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USP Deer Lawsuit Moves Forward

By Jim Slinsky
06/21/08

On June 16, 2008 the Commonwealth Court of PA made their decision official. It rejected the preliminary objections of the PA Game Commission and granted the Unified Sportsmen of PA their day in court, so to speak. Judge Robert Simpson wrote the majority decision. Read More

What’s in a Title?

By Jim Slinsky
06/14/08

In today’s fast-paced society and world of negative campaigns, a label has become a common weapon of spin. He’s controversial, he’s an extremist, he’s anti-hunting are labels thrown around to identify or misidentify those with whom others disagree. A label (one little word) can often sum up the feelings about an individual or group quickly and quite nicely. To complicate matters there is also the issue of titles. He’s a lobbyist, he’s an advisor, he’s a legislative liaison, which further confuses the listener or reader. Unfortunately, the people most confused by all of this spin are our legislators. The label and title game has their heads spinning. Read More

The River Loses Its' Godfather

By Jim Slinsky
06/07/08

This will not be an easy column to write. I have been teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown for more than a week. Mr. Theodore S. Miller, 47, affectionately known as “Teddy” passed away on June 3, 2008. He was my dear friend for 14 years. He will be missed by sportsmen across this great Commonwealth. Read More

Moonlight Over Harrisburg

By Jim Slinsky
05/31/08

Debates and controversies can become complex in Harrisburg. We all have our sense of fair play, ethics and morals, but these judgment calls can vary greatly from person to person. “Whose ox is getting gored” is a fairly common thought process around town. While someone or group might be benefiting from an arrangement, someone else is probably not. I suspect the Gas Rush of 2008 is destined to bring out the worst and the best in people. Read More

Business as Usual?

By Jim Slinsky
05/24/08

Legislative change comes hard in PA. We are not the slowest moving state in the nation. Incredibly, compared to other states we are running in the middle of the pack. Yes, there are states that move even slower and a few that are quicker on the trigger. This is a good thing if we are talking about new gun laws, but not so good when we want a long-standing problem resolved. Right now there are issues pending in the Senate that very well may define the future of hunting in the Pennsylvania. Read More

The PA Wells Program

By Jim Slinsky
05/17/08

“Pennsylvania is the new Texas” are the passionate words emanating from the halls of Harrisburg these days. Our legislators have big smiles on their faces. The thought of gas royalties pouring into the state’s coffers has more than a few legislators planning our financial future. Let’s be honest. Our citizens are taxed out. Read More

Conspiracy or Coincidence?

By Jim Slinsky
05/10/08

It is only natural as one gets older and contemplates the difficulties of life in their remaining years to fantasize about having lived in a simpler time. The great historical events and extraordinary individuals of the last two hundred years have unquestionably shaped this nation and the people we are. Personally, I have often wished I could have met Teddy Roosevelt, Wyatt Earp or Wild Bill Hickok. I wish I could have witnessed in my day the Gold Rush of California and Alaska. Read More

Alternative Financing or New Bosses?

By Jim Slinsky
05/03/08

A few days ago there was yet another historic meeting in Harrisburg. SR David Levdansky, Chairman of the House Finance Committee wanted to hear input on his HB1676, which dedicates a portion of our sales tax revenue to the PA Game Commission and PA Fish and Boat Commission. This is the Missouri system of public financing for wildlife agencies. Read More

Surrogate Gets A New Job

By Jim Slinsky
04/26/08

From what I can see, our state legislators are hard working, busy people. When they are in Harrisburg their days are hectic and complex. I have yet to see a legislator reading the paper. Meetings in their offices are non-stop. When sessions begin they rush-out onto the floor. After session, there maybe more meetings in their office, a Committee meeting or perhaps a meeting in their district. Jump in the car and drive a few hours and don’t be late. Read More

Independent Deer Audit Coming to PA

By Jim Slinsky
04/19/08

At some point in our lives we have all come across a situation that conclusively confirms that old cliché` “truth can be stranger than fiction”. Try this one on for size; after 102 years an independent deer audit is coming to PA. House Resolution 642 authorizing the audit passed on April 7, 2008 by a vote of 201 to 0. Read More

The Perfect Stream

By Jim Slinsky
04/12/08

It was one of those days last spring that was absolutely perfect for fishing. I decided to give my good buddy and world class fly fisherman Brian Tartar from Silver Springs Outfitters a call and ask the big question. “Hey Brian, where can I go and catch 18” brown trout in numbers?” He responded without hesitation. “If I knew that Jim, I wouldn’t be standing here talking to you”. Of course, we laughed and laughed. A year later we are still talking about that question. Read More

HB 2381 - More Positive Legislation

By Jim Slinsky
04/05/08

As a writer and broadcaster traveling to Harrisburg to meet directly with legislators has become a life-altering experience. There is no better way to evaluate a person than looking him or her in the eye and pressing the flesh. One learns volumes about a legislator after a 30-minute face to face conversation. Read More

State Agency or Independent Agency?

