License Increase For Game Commission

[Buckmark.35]

Originally Posted by CoyoteJack

I'd suggest they treat the different regions of the State more individually. In some parts the changes are working, in others the aren't. Treat them accordingly. Will it cause hunters to travel more in the State to get their deer? Maybe. That isn't all bad.

I read an interesting article on the DCNR website that heavily opposes a plan by the game to decrease the length/licenses of the antlerless harvest in like 5 WMU's. DCNR wants to see the population at this level, because it's allowing forests to regenerate. Sucky for deer hunters... good for trees.

[XUSNORDY]

Originally Posted by Karl/PA

One of the damn few advantages of becoming a senior citizen are the lifetime hunting and fishing licenses. Pay once and be done forever.

Guess they figure it equals out with the shorter life expectancy of the old folks...

Just kiddin!

[bluetick]

Originally Posted by JDC

I would be ok with paying more if we were going to get more. But I think the game commission management so far has sucked and gotten worse in the last 5 years. So I see no reason to give anymore money unless there is a plan in place to improve overall hunting conditions and better wildlife management.

Can't have one without the other.

The last license increase was in 1999. Since then all costs have risen. Fuel costs alone by over 2/3. Add at least two state negotiated labor contracts.

The new labor contact negotiated by the state will cost the GC 22 million over the next four years starting July 1.

Improve hunting conditions??? Do a simple goggle search on fertilizer. Look for the cost increase over the last six months. Food plots? They cost big $$$. Add the fact that due the budget constraints, the crop and cover crews are very thin.

It is indeed very sad that without the support of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever, The Ruffed Grouse Society, and other organizations of concerned sportsmen, even fewer habitat improvements would be accomplished. These groups have donated time, people, and most importantly money and material (seed, machinery, fertilizer).

We all want more out of the agency. The fact remains that the GC gets no general fund money. NONE. License fee's are the biggest source of money for the GC. The Pittman Robertson funds that are generated by PA sportsmen and passed on to the GC and the PFBC can only be used for certain things. Even those authorized uses have many strings attached. Most of this money is granted on a formula that requires the agencies to cover 1/4 of the cost. Then the PR funding covers the remaining 3/4. It is not money just handed over to do as the GC and PFBC want to do.

The big three items the GC uses PR money for is land purchases, ranges, and the HTE courses.

Many also do not know the GC (and other state agencies) must pay for the state services they use. Computer services (computers, websites, other), vehicles (only those on the state list are authorized for "purchase"), office supplies, uniforms, and about anything else you can think of are on a state contract. One list for every state agency to buy off of. Sure some things will need to be bought off the list. Those things are by request and looked at for approval.

Compared to other states, with few exceptions (mostly based on general funds supplementing the state DNR) hunting in PA is cheap. The basic license is about the same price as a name brand 30 pack.

For a better understanding on where the money is being spent, here is the 2006/2007 Annual Report. What was done, how much was spent, and other information:


http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/b...3&bc=0&c=70163

[Big Tom 852]

The PGC got themselves in this mess and now they want the hunters to bail them out. It's not hunters fault that the PGC decided to listen to Timber, DCNR, and Audoubon, to reduce the deer numbers to apease these special interest and use the excuse they're doing it for the betterment of wildlife habitat and the future of hunting. Are these special interest groups helping the PGC with their financial problems?? The PGC bowed to them, let the special interest bail them out.



NO LICENSE INCREASE

SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 1214

[bluetick]

You forgot the farmers and a host of other citizens impacted by too many deer.

The last license increase was signed in 1999. At the time, all parties knew the issue would need to be re-addressed in three or four years. It never happened.

The reason for the increase size is due to the fact intermediate increase haven't happened. Even the increase given to the Fish Commission two years ago might be revisited soon. During the Annual report they gave the House Fish and Game committee, several legislators suggested they look at an increase to save a large increase later on.

A sign of the times.

[Big Tom 852]

When the DCNR withheld grant monies until the PGC agreed to up the tag allotment and issue Dmap, nothing was said, that was OK.

When the legislation is concerned enough to help the hunters and delay an increase, the PGC followers called it "Holding hostage"

For years the PGC and it's following called concerned hunters ""Whiners and cry babies" Whose whining and crying now? Time for the legislation to take charge and put an end to the PGC follies.

BTW, the Fish Commission earns their raise!!

NO LICENSE INCREASE

SUPPORT HOUSE BILL 1214

[MOUNTAINORACLE]

If this state raises the cost of a hunting license I for one WILL NOT buy another PA license until the deer herd is brought up to the level it was before Alt was given the reins of the Game Commission.

The Game Commission has been and still is mis-managed and a joke; so I am against them granting themselves a raise for doing such a lousy job. The antler restrictions haven't worked, the overselling of doe permits to reduce the herd and kiss the insurance companies arses has been a huge success.

As stated by bluetick, License fee's are the biggest source of money for the GC. The Pittman Robertson funds that are generated by PA sportsmen and passed on to the GC and the PFBC can only be used for certain things. Even those authorized uses have many strings attached.

PR money for is land purchases, ranges, and the HTE courses and I have no problem this. I do have a problem with the use funds generated from PR and hunting licenses being used for snowmobile trails & ATV trails and there unkeep with no cost to these groups. The snowmobilers and ATVers should have to purchases a license from the state to use use these trails and these given to the Game Commission.

I will continue to hunt but will not hunt PA. I have no problems buying a New York, West Virginia, or Michigan non-resident license as these states have a lot of white-tails and more hunter freindly than PA.

I will also continue to hunt Colorado & Wyoming as they are also hunter freindly.

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