HARRISBURG - Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl G. Roe today presented the agency's annual report to the Legislature before the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee at a hearing today in the State Capitol. A copy of the agency's annual report is available on its website (www.pgc.state.pa.us) in the "Reports/Minutes" section under the "Legislative Annual Report," and select "2007."
Following is a copy of Roe's remarks to the Senate committee.
"It has been a very productive and challenging year for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, as we strive to fulfill our mission of managing all wild birds and mammal and their habitats for current and future generations.
"As required by state law, we delivered our annual report and update of our Growing Greener II program on Jan. 31. We will offer some comments on the report and add additional information on various issues. As we continue to improve in areas, you will notice in the report that for the second year we organized the program accountability section in line with the strategic plan. This year we have combined some measurement data with the analysis of where we are on achieving the objectives in the plan. We move forward in some areas, but are hampered by the lack of resources to achieve some very important objectives.
"Habitat is a key life requisite for all wildlife and we continue to be concerned about encroachment on wildlife habitat. As you are well aware, we are responsible for approximately 465 species; 429 birds and 66 mammals; with 22 threatened or endangered. Slowing the loss of wildlife habitat is critical to ensuring a future for many of our native species. In the past 30 years American Woodcock populations have declined by 40% in the Northeast Region of the United States. Bobwhite Quail have declined by 95%, the Eastern Meadowlark declined 80%, and the Upland Sandpiper declined 90%. Species at most risk are typically associated with wetlands, riparian areas, old field shrub/grasslands, contiguous blocks of old growth forests and special habitats such as eaves and vernal pools.
"Developing and maintaining these areas is extremely important for a variety of game and non-game species. We work hard to develop these areas through several programs. The first is Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program, CREP where we are putting 265,000 acres of habitat back on the ground. We are almost finished the upper Susquehanna Basin CREP and will soon have over 200,000 acres of farm land planned and planted that covers both the lower and upper Susquehanna River basin. The other 65,000 acres are in the Ohio River basin where we have approximately 19,000 acres planned and planted. We should complete the CREP program over the next two to three years.
"Additionally, through the use of the Federal State Wildlife Grant Program we have hired a wildlife biologist for each of the Regions to better focus on assisting private landowners in restoring and enhancing more wildlife habitat on their properties. We believe that with additional funding this program can have a tremendous impact on treating habitats on a much greater scale than just on our State Game Lands. I mentioned last year about the ringneck pheasant reintroduction efforts in the Southwest part of the state. This year I am pleased to tell you that we worked with Pheasants Forever in a trap and transfer effort in the Montour County area. The reintroduction has been going well and we are monitoring survival and population response.
"Just as a follow up to last year, our integrated State Game Land Planning model was implemented as we completed a pilot state game land plan in each of the six regions. This program integrates the region's land manager, the region forester and the region wildlife management supervisor in the planning process to develop a plan that is viable and practical and adaptable to changing circumstances. Each plan is unique to the game land and allows for an adaptive management style that is to the best advantage of the wildlife resources and our sportsmen and women.
"Shifting focus for a moment to our fiscal situation, by the end of the June, 2008, we anticipate a Game Fund balance of around $32 million dollars on a cost accounting basis. To get to that level, in addition to the revenue increases, we took a very conservative approach to spending, particularly on the personnel side where we maintained approximately 110 vacancies through the year. That included 32 vacant WCO districts and about 30 food and cover crew vacancies. Our 27th WCO Class graduated on March 8, and they filled 21 of the 32 vacant WCO districts. We will still have 11 vacant districts with another 6 districts probably vacant by the end of this fiscal year. By June 2010 we anticipate a return to over 30 WCO vacancies statewide. We are planning on having another WCO class in March of 2009, but that decision will ultimately be driven by the availability of funds.
