House Bill 251, bad bill

As the Daily Record’s article makes clear, House Bill 251, introduced by state Rep. Robert Godshall (R-Montgomery) to outlaw hunting within 150 yards of bait, is bad wildlife management and deceptive lawmaking. (“Official against baiting bill,” 7-19) Hunting over bait is already banned in Pennsylvania, and Rep. Godshall’s bill is an attempt to make it legal while appearing to do just the opposite. It is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Both the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the majority of Pennsylvania hunters oppose House Bill 251 for the same reasons that The Humane Society of the United States opposes it. Hunting over bait is unethical and violates basic principles of scientific wildlife management. It has no place in Pennsylvania and the diversity of groups opposing it should send a strong message to the legislature that this is a bad bill.

Pennsylvania wildlife officials, hunters, and the humane community are all lined up together on this one. Please contact your local state Representative and ask him or her to oppose House Bill 251.

Andrew Page
Campaign Manager - Hunting
The Humane Society of the United States

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