Along with many legislators, PGC Officals, and others concerned I received this E-mail.  FYI - Stan Rice is a member and visitior of this message board and in my opinion this position paper makes a lot of sense and has my support....

Quote :

The time has come and gone for the State of Pennsylvania to step up to the realization that wildlife is an important component to the state. The economic and recreational benefits generated by wildlife/human interaction immense. Having strong laws concerning the taking of wildlife and fishes is paramount in the protection of these wild resources. To that end, I encourage each of you to read over the information below on the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact. Pennsylvania has a history with this proposed legislation. Attempted twice, and defeated twice. I submit, it's time is now. The PA Game Commission has been reporting more and more instances of poaching cases over the last several years . Many of these cases were for the wholesale slaughter of deer and other animals. Those responsible are handled within the court system and their hunting rights revoked. The problem is that some simply go to other states to hunt and fish. others, being criminals, could care less if they can hunt or not and continue to kill game. There is a distinction; poaching is not hunting, and hunters do not poach. Criminals do. For those not familiar with the tenets of the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact I have copied the following text and links for your review: The Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact (Compact) is an agreement in which member states reciprocate regarding the suspension or revocation of licenses and permits resulting from violations concerning hunting, fishing and trapping laws. If a person's license or permit privileges which come under the scope of the Compact are suspended or revoked in one member state, they are subject to suspension or revocation in all member states. In addition to license and permit suspensions and revocations which result from a conviction for the illegal pursuit, possession or taking of mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians, mollusks, shellfish and crustaceans, failing to appear in court or to otherwise answer a ticket or summons issued for such violations will also result in license or permit suspension. Compact member states also agree to recognize convictions for violations within the scope of the Compact which occur in all other member states and to apply them toward license and permit suspension and revocations in the state in which the person resides. http://www.dfw.state.or.us/resources/hunting/WildlifeViolatorCompact/wildlife_violator_compact.asp The following is a fact filled page of information on this Compact. States that are members, how the compact works, reporting , and how offenders are processed: Wildlife Violators Compact Member Information http://www.stoppoaching.org/wvc/index.shtm In the link above is sample legislation. As provided, it forms the basis for a bill to be introduced in Pennsylvania. Model Legislation in PDF http://www.stoppoaching.org/wvc/model_legislation.pdf In addition to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, I would like to strongly encourage you to introduce legislation to strengthen the fines and penalties for wildlife and fisheries code violations. Without regard to party affiliation, or what side of the current deer program debate people are on, all agree the fines and penalties for these crimes are far to low. To that end, I suggest the sliding fine scale provided to the magistrates a few years ago be rescinded. Replace that scale with the fines at the top end of the scale or higher. I also support, as do others, the confiscation of firearms and other property used in the commission of the crime. Further, add the crime of road hunting to the list of offenses as a separate charge, in addition to the other charge of having a loaded firearm in a vehicle. The legislature has within it's power to correct these deficiencies. Title 30 and 34 need your help to protect and defend the wildlife and fish in the state. The low fines are a slap on the wrist for many. The proof of that is the number of repeat offenders. Some caught multiple times. The time is long past for political inaction on these two items. By inaction, the legislature is cheating many sportsmen of the opportunity to harvest deer and other animals and fish in an ethical and legal manner. The inaction makes it worth the chance for poachers to continue stealing from all law abiding citizens. I encourage all of you, without regard to committee assignment to introduce or sign on to these bills. Once that has been accomplished, the sportsmen of this state will weigh in on them. I fully expect the support to be overwhelming. Stan Rice   Waynesboro, PA