Denny Loreman of Orangeville is a typical hunter and angler, but what separates him from his peers is his insatiable appetite for collecting memorabilia.

"I've always hunted and fished, and I just started saving hunting and fishing licenses from family members."

That was 25 years ago. Now 56, Loreman's real challenge isn't necessarily hunting, but finding a missing item to add to a specific collection. "The chase is just like that of deer hunting. Sometimes you get one; sometimes you don't," he said.

His most prized possession is a 1926 Columbia County hunting license with all the paperwork, including the original envelope, plus a 1926 special doe license with all the paperwork.

"It is rare to get one of these sets," he said. "They only had doe hunting (back then) in few Pennsylvania counties."

He truly lucked into the exceptional discovery through an auctioneer who contacted Loreman after a estate sale. After the sale, the licenses were found. "I offered him a price, and that's how I got it," he said. The licenses are framed for easy viewing.

He also is privy to a regular and doe hunting license from Columbia County in 1930 and 1937. Here again, he has all the paperwork. "It even has the ear tag from the doe."

Pricing is based on supply and demand. "The ones that are harder to find, the more expensive they are to purchase. But if you sell it, you get more for it."

Loreman is also proud of a 1916 Columbia County hunting license. "This is as perfect as they come," he said as he opened up one of his many albums containing hunting licenses.

"I still need the Columbia County license for 1913," he said hoping that eventually one will show up.

Most of his hunting license collections are from Columbia County, dubbed No. 19.

"The regular hunting licenses were on canvas from 1913-1923," he explained. "From 1924 to 1926 they were aluminum, and from 1927-1941 they were metal. From 1942 to the present, they are cardboard."

When asked why the change from metal to cardboard, he said, "It was stopped because of the war."

This year, hunting licenses will be register tape. "It will destroy the collectable part of it," he admits.

Loreman has quite an impressive collection of hunting licenses, all displayed in albums for perfect viewing. From fur takers' licenses to Junior and Senior Columbia County licenses, he has it all and much more.

"One of the toughest doe hunting licenses to get is for 1953. "That year, hunters protested doe hunting, and they burned the licenses. The Game Commission cut down on the issue amounts, too. I think they only issued 75 or 100 at most."

In fact, he is still searching for a 1953 Montour County doe license that is worth up to $2,000.

He is also starting a collection of Montour County doe licenses from numbers one to 100. "I need lower numbers. Other collectors are telling me it can't be done. I have 64 so far."

He also has fishing licenses. He has a complete set of framed fishing license pins, which were issued 1923-1959 and again in 1974 and 1975.

"It took me 12 years to get the entire set."

Fishing lures fill tackle boxes, along with fish wardens badges in the 1950's and special badges from the 1940's. He also has ammunition in the original boxes. "There are some collectors who just collect shell boxes," he said holding up a filled box of Winchester repeater paper shot shells in 20 gauge which dates back into the 1930-1940's. "This would be worth $35-$40."

The best prices are based on the condition of the item rather than its age. "I traveled a couple of hours to purchase what I was told was a complete set of fishing buttons. When I saw them, they had been nailed up. In each button was a nail hole. That display went from a worth of $2,000 down to nothing."

According to Loreman, there are about five who he classes as big collectors in Pennsylvania. "I am just a little fish in a big pond," he said in jest.

He enjoys exhibiting his collections at area gun shows. He also buys and sells on E-bay during the winter months.

"I am going to keep collecting because I enjoy the challenge and when it becomes a hassle, I'll stop."

For more information on his collection, contact Loreman at 458-0109 or e-mail at cardinal@pa.metrocast.net

n Connie Mertz is a hunter and nature enthusiast from Danville. Contact her at: owcam@verizon.net