By Jim Slinsky
03/29/08

You probably don’t realize it, but things are more than a little hot in Harrisburg right now. All the rage is HB1214, which changes a PGC Commissioner term to two (2), four-year terms with Senate reconfirmation required to serve the second term. The PGC is utilizing their new Legislative Liaison, Mr. Steve Smith to lobby our Senators hard to defeat this bill. Common sense dictates that the Agency probably could care less how long a Commissioner serves. Most likely, a few current Commissioners are pressuring the Agency to utilize their new Legislative Liaison to aggressively fight this legislation. Steve Smith is working the Capital doing his lobbying job. Read More

New Guns Laws and a Rally

By Jim Slinsky
03/22/08

Unless you have been in Patagonia chasing big rainbows for the past month, you should know the meaning of the Second Amendment was just argued before the US Supreme Court. Preliminary speculation by the homeboys says our freedoms did well with five of the eight justices sounding like they are going to rule in favor of the individual interpretation. Anytime one goes to court it is the equivalent of rolling the dice. In view of a truckload of supporting documentation, one must ask themselves what are the other three justices thinking? I guess we will need to wait to find out what the meaning of the word is----is. Interestingly, the man who started this case rolling, Mr. Robert Levy, the multi-millionaire scholar from the Cato Institute was a guest on my radio show. Read More

Who's Your Buddy?

By Jim Slinsky
03/15/08

We are all actors upon a stage. That’s all life really is. We are characters acting out our parts. Some of us have bit parts, others have leading roles. No one has handed us a script. We ad lib on a daily basis, but nonetheless the show must and will go on. The curtain is about to be pulled back in Harrisburg. The actors will enter from the wings. We are uncertain if we are about to witness a tragedy, a comedy or a riveting rendition of man against man in the struggle for survival and dominance. I am sitting on the edge of my chair. Read More

Some Good Legislative News, Maybe

By Jim Slinsky
03/01/08

There is no shortage of bad news these days. Whether it is the local, state or federal arena, we are bombarded with bad news on a daily basis. If you are all wrapped-up in the political issues of our day, you also get hit with the press alerts of bad, pending legislation. Most of it is downright depressing. Read More

On the Anniversary of Iwo Jima

By Jim Slinsky
02/23/08

Art Gavlock of Clinton County is a decorated WWII hero having landed with his fellow Marines in 1945 on Iwo Jima Island in the South Pacific. At that time Art Gavlock was locked in a battle for his life. Some 63 years later, Art Gavlock is now locked in a battle for his rights. Read More

Should PFBC Director Doug Austen Resign?

By Jim Slinsky
02/16/08

When conspiracy theories play out right before your eyes, they are no longer theories. They become fact. The politics surrounding merging our fish and game commissions took a major leap forward in the past two weeks and we shall see who has the courage to address it. By that I mean if our legislators will take action or if you will take action. We have arrived at the point of “a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do”, which is very difficult for some to act out. Read More

A Champion Living Amongst Us

By Jim Slinsky
02/09/08

Few experiences in life can surpass the sense of accomplishment and recognition that is bestowed upon you after becoming the recipient of a national award. It is the ultimate honor, the ultimate in gratification. It makes one smile when no one is around to see you take that deep breath. Read More

A Statistical Powerhouse?

By Jim Slinsky
02/04/08

On December 27, 2007 the Philadelphia Inquirer ran a column about our elk program and the PA Wilds that simply must be dissected and discussed. I’ve seen “pie in the sky” hyped-up columns about government programs before, but this one takes the cake. Frankly, it reads like a DCNR press release. Such glowing accolades and impressive numbers I have not seen located in one column about one program in a long, long time. Read More

Supreme Court or Court of Activists?

By Jim Slinsky
01/26/08

Americans are busy people, most of us anyway. Our jobs, our families, our hobbies pretty much consume us without much time left for a book, television, the newspaper or the Internet. I realize there are exceptions to this generalization, but it’s fairly safe to say most get their news/politics in ten-second sound bites. We have come to accept that politics never end with new legislation introduced everyday to save the world or save us from ourselves. Read More

Who’s Your President?