"Although we believe we manage our fiscal resources very responsibly, the expenses we cannot control continue to present a challenge. For example we annually pay various state agencies such as the Department of General Services, Office of Administration -IT and the Comptroller Office almost $1.7 million dollars for support they provide. The new state labor contract that went into effect on July 1, 2007 will increase our personnel costs by an additional $2 million the first year and at year four, 2010; the annual increase in cost will be around $9.5 million. The total increase in personnel costs over the life of the four-year contract is over $23 million.
"Although a balance of $32 million sounds like a lot, it does not cover the anticipated expenses for the next three years. As you well know, since we receive no appropriation from the general fund, our revenues, as in the private sector, are based on earnings. We need approximately $22 million on hand in the game fund to open the doors on July 1, the first day of the fiscal year. If you take the $22 million from our anticipated fund balance of $32 million then we only have $10 million to cover any additional expenses for the next three years. As you can see the balance does not even cover the increased personnel costs, let alone the inflationary effect on day-to-day operations. As an example, when you approved our last license increase in 1998, gas was around $1 a gallon. Today it averages above $3 a gallon with most reports seeing it settling in around $3.50 a gallon by this summer
"I do not want to dwell on the license cost issue, but the most common observer can see something is wrong when hunters from our neighboring states of New Jersey and Ohio can hunt as a non resident in Pennsylvania cheaper than they can as a resident in their home state.
"In a recent report by the Southwick Associates for the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Pennsylvania continues to have the second most hunters in the nation just behind Texas. Pennsylvania hunters led the nation by spending a total of 16.86 million days afield, exceeding second place Texas by 2.6 million more days. What does this mean to the economy of Pennsylvania? Using the multiplier effect, hunting alone is still more than a $3 billion industry and generates over $214 million in state and local taxes. Currently none of the $214 million is reinvested back to helping protect and ensure a secure future for the very wildlife and wildlife related programs that generate these revenues. This needs to be fixed.
"This last year, 2006-2007 hunting season was very productive. We continue to enjoy large bear harvests and turkey seasons were very successful for our hunters. It appears grouse hunters are enjoying the up cycle of grouse populations where early successional habitat is available. Small game including rabbits appeared to be more plentiful than in recent past, again, where good habitat can support the population growth. Furtaker opportunities are plentiful for a variety of species. We would really like more hunters to take part in furtaking, particularly on coyotes and foxes. Even more importantly we had the safest hunting season in our history with only 46 hunting related shooting incidents reported. This can be attributed to the great hunters we have in Pennsylvania who clearly identify their target and know what is behind it.
"Just to follow up on that topic, we have included in your packet a copy of our updated Hunter Trapper Education Manual. We believe the updated manual and the companion instructor notes are a major step forward in providing a better product to the public. Our program is in its second year of deployment and we will finish deploying the updated program across the entire state next year. During a recent evaluation, the International Hunter Education Association stated that our updated materials were, if not the best, one of the best in the nation and many other states are using our manual and instructor notes. Additionally, we are offering a distance education module of the program. An individual can study at home by the book or on the computer and then come to a location for about a two-hour timeframe to take the test. We believe this will give those who do not want to be in a classroom setting an opportunity to complete hunter trapper education. We are very excited about the distance education model and believe it will expand in the future.
"I would be remiss if I did not discuss the deer for just a moment. I attended the public officials' luncheon at the Farm Show where Secretary Wolfe mentioned that when the farm show opened in 1917 the two major topics were the advent of the gasoline driven tractor and the damage deer were causing in orchards. Ninety years later deer remain the hot topic in many circles. The 2006-07 deer harvest was approximately 361,560 including 135, 290 bucks and 226,270 antlerless deer. Deer hunting continues to be a challenge in some areas, but reports are that deer are larger and antler restrictions are working. Deer hunting continues to be a challenge in some areas, but reports are that deer are larger and antler restrictions are working. In an effort to help hunters understand the reasons behind the current deer management policy, we have increased the emphasis on communicating our deer management program through a variety of means. We have included a copy of our deer management booklet in your packet. I hope that you take the time to read it as we have provided thousands of copies to the public and will continue to do so. We conducted seven open houses last fall on deer management and are offering seven more this spring. We are increasing the communications on our deer program and will continue to do so. As we revise the deer management plan this year, we are considering two new management goals; the first is to manage the deer herd to provide recreational opportunities and the second is to improve the public's knowledge and understanding about deer and the deer management program.
