Hunters throughout the nation were urged by the Pennsylvania Game Commission to save their used rifle shells this season for conversion of the brass into national defense material.

Seth Gordon, director of the state commission, estimated that the hunters could reclaim at least 20 million shells, and Pennsylvania might be able to provide one million or more.

The proposal was submitted to the Office of Production Management in Washington and Almer R. Johnson Jr., of the Bureau of Industrial Conservation replied:

“No doubt a considerable quantity of brass could be recovered from this source and anything the commission can do to promote this service will be appreciated.

The effort should be made during the bear season which starts in this state November 19 and the deer season opening December 1.

Gordon said sportsmen’s organization could “contribute as their defense effort” machinery for collecting the old shells.

“When they have an accumulation, they could turn it over to industries at the advice of the proper authorities,” he said.

The chief difficulty will be in finding the shells on heavily carpeted woodlands but snow would help.

“If they fell on snow, they would be easy to see,” Gordon opined.

The commission also urged all hunters to refrain from shooting within range of any Civilian Conservation Corps or Works Progress Administration project. The request was made by J.J. McEntee, of the C.C.C. in Washington, D.C.

Compiled by Lou Hunsinger Jr.