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HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Vern Ross praised Gov. Tom Ridge and the state General Assembly for the recent enactment of three hunting-related bills, especially a measure which will enable the Game Commission to hold the first modern-day elk hunt in more than 70 years.
On Dec. 20, Gov. Ridge signed into law Senate Bill 612, sponsored by Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Democratic Chairman Richard A. Kasunic (D-Fayette), and supported in the Senate by Senate Game and Fisheries Chairman Edward W. Helfrick (R-Northumberland), and in the House by Game and Fisheries Committee Republican Chairman Bruce Smith (R-York). The new law, which takes effect immediately, passed the House 184-7 and the Senate unanimously.
Under Senate Bill 612, the Game Commission is authorized to conduct a limited elk hunt, to ensure sound management of the growing elk population. Each hunter will be permitted to submit one application, along with a non-refundable $10 application fee, to be included in a public drawing for a limited number of elk licenses each year. If drawn, resident hunters would be able to obtain an elk license for an additional $25, and non-residents for an additional $250.
"As part of the 2001-2002 proposed seasons and bag limits, we are planning to present the Board of Game Commissioners with a proposal to hold an elk hunt in November of 2001," Ross said. "This elk hunt is based on nearly 20 years of scientific data collection by Game Commission biologists, Wildlife Conservation Officers and other agency employees and partners."
The Game Commission currently estimates the state^s elk population to be 650 animals, based on several years of data collection on reproduction rates and aerial survey work over the Allegheny Mountains in Cameron, Elk, Clinton, Clearfield, Potter and Tioga counties. Based on recent trends, the elk herd will reach 735 by the fall of 2001, and it could be nearly 1,300 by 2005.
"If we do not begin to hunt our elk herd, we should expect to face more conflicts with landowners, more vehicle collisions and potential habitat destruction, and increased competition between elk and other wildlife for food and habitat," Ross said.
Also included in Senate Bill 612 was a provision to remove crossbows from the list of prohibited hunting devices. Currently only certain disabled hunters are permitted to use crossbows.
"While the General Assembly has removed crossbows from the list of prohibited devices, the general hunting public still may not use crossbows during the remainder of the 2000-2001 hunting seasons," Ross said. "As part of the upcoming January meeting, the Board of Game Commissioners will need to identify how crossbows may be used as a legal hunting device for the 2001-2002 hunting seasons."
Senate Bill 612 also requires the Game Commission executive director to issue a deer control permit within 30 days of receiving an application from first-class cities (Philadelphia). The measure also precludes the Game Commission from requiring public hunting as part of the deer control process in first-class cities.
"We are disappointed that public hunting will not be included as part of the deer control process in Fairmount Park," Ross said. "Over the past two years, the Game Commission had issued deer control permits to the Fairmount Park Commission in good faith, hoping to continue our efforts to open up more opportunities for licensed hunters in and around Fairmount Park.
"We firmly believe that hunting could go a long way toward resolving the deer population problem in Fairmount Park, and we were working with local hunting organizations and the Fairmount Park Commission to provide greater opportunities for licensed hunters.
Among other initiatives discussed, the Game Commission encouraged the Fairmount Park Commission to consider using licensed hunters as subpermittees in their deer control efforts; and we indicated a willingness to enable licensed hunters to legally hunt deer over bait in Fairmount Park."
Also under the new law, any hunter on mandatory revocation of their hunting and trapping privileges now will have to pass a "remedial hunter education course" in order to have their privileges restored. The remedial hunter education course already has been developed by the Game Commission, and will be offered to those impacted by the new law beginning July 1, 2001.
The new law also increases the penalty for possessing or taking a threatened or endangered species from a third-degree misdemeanor to a second-degree misdemeanor; and allows an individual who has passed a Hunter-Trapper Education class and turns 12 years of age during the license year to purchase a junior license.
In related action, on Dec. 20, Gov. Ridge also signed Senate Bill 1163, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre). Senate Bill 1163 allows the Game Commission to proceed with the purchase of 3,300 acres of land in Clinton County, which will become State Game Land 321. Senate Bill 1163 passed the Senate unanimously, and the House 192 to 3. It takes effect immediately.
On Dec. 20, Gov. Ridge also signed House Bill 1393, sponsored by Rep. Dick L. Hess (R-Bedford), which allows hunters to use blinds made of manmade materials for turkey hunting. The new law also increases the grading of unlawful taking or possessing of threatened or endangered species from a misdemeanor of the third degree to a misdemeanor of the second degree. HB 1393 contains similar language to SB 1163, allowing the Game Commission to proceed with the purchase of 3,300 acres of land in Clinton County. House Bill 1393 passed the Senate and House unanimously. It takes effect in 60 days.
Uploaded: 1/1/2001
Uploaded: 1/1/2001