"An additional major program that we addressed last year was wind energy. The Game Commission participated in a collaborative process that resulted in the development of a voluntary wind energy cooperative agreement. Being responsible for wildlife impacts from wind energy, the Game Commission took the lead in establishing various protocols that will help wind energy companies to evaluate risk and avoid potential wildlife impacts. This program has already proven to be mutually beneficial to both the wind energy industry and our bird and mammal resources. However, to assist the execution of this program, we hired four biologists to provide monitoring of the program and assist the wind energy companies in site identification. This is an additional cost of almost $300,000. A cost we had not anticipated, but is necessary to support the program for clean energy.
"One of the most enjoyable programs we have recently offered is the mentored youth hunt program. We have received numerous letters and emails from grandparents, parents and the young hunter themselves. They were all very appreciative of the opportunity to have this experience. I would like to suggest visiting our website and see some of the pictures that were sent to us. I will guarantee you will have a smile on your face after viewing those faces.
"We should all keep that youthful enthusiasm in mind as we enjoy the outdoors. It is more than just about a successful harvest. I would like to relate a personal experience from waterfowl hunting this year. I knocked a goose out of the sky and it fell just beyond the decoys. We were getting ready to release the dog when a bald eagle swooped out of the sky and grab the goose from the water. The goose fought the eagle and broke loose. The eagle made another pass at the goose and got it about eight feet off the water when the goose broke free again. It was a great sight to witness. Although we were successful in harvesting some ducks and geese, the outdoor experience we talked about was the bald eagle trying to make off with my goose.
"There are many ways to enjoy the outdoors and the Pennsylvania Game Commission is here to help you connect with wildlife. I am sure many of you have your own special wildlife moments and those in Pennsylvania are a large part due to the efforts of the men and women of the Game Commission. Our ability to provide those moments for the citizens of the Commonwealth is directly related to resources available to execute the necessary programs."  

--Last edited by Dr Trout on 2008-03-13 13:43:42 --

Meeting Summary ------


Senate Game and Fisheries
HARRISBURG - (3/11/08, 11:00 a.m., Hearing Room 1, North Office Building)
The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee held a public hearing to receive the Game Commission's Annual Report and then held an informational meeting on deer management.
Members in attendance included Chairman Charles McIlhinney (R-Bucks), Minority Chairman Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) and Senators Robert Regola (R-Westmoreland), John Eichelberger (R-Blair), Robert Robbins (R-Mercer) and Andrew Dinniman (D-Chester).
Carl Roe, Executive Director for the PA Game Commission, (see full testimony below) began by acknowledging that it has been a very productive and challenging year for the Commission. Roe stressed that habitat is key for all wildlife and worried about continued encroachment on the habitat and the impact this will have on the 465 species they charged with managing. He referenced habitat efforts by the Commission that have been bolstered by the Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program and the Federal State Wildlife Grant Program.
In term of financial stability, Roe cautioned that by the end of June of 2008, The Commission will have a Game Fund balance of around $32 million. He explained that once you subtract out the money necessary for the Commission to "open the doors on July 1," that leaves only $10 million to cover any additional expenses over the next three years. He further lamented that these budget projections take into account that the Commission continues to maintain vacant positions and yet will still not cover the increased personnel costs that will result from the new state labor contract and the inflationary effect on daily operations.
He informed the Committee that a recent report shows that PA hunters led the nation by spending a total of 16.86 million days afield and that hunting in PA is a $3 billion industry that generates over $214 million in state and local taxes. He stressed that the fact that none of this money is reinvested back into the Commission needs to be fixed.
