PF Hires New Biologist for Eastern Pheasant Range
Pennsylvania Game Commission hires PF’s Pruss to be new Private Lands Biologist

St. Paul, Minn. – April 12, 2005 – Pheasants Forever (PF) announces the hiring of Shon Robbins to the position of regional wildlife biologist for the eastern U.S.  Robbins takes over for Mike Pruss who was recently hired by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to be their private lands biologist after four years with PF.  Robbins joins PF from Pennsylvania’s Columbia County Conservation District, where he was a watershed specialist. 

Robbins’ primary duties as PF’s eastern biologist will include starting new chapters and working with the existing 3,000 PF members and 26 PF chapters in the eastern pheasant range.  He will assist those chapters in raising and expending funds on wildlife habitat projects and conservation education.  Shon will also be working with local, state, and federal natural resource agencies on behalf of those chapters. 

“We are very happy for Mike Pruss and his new opportunity to make a positive impact for wildlife on Pennsylvania’s private lands,” reports Rick Young, PF’s vice president of field operations.  “Shon will step into a nice situation having Mike as an ally in Pennsylvania.”  PF also employs Brian Bahorik as a habitat specialist in Somerset, Pennsylvania.  Bahorik works with landowners to help them plant wildlife habitat on their land. 

“I’m very excited to start working on behalf of the Pheasants Forever chapters across the eastern pheasant range,” explains Robbins.  “States like Pennsylvania and New York have a long tradition of pheasant hunting and I’m excited to help continue that tradition through wildlife habitat conservation projects.  With Pheasants Forever’s unique model, our local chapters can make a difference for pheasants and other wildlife across the farmland of the eastern pheasant range.”  PF is the only national wildlife conservation organization that leaves 100 percent of the fundraising dollars, along with the decision on how best to utilize those funds, in the local communities where they are raised. 

Robbins is a Stillwater, Pennsylvania native.  He graduated with a B.S. in environmental resource management and a minor in wildlife and fisheries science from The Pennsylvania State University.  Prior to joining PF, Shon worked part-time for the Columbia County Conservation District, while also being self-employed as a natural resources consultant.  As a natural resources consultant, he performed a variety of ecological investigations; including wetland delineations, watershed assessments, and stream restorations.  Robbins also spent four years with the Pennsylvania Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit studying ruffed grouse and turkeys. 

PF is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to the protection and enhancement of pheasant and other wildlife populations in North America through habitat improvement, land management, public awareness, and education.  Such efforts benefit landowners and wildlife alike.  PF has more than 110,000 members in over 600 local chapters across the continent.  To learn more about PF, or to start a chapter in your area, contact Shon at (570)204-5761 or by email at srobbins@pheasantsforever.org.