John Beague, The Patriot-News via AP Two horses and a steer painted for deer season graze in a pasture near the home of farmer Friz Konieczka near Loganton. Click photo for larger image.

LOGANTON, Clinton County -- Friz Konieczka's farm 75 miles northwest of Harrisburg is small but easy to spot. It's the place with the orange-striped steer, horses, goats and dog.

"Some people may say it's goofy. I don't think it is," said Mr. Konieczka, who paints his animals every bear and deer season to keep them safe.

The retired auto mechanic said his farm outside Loganton, Clinton County, is right next door to Bald Eagle State Forest, site of many hunting camps.

Mr. Konieczka, 52, said he has been painting his animals during hunting seasons for eight years, using a paint he said does no damage and brushes out.

Joseph A. Kosack, a wildlife education specialist for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, said he didn't consider it necessary to paint the livestock, but he didn't fault Konieczka for doing so.

"I can't believe a hunter can't distinguish between a deer and a dog or horse," Mr. Kosack said. "But you have to do what you have to do to protect your animals."

Mr. Kosack said hunting is prohibited within 450 feet of buildings, and reports of farm animals being shot are rare.

Mr. Konieczka said none of his animals have been shot, but said a horse was killed elsewhere in Clinton County during one recent deer season.

He said a youth did jump out of a car with a shotgun three years ago during spring turkey gobbler season. When Mr. Konieczka asked what he was doing, he said the youth replied, "I'm going to shoot one of those baby turkeys."

Mr. Konieczka said the youth left after being told the birds were guinea hens.