Roe then addressed hunting success, saying that while the 2006-2007 season was very productive, they would like to see more hunters taking part in furtaking; particularly for coyotes and foxes. Roe added that deer continue to be an issue in the state and that they are considering two new management goals; the first is to manage the deer herd to provide recreation opportunities and the second is to improve the public's knowledge and understanding about deer and the deer management program.
Roe then broke from his prepared remarks and expressed his strong opposition to House Bill 1214, saying the bill attempts to reduce the term of Game Commissioners from eight to four years. He related how they have been waiting for a replacement for one Commissioner for two years and worried if the bill passes more vacancies could occur.
Roe next spoke about the Commission's program on wind energy, that has resulted in the development of a voluntary wind energy cooperative agreement and various protocols that will assist wind energy companies evaluate risk and avoid wildlife impact.
Roe closed by relating the success of the youth hunt program and inviting everyone to keep that same youthful enthusiasm in mind as they enjoy the outdoors.
Senator Regola wondered how Senate Bills 1256 and 1257 worked.  Roe assured the Senator that the Commission will work to rebate the license costs to members of the military if they bring the paperwork to the commission.
Senator Regola next wondered where the Commission anticipates their largest increase in revenue will come from in the future. Roe said he hopes that it will come from a license increase. He quipped that it has been so long since the last increase that it now costs more to purchase drinks and food at a movie than it does to buy a hunting license.
The Senator then asked in what areas Roe anticipates spending more money. Roe replied that he plans on holding operating costs flat in order to meet increasing personnel costs.
Senator Regola wondered how many wildlife conservation officers (WCOs) there are right now. Roe explained that the numbers vary and that while they still have 11 vacant districts, by 2010 they are anticipating 30 vacancies because of retirements.
Senator Regola worried about what can be done to keep the youth of PA energized about hunting. Roe stressed that the youth of PA are the heart and soul of the future of the sport and opined that with an increased number of activities and scheduling demands being placed on today's youth, some families only hunt for large game when they take time to hunt. He argued that small game can offer just as rewarding of an experience and speculated that to create more opportunities for youth, Sunday hunting could be an option. He said that if youth are not involved by the time they are 12 years old, then it is hard to get them involved in the sport.
Senator Regola agreed about how small game hunting is great but said that nowadays it is unlikely that anyone will see wild pheasants in his area. Roe agreed, saying that revised farming practices over the years have destroyed a lot of the natural habitat because no cover or food source is left behind as in the past.
Senator Regola next asked how PA counts the number of deer and how we compare with how other states manage their numbers. Roe explained that like other states, PA uses trending data to manage the herd because a simple total number of the deer statewide does not help with management. He stressed the three goals of the deer management program are to ensure a healthy herd, ensure a healthy habitat and to decrease the number of deer and human conflicts.
The Senator inquired if the Commission would consider changing the seasons in certain counties to manage the deer populations selectively. Roe explained they are looking at a variety of options between varying the length of the season to the number of license allocations. In particular, he said they are looking at shortening the season in some areas but maintaining the allocations in order to give as many hunters as possible the opportunity to go afield. He then stressed that except in a few areas where there are large numbers of human to deer conflicts, the Commission's deer management plan halted the practice of reducing the herd three years ago.
Senator Eichelberger said he has heard the Commission does not allow wind power facilities on their land. Roe corrected him saying that wind facilities could be on Game Commission lands, but there are none at the present time. He expanded his statement saying the Commission has developed tough protocols for wind energy companies and promised to forward a copy to the Senator.
Senator Dinniman raised the concern of Lyme disease, especially in the southeastern portion of the state. He informed everyone present that Chester County has the second highest incidence rate of Lyme disease in the nation and asked for an update on the status of the Governor's task force that is supposed to be studying the issue. Roe acknowledged that the Commission sits on that task force and that while they encourage people to use cleaning stations to feed deer (which strip the ticks off of the necks of deer while they feed) rodent populations that are drawn to areas prone to large number of oak and acorns trees also transmit the disease. He stressed that the only thing the Game Commission can do about the problem is to lower the deer population in troubled areas which is what they have done by increasing the allocation of hunting licenses in the southeast and by allowing the baiting of deer.
