Jun 10, 2017 4 min read

All major issues facing the Pennsylvania Game Commission are handled by the appointed commissioners who reside in various parts of the state. About 16 years ago, Dennis Fredericks of Washington County stepped aside as a commissioner, having served his term.

During those years when Fredericks served, one could at least say the commission had a commissioner with common sense and intelligence. A rare combination indeed.

Fredericks not only served the hunting community well, he also enjoyed the position. I say these kind but honest words because Fredericks is an outdoorsman. He has two sons who hunt, therefore he has an interest in the future of hunting. It also is in the best interest of Washington County residents to have a local in the commission’s leadership positions.

Fredericks or any other commissioner, upon serving his term, has to step aside for someone else. A consecutive term is not allowed but nothing has been written to prevent split terms, so Fredericks is again throwing his hat into the ring and is running for commissioner. For whatever my opinion is worth, I encourage local outdoorsmen and women to back Fredericks in his quest for a second term as commissioner.

Fredericks’ job was with Consol and he was in charge of their land management. With all of the gas drilling in the area he seems a likely person to handle the Game Commission’s interplay with the drillers. After all, the Game Commission is perhaps the state’s largest landowner. Even in the chance that not all the land used by the commission includes mineral rights, there is still a lot of money involved. Why not a person on the commission’s side who understands the ins and outs of land management? Unlike some politically appointed commissioners, Fredericks understands the hunt, be it for birds or four-legged critters. I don’t always agree with him on all subjects but I think he is the best we have had.

• I have been kicking around an idea for some time nd I’m ready to go public. Any comments are welcome, be they good or bad.

After consulting with a few friends, four of us have gotten together for an idea of mine. We are creating an award for hunting, fishing and conservation accomplishments by a young person in Washington County. The award would be given to an outstanding person 18 years of age or younger and be presented at the winter sports show. All of the ins and outs have not been finalized but we have decided to give out a plaque and $200 to the recipient. Any sport club can nominate an individual, as can a resident of Washington County. So far, the four judges are Mike Weber of Scenery Hill, Denny Fredericks of Glyde, Chet Krcil of Claysville and me.

We don’t have a nomination form yet but all nominations should include what the youngster has done to respect and enjoy the hunting/fishing sports. Things like improving access to a stream or even taking an outstanding trophy could be included. The young outdoorsman should show respect and have a good code of ethics for they will weigh heavy in choosing a winner. If all goes well, the award would be an annual award and was given the name by Weber – The Washington County Block Award.

I could still use some input from others and won’t start accepting nominations until July. One thing I still am working on is to whom and where the nominations should be mailed. So, you see, I still have some things to work out.

• Groundhog hunters take note, it is almost time to purchase the new hunting license. The old one will expire on the last day of June.

• There is a gun show at the Arden Fairgrounds June 17-18. See you there.

George Block writes a weekly Outdoors column for the Observer-Reporter.