HARRISBURG — Butler native Barry J. Seth, the Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer in Armstrong County, recently was presented with the Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year Award, which is sponsored by Cabela's.

Seth is the officer for the western portion of Armstrong County, where he enforces game and wildlife laws; completes wildlife studies; visits schools, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs for educational programs.

He has been instrumental in developing three youth field days in Armstrong County, which provides youth a day of hands-on outdoors programs.

"During his tenure, WCO Seth has done a commendable job as a representative of the Game Commission," said Matt Hough, Game Commission southwest region director. "Regardless of the task at hand, WCO Seth always maintains a positive attitude toward the public and the agency."

Hough noted that in 2005 Seth and his deputy officers successfully prosecuted one of the largest illegal deer cases in southwestern Pennsylvania.

"In the end, 74 citations were issued to seven defendants and they were found guilty or pled guilty to all charges resulting in fines in excess of $32,000," Hough noted.

Seth also organized a special ATV enforcement patrol in his district to stem the tide of illegal ATV operations on State Game Lands and private properties enrolled in the commission's cooperative public access lands.

He worked with the Armstrong County League of Sportsmen to create a fund to provide scholarships to students pursuing careers in a conservation-related field.

Seth began his affiliation with the Game Commission as a deputy game protector in Butler County in 1973.

Seth, who lives in Worthington, graduated from Butler High School and served in the Navy.

He and his wife, Linda, have four children and five grandchildren.