Senator Dinniman then explained that the federal government recently removed the bald eagle from the endangered species list and wondered what the state can do to protect these birds. He explained that a developer in his area recently disturbed a bald eagle's nest and the area lost the birds. Roe explained the bald eagle is still on the threatened list in PA and celebrated that fact the state now has 125 nesting pairs. In terms of dealing with situations like the Senator described, he promised to meet with the Senator and discuss the matter further.
Minority Chairman Fontana asked who determines if the deer habitat is good. Roe explained that the Commission receives data from the U.S. Forest Service and that they take this information and study ground plots where sunlight strikes the ground to measure regeneration rates. He cautioned that regeneration can take a long time to occur.
Minority Chairman Fontana then asked for an update on the Commission's interaction with the Citizen's Advisory Committee. Roe said that this is one of the bodies they consult with to determine the amount of deer to human conflicts in an area. He stated that they will eventually have one in every WMU. Asked if they have taken any of their recommendations yet, Roe replied they have and that they have begun to work to increase the herd size in WMU 4B.
Chairman McIlhinney asked if the Commission is considering further dividing WMUs. Roe said they have just reviewed the issue and did make some changes in the southeast. He explained that many of the boundaries are based upon physical land formations.
Chairman McIlhinney next inquired as to whether the Commission is fully utilizing their timber harvesting abilities to generate funds. Roe said he can provide the Committee with full details but said that currently 10% of the Commission's land is old growth timber. However because of the poor condition of the soil, they can not always harvest as much as they would like to because it takes longer to grow back, explained Roe. He added that much of their timbering is market driven. He closed saying that the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee is studying their timbering practices and expressed confidence that the quality of their practices will be confirmed in the report.
Chairman McIlhinney then closed the Committee's meeting to receive the Commission's annual report and immediately began the Committee's informational meeting on deer management.
The first to testify was Dr. Timothy Schaeffer, Executive Director for Audubon PA. Schaeffer pointed out that Audubon cares about deer management because they care about birds and habitats upon which they rely. He added that the habitats of declining bird populations have been irrefutably over-browsed by deer outside of deer fences. He lamented that it will take time and lower deer densities to fix the problems created by decades of trying to satisfy the desire of some hunters from more deer than other groups such as landowners, farmers, communities and resource professionals want.
According to Schaeffer, a study by Audubon related how residents of the state ranked managing the deer herd in order to promote a healthy, sustainable forest ecosystem as the number one goals for deer management followed by minimizing conflicts with humans. Other studies show overwhelmingly that residents support using hunters to manage the deer herd.
Schaeffer added that there are still a large number of deer in the state as evidenced by the fact that hunters continue to harvest over 350,000 deer each year and are sustainably harvesting more deer today than 20 years ago.
He stressed that science should dictate deer management policies and stated that critics of the Commission's deer management program have not supported their arguments with credible science. He closed by asking that the legislature allow any audit of the deer management program to be done professionally, in full view of the public and with adherence to scientific principles.
Senator Dinniman inquired about Schaeffer's views on protecting bald eagles in PA. Schaeffer replied that while they have been removed from the endangered species list by the federal government, better water quality in the southeastern portion of the state is the reason their number are growing in this area. He voiced his agreement with Roe that the laws currently in place to protect bald eagles are sufficient, especially since they are still classified as a threatened species.
Asked what he would like the Commission to change about their deer management policies, Schaeffer replied "nothing." He stressed that if the legislature tried to get involved it is imperative that good science remain the deciding factor. Schaeffer added that not enough time has elapsed to see if the current policies are working.
