HARRISBURG, PA - Traditionally, hunters who are Pennsylvania residents have been able to apply for antlerless deer licenses a full two weeks before nonresidents apply.
But the time between resident and nonresident application periods could shorten to one week, based on a measure approved preliminarily today by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.
If the change gains final approval, nonresidents will be allowed to apply the third Monday in July each year.
The measure is part of an ongoing effort by the Board of Commissioners to make the application process more fair to nonresident deer hunters, many of whom are native Pennsylvanians who have moved away but return to hunt with family.
The agenda for today’s meeting initially contained a proposal to allow residents and nonresidents apply for their first licenses on the same date, but the proposal was amended and the board was unanimous in preliminarily adopting the one-week delay.
Antlerless deer licenses are valid only in the Wildlife Management Unit for which they’re issued. In many of the state’s 23 Wildlife Management Units, licenses typically are available at the time nonresidents first can apply. But in some WMUs – particularly a handful in northcentral Pennsylvania where many nonresidents have camps – antlerless licenses sell out quickly and before nonresidents have a chance to apply.
Commissioners said the measure, which is scheduled for a final vote in April, would give those nonresidents a better chance to obtain a license, while still giving preference to residents.
Commissioner Timothy Layton, who represents Region 4, said the board will continue to evaluate the application schedule.
WMU BOUNDARY COULD BE CHANGING AGAIN
Commissioners preliminarily approve boundary shift between WMUs 5C and 5D.
The boundary between WMUs 5C and 5D was shifted last year to better divide the more-developed urban areas surrounding Philadelphia and the less-developed areas farther from the city.
And that boundary again could be tweaked this year, based on a measure preliminarily approved by the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners.
The commissioners voted today to expand WMU 5D northeast to provide a more logical boundary. The proposed change would increase WMU 5D by 24,826 acres that now are part of WMU 5C.
The proposed change, which will be up for final approval in April, would define WMU 5D as follows: From the Delaware/Pennsylvania state line near Yorklyn, PA, Rt. 82 west to U.S. Rt. 30; U.S. Rt. 30 east to PA Rt. 113 at Downingtown; PA Rt. 113 north to PA Rt. 611; PA Rt. 611 south to the intersection of Tohickon Creek; and Tohickon Creek east to the Pennsylvania/New Jersey state line.
MORE SUPPORT SHOWN FOR LICENSE FEE INCREASE
Those who addressed board on issue add to list of those in favor of an increase.
Near the end of today’s meeting, Game Commission Deputy Executive Director Rich Palmer noted that of the 17 speakers to address the board during two public comment periods at the January meeting, six spoke about the proposal for a license fee increase – and all of them said they support it.
Additionally, four of those six speakers represented organizations that formally have announced their support for a license-fee increase. They are the Kinzua Quality Deer Cooperative, the Pennsylvania Trappers Association, the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Beagle Gundog Federation.
These groups add to a list of others that have previously announced their formal support of a license fee increase. These include Pheasants Forever, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen’s Clubs, the Pennsylvania Sporting Dog Association, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Quality Deer Management Association and the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy.
Hunting and furtaker license fees remain the primary funding mechanism for the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Any fee increase, however, must be approved by the state General Assembly.
License fees have not increased since 1999 and have not been adjusted to cover rising inflationary costs. Recently, the Game Commission has taken some serious steps to cover those costs, including staffing cuts and deciding to delay recruiting a new class of Wildlife Conservation Officers. But a stable revenue source is necessary.
For more information on the need for a license fee increase, visit the Game Commission’s website.
EXPIRED-LICENSE POSSESSION COULD BE MADE ILLEGAL
Intentional or accidental, violations arise from tagging big game with expired tags.
When July rolls around, a new hunting license year will begin and those licenses carried over the previous 12 months no longer are valid.
But the Wildlife Conservation Officers working for the Pennsylvania Game Commission from time to time encounter hunters and trappers that still are in possession of expired licenses and tags from the previous year. And in some cases, those in possession of expired licenses and tags are carrying them with the intention to use them unlawfully to tag an animal taken in the current season.
But the field possession of such tags soon could be made illegal.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today voted preliminarily to approve a measure that would make it unlawful to possess any hunting license or big-game tag from a previous license year. Licenses and tags that have been fulfilled, revoked or suspended also would be unlawful to possess in the field.
The measure will be up for final adoption in April.
Commissioner Ron Weaner, who represents Region 6, noted the color of hunting licenses can’t be changed from year to year. The PALS system through which hunting licenses are issued is operated jointly in Pennsylvania by the Game Commission and the state Fish and Boat Commission.
Because the license years for hunting and fishing licenses start and end at different times, hunting and fishing licenses for different licenses years are issued at the same time, meaning the color for each must remain consistent, Weaner said.
COMMISSIONERS IDENTIFY POTENTIAL NEW INITIATIVES
Board adjusts regulation to reflect officers’ role in changing times.
