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Farm Bureau Asks Game Commission To Reconsider Deer Management Policy Changes
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The Pennsylvania Farm Bureau expressed deep concern over recent decisions by the Game Commission that reduced doe license allocations, changed the Deer Management Assistance Program (DMAP) and expanded the number of Wildlife Management Units with reduced concurrent doe and buck seasons.
“Each of the changes taken individually will lead to a larger deer herd with increased damage to farms, private lands and public lands. Together the changes signal a shift from proven scientific methods for deer management to decision making driven by political pressure,” said PFB Local Affairs Director Jeff Grove, during testimony today before the PGC Board of Commissioners.
Farm Bureau stated that the changes made by the Commission during its April meeting will significantly damage DMAP and eliminate much of the flexibility necessary for its continuing success.
“The vote to support the DMAP changes will directly diminish the ability of landowners to protect their properties and businesses when the deer herd numbers increase as the result of actions taken in April. We still believe DMAP can strengthen hunter relationships and foster other hunting opportunities on DMAP enrolled lands if restored to the pre-April regulations,” added Grove.
PFB noted that shortening the doe seasons from twelve days to seven days in four WMU’s does not solve problems, it creates additional problems. Meanwhile, some of the changes made by the Commission call for reducing doe allocations and decreasing the length of doe hunting season by more than what was recommended by PGC staff biologists.
“Farmers have suffered documented crop losses totaling tens of millions of dollars. Who will pay for the additional damage caused by a larger deer herd? We are respectfully asking Commissioners to re-visit their April decisions and make adjustments for next year to restore DMAP and follow the guidance of PGC professional biologists to manage the deer herd,” concluded Grove.
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7/5/2010 |
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