UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- For those interested in game birds or the operation of a hunting resort, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will hold a three-day conference, "Pennsylvania Game Breeders and Hunting Preserves," Feb. 20-22 at The Nittany Lion Inn, University Park.

"Some of the most experienced individuals in game bird production and hunting resort management will lead the sessions," says Michael Hulet, associate professor of poultry science.

The conference covers tips for beginners on how to raise birds and establish a safe and successful hunting club. Presentations on game bird health will be of interest to industry veterans, as well as those just starting up. Participants also will have the chance to talk with presenters and other preserve owners.

Registration begins at 7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 20, followed by a 7:30 reception. Training and information sessions begin at 8:40 a.m., Monday, Feb. 21.

Monday morning sessions will focus on hatchery management; brooding and rearing game birds; and training a young dog. Chris Chaffon of the National Shooting Sports Foundation will discuss the future of shooting sports.

Monday afternoon sessions will cover incubator conditions and their effect on post-hatch growth; coccidiosis in game birds; and available antimicrobials approved for game birds. Dr. Fred Metzger, a State College veterinarian, will discuss tick control for hunting dogs. Jim Brett, sportsmen adviser to the governor, will discuss getting youth involved in shooting sports.

A banquet will be held Monday at 7 p.m. The guest speaker, Duane Diefenbach of the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, will discuss "Pennsylvania Game-Farm Pheasants: How Many Do Hunters Bring to the Dinner Table?" Attendees will hear the results of a large study conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture -- in which banded pheasants were released and hunters turned in bands for cash rewards -- to determine the effectiveness of the Pennsylvania Game Commission's program for raising and placing birds.

Tuesday's sessions will cover global perspectives of the grain market; the use of computers in game bird production; and regulations on shipping live birds. Patty Dunn, Penn State research associate in veterinary science, will discuss the West Nile virus and other encephalitedes and their risk to game birds. The West Nile virus, seen for the first time in the Western hemisphere last year when it infected crows in New York City, has since infected pheasants and other birds.

A game bird production panel, "Everything You Wanted to Know About the Game Bird Business and Were Afraid to Ask," will feature panelists with experience raising a diversity of game birds. Panelists include Carl Riegner of the Pennsylvania Game Commission; Tom Crawford of the Hillendale Hunt Club; and Bob Wolfe of Wolfe's Game Farm.

The conference will end at 3:30 p.m., following a tour of the Department of Poultry Science and the Department of Veterinary Science's Diagnostic Lab. "The poultry science department has some of the newest research facilities in the nation, with a number of active projects that benefit game bird producers," Hulet says. "You'll see hatching facilities, growing facilities and an environmental chamber that allows researchers to control light, temperature and other factors to simulate any season of the year or weather condition."

To request registration materials and a detailed schedule, call 814-865-8301. For more information on conference content, call Michael Hulet at 814-863-8934. Registration will be accepted by mail or fax through Feb. 4.

The registration fee is $55. A second person from the same firm or a spouse can attend for $45. Tickets for Monday evening's banquet should be purchased with the preregistration form for an additional $25. Walk-in registrations will be accepted for $65 as space permits.

A block of rooms have been reserved at The Nittany Lion Inn at a rate of $69 plus tax per night for a single or double room. Reserve a special-rate room by calling (800) 233-7505 before Jan. 20 and indicate you are attending the Game Breeders Conference.

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EDITORS: To contact Michael Hulet, please call 814-863-8934.

Contacts: Kim Dionis KDionis@psu.edu 814-863-2703 814-865-1068 fax