UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- For people interested in game birds or operating a hunting preserve, Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences will hold the "Pennsylvania Game Breeders and Hunting Preserves Annual Meeting," Feb. 25-27 at The Nittany Lion Inn, University Park.

According to Paul Patterson, associate professor of poultry science and conference chair, the sessions will be conducted by some of the most experienced people in the field of game bird production and hunting resort management.

Beginners will learn tips on incubating and raising birds. Presentations on health challenges and management 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 network with other preserve owners.

Registration begins at 7 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 25, followed by a 7:30 reception. Training and information sessions begin at 8:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 26.

Monday morning sessions will include a diagnostic update for game birds; the how's and why's of nipple management; disease quarantines; and pheasant biology, populations and habitat in the Northeast.

Monday afternoon sessions will feature brooding and starting birds out on the right foot, a new approach to cocci management (vaccination) and environmental issues and regulations with sporting clays and shot.

A banquet will be held Monday evening at 7 p.m. The guest speaker, Bret Wallingford, wildlife biologist with the Pennsylvania Game Commission, will discuss "Fawn Survival of White-tailed Deer in Pennsylvania."

Tuesday morning's sessions include direct fed microbials and game bird production, public health issues and challenges, training aides for bird dogs and practical implications of research on embryo temperature during incubation.

An afternoon session will be held at 1 p.m. on necroscopy techniques for game birds, followed by an informal group discussion. The conference will end at 3 p.m.

To request registration materials and a detailed schedule, call 814-865-8301 or visit the World Wide Web at http://conferences.cas.psu.edu. For more information on conference content, call Paul Patterson at 814-865-3414. Registration will be accepted by mail or fax through Feb. 12, 2001.

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 $28. Late or 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 $72 plus tax per night for a single or double room. For special-rate room reservations, call (800) 233-7505 before Jan. 26 and indicate you are attending the Pennsylvania Game Breeders Annual Meeting.

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EDITORS: Contact Paul Patterson at 814-865-3414.

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