Two new initiatives of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources will aid Pennsylvania's effort to utilize its raw energy resources. Cashing in on those supplies, however, may also provoke some deer hunters.

DCNR recently issued new guidelines for harvesting forest biomass, the woody matter including trees, branches, shrubs and vegetation once considered left overs from timbering. New technologies have increased the value of biomass in the distilling of ethanol, an alternative to gasoline.

The new guidelines are an attempt to balance the need for alternative energy sources with "the need to protect our forests for all citizens and future generations," DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. The guidelines are posted online at www.dcnr.state.pa.us under "Hot Topics."

DCNR also recently announced an upcoming lease sale for subsurface oil and gas rights on 18 tracts totaling 74,023 acres in the Loyalsock, Tiadaghton and Tioga state forests in Tioga and Lycoming counties.

While gas extraction doesn't bother Mike Maranche of the Allegheny County Sportsmen's League, the harvesting of low brush that he calls "deer food" raises red flags.

"Deer don't eat everything, just the choice stuff -- the best of the best. If brush and understory are what they're harvesting, well, that's deer food. Especially when they start talking about the rush for ethanol in lieu of oil, I think we have to take a second look at that."

The huge golden rainbow trout Joe Hutchinson landed on Little Mahoning Creek April 12 isn't a state record after all. Although the New Florence trucker caught the 13-pound 4-ounce fish on four-pound test opening day, because he used his hands to land it, the catch was "illegal" by state record criteria, according to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

"They said I should have used a net," said Hutchinson. He said his line broke as he tried to take hold of the fish's mouth, so he put one hand under the fish's belly and carried it to shore.

The record could now go to Dauphin County's Andrew Frantz for the 12.06-pound golden rainbow he caught on southeastern Pennsylvania's opening day March 29.