HSUS and PGC Go Hand in Hand

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HSUS and PGC Go Hand in Hand ©

By Jim Slinsky
06/13/09

Just when you thought the PGC’s activities could not possibly get any more absurd, something just happened that should make PA hunters cry. Are you sitting down? Mr. Steve Smith the PGC’s Legislative Liaison visited PA House legislators with Ms. Sarah Speed of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)! Ms. Speed is the HSUS PA Director. Can you imagine that - the Humane Society? A real Romeo and Juliet story in the making for sure.

The apparent reason for this extended interlude was HB 97. In the days leading up to the House Game and Fisheries Committee (HGFC) voting meeting, Ms. Speed and Mr. Smith went hand in hand (metaphorically, of course) and visited the members of the HGFC to show their unanimous support for HB 97. There must be something in the water over at Elmerton Ave.

I probably don’t need to tell you the HSUS vehemently opposes all hunting. I probably don’t need to tell you they are extremely well-financed, sue at the drop of an empty casing, continuously propose prohibitive hunting legislation and have achieved the title of the most rabidly anti-hunting organization in the nation. Interesting that the PA Game Commission would partner with HSUS and visit our legislators. Obviously, there must be something attractive in this HB 97 that the HSUS wants. Or, the PGC has lost its’ ability to make a coherent decision. Maybe, the PGC is forming new partnership, as they say in Harrisburg. It wasn’t that long ago that the PGC formed a partnership with Audubon. I don’t need to remind you of where that lovely relationship ended. Let’s just say Romeo killed himself and Juliet took a pass to live another day.

HB 97 has been controversial from the day SR Ed Staback introduced it. Our game violation penalties have not increased since 1987 and certainly some adjustment was justified. However, the bill started out tough, real tough. Felony charges for game code violations are not common in this country for various legal and social reasons. While some of you may feel that death by hanging is too kind for a poacher, most Americans would not agree. Poaching is despicable, but regardless of big fines and jail time, unfortunately it will continue.

As the clouds of concern gathered over HB 97, SR Staback did what good legislators do – he listened and amended his legislation. The NRA, the Unified Sportsmen of PA and a number of prominent legislators offered valuable input. The bill that ultimately passed the HGFC is far better than the original, although some still hold reservations about certain parts of the bill. Actually, some old nagging problems in the existing Title 34 have been rectified. Personally, I am disappointed a “protection of self and property” clause wasn’t added. If you kill an elk or bear that came to close to you or was destroying your property you will still be prosecuted as a poacher. Theoretically, these kinds of cases will now be handled by county district attorneys and your rights will be upheld. I would have preferred new language to clarify these situations.

While nothing in HB 97 can be construed as anti-hunting, the HSUS must see something in it as critical to their cause. If properly enforced and with the right temperament, HB 97 can be effective at whacking repeat offenders who get their kicks breaking and evading the law. If HB 97 is enforced with zeal and condescendence, it can push people right out of the hunting community. It only takes one bad and distasteful experience with PGC law enforcement to reshape that individual’s opinion of the PGC and hunting for life. If the PGC is going to threaten hunters that “you are going to jail” during investigations, HB 97 will be problematic. People are indeed innocent until proven guilty. Let us not forget 95 percent of our hunters do nothing wrong.

When you put it all together game violators and HB 97 is our business. The legislation was written by a lifelong hunter, reviewed by lifelong hunters and voted on by lifelong hunters. The HSUS was not part of the process and we don’t need or want their input. For the PGC to partner with them and actually visit our legislators giving the appearance of harmony and peaceful co-existence is a disgrace and embarrassment. As with deer management, it may be time to take a good hard look at the management people over at Elmerton Ave.

Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Outdoor Talk Network”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.

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