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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=19245
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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: November 10, 2015 10:17 AM
From: Representative Michael K. Hanna
To: All House members
Subject: Deer Management and Accountability
 
In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation (House Bill 1720) to improve deer management and recreational hunting in this Commonwealth. The proposal aims to address the concerns raised by parties who have been involved in the deer-management issue, including sportsmen, foresters, environmentalists, camp owners, as well as outdoor-related family business owners.

Hunting is an activity that is valued and enjoyed by numerous Pennsylvanians including myself; however, without sufficient oversight and accountability, we will continue to see an alarming reduction in the Commonwealth’s deer population throughout our rural communities. Among other provisions, my proposal would allow us to return to traditional separate buck and doe seasons and a maximum sustained yield method of deer management. The maximum sustained population will be determined by a newly established and independent Forest and Wildlife Advisory Council, which will scientifically determine the health of the forest and its capacity to sustain wildlife for sport hunting and recreational activities of the public. This advisory council will work in cooperation with the Game Commission and DCNR to initiate a new habitat enhancement program that will increase the multiple-use recreational, scientific, social, and economic benefits of public and private forestlands throughout the Commonwealth.

These changes would come at a critical time especially for businesses in the outdoor industry who rely heavily on ample deer and wildlife populations for their success. It is estimated that House Bill 1720 could generate up to $400 million per year in economic activity, providing an annual return of $1,600,000 for every $10,000 invested by the Commonwealth.

Please join me in co-sponsoring this important piece of legislation. Thank you in advance for your consideration of House Bill 1720.



Introduced as HB1720