I’m an avid newspaper reader; front page, Opinion, Sports, then comics. Sometimes I even find a hidden gem “somewhere in the middle.”

A number of years ago, I came across changes to the Pennsylvania hunting guide program for elk. It seems that 2018 was the last year when one could simply send a check for $25 to the Pennsylvania Game Commission and you received a lifetime permit. Today, you pay $50 for a test and an annual fee of $100 for this privilege.

My wife said I spent a totally frivolous $25 on the certificate. Now, despite the fact that the only elk I have ever seen were at the zoo or in National Geographic, and that I have no field experience whatsoever as a game hunting guide, and that I probably don’t even own a gun that would bring one down, I’m a legally permitted Pennsylvania elk hunting guide. This permit, framed behind glass, proudly sits on the mantle of our fireplace, where I have admired it for three long winters.

For those of you fortunate enough to secure an elk license this year, sorry — my schedule is booked for the foreseeable future.

Ed L. Klein

Shanksville

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