Depending on how you look at it, the Pennsylvania Game Commission's controversial deer management plan and the health of the state's woodlands are two sides of the same coin.

Two upcoming programs address aspects of the overlying issue: deer, habitat and the human role as steward of Pennsylvania's wild places.

On March 15, the Pennsylvania Game Commission will hold a Deer Management Open House, answering questions from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Game Commission Southwest Region Office, 4820 Route 711, Bolivar.

On March 29, wildlife and forestry experts will discuss forest management, plant diversity, pests and forest economics at the Western Pennsylvania Woodlands and Wildlife Conference, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. at the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Greensburg. $35 includes buffet lunch. To register call 724-837-1402 or visit westmoreland.extension.psu.edu.

Download details about the state's deer management plan at www.pgc.state.pa.us.

Despite an unchecked deer population explosion and the rhetoric of some public officials, Allegheny County has yet to apply to the Pennsylvania Game Commission for approval of a deer management plan.

But in Allegheny County parks, a special program maintained by the nonprofit group White Tail Management helps to cull the herd.

Archers who have previously taken three deer with arrows have a chance to enter the program at qualifying shoots scheduled for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4 and May 11 at the Northside Sportsman Club, Warrendale. Contact Art Klajnowski evenings at 412-931-9438 or 412-735-0497. Hunts occur during regular archery season.

Allegheny County

March 29-30 Monroeville Municipal Building. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. and Sun. Pre-registration required, lunch provided. 412-856-3369.

March 28-29 Bullcreek Rod and Gun Club. 6-9 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Pre-registration required, lunch provided. 724-226-3369.

Cambria County

March 7-8 Middle Taylor Fire Company. 5-9 p.m. Fri.; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sat. Pre-registration required, lunch provided. 814-535-3893.

Greene County

March 8-9 Mt. Morris Sportsmen's Club. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sat.; 1-4 p.m. Sun. Lunch provided. 724-324-9185.

Westmoreland County

March 9-11 White Oak Rod & Gun Club. 4-9 p.m. Sun.; 5-9 p.m. Mon.; 5-9 p.m. Tue. Pre-registration required. 724-863-7552.

March 14-15 Gander Mountain, Rt. 30. 6-9 p.m. Fri.; 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Sat. Pre-registration required, lunch $5. 724-834-2400.

March 29-30 Bridgeport National Guard. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat.; 1-5 p.m. Sun. Pre-registration required, lunch provided. 724-925-8054.

March 29-30 Rostraver Sportsmen's Club. 8:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. Sat.; 8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m. Sun. Pre-registration required, lunch provided. 724-684-4219.

Anglers' excitement over last Tuesday's trout-stocking at North Park Lake was short lived, since Allegheny County officials unexpectedly announced Wednesday they were drawing down the lake by 2 feet for dam repairs and immediately closing it to ice-fishing. The county gave no indication of an impending draw-down when asked about the status of dam repairs a week earlier.

Public works construction manager Doug Aiken said the ban was ordered when the state approved its dam repair permit, which didn't allow for much time for a heads-up. The Fish and Boat Commission said draw down won't hurt the newly stocked fish. Bank fishing is permitted. North Park Lake is in the Early Season Trout-stocked Waters Program, which allows fishing through March 31.

-- Deborah Weisberg