ELIZABETHTOWN (Lancas ter Co.) As the National Park Service begins its long-awaited project to thin the burgeoning deer population on 8,000 acres of national park land at Gettysburg, they have called on the Pennsylva nians for the Responsible Use of Animals (PRUA) for help. PRUA will assist the Park Ser vice with the distribution of veni son from the deer reduction project through its “Hunters Shar ing the Harvest” program. Bert Frost, wildlife biologist with the National Park Service, told PRUA, “One of the most important aspects in the reduction of deer on parkland is the ability to utilize the meat. With PRUA’s ‘Hunters Sharing the Harvest’ program already in place, there’s no better group to facilitate the distribution of the meat” According to Ken Brandt, spokesman for PRUA, plans have been made to have the harvested deer delivered to the Hanover Locker Plant, Hanover. Owner Gary Parrish has agreed to process all deer from the Gettysburg shoot, which runs from October through March, 1996. The Park Service anticipates reducing the herd on the Gettys burg grounds by at least 400 deer. Additional thinning activities have been scheduled for the Philadelphia Airport, where a con trolled hunt will take place. The meat will be distributed through Philadelphia food banks. Longwood Gardens at Kennett Square is making plans to have a deer reduction program on their grounds during the regular deer season. Once again, this meat will be distributed to area food banks. According to Brandt, the aver age yield will be '6O pounds of venison per head. This means as much as 12 tons of deer meat could be directed to the food banks in the central Pennsylvania area alone. Tim Whelan, director of South NEED YOUR E FARM BUILDINGS PAINTED? Let us give you a price! Write: Daniel’s Painting 637-A Georgetown Rd. Ronks, PA 17572 (or leave message) (717) 687-8262 ■■■ Spray on and Brush p in Painting E m rsi Diesel Engine Service • New - Rebuilt Used Engines and Power Units • New John Deere Ind. Powarunits 19-375 HP " • Detroit Diesel - 53- \ 71-92 8.2 Series B gfA engines 48-500 HP • Sales & Service • New & Used Parts • PTO Clutches & Gear Reductions 6059 T Power for Shops, Sawmills, Irrigation Pumps, Harvesters, Grinders, Generators, Any Power Need You May Have. 13 Pleasant Valley Rd. 717-733-3890 Ephrata, Pa. 17522 FAX 717-738-3148 PRUA Helps With Deer Reduction Programs Central Pennsylvania Food Banks, declared, “Food banks don’t often get red meat! With this infusion of meat we will be aide to treat over 5,000 families in Adams County and surrounding areas to a hearty meal of venison. With the winter months coming, there is no better way for hunters to share their goodwill and their harvest than through this program.” PRUA is calling on hunting interest groups to assist with the cost of processing the venison from Gettysburg. Each pound of venison costs about SO cents to process. Individuals and sport clubs are invited to commit to pay ing for the processing of 200 pounds or more of venison. That 200 pounds will feed over SO needy families, according to Ray Martin, PRUA board member and Pennsylvania Sportsmens Federation. PRUA is a coalition of 17 asso ciations and individuals represent ing agriculture, biomedicine, entertainment, sports and hunting groups. The umbrella organization encourages humane treatment of animals used for food, clothing, biomedical research, entertain ment and sport while at the same • Complete Rebuilding time strongly supporting Pennsyl vanians’ right to the continued, responsible use of animals. The coalition also provides fac tual information to the public, the From the left, Ken Brendt executive director of PRUA, Don Medl Pe. Game Commis sion executive director. Tim Whelan for the Pa. Association of Regional Food Banks, and Michael Markham representing United State Tobacco, program underwriter. lancMttr Arming, Saturday, Novambar 18, 1995-A23 media, elected officials and those responsible for the care of animals so they can have a better under standing of proper care standards. Groups or individuals interested in supporting the venison processing can contact PRUA Executive Vice President Kenneth Brandt, P.O. Box 61, Elizabethtown, PA 17022.