Game Committee 10-11-07
PA House Action
HB 1443 Siep: Amending Title 34 (Game), providing for raffle for free lifetime combination hunting and furtaking license. For a four-year trial period, the PGC may hold a quarterly raffle to give away two lifetime combination licenses, including archery and muzzle-loading applications. Will not include anterless, bear, or spring turkey applications. Revenues will be deposited in the Game Fund. Cost: $6.50-resident, $12.50-nonresident, +.50 processing fee. Referred to Game and Fisheries Committee (09-25-07)
HB 1454 Boback: Amending the act of December 7, 1982 (P.L.784. No.225) (Dog Law). Provides for reimbursement from the Game Fund for damages to domestic animals by coyotes, up to $30,000 ($10,000 max per animal). Unlicensed dogs are excluded from reimbursement. Referred to Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee (09-26-07)
HB 1818 Surra: Amending Title 34 (Game), providing for overnight camping on State Game Land. Permits overnight camping on State Game Land along the Clarion River in the “Pennsylvania Wilds” as identified by the DCNR, within 100 feet of the water’s edge. Referred to Game and Fisheries Committee (09-04-07)
HB 1865 Hanna: Amending Title 34 (Game), further providing for powers and duties of enforcement officers. When [acting within the scope of the officer's employment] in the performance of duty, pursue, apprehend or arrest any individual suspected of violating any provision of Title 18 (relating to crimes and offenses) or 75 (relating to vehicles) or any other offense classified as a misdemeanor or felony. The officer shall also have the power to serve and execute warrants issued by the proper authorities for offenses referred to in this paragraph and to serve subpoenas issued for examination. Referred to Game and Fisheries Committee (10-02-07).
PA Senate Action
SR 168 Pippy: Resolution - Recognizing the week of September 17 through 23, 2007, as “Constitution Week” in Pennsylvania and urging all citizens to reflect on the rights and responsibilities that have been constitutionally bestowed upon us. Introduced and Adopted (09-17-07)
Game Committee 10-11-07 (2)
PGC Release #131-07
10-02-07 (excerpt)
BOARD MOVES TO REMOVE ORANGE REQUIREMENT FOR SPRING GOBBLER
The Board of Game Commissioners today gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to remove the fluorescent orange requirements for hunters participating in the spring gobbler seasons. If approved at its meeting in January, the change would take effect for the 2008 spring gobbler season, which is set for April 26-May 26, as well as the youth spring gobbler day on April 19.
"Various hunters and sporting organizations have called for the Game Commission to review and/or reconsider the current regulatory mandate that turkey hunters wear at least 100 square inches of solid fluorescent orange-colored material on the head while moving about or relocating during the spring turkey season," said Carl G. Roe, agency executive director. "The safety of hunters afield is, without a doubt, one of the paramount concerns of the Game Commission. However, the available statistical data relating to hunting-related shooting incidents during the spring turkey season shows that there is no clear evidence that the protective material requirement has made any appreciable reduction in spring gobbler hunting-related shooting incidents.
Roe noted that, as an added safety measure, the agency continues to recommend that hunters continue to wear orange while entering or leaving the woods. It also will continue to promote the wearing of fluorescent orange as a safe turkey hunting practice.