On August 12, the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee heard testimony from the hunting community and the Game Commission in Erie on Senate Bill 1527 (McIlhinney-R-Bucks) that would increase fees on hunting licenses issued by the Game Commission.

"It has been almost 10 years since the Commission received its last license increase and our record over this time demonstrates the extent to which the Commission has worked tirelessly to fulfill our mission of managing wildlife and providing opportunities for hunting and trapping," said Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe.

"Senate Bill 1527 is vital to ensure that we can continue to provide the services for our hunters and trappers and the general public. I believe that the Game Commission and sportsmen of this state have come too far over the past 110 years to compromise our outstanding wildlife conservation programs over the need for revenue enhancement."

Roe went on to list the accomplishments of his agency since the last license increase and outlined the fiscal problems that have limited the effectiveness of the Commission’s conservation efforts. (The full text of his testimony is available online.)

Rocco Ali, President of the PA Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, told the Committee his group supports the fee increase.

“I don’t think anyone can question the fact that operating expenses have greatly increased over the past ten years, and the Game Commission’s funding levels have not, thus putting the agency in dire need of additional revenues simply to maintain existing programs, let alone to reinstate programs cut recently or expand and implement new programs,” said Ali.

“The Game Commission has had to cut back on purchasing much-needed equipment, reduce program and project budgets, been forced to allow vacant positions to go unfilled and, in some cases, eliminated services altogether,” explained Ali. “Simple conveniences, such as toll-free numbers for those seeking to contact regional offices and free subscriptions to Game News magazine to landowners enrolled in public access programs and to schools and libraries have been suspended.

“The financial stability of our resource agencies is an issue that should concern all of us, and all of you. If you enjoy hunting; if you simply enjoy being outdoors; or you enjoy acres of open space – open to the public – then you should be extremely concerned about the lost opportunities that will occur should we fail to provide adequate funding to the guardian of our wildlife resources in the Commonwealth…. especially when many of us are ready and willing to provide that additional financing, if the legislature would just do their job and provide us the mechanism to do so,” said Ali. (The full text of his testimony is available online.)

The Committee expects to schedule a second hearing on the legislation in the Southeast in the near future.

Sen. Charles McIlhinney serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Sen. Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny) serves as Minority Chair.

NewsClip: Game Commission Supports Increase in Hunting License Fees

Link: Groups Support Broadening Funding Base for Game, Fish & Boat Commissions

Game Commission Urges Support for License Fee Increase

8/15/2008