Controversial Game Commission Proposal Put on Hold

The Pennsylvania Game Commission announced on its website Thursday that following receipt of “hundreds of public comments” it has removed from its Jan. 27 meeting agenda a controversial proposal that would have restricted hikers’ use of state gamelands during much of the year and required anyone without a hunting or furtaking license to obtain a free permit to use the gamelands.

The proposal if adopted would have restricted hiking on state gamelands to Sundays during the spring and fall hunting seasons, although if the Pennsylvania state legislature ultimately passes a bill to allow Sunday hunting, gameland hiking would effectively be prohibited during those periods.

In its news release, the game commission said it is postponing discussion about the proposal “to allow more time to properly consult with hunters, conservation partners and elected officials about it.”

Proponents of the proposal have argued that since the gamelands were purchased with funds obtained from the sale of hunting licenses, hunters should have the freedom to enjoy them without the damage and disruption caused by hikers.

That argument was also made by game commission spokesman Doty McDowell, in an article by Jeremy Hartley published Tuesday by the Centre Daily Times.

“We are a wildlife agency that is funded by the sale of hunting and trapping licenses,” McDowell is quoted as telling the central Pennsylvania newspaper. “We own about 1.4 million acres, and these state game lands were purchased through hunting and trapping dollars for the purpose of hunting and trapping.”

Opponents of the proposal have said its adoption would mean some of the state’s most popular hiking destinations–such as Glen Onoko Falls in Carbon County–would effectively be off-limits at times of year when many non-hunters visit them.

In comments posted on the game commission’s Facebook page, arguments on both sides of the issue are being made.

“There are a number of hiking trails that pass through gamelands, to those that who say gamelands should be for hunters only. The North Country Trail and Appalachian Trail come to mind,” commented one critic of the proposal. “Sorry if they ruined your hunt, but it’s public land. We just pay to take game off of them.”

And another pro-hiking commenter asked, “Does the word ‘public’ in public land mean anything to the PGC?”

A comment that received a number of “thumbs up,” however, expressed what seems to be the prevailing point of view of most hunters on the issue: “Once again, nothing is free. We as hunters pay for the land from hunting license sales. It’s pay to play.”

What are your thoughts about the proposal to restrict hiking on Pennsylvania state gamelands? Are you happy or disappointed that the game commission has decided to delay consideration of it? Tell us by posting a comment.