Penn’s Outdoors

I found an article from the Times-Tribune reporting on the rumors that I had been hearing about a delay in a license increase.  The article states…

Mr. Staback said resolving concerns about the commission’s programs is key to opening the door to consideration of a license fee increase by the Legislature. The current license fee has been in effect since 1999.

“Pennsylvania’s sportsmen’s community is going to have to be satisfied,” added Mr. Staback. “I think the question has to be settled once and for all. One of the reasons the commission has had trouble getting a license increase is because of the reluctance of sportsmen organizations.”

From the article, it appears that we may not see a license increase until 2010.

Based on many of the comments from previous posts here at Penn’s Outdoors on the topic, many of you will agree with Mr. Staback.  Isn’t it nice to have a legislator truly representing us?  If you don’t know, Mr. Staback is the chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee.  So obviously, his opinion is pretty important.

I also need to give kudos to the author of this article, Robert Swift, for helping hunters by printing the facts…

Deer herd management has been a hot topic in recent years. Deer have become scarce in Pennsylvania’s Big Woods Country, where public game lands and many hunting camps are located, yet more populous in suburban areas where a brush habitat provides food. The commission and statewide sportsmen’s organizations have debated whether hunting policies have fostered healthy deer herds in areas accessible to hunters.

I do think a license increase is inevitable but hopefully will come with increased attention to the concerns of PGC’s customer base.  I think Mr. Staback’s perspective that deer hunter’s concerns must be taken into account before increasing the costs of our participation in hunting is right on target.