group.

Gauger has served the last four years as director of development for the elk alliance and is credited for helping to inspire a robust period of growth for the organization.

Gauger and his wife, Robin, are founding life members and long running volunteers. Gauger spent over 30 years as a leader in the contract dining/hospitality industry, most recently as a regional director of operations for the Compass Group.

Phil Fitch Chukar Challenge at Rolfe Club

Johnsonburg, Pa. — Phil Fitch was a special member of the Rolfe Beagle Club and in the bird dog community of Elk County and northcentral Pennsylvania. He enjoyed raising, training and hunting his sporting dogs.

In memory of Fitch, on Saturday, Sept. 21, the Rolfe Beagle Club will host the Phil Fitch Memorial Chukar Challenge from 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Members of the Upland Bird Hunt Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society will be managing the Chukar Challenge.

Only 24 registrants will be accepted. The Rolfe Beagle Club is at 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, Pa. 15845 in Elk County.

All dog handlers wanting to register their dog(s) should contact Mary Hosmer at 1016 Long Level Road, Johnsonburg, PA, or at email wlhab9@gmail.com.

40th Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum Oct. 10

Kane, Pa. — The Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum on Oct. 10 will feature Todd Ristau, researcher in silviculture, as the keynote speaker. He works for the U.S. Forest Service at the Northern Research Station’s Forestry Sciences Lab in Irvine, Pa.

A special field tour from noon to 4 p.m. will be held to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Roach-Bauer Forestry Forum by highlighting research results and use at three field stops near Wilcox.

The forum will be held at the Wilcox Community Building at 320 Faries St., Wilcox. Preceding the talk will be a no-host social hour from 4 to 5 p.m., and dinner at 5 p.m. The program will start immediately after dinner. Reservations are required. For reservations, call the Allegheny Hardwood Utilization Group at 814-837-8550 or email bcarson@ahug.com.

Comment on Elk County Stream Project

Marienville, Pa. — The U.S. Forest Service is accepting public comments on a proposal to improve stream habitat along 65 miles of streams in Highland, Ridgway and Spring Creek townships in Elk County.

The project proposal includes felling trees into streams and onto floodplains, also constructing beaver dam analogs in streams. Bear Creek, Irwin Run, and Upper Clarion River watersheds have been identified as priority watersheds for restoration.

These watersheds have been rated as “fair” in condition.

Streams in these watersheds, plus Threemile Run, lack habitat diversity due to the removal of trees (large wood) from riparian areas and streams, done prior to the Forest Service’s acquisition of the land.

For more information, a scoping document is available here.

Click on Comment/Object on Project, located on the right side of the webpage under the Get Connected sidebar. Verbal comments may be submitted at the Marienville Ranger District Office by calling 814-927-5700.

Maryland Rod and Reef Slam Sept. 7-15

Annapolis, Md. — Registration is now open for one of the Chesapeake Bay’s most unique fishing tournaments, the Maryland Rod and Reef Slam.

This annual event challenges anglers to fish around restored oyster reefs and target the greatest variety of species, including invasives like snakehead and blue catfish.

This year’s tournament will run from Saturday, Sept. 7, through Sunday, Sept. 15.

Fishing will be followed by a beachfront after-party and awards ceremony at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Philip Merrill Center in Annapolis on Sept. 15, featuring live music from the Eastport Oyster Boys, local food, and drinks.

Registration for this fishing tournament is required by Sept. 6.

To register, go to https://bit.ly/4fAz8la.