Senator Dinniman wondered what Schaeffer meant by good science. Schaeffer replied that good science is peer reviewed and open to public scrutiny. Senator Dinniman interjected that good science must also be something that can be implemented and understood by the public.
Senator Eichelberger asked how far apart Audubon's ideas of deer management are from the Commission's current practices. Schaeffer replied they are in absolute support of the Commission's deer management program.
Senator Eichelberger then questioned if Audubon supports the Commission's stance on wind generation. Schaeffer replied it is a step in the right direction and that they would like to see even more preconstruction assessments be done.
Chairman McIlhinney next introduced a panel from the Unified Sportsmen of PA (USP) and stressed that while he knows that this group is not representative of all sportsmen, that he can not have every group participate in this meeting. He promised that other sportsmen groups will have an opportunity to voice their views at a later time.
Steve Mohr, President of USP, began stating that he once held a seat on the Game Commission Board and that since he left over two years ago, it still hasn't been filled. He said that PA has lost at least 33% of its hunting license base over the past 25 years and worried about whether hunting will even survive in the state.
Greg Levengood, Chairman of the Board of USP, said that the current decline of hunting threatens numerous industry jobs and is having a serious economic impact on the state. He argued that this is due to a decrease in the number of deer in the state. He quickly denounced all organizations that have allowed this decline to happen.
He said the USP wants the following:
Four year term limits for Game Commissioners
More accountable wildlife management
The Governor, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Governor's Sportsmen Advisory Council to distance themselves from the selection of Commissioners
Legislative Budget and Finance to investigate how the Commission is spending money
Remediate acid rain's impact on the forest floor
Strengthen the constitutional rights of residents under Title 34 to have adequate protections for themselves and their property and
Legislative Budget and Finance to audit the Commission's deer management program
Jim Slinsky, testifying on behalf of the USP, commented that he has been working on a new column where he explores the frequency that state agencies make decisions contrary to what the people really want. He stressed that the legislature should exercise oversight of the Game Commission and that House Bill 1214 will not negatively impact the Commission in any way.
USP Testimony
Minority Chairman Fontana said he would rather see all of the different sportsmen groups be able to come together on these issues. Slinsky interjected that he keeps hearing science discussed today with regards to the deer management program but stated that he has interviewed people from all around the nation about deer management and that nobody manages according to science. He stated that social conditions and customs have to come into play.
Senator Eichelberger questioned how the USP would like the legislature to ensure that the Governor's office is distanced from the selection of Game Commissioners. Levengood explained that currently, a Senator has to sponsor a candidate for the Board and that person is then reviewed by the Governor's Sportsmen Advisory Council and the Secretary of DCNR. He expressed frustration over the fact that the Secretary of DCNR has a say in this process when he is strongly "anti-deer". In terms of how to change the process, he confessed that he didn't know.
Senator Eichelberger explained that the Governor will seek input from whomever he wants and that reducing the term of a Commissioner would only serve to have the Governor more regularly involved in the selection of Commissioners. He cautioned that this could cause problems if the Governor was anti-hunting. Senator Eichelberger added that while he does not think the current Governor is anti-hunting he does believe he is anti-gun and wondered if the USP really wants more regular control being granted to the Governor.
Senator Eichelberger next questioned the USP on their testimony on acid rain remediation stating that he has information and that Audubon has likewise testified, that acid rain is not the primary cause behind the fact the PA's forest are not regenerating fast enough. Levengood replied that Dr. Sharp (whom he testified is an acclaimed scientist in the field of acid rain) has said that acid rain is, in fact, a major contributor to the lack of regeneration in forests. This prompted the Senator to state that he has seen Dr. Sharp's work and that it does not necessarily conclude that acid rain is the primary factor. He added that Dr. Sharp's recommendations are also very expensive and difficult to implement.
Levengood argued that the state could pay for acid rain remediation by taking the money away from deer fences which he said have been shown to be ineffective at keeping deer from browsing down new growth.