Near the close of today’s meeting, several commissioners identified new initiatives to be taken up at future meetings.
Commissioner Timothy Layton, who represents Region 4, asked that staff be directed to research a possible boundary change in the northern part WMU 2C.
Layton said hunters in that area have reported hen pheasants released in neighboring WMUs often wander into WMU 2C, but they are not permitted to be hunted there. Layton said he also wants to look at how to more prominently announce season changes, and other adjustments to regulation, in the Hunting & Trapping Digest.
Commissioner Ron Weaner, who represents Region 6, asked that staff be directed to research the feasibility of removing mail-in report cards as an option for reporting whether a DMAP permit was used to harvest a deer.
Hunters with DMAP permits are required to make reports on their success, regardless of whether they harvest a deer, but the majority submit their reports online.
Commissioner Brian Hoover, who represents Region 8, requested staff be directed to review a potential change to permits issued when municipalities and other residential or government entities opt to conduct deer culls. Hoover would like to see a requirement within the permit to ensure hunting be used to address issues in those areas.
Commissioner James Daley, who represents Region 1, asked that staff work with members of the General Assembly to relay the Game Commission’s concerns about legislation that would require Wildlife Conservation Officers to enforce trespassing violations as a primary responsibility.
And Commissioner Charles Fox, who represents Region 5, asked that staff review fluorescent orange requirements that are different for different seasons and how to best inform hunters of those differences.
RANGEFINDER USE TO BE CLARIFIED BY BOARD
Game Commission long has considered use of rangefinders ethical and in compliance with the law.
The use of rangefinders by Pennsylvania hunters soon could be clarified.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a measure that would add electronic rangefinders to the list of electronic devices that can be used in the act of hunting. Both hand-held rangefinders and those contained within a scope or archery sight would be permitted, but those that cast a beam of any sort would continue to be unlawful to use.
The state’s Game and Wildlife Code carries a broad prohibition on the use of electronic devices during hunting and trapping, but over the years, several devices have been reviewed – and in some cases – added to a list of devices that are an exception to the broad rule and can be used lawfully.
The Game Commission long has considered rangefinders to be lawful to use, but they have not been added to the list. Adding rangefinders to the list would formalize that stance.
In reviewing devices and considering whether their use should be considered lawful, the Game Commission considers if and the degree to which the device might negatively impact principles of resource conservation, equal opportunity, fair chase and public safety.
A final vote on the matter is scheduled for April.
LAW-ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITY CLARIFIED
Board adjusts regulation to reflect officers’ role in changing times.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to minor changes to regulatory language that clarify the role officers play in enforcing criminal violations they encounter in the performance of their official duties.
Wildlife Conservation Officers are given authority under state law to enforce not only the state’s Game and Wildlife Code, but also the Crimes Code and a variety of other laws. The regulatory change removes a requirement for WCOs to attempt to transfer all general crime matters local or state police. In almost all cases, state and local police decline to pick up cases from WCOs, and ask that the Game Commission prosecute the cases.
The primary responsibility of WCOs remains enforcement of the Game and Wildlife Code.
BOARD ANNOUNCES SUPPORT FOR LEGISLATION
Commissioners take stance on long list of bills.
Near the close of today’s meeting, Commissioner David J. Putnam announced the board’s support regarding a list of bills that have been introduced in the state General Assembly.
Among them, commissioners support legislation that would provide a license fee increase; permit the use of leashed tracking dogs to recover game; lift the general prohibition on Sunday hunting; provide Wildlife Conservation Officers the same retirement benefits as their counterparts in other agencies; empower the Game Commission to make changes to the length of time within which big-game harvests must be reported; empower the Game Commission to regulate semiautomatic rifles, as well as air rifles; and continue to keep trespassing complaints a primary responsibility of police agencies, allowing the protection of wildlife to remain the primary focus of Wildlife Conservation Officers.
COMMISSIONERS UPDATE POLICY MANUAL
Document guides board’s approach.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today voted unanimously to adopt an update to the board’s policy manual, a document that guides the commissioners in their decisions. The new document will be available to view soon at the Game Commission’s website, www.pgc.state.pa.us.
BOARD REORGANIZES FOR 2016
Executive positions change hands, meeting dates selected.
The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today closed its first meeting of the new calendar year by reorganizing.
Brian Hoover, who represents Region 8, was selected as the board’s president; Timothy Layton, who represents Region 4, was selected as its vice president; and Charles Fox, who represents Region 5, was selected as secretary.
All appointments were approved by unanimous vote.
Hoover replaces David J. Putnam as president. Putnam served one year in the role and continues to serve his term on the board. He thanked commissioners and Game Commission staff for what he termed a very good year of working together toward the accomplishment of countless goals. He said it was a tremendous pleasure to serve as president.
The commissioners also selected meeting dates for the duration of calendar year.
Quarterly meetings are scheduled to be held April 4 and 5, July 11 and 12, and Sept. 19 and 20.
MEDIA CONTACT: Travis Lau - 717-705-6541
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