May 10, 2006

HARRISBURG - Barry J. Seth, Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Conservation Officer (WCO) in Armstrong County, recently was presented with the Shikar-Safari International Wildlife Conservation Officer of the Year Award, which is sponsored by Cabela's.

Seth is the WCO for the western portion of Armstrong County, where he enforces the game and wildlife laws; completes wildlife studies and reports; visits local school districts, civic organizations and sportsmen's clubs to conduct educational programs about the state's wildlife and the role of hunting and trapping in wildlife management; and assists with wildlife nuisance complaints.

In addition to the work he does with Hunter-Trapper Education programs in the district, Seth also is involved in many education programs designed for youth. He has been instrumental in the development of three Youth Field Days in Armstrong County, which provides youth in the area a day of hands-on outdoors programs, such as firearm safety, archery shooting, learning to fish and other outdoor-related activities. Last year, more than 170 individuals participated in these programs.

"During his tenure, WCO Seth has done a commendable job as a representative of the Game Commission," said Matt Hough, Game Commission Southwest Region Director. "Regardless of the task at hand, WCO Seth always maintains a positive attitude toward the public and the agency. He treats everyone fairly, which has earned him a great deal of respect from those in his district.

"During enforcement situations, WCO Seth treats others as he would like to be treated and uses very good judgment in making decisions regarding issuing citations or warnings. This is especially evident in his dealing with young hunters; he always goes out of his way to make a lasting and positive impression on these individuals."

Hough noted that, in 2005, Seth and his Deputy WCOs successfully prosecuted one of the largest illegal deer cases in southwestern Pennsylvania. The case required several weeks of investigation and long hours interviewing suspects.

"In the end, 74 citations were issued to seven defendants, and they were found guilty or pled guilty to all charges resulting in fines in excess of $32,000," Hough noted. "This case also is the result of excellent working rapport WCO Seth has cultivated over the years with the Pennsylvania State Police in his area, as well as the Armstrong County District Attorney's Office."

Seth also organized a special ATV enforcement patrol in his district to stem the tide of illegal ATV operations on State Game Lands and other private properties enrolled in the Game Commission's cooperative public access lands. The patrol included WCOs from other districts within the Southwest Region and the State Police Aviation Unit.

Seth works closely with the sportsmen of Armstrong County. He worked with the Armstrong County League of Sportsmen to create a fund to provide scholarships to local students pursuing careers in a conservation-related field.

Seth began his affiliation with the Game Commission as a Deputy Game Protector in Butler County in 1973.

In 1975, he was selected as a member of the Game Commission's 16th Class of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation. After graduating from RLSC, Seth was assigned a district in Greene County in 1976. He accepted a transfer to be the WCO for western Armstrong County in 1978.

A native of Butler, Seth currently resides in Worthington. He graduated from Butler High School and served in the United States Navy.

Seth and his wife, Linda, have four children and five grandchildren.