Senator Eichelberger again expressed concern over the claim that acid rain is the primary factor that is holding back regeneration when he has studies showing that it is not. Slinsky argued that the pH of the soil is too low and that killing the deer herd to prevent overbrowsing has failed. He said the only result has been to almost wipe out the hunting industry and the Game Commission. Senator Eichelberger stressed that Dr. Sharp's proposed practices for remediation still does not replace lost nutrients in the soil.
Levengood interjected that there are 25 acid rain monitoring stations in the state and that they are now averaging a pH of 4.3. He said it is impossible to regenerate hardwood trees with that much acidity.
Chairman McIlhinney stated that the USP's testimony about a decrease in the number of hunting licenses is a nationwide issue and not just a PA issue. Additionally, he assured those present that any idea of introducing legislation to prevent a merger of the Fish and Boat Commission and the Game Commission is pointless because no merger will be allowed through the Senate.
The Chairman next expressed confusion over the USP's assertion that the legislature exercise its duty to oversee the Game Commission while at the same time calling for the legislature and the Governor to stay out of the process of selecting Commissioners. He closed asking how a shortened term limit for a Commissioner would not result in more legislative intervention.
Slinsky argued that hunters are paying what amounts to a specialized tax to fund the Game Commission and therefore the Commissioners don't represent the public in general only the hunters. Due to this fact, he continued, the sportsmen should have more say because they are the sole financial source. Chairman McIlhinney retorted that the charge of the Game Commission is the management of all wildlife for all citizens and not just hunters. Furthermore, he argued that under the philosophy that because hunters fund the Game Commission they get total say, then people who consumer alcohol could dictate to the Liquor Control Board (LCB) what would be stocked in state liquor stores since the LCB is funded through alcohol sales. Slinsky said that the input of hunters on the decision of the Game Commissions Board needs to be strengthened and that four year terms for Commissioners are reasonable.
Chairman McIlhinney expressed his belief that the Game Commission has been responsive to requests. He asked if USP believes that there are not enough deer statewide or just in areas of the state. Slinsky said the deer management program is a total failure because there are too many deer is special regulation areas and not enough deer anywhere else. He continued, saying that areas other than special regulation areas should be closed to hunting.
Chairman McIlhinney asked Slinsky if he shot a deer this year in PA. Slinsky acknowledged that he did, in 15 minutes, but he was a special hunter. He added that Levengood shot a deer as well.
Chairman McIlhinney agreed that changes must continue to be made but argued that the Commission's response since Roe became the Executive Director has been much better. Slinsky retorted that this is a "tail wagging the dog scenario" where the Commissioners use to discuss the recommendations of the Commission but over the past eight years have been simply telling the Commission what to do. He said they have even threatened the jobs of Commission employees.
Chairman McIlhinney asked what the USP meant when it said the constitutional rights of the citizens are not been protected. Charlie Bolgiania, a representative from the USP related a case where an individual was charged and convicted of poaching for shooting an elk that was eating apples off of his tree. He said there is no clear language in the law as to when someone is allowed to shoot an animal to protect their property or themselves. Minority Chairman Fontana replied that the court system should be left to decide such cases and that there are adequate protections for hunters in the law.
Minority Chairman Fontana asked Mohr if he was generally the dissenting vote on the Commission. Mohr said that he was. This led the Minority Chairman to state that this is further evidence that the Game Commission must not be "stacked" if Mohr was able to get on and offer dissenting votes and opinions.
Slinsky interjected that in other states like Nevada, they reserve seats on their Gaming Board for people other than hunters such as farmers. Chairman McIlhinney asked if there are any non-hunters on the Board in PA. Slinsky said he doesn't know if they still hunt or not but reasserted that some states reserve spots for non-hunters. Questioned by the Chairman if he is proposing that the Board should not be made up of all hunters, Slinsky demurred and said that he is simply concerned about all of the Board members changing position at the same time.