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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2013 - 2014
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | June 26, 2013 10:41 AM |
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| From: | Representative David M. Maloney, Sr. |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Directing the maximum sustained yield method of game and deer management, and the enhancement of habitat for deer and other wildlife. |
| In the near future, I will introduce legislation that will return to the science-based, traditional, maximum sustained yield (MSY) method of game and deer management, and direct wildlife and forest management practices to enhance wildlife habitat for both game and nongame species. For decades, the MSY method of deer management was instrumental in making Pennsylvania one of the top deer-hunting states in the nation. However, a little over a decade ago this traditional method was replaced by a subjective, value-laden deer management system that has not proven to be as successful in both scientific and social aspects of deer management. The MSY method of game management refers to sustaining the populations of deer and other game at levels that will maximize the harvests (yields) of deer and other game for sport hunting and trapping without adversely affecting the health of the forest to produce timber and other nongame species of wildlife. It is a science-intensive game management method that serves the interests of sportsmen, the deer herd, the health of the forest, and habitats for other wildlife species. According to a 2009 study, MSY is used in some form in virtually all other deer-hunting states except Pennsylvania. In addition, by scientifically and systematically altering forests throughout the Commonwealth toward the enhancement of wildlife habitats, the ability (carrying capacity) of the forest to increase the populations of deer, other game, and nongame- species will be accomplished. Specific state-of-the-art methods of habitat enhancement exist that will significantly increase the populations of deer throughout the Commonwealth, and improve the habitats and populations for currently stressed game such as grouse and snowshoe hares, for other game and furbearers, as well as for a diversity of nongame species of native birds and mammals. |
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Introduced as HB1726