The Wildlife Management Institute, tapped by the Pennsylvania legislature to perform an audit of the Game Commission's deer management program, is no stranger to this kind of assignment.

The Washington, D.C., based non-profit group has completed more than 70 reviews of fish and wildlife programs in 40 states and four Canadian provinces. Since 1948, WMI has published five summaries of state fish and wildlife agencies, and in 2000 investigated the feasiblity of attempting to revive Pennsylvania's ring-necked pheasant population.

The bill mandating the audit was authored by Rep. David Levdansky, D-Elizabeth, and approved by the state House in 2008.

"I look forward to working with Legislative Budget and Finance Committee staff, the Wildlife Management Institute and Pennsylvania Game Commission," said Levdansky, "in a thorough, comprehensive and independent audit of Pennsylvania's deer management program."

A Game Commission representative said the agency will comply with all requests associated with the audit.

"We welcome the science-based study and are pleased that it will be accomplished by an entity outside the commonwealth that will have considerable expertise in the appropriate fields," said Jerry Feaser. "We have engaged in previous peer-reviews of our harvest estimates, deer and forest health indicators, and population estimates by deer management professionals because we recognize the value of independent evaluations to improve our deer management program."

The audit is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

Last week, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission cancelled a trout stocking at Connoquenessing Creek when the state Department of Environmental Protection found high levels of arsenic in soils near the stream bank at Father Marinero Park in Butler. The commission said the risk to humans from arsenic in fish is minimal -- DEP does not believe fish can absorb the contaminate in a form that's harmful to humans, PFBC biologists say previously stocked trout weren't in the stream long enough to accumulate arsenic, and there are no fish consumption advisories for arsenic anywhere in Pennsylvania. The commission says it's working with DEP to evaluate future stocking plans for this section of the Connoquenessing.

Ford City Sportsmen will hold a Relay For Life Cancer Shoot May 17 benefitting the American Cancer Society. 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., 724-763-3136, fordcitysportsmen@yahoo.com.

In Farmington, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa will field its annual Sporting Clays Classic May 17. 724-229-0851, ext. 111.

May 23 is one of Pennsylvania's two fish-for-free days when fishing licenses aren't required. (Adults without fishing licenses can always assist kids 12 and under as long as the adults remain near the kids and don't set the hook.)

The Jefferson Hills Recreation Board will sponsor a Kids Fishing Contest May 23 at Peters Creek near Large. The event includes prizes and a grab bag. Lunch will be provided, and catch-and-release promoted. 412-655-7760.