Pennsylvania Game News - December 2010 - 41

transfer one antlerless deer license or permit to a youth under the age of 12 participating in the Mentored Youth Hunting Program. • Approved a resolution, also introduced by Commissioner Delaney, directing agency staff to provide the public with WMU deer population estimates at or before the Board’s annual January meeting. The Board’s goal with this resolution is to increase the public trust in deer management. • Gave final approval to falconry permit regulations to require that a sponsor for a new falconer be a general or master class falconer having at least two year’s experience as a general class falconer. The regulatory change also expands the list of species of eagles a master class falconer may

possess with additional written authorization to include eagles not covered under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act; • Gave preliminary approval to expand the non-toxic shot authorization to both fall turkey and spring gobbler seasons. The Board previously had approved the use of types of non-toxic shot that could be used for small game; • Gave preliminary approval to a regulatory change to prohibit the use of fishing hooks or snagging hooks or any other device that is not a lawful trap, firearm, bow or crossbow from being utilized during licensed trapping activities; • Changed the dates of the Board’s January 2011 meeting to Jan. 30-Feb. 1, to be held at the agency’s Harrisburg headquarters.

PGC supports enactment of House Bill 181
THE GAME Commission supports the recent enactment of House Bill 181, says executive director Carl G. Roe, and hopes it will put to rest the notion that WCOs have “more authority than any other law enforcement officer in the Commonwealth.” “For years, the Game Commission has been attempting to correct the notion that our WCOs could operate outside the boundaries set by the U.S. Constitution and Supreme Court rulings, especially in relation to search and seizure,” Roe said. “Our WCOs follow all of the constitutional requirements and court-issued rules and regulations regarding searches and seizures. They are trained to do so, and they receive updates on changes in the laws as new court rulings are issued. Roe also noted that, annually, Game Commission WCOs issue between 9,000 and 10,000 citations for a wide variety of violations, but they also issue 12,000 to 14,000 warnings. “While we have maintained a 96 to 97 percent conviction rate for all of the citations issued, we still receive

CONTACTING
Northwest — 814-432-3187 Southwest — 724-238-9523 Northcentral — 570-398-4744

THE

REGION OFFICES
Southcentral — 814-643-1831 Northeast — 570-675-1143 Southeast — 610-926-3136

TIP Hotline: 1-888-PGC-8001. This number is ONLY for calls concerning
illegal killing of endangered species or multiple big game animals. All other calls should be made to the appropriate region number above.

DECEMBER 2010

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Pennsylvania Game News - December 2010

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Pennsylvania Game News - December 2010
