Pennsylvania Game Commission biologists are seeking assistance from residents in a regional monitoring effort to collect bat maternity colony data this summer. This monitoring is especially important due to the mortalities in bat populations throughout the eastern United States, including Pennsylvania, being caused by white-nose syndrome.

"WNS primarily kills during the winter, but the true impact of WNS on bat populations cannot be determined using estimates from winter hibernacula alone," PGC wildlife biologist Nate Zalik said. "Pennsylvanians can help us more fully gauge the impact of WNS by hosting a bat count this summer."We are especially urging people who have previously conducted a bat count for the Game Commission to participate again this year. Sites monitored for many years are valuable in assessing bat population trends, however, we also are interested in receiving reports from new surveyors and sites, as identifying the location and size of colonies of WNS survivors is important."To obtain applications and information on how to participate, visit the PGC website at

www.pgc.state.pa.us, click on "Wildlife" in the menu bar at the top of the homepage, scroll down and choose "Little brown bat" in the Wild Mammals section, and then click on "Appalachian Bat Count."**********Professional BASS and FLW Tournament angler Mike Iaconelli is appearing today at Cabela's Hamburg store, beginning at 11 a.m. to greet fans and sign autographs before a 1 p.m. seminar and after the seminar until 5 p.m. Also, today and Sunday the famed 4,000-gallon Berkley Bass Tank tractor trailer will be on display at Cabela's with an assortment of bass.Representatives from Berkley will be available to give anglers the best tips and tricks to help them catch the big bass. In addition, anglers will also have the chance to speak with representatives of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission to learn more about the fishing opportunities in Pennsylvania, including the upcoming Fish for Free Day, Friday, July 4.**********Pennsylvania hunting licenses for the 2014-15 seasons, which begin Tuesday, July 1, are now on sale electronically through the Pennsylvania Game Commission's Outdoor Shop, which can be accessed at

www.theoutdoorshop.state.pa.us, or at license-issuing agents, including county court houses. In addition to general hunting licenses, migratory bird permits, bear licenses, a second spring gobbler license, furbearer licenses and DMAP permits are also on sale.Antlerless applications for state residents will be accepted by county treasurers through the mail beginning Monday, July 14. Non-resident applications will be accepted through the mail beginning Monday, July 28.Beginning Monday, Aug. 4, a second round of applications for residents and non-residents begins through the mail. A third round of applications for residents and non-residents begins Monday, Aug. 18.**********Sunday's edition of "Experience The Outdoors," winner of the Pennsylvania Outdoor Writers Association's best outdoors radio program award hosted by award-winning POWA member Doyle Dietz, at 7 a.m. on 1410-AM WLSH, at 9:30 a.m. on Magic 105.5-FM and on the Web at

www.wmgh.com by clicking the link to the program, features Pennsylvania Game Commission executive director Matt Hough.**********A 30-target, 3-D hunting course is open daily from dawn to dusk, except Sundays from 1-4 p.m. for trap, at Bear's Head Archery, located off Exit 134, I-81, Delano. For information call the club at 570-467-0331.**********Schuylkill Spurs Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation meets Thursday, July 3, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at West Penn Rod and Gun Club, 1047 Clamtown Road, Tamaqua. For information, call Jeff Thomas at 570-622-6179, Jeff Post at 570-366-7783 or Mike Corbin at 570-929-1622.