Penn’s Outdoors

Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives has approved a resolution approving an audit of the deer management program in PA.  The resolution specifies that it should be done by an independent out of state source. 

Interestingly, the vote on this resolution was unanimous.  Does this mean that hunters are being heard by the folks in Harrisburg?  I hope so.  Yet, my cynical side wonders if this audit, which will cost between $100,000 to $200,000, is a cheap way to try and pacify us.  I go back and forth between hopeful and cynical. 

A quote by hunting advocate State Representative Moul in the Evening Sun keeps echoing in my ear… 

Moul said he’s talked to representatives from the Game Commission about how displeased constituents are, but “I may as well have been hitting my head on the wall.”

This sums up what most of the critics, like myself, feel about the Game Commission.  We feel that they are unresponsive and uncaring about hunters.  For the 1000th time, most of us understand and agree that we can’t go back to the old days where deer were over-abundant.  But when some studies show zero deer per square mile in regions of Pennsylvania’s once deer rich woods, we are mad!  There needs to be a balance. But even calls for balance are like hitting our heads on the walls of the Commission.

So thank you to the PA House of Representatives for approving this resolution.  We look forward to the results of this audit.  Obviously, we don’t know how they will turn out but this is a step in the right direction.  I’m going to stop typing now before I turn cynical again.

Here’s the press release from State Representative Moul…

House Approves Resolution to Study PA Deer Management Program

04/09/08

Moul says analysis needed to ensure proper balance in white-tail population

Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams/Franklin) voted to approve a House resolution that calls for an audit of the Pennsylvania Game Commission’s Deer Management Program to determine its effectiveness.

The resolution directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to enlist the services of an independent outside auditor in the wildlife and habitat management field to analyze the white-tail deer population in Pennsylvania.

“As an avid hunter, I am growing increasingly concerned about the management of Pennsylvania’s deer population,” said Moul. “I have heard many concerns expressed by sportsmen that the deer population on state game lands is virtually depleted. This is worrisome. I welcome an independent audit of the Pennsylvania deer population and the Game Commission’s deer management practices.”

The study will examine the changes in the white-tail deer population over the past 12 years, analyze the Game Commission’s management goals and the impact of these policies on the deer population.

“This audit is a precautionary measure aimed at determining whether current deer management practices are working,” said Moul. “It is important to maintain sensible management practices that will achieve a balanced and healthy deer population and enable us to preserve our rich hunting tradition in Pennsylvania.”

*Photo by audreyjm529 from Flickr.com