PA Hunters and the Game Commission need help

[MrRick]

Following our recent victory in PA regarding the banning of the Nanday Conure, we have developed a relationship with the PGC and various hunter groups in PA. They are asking us for help in defeating pending legislation concerning the PGC and all hunters in PA. They helped us with the Nanday issue and it's now our turn to return the favor.

If you're interested in helping, please read the information below that I received explaining the issue and their possible implications. I also have sample letters that you can send out. PM me if interested.

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Hi Rick!
I started to write your group on yahoo about the license increase, but it seems an even bigger issue has popped up, one that could really hurt the Game Commission and folks like you who actually have a voice in what is happening.

There is a house bill that has made it's way to the senate (House Bill 1214) that limits term lengths of the Board of Commissioners to four years versus eight. While that might appear on the outside to be an OK decission, it really is a back door move for the political control.

Terms within the BOC are staggared for a reason. Simply, no Govenor could have complete control of the Board of Commissioners, even with concurrent terms.

Additionally, it was intended to keep the Legislative lobby out of the PGC and PA F&B Commissions.

To allow ourselves to have Commissioners within either agency feel indebted to Legislators or Governors who gave their support would be an injustice to our founding Game and Fish Commission Fathers, the respective agencies, the wildlife, and the sportsmen and women of our state.
Here are the email addresses of the PA Senate Game and Fisheries committee members. They put this on the board two days ago and it's up for a vote this Tuesday. Any letter writing your folks can do asking them to SAY NO TO HOUSE BILL 1214 would be greatly appreciated! GREATLY!

House Bill 1214 - Bill Information


dpileggi@pasen.gov, jorie@pasen.gov, mwaugh@pasen.gov, rrobbins@pasen.gov, garmstrong@pasen.gov, tpunt@pasen.gov, jcorman@pasen.gov, mellow@pasenate.com, opake@pasenate.com, costa@pasenate.com, hughes@pasenate.com, lavalle@pasenate.com, chwilliams@pasenate.com, chiefclerk@occ.pasen.gov, secretary@os.pasen.gov, jscarnati@pasen.gov, jpippy@pasen.gov, ferlo@pasenate.com, fontana@pasenate.com, logan@pasenate.com, bregola@pasen.gov, dwhite@pasen.gov

Game and Fisheries Senate members:
cmcilhinney@pasen.gov,
rwonderling@pasen.gov,
fontana@pasenate.com,
jscarnati@pasen.gov,
jeichelberger@pasen.gov,
jpippy@pasen.gov,
bregola@pasen.gov,
rrobbins@pasen.gov,
boscola@pasenate.com,
andidinnaman@pasenate.com,
Senator_Fumo@fumo.com,

Please also contact your own Senator and any other you may have an affiliation, or friendly relationship with.

General comments about the bill and the harm it could do:

The system was set up to prevent the legislators from unduly influencing the board, ie blackmailing them. The Commissioners have been holding the line on herd reduction against the legislators wishes. With the 4 year appointment with the posibility of re-appointment for another four the legislators will get rid of any commissioner who doesn't dance to their tune. This is a horrible idea dreamed up by a bunch of arrogant people who just can't stand anyone standing up to them.

To allow ourselves to have Commissioners within either agency feel indebted to Legislators or Governors who gave their support would be an injustice to our founding Game and Fish Commission Fathers, the respective agencies, the wildlife, and the sportsmen and women of our state.
Thinly veiled attempt my butt, it is an open and blatant coup attempt!

No, if they do the job the way the LEGISLATORS WANT it done, they will be reappointed. So, if the legislators say that they want an end to bobcat trapping, well......

Or if they want an end to bear season.....

Or if they want tons and tons of deer no matter what the forest can support.....

In other words, wildlife management, ALL wildlife management could be taken out of the hands of people that actually KNOW something about it and put into the hands of NON HUNTERS........

HB 1214 Surra (PN 1660) Amends Title 34 (Game) further providing for organization of the PA Game Commission by stating a member of the commission may hold office for not more than two terms of four years each, subject to Senate confirmation pursuant to law for each term. Thereafter, the person would be ineligible to hold that office. (The current term of the members of the Commission is eight years). The time served by a member of the Commission appointed to fill a vacancy would be decreased from four to two years. (Prior Printer Number: 1474)