Game Commission out; "We felt they did not represent our best interests," spokesdeer says
HARRISBURG - Ending a business relationship that began in 1895, the Pennsylvania wildlife union announced today that it will no longer be represented by the Game Commission. The Commonwealth's animals have signed with the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources instead.
"We've always had a tense relationship," said an ten-point buck from wildlife management unit 3B. "They did a lot for us at the beginning, when they protected us from being wiped out. But we seem to be at odds more and more. Our membership felt a change was needed."
One bone of contention is proposed changes to game law. "They come up with ideas, and they ask for comment," the buck said. "Somehow we never get those memos. But hunters get to chime in all the time.
"The final straw for us, though, was the proposal for Sunday hunting. Again, nobody asked us. We'd like to be able to take a walk in the woods without being shot at every single day. A few hikers are on our side, but we just feel the fix is in with the game people."
The wildlife union considered hiring the state police and Department of Environmental Protection before settling on the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources. "We liked the fact that the troopers could arrest people, but they can't be everywhere all the time," the spokesman said. "And Environmental Protection, well, we think they're just too busy with gas drilling to pay much attention to us."
DCNR agent Robert Brenneman welcomed the state's wild birds and mammals. "We are serious about conservation. We've already put up "100-foot safety zones" where animals can run to if they are being hunted. That should have an immediate effect for the upcoming rifle seasons. We have a lot more plans for 2012 too. I think our clients will be really happy."
"We're looking forward to DNCR's proposals," the whitetail deer said. "Most of us are about to hibernate or go south for the winter, but we look forward to better, longer lives ahead. It looks like we now have a friend in Pennsylvania."
