Hunting & Trapping Digest 2008-2009 - (Page 93) LICENSE REVOCATIONS & PROSECUTION OPTIONS A person charged with violating the Game and Wildlife Code will have the matter adjudicated before the proper Magisterial District Judge by either acknowledging guilt or through a hearing. In addition to imposing fines, the Game Commission or any court having jurisdiction may also deny a person the privilege to hunt and trap in Pennsylvania. Revocation Periods Required by Law: • Casting the rays of an artificial light of any kind in an attempt to locate game while in possession of a firearm or bow and arrow; killing or attempting to kill wildlife while using an artificial light from a vehicle; buying or selling wildlife or the edible parts of wildlife contrary to law: 1) Endangered or threatened species - 10 years; 2) Elk or bear - 5 years; 3) Deer, bobcat or otter - 3 years; 4) Turkey or beaver - 2 years; 5) Other - 1 year. • Conspire to duplicate, reproduce, alter, forge or counterfeit a permit, license, tag or stamp required by law - 5 years. • Failure to respond to a citation, or failure to pay a penalty in full within 180 days - indefinite or until adjudicated. • Hunting or trapping under the influence of alcohol or controlled substance - 1 year. • Refusal to submit to a chemical or blood test - 1 year; second or subsequent refusal - 3 years. • Shooting at, but not hitting or injuring another person - 2 years; causing serious injury to another person - 5 to 10 years; killing another person - 15 years. • Failure to render assistance, or fleeing after shooting (nonfatal) - 10 years; failure to render assistance, or fleeing (fatal) - 15 years; second offense - additional 10 years. Revocations for Other Game and Wildlife Code Violations: The Game Commission, or any court having jurisdiction, may impose appropriate revocation periods after considering the circumstances in each case. Aggravating circumstances may increase the length of the revocation period. • Assaulting an officer - 3 years. Resisting or interfering with an officer; failure to stop on signal of officer; turning off lights to avoid arrest or detection - 2 years. • Killing, wounding or attempting to kill a second deer or turkey in one season - 1 year; bear, elk - 3 years; killing, wounding or attempting to kill deer with a firearm in archery season - 2 years. • Killing, or attempting to kill game through the use of an unlawful device: bear, elk - 3 years; all other game - 1 year. • Killing or attempting to kill, game while using bait as an enticement (when shooting has occurred): bear, elk - 3 years; all other game - 2 years. • Disturbing traps, or removing a wild animal from a trap belonging to another person; trapping during closed season; multiple minor violations over a 2-year period; taking furbearers in closed season; refuse to produce identification on demand of an officer; killing, wounding or attempting to kill a protected bird - 1 year. • Hunting through the use of a motorized vehicle; shooting on or across highways - 1 year. • Closed season big game violation: elk, bear or deer - 3 years; turkey - 2 years; while hunting on revocation or securing a license while on revocation; attempting to kill game or furbearers while on revocation - 2 years. • Closed season small game violation, or killing or possessing over the daily bag limit of small game or migratory birds - 1 year. Stay Out! Stay Alive! Since 2000, 26 people have died trespassing in abandoned mines and quarries in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has partnered with the U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration, other state agencies and the active mining industry to promote the “Stay Out! Stay Alive!” campaign. The goal of this nationwide effort is to educate the public about the dangers of abandoned and active mines. Pennsylvania has approximately 250,000 acres of abandoned mine lands as a result of decades of unregulated mining. Years ago, before modern environmental regulations, mine operators were not required to return the land to its original condition after mining was completed. As a result, throughout the state there are open mine shafts, large water-filled pits and other hazards. DEP and the active mining industry are working to correct these problems, but it’s a difficult challenge. The cost to reclaim all of Pennsylvania’s abandoned mines is estimated at $15 billion. Although there are many efforts underway to reclaim these abandoned sites, Pennsylvania is still faced with a significant public safety liability. Abandoned mine openings may be unmarked or unprotected at the surface and can be hundreds of feet deep. They may be obscured by vegetative overgrowth or they could be covered by decayed boards that give way under the slightest weight. Even when a mine opening is clearly visible, walking close to it is dangerous, because the decomposed rock at the top can suddenly cave in. To report the location of an abandoned mine, please contact DEP’s Bureau of Mine Safety at 724-439-7469. Want to Become a Deputy WCO? Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officers are the local representatives of the Pennsylvania Game Commission. Individuals selected for these positions serve in a volunteer capacity and perform their duties under the supervision of a District Wildlife Conservation Officer. Deputies do not receive regular salary or wages. They may receive compensation at a Commission approved per diem rate, in lieu of wages and expenses Bob D’Angelo Photo on certain approved days, but history has shown that, in the performance of their duties, deputies spend far more money than they make. Deputies are recruited locally on an as needed basis. Applicants must be in good physical condition, have a good knowledge of hunting, trapping and other outdoor activities, and be able to maintain a good working relationship with fellow officers and the public. Deputies should be prepared to function in all phases of Commission’s activities, including law enforcement, hunter education and other educational exhibits/programs, wildlife management and land management. For more information about the qualifications needed and becoming a deputy, write 2001 Elmerton Ave., Harrisburg, PA 171109797; or call 717-787-4250; or visit the PGC website at www.pgc.state.pa.us, select “Employment,” and “Deputy Wildlife Conservation Officer.” http://www.pgc.state.pa.us
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