Test results from the Northeast Wildlife DNA Lab at East Stroudsburg University helped the Pennsylvania Game Commission get a conviction in its case of Raymond Carl Kresge Sr., 66, Gouldsboro, who was found guilty of for unlawfully possessing a 600-pound male black bear.

According to PGC wildlife conservation officer Jim McCarthy, who investigated the case and filed the charges against the Wayne County man June 21, District Judge Bonnie L. Carney of Hawley fined Kresge $1,500 plus costs of conducting the DNA analysis. Under a new structure of fines and penalties that take effect Tuesday, Sept. 7, those convicted of illegal possession of a black bear will face a misdemeanor charge carrying penalties of up to $3,000 in fines and the possibility of up to six months in prison as a result of House Bill 1859, which was sponsored by House Game and Fisheries Committee chairman Ed Staback.McCarthy said the case against Kresge began last September when a large male black bear was found dumped in the State Game Land 312 parking lot on Route 507, Gouldsboro. The bear was killed by a single gun shot to the head, and it is believed to have been killed a day or two prior to being found, and evidence and information was obtained from the scene.On Oct. 30, 2009, Lehigh Township Police officers stopped Kresge on a moving violation, for which he was charged with driving without a license. After noticing what appeared to be bear hair on the bumper, Lehigh Township Police notified the PGC Northeast Region office.After confirming that bear hair was on the bumper of the truck, PGC officers impounded the vehicle and obtained a search warrant. Once the warrant was secured, additional evidence was found and sent to Dr. Jane Huffman at the Northeast Wildlife DNA Lab for testing, and the DNA tests confirmed that the dead bear had been in the back of Kresge's truck.*****This year's "Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza" is being held today and Sunday, from 8 a.m.-6 p.m., at Kempton Fairground. For information, access the show website at

www.lvhfe.com.*****This year's Empire State Lake Ontario Fall Tournament is being held through Monday, Sept. 6. For information and registration, access on the Web at

www.loc.org or call 888-733-5246.*****A "Women's Pheasant Hunt" will be held for those age 18 and older who have passed the Hunter-Trapper Education Course or are licenses hunters, Friday, Sept. 24, at Pheasant Valley Farm Preserve near Robesonia. Pre-registration is required, and can be done by accessing the Pennsylvania Game Commission website at

www.pgc.state.pa.us, clicking on "Education" in the menu bar at the top of the page, scrolling down to "Special Events and Programs" and clicking on Events Manager. Registration also can be completed by contacting Karen Keen at 215-721-8732, or at

karinagspbt@comcast.net.*****Reports from the Lehigh Valley Hunting and Fishing Extravaganza will be presented by Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz on "Experience The Outdoors," today, from 7:30-8 a.m. on Oldies 1410-AM; Sunday, from 9:30-10 a.m., on WMGH, 105.5-FM; and on the Web at

www.wmgh.com by clicking the "Experience The Outdoors" link.*****A 3-D course is open for public use from dawn to dusk at Bear's Head Sportsmen's Association, Delano, located off Exit 134 of Interstate 81, daily through Saturday, Oct. 23. Donations are accepted and for information call the clubhouse at 570-467-0331 or e-mail

docblazer@verizon.net.*****A trap shoot will be held, Thursday, Sept. 2, beginning at 6 p.m., at Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg. For information, e-mail

jafone@comcast.net.*****Schuylkill Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets, Thursday, Sept. 2, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at West Penn Archery, South Tamaqua. For information, call Kevin Titus at 570-668-5903.*****A muzzleloader shoot and rendezvous will be held Friday-Monday, Sept. 3-6, with separate pre-1840 primitive and modern camping areas and shooting events Saturday and Sunday, at Blue Ridge Rifles Muzzleloader Club, Coon Club Road, off Route 183, south of Summit Station. For information, call Cathy Bates at 610-489-3878 or Betty Dietz at 570-489-3878.*****First Frontier Militia, the muzzleloader arm of Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club, will hold muzzleloader shoots on the following dates: Sunday, Sept. 12, Oct. 9 and 10, Nov. 14 and Dec. 12, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bowmanstown Rod and Gun Club is located on Gun Club Road, off Route 248, Bowmanstown. For information, call Roger Fisher at 610-377-2812.*****This year's "Pennsylvania Bowhunters Festival" will be held Friday-Sunday, Sept. 17-19, at Sullivan County Fairground, Forksville, beginning daily at 6 a.m. For information, call Bill Feese at 570-525-3635, e-mail

info@pabowhunters.com or access on the Web at

www.pabowhunters.com.*****Columbia County Open Buddy Bass Tournament will be held, Sunday, Sept. 19, Susquehanna River, Danville; Nov. 7, Williamsport Linden Access Area; 5 a.m. to 2 p.m. For information, call tournament director Mike Monico at 570-752-3223.*****This year's "Hawk Mountain Wildlife Art Show" will be held Saturday and Sunday, Sept 25 and 26, at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, Kempton. For information call the visitor center at 610-756-6961.*****Schuylkill County Trout Unlimited meets Tuesday, Sept. 28, Oct. 26, Nov. 23, Dec. 21, beginning at 7 p.m., at Yorkville Fire Company, South 20th and West Norwegian Sts., Pottsville. For information, call Randy Emerich at 570-622-1252 or access on the Web at

www.schuylkilltu.org.*****This year's "Schuylkill County Friends of NRA Banquet" will be held Thursday, Sept. 30, beginning at 5 p.m., at the Schuylkill Mall. For additional information or reservations, call Mike McCord at 570-628-1382.