HARRISBURG - Carl Roe, executive director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, recently praised outdoors clubs throughout the state who signed up to host junior pheasant hunts. The clubs will share in about 1,800 pheasants the agency is providing for junior pheasant hunts.

"While the agency's financial situation remains a concern, providing pheasants to clubs sponsoring junior pheasant hunts is a wise investment," Roe said. "The state's long-standing two-pheasant daily bag limit will apply to junior hunters participating in the season. In addition, depending on the area they are hunting, juniors will be required to comply with restrictions on hunting male or female pheasants."

Eligible juniors must be between the ages of 12 and 16, and have successfully completed a basic Hunter-Trapper Education course. There is no requirement that participating juniors buy a license, but they must wear the necessary orange and be accompanied as required by law.

Roe noted that the junior pheasant hunt is not part of the Mentored Youth Hunting Program for those hunters under the age of 12, and includes groundhog, squirrel, coyotes, spring gobbler and antlered deer.

Following is a partial listing of some of the Western Pennsylvania clubs that are hosting junior pheasant hunts:

Allegheny County

• Bull Creek Rod & Gun Club will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at the club in Tarentum for 30 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 9. Contact Ray Zbikowski at 724-224-4523 or iko96@yahoo.com.

Armstrong County

• The Apollo-Spring Church Sportsman's Club will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at the club near Apollo for 30 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Daniel Shaffer at 724-681-2834 or Kurt George at 724-478-1237.

• Pine Creek Sportsmen's Club will host its junior pheasant hunt at Bassinger Farm near Templeton, for 20 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact William Bassinger Jr. at 724-548-7746 or billphyl176@windstream.net.

Clearfield County

• Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited will host a junior pheasant hunt at the All-Season Trap & Skeet Club near Luthersburg for 25 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Laura Johnson at 814-371-4856 or lauraj@zitomedia.net

Elk County

• Pheasants Forever Chapter 630 Elk County will host its annual junior pheasant hunt at SGL 44, Brandy Camp Tract, for 40 juniors. The registration deadline is Sept. 15. Contact Leon Blashock to register at 814-885-8950 or tobrits@windstream.net.

Westmoreland

• Kingston Veterans & Sportsmen's Club and the Laurel Highlands Chapter of Pheasants Forever will host their annual junior pheasant hunt for 50 juniors near Latrobe. The registration deadline is Sept. 10. Contact Kevin Adams at 724-423-8445 or adamsk@wpa.net.