Senate Game and Fisheries Committee Examines Deer Management Issues

HARRISBURG – The Senate Game and Fisheries Committee held hearings Tuesday to examine deer management issues and receive the Pennsylvania Game Commission's annual report, according to Sen. Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks).

McIlhinney said that the hearings gave committee members an opportunity to gather information on the effect of deer management practices and get valuable feedback from interested parties.

"These hearings offer us an opportunity to learn more about how we are working to provide a healthy, sustainable deer herd across the Commonwealth," McIlhinney said. "Managing our deer population effectively is essential so our state can continue to provide a healthy habitat for deer and abundant opportunities for sportsmen."

Pennsylvania Game Commission Executive Director Carl Roe said that Pennsylvania has the second-most hunters in the nation and leads the nation in the number of days afield with 16.86 million days. Hunting is a $3 billion-a-year industry and generates $214 million in state and local taxes. Roe also reported that Pennsylvania had its safest hunting season in state history last year.

Roe added that the Game Commission would increase emphasis on communicating deer management information to hunters in the future.

The committee also heard varying opinions on deer management issues in the Commonwealth during testimony from representatives of the National Audubon Society and the Unified Sportsmen of Pennsylvania. Video and audio of both hearings in their entirety are available at McIlhinney's website, senatormcilhinney.com, under the Game and Fisheries Committee link.

CONTACT:

Gail Reinard
(717)787-7305