Land Donation Made to PGC in Memoriam

06/02/2006

Friends, family and loyal volunteers from the National Wild Turkey Federation joined Pennsylvania Game Commission representatives this morning to dedicate an addition to State Game Land 211 in Jerry Zimmerman's name. Zimmerman worked with the NWTF for nearly 13 years in Pennsylvania and for a short period in New Jersey. He was killed in an automobile collision last June.

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His friends and colleagues decided to honor him by dedicating a 30-acre addition to PGC State Game Land 211 in his name. The NWTF's Pennsylvania state and local chapters funded $12,000 of the $30,000 purchase, which provides more opportunities afield for Keystone State hunters and future outdoorsmen -- something Zimmerman worked throughout his career to accomplish.

"The property is about five miles from Jerry's boyhood home," said Don Heckman, NWTF's Pennsylvania State Chapter executive officer. "He told me often of the times he and his father and family spent on that mountain, which makes dedicating this land in his name even more special."

In addition to the land purchase, the local chapters have pledged to work with PGC land managers to improve wildlife habitat on the property.

"The local chapter guys really want to show how they feel about Jerry Zimmerman and make this property shine for everyone to use," said Heckman. "They're committed to improving wildlife habitat statewide, but this property is extra special."

State Game Land 211 stretches approximately 44,000 acres over four mountains and three counties northeast of Harrisburg. Funding for the land purchase and some of the habitat improvement projects came from the Jerry Zimmerman Memorial Fund. Contributions to the Fund may be made by contacting Jim Panaro at (814) 344-6632 or Don Heckman at (717) 761-5925.