Carl Roe

The House Game and Fisheries Committee this week held a hearing on the Game Commission's new electronic deer hunting license sales system.

Carl Roe, Executive Director of the Game Commission, said the new Automated License System was an "unqualified success" both for the agency and vendors who sell the licenses. He noted it would be feasible to issue all the licenses through the automated system, but the law would have to be changed to eliminate the license sales responsibilities of the county treasurers. (Roe's testimony is available online)

Jeffrey Souders, PA Federation of Sportsmen's club, said the current practice for obtaining deer licenses is "inefficient and cumbersome" and supported allowing direct sales of licenses by the Game Commission through the automated service rather than through the traditional county treasurers' offices.

A more efficient licensing system leads to more revenue for the Game Commission and potentially increased deer harvests where they are needed to protect forest habitat.

Rep. Ed Staback (D-Lackawanna) serves as Majority Chair of the Committee and Rep. Craig Dally (R-Northampton) serves as Minority Chair.

10/26/2009