HB 747  Gergely (D)  Amends Title 34 (Game) creating a special license and license auction to hunt one elk.  

This is the bill that was amended in the Senate with language that would strip Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers of their powers.  Doing so would have created an “open season” for poachers and wildlife violators, as the Game Commission would be without adequate law enforcement.  

Senator McIllhinney, Chairman of the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee held a hearing on Deputy WCO’s that allowed the agency to answer questions and defend the Deputy program.  Knowing he didn’t have the votes to pass the bill with the amendments, Senator Armstrong reluctantly withdrew his amendment and the bill passed in its original form.  The bill will  allow a conservation organization to auction off one elk license each year.  80% of the funds raised will go back to the PGC for elk habitat work.

05-21-07 H Final Passage (Vote: Y:196/N: 1)

10-07-08 S Final Passage (Vote: Y: 49/N: 0)

Oct 9, 2008 Approved by the Governor  (Act 101)