CATCH THIS! Andrew Cochenour, 10, of Moon shows off the 3-pound, 12-ounce, 19-inch brook trout he caught in Flaugherty Run in Allegheny County the opening day of trout season.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will permit increased harvesting of deer as part of its 2007 hunting and trapping regulations, which were announced this week.

The new rules are intended to increase the deer kill in the three most populated Wildlife Management Units, which include portions of Beaver, Allegheny, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland, Northhampton, Lehigh, Berks, Montgomery, Chester and Deleware counties.

Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser said concerns that deer populations may be in decline in some areas can be addressed with the strategic harvesting reflected in the new regulations.

"Take a look around to see what the habitat is like," he said. "Is there plenty of what deer prefer to eat? Deer need a certain amount of food to successfully reproduce. We look at these factors when determining hunting seasons, bag limits and harvest objectives."

Feaser said the Game Commission recognizes a decline in deer populations in the northcentral region.

"Deer move in respect to food conditions," he said. "If you hunt literally from the same stump year after year, all the deer have to do is move a couple hundred yards and you won't see them."

Hunting regulation changes include new antlerless deer license allocations throughout the state, continuation of archery and extended black bear seasons, and an extension of the September elk hunt.

For a complete listing, check the Pennsylvania Game Commission Web site at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Top honors

Duke vom Buffeltaler, a breed of German wirehair owned by Donny Zarra of Carrick, was named top dog at the International Armbruster competition in Zanesville, Ohio.

The breed, Detusch Drahthaar, was selectively bred in Germany to be a versatile hunting dog. Zarra, a hunting guide, hunts Duke throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

Hunter-trapper education

The Pennsylvania Game Commission will sponsor the following hunter-trapper education courses throughout the southwest region.

Allegheny County: Coraopolis Sportsmen's Club, May 12-13, 412-221-1010; Elizabeth Township Sportsmen's Association, May 19-20, 412-829-1966.

Beaver County: Ambridge District Sportsmen's Club, tomorrow and Tuesday, 724-869-9749; Pine Run Sportsmen's Club, May 4-5, 724-774-4642; Beaver Valley Sportsmen's Club, May 22-24, 724-775-4502.

Cambria County: Middle Taylor Township Fire Dept., May 18-19, 814-535-3893; Emigh Sportsmen's Club, May 19-20, 814-948-6099; Bar Township Rod & Gun Club, June 2-3, 814-948-4073.

Fayette County: Messmore Rod & Gun Club, May 18-19, 724-737-0947; South Sonnellsville Rod & Gun Club, June 22-23, 724-626-8399.

Green County: Jefferson Fire Hall, May 19-20, 724-883-3901.

Indiana County: Montgomery Township Rod & Gun Club, May 4-5, 724-254-9264; Rossiter Sportsmen's Club, June 22-23, 814-938-2835.

Somerset County: New Baltimore Sportsmen's Club, June 6-9, 814-733-0029; Jenner Rod & Gun Club Picnic Grounds, June 15-16, 814-629-5809; Jenner Community Sportsmen's Association, June 29-30, 814-479-7033.

Washington County: Marianna Field & Stream, May 4-5, 724-222-3369; Dormont-Mt. Lebanon Sportsmen's Club, May 11-12, 412-344-4027; Gander Mountain, May 18-19 and June 15-16, 724-229-9800; ACE Sporting Goods, June 9-10, 724-222-5470.

Westmoreland County: Gander Mountain, Friday and Saturday, 724-834-2400; Youngwood Sportsmen's Club, May 11-12, 724-547-4679; East Huntingdon Sportmen's Association, May 19-20, 724-887-4103; Sutersville Sportsmen's Club, June 2-3, 412-673-2968; Murrysville Gun Club, June 2-3, 724-325-2543; Irwin Sportsmen's Association, June 9-10, 724-864-2488; Kingston Vets & Sportsmen's Club, June 19, 21, 23, 724-539-6689; Level Green VFD, June 22-23, 412-372-6230.