Experienced hunters and trappers who are interested in becoming volunteer instructors for the Pennsylvania Game Commission's basic Hunter-Trapper Education, Successful Bowhunting, Successful Furtaking and Successful Turkey Hunting courses, as well as future courses under consideration, are being sought by the agency.

"Becoming a volunteer instructor for the Game Commission is one to help new hunters and trappers understand the importance of safety afield and to pass along our outdoors heritage," PGC Hunter-Trapper Education Division chief Keith Snyder said. "Becoming an instructor also is a fine way to help make a difference in your community and to do something to help improve the quality of our education and safety programs."If you're an experienced hunter or trapper, and want to give something back, I encourage you to become a certified instructor for one or all of the agency's education programs. Quality training is vital to ensuring these young hunters and trappers are safe and responsible."Persons who wish to become instructors should be knowledgeable, experienced hunters and trappers, and be willing to teach at least one class per year. Classes are held at a variety of locations, such as sportsmen's clubs, fire halls and schools.Instructors work with other volunteer instructors, wildlife conservation officers and Deputy WCOs to plan and teach classes. Applicants need not be experts in every field of hunting and trapping, and all teaching materials and detailed lesson plans are provided by the PGC.All new instructors must have attended and completed a class, as a student, within 18 months prior to or after submitting their application. Also, applicants must pass a background check, assist with at least one student-level class and attend a new instructor training workshop before being certified.For more information about becoming an instructor, visit the PGC website at

www.pgc.state.pa.us and select "Become an HTE Instructor" on the homepage. Individuals also can request an application packet online or by calling the agency's Hunter-Trapper Education Division at 717-787-7015.**********This year's Pennsylvania Game Commission's free "Seedlings for Schools" program, in which students will be able to plant a variety of tree seedlings at home, on school grounds or in their communities is underway through Sunday, April 1, through the PGC website at

www.pgc.state.pa.us by clicking on "Seedlings for Schools," and all orders must be submitted online."Seedlings come in bundles of 25, and will be shipped directly to schools by UPS toward the end of April, depending on order receipt and weather," Howard Nursery superintendent Annetta Ayers said. "Once seedlings arrive, it is important to keep them moist. Hand out seedlings with roots in plastic bags with moist shredded newspaper or plant them in juice/milk cartons for transplanting at home. 'How to plant' information and educational materials will be provided with seedlings."**********Planting food plots for deer and other wildlife sponsored by Koch's Farm Service will be the topic of a seminar to be held Monday, beginning at 6:30 p.m., in the Lewistown Valley at the Zion Church Social Hall, 491 Valley Road, Tamaqua. For information and requested preregistration, call Owen Koch at 570-668-3849.**********Schuylkill Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation will hold its annual banquet, Saturday, March 10, beginning at 5 p.m., at the Community Fire Company, Landingville. For information, call Jeff Post at 570-366-7783 or Mike Corbin at 570-929-1622.**********Required pre-registration is now open for a "Women in the Outdoors" program being held by the Blue Mountain Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Saturday, March 10, at Cabela's Hamburg store. For information and registration, contact Leslie Smith by calling 484-634-0069 or emailing

lsmith@nwtf.net. For information about the NWTF, access the website at

www.nwtf.org or call 800-THE-NWTF.**********This week's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," hosted by award-winning Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association member Doyle Dietz, Sunday, at 7 a.m. on 1410 WLSH and 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5, will feature Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission waterways conservation office Mark Pisco.**********A trap shoot will be held, Thursday, March 8, beginning at 6 p.m., at Orwigsburg Gun Club, Gun Club Road, off Route 443 East, Orwigsburg. For information, e-mail

jafone@comcast.net.