Pennsylvania 4-H'ers Show their Skills with Friendly Wildlife Challenge

The Wildlife and Forestry Outdoor Challenge is a hands-on educational experience that connects youth with the natural world by offering interactive workshops led by experienced professionals and educators focused on wildlife identification, conservation practices and forest stewardship.

Workshops hosted at the event included:

• "Deer Aging (Junior Division)" and "Antler Identification and Scoring (Teen Division)," with Kip Adams from the National Deer Association.
• "Gamebird Biology and Habitat Management," with Colin Lynch and Jordan Rabon from Pennsylvania Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever.
• "Managing Birds and Mammals," with Jake Smith and Jonathan Nelson from the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
• "Tree Identification," with Chelsea Beck from the Tioga Bureau of Forestry.
• "Forest Health," with Ashlee Gulvas from the Tioga Bureau of Forestry.
• "Tree Measurement," with Isaac Leach from the Tioga Bureau of Forestry.

4-H youth competed in friendly knowledge and skills competitions, applying what they learned throughout the day. The competitions tested their skills in wildlife identification, deer aging, antler scoring, and forestry concepts.

In the junior division, Lily Gulvas, of Tioga County, placed first. Cash Lockward, of Tioga County, and Samantha Marshall, of Montour County, tied for second place. Benjamin Long, of Potter County, ranked third.

In the teen division, Silas Batterson, of Potter County, and Catherine Darmanin, of Tioga County, tied for first place. Morgan Keeney, of Tioga County, placed second. Sarah Bupp, of Butler County, came in third place.

Administered in Pennsylvania by Penn State Extension, 4-H is a nonformal educational youth-development program of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that helps young people develop knowledge and skills to become capable, caring, and contributing citizens. To find your local program, visit the Pennsylvania 4-H website.