We received this passionate letter from David G. McFadden of Delta:
Our illustrious Pennsylvania Game Commission officials continue to wipe out the state’s wildlife at an accelerated rate. If they are allowed to carry out their mission uninterrupted, there will be no critters left in Pennsylvania.
First, there aren’t enough elk in the state for hunters to be killing 30-35 of them per year. Their natural procreation level does not compare with the degree in which they are being slaughtered. In other words, soon enough there won’t be any elk remaining in Pennsylvania. This happened in the 1890s to the point that the elk herd was completely destroyed due to overhunting.
In 1998, 1999 and 2000 the PGC spent thousands of dollars to physically transport elk into Cameron and Clinton counties for re-stocking of the herd. They immediately began an annual elk hunt in those areas and now the elk are gone. The elk did not have an opportunity to grow before they were killed off. These constant and consistent oversights and miscalculations make me wonder where our hunting will be in another 10 years from now.
Second, the Game Commission has proposed that hunters will soon be allowed to kill two turkeys per year, both spring and fall seasons. One is enough per season. Pennsylvania has a healthy turkey population and there is no need to eliminate them unnecessarily by overhunting.
Third, the Pennsylvania bear hunt has extended to three days when it was always two in the past.
Fourth, there are no deer left in many areas of Pennsylvania. Literally.
A hunter goes through three stages during his/her lifetime of hunting. One: wants to shoot everything in sight. Two: becomes very selective and desires to trophy hunt; quality instead of quantity. Three: Hardly cares if he/she even shoots at anything while out on a hunt, simply enjoys the outdoor adventure with family and friends.
The PGC needs to grow up and realize that we don’t need to shoot everything in sight to have great hunting here in Pennsylvania. Everything in moderation.
Sportsmen unite now before all of our animal resources are gone. Write to the governor and demand that he place a few of us to manage the flocks and herds. The present officials are doing a lousy job of it.
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