By Jim Slinsky
01/19/08

Few of us think of our life and times as a snapshot of history, but it is. What we have witnessed and survived will be revisited and discussed by generations to come. Some of the players embroiled in our current controversies will be recorded in the history books quite fondly, others certainly will not. Read More

All is Not Lost!

By Jim Slinsky
01/05/08

A famous man once said "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Certainly an interesting comment considering Edmund Burke put those words together in the mid-1700’s. Things haven’t changed much in the last almost 300 years. You speak of your liberties and government speaks of your security. History reveals government’s pursuit of noble causes has been the vehicle of choice for driving our freedoms into obscurity. It’s an old game that is really getting old. Read More

Bring the Herd Back!

By Jim Slinsky
12/15/07

It is pointless to use this precious space to discuss what a lousy deer season it was. Hunters are calling it was the worst deer season in fifty years. Yes, a few nice deer were harvested, again. However, I will be amazed if our combined buck and doe harvest was 100,000. Although, Special Regs Areas usually post some big numbers and distort the statewide harvest. We shall see how the PGC handles the harvest stats. Read More

Why Should We Care?

By Jim Slinsky
11/09/07

There is a great story floating around Harrisburg. It goes back a few years to a high-level multi-agency meeting about forest management and deer hunting. DCNR Secretary Mike DiBernardinis was in attendance and allegedly made a profound statement. When questioned about the lack of deer on State Forests Lands the Secretary responded, “Why should we care about deer hunting, we don’t make any money from it”. I can’t remember my source on this one, but it doesn’t really matter. The reality is DCNR doesn’t make a nickel from deer hunters utilizing State Forest Lands. Read More

Interpreting the Edsel

By Jim Slinsky
10/27/07

Some of you may be old enough to remember Ford Motor Company’s infamous failure, the Edsel. I was just a kid when that part of American auto history unfolded, but I remember the fiasco and the car vividly. The entire scenario has become so entrenched in American culture it has actually become a cliché`. Ford spent $400 million developing the car, but the public didn’t buy it. The car caused furious internal battles within Ford’s management. From 1958 to 1960, the Edsel was with us. Ford ultimately admitted failure, cut the cord and stopped the financial bleeding. Read More

Clobbered in Coudersport

By Jim Slinsky
10/06/07

On September 27, 2007 there was a historic meeting conducted in Coudersport, PA. For some, it was just another “dog and pony show” by the PGC and their “kill the deer” allies. If you watched and listened closely, a great deal of information was revealed in this yet another attempt to sell the deer program. This one was coordinated by the PA Newspaper Association with PA Cable Network doing the camera work. It may be still running on PCN for your analysis. I highly recommend you buy a copy from PCN if it is no longer running. Read More

Our Withering Wilds

By Jim Slinsky
09/29/07

On September 13, 2007 the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources conducted a two-day meeting in Williamsport to discuss the current status and the future of the PA Wilds program. The keynote speakers were Mike DiBerardinis, Secretary of DCNR, Edward McMahon from the Urban Land Institute and Ted Eubanks of Fermata, our tourism consulting firm. Hopefully, you caught this meeting on PCN. The meeting was an attempt to take stock of the situation and ask attendees to produce ideas to help make PA Wilds successful. Read More

USP Files Suit against the PGC for Injunctive Relief

By Jim Slinsky
09/07/07

On September 7, 2007 the Unified Sportsmen of PA (USP) filed suit in PA Commonwealth Court requesting injunctive relief to save our public land deer herds. Unified is requesting all antlerless deer hunting cease on State Game Lands and State Forest Lands until such time the PGC can substantiate and justify the need to continue to decimate our public land deer. Unified is not requesting antlerless deer hunting cease on private land. Of course, USP was granted standing by the Court in their previously unsuccessful attempt to hold the PGC accountable for their statewide assault on our deer resource. At this time, it is believed this case will most likely proceed to depositions and oral arguments. Read More

The Industrialization of Rural America
By Jim Slinsky
08/25/07

Where have all the environmentalists gone? Son-of-a-gun - just when you need them, they go silent. How can drilling in ANWR be so offensive to so many, but constructing thousands of windmills on our mountain tops within our daily eyesight be so acceptable? I just don’t get it. Read More

An Act of Terrorism?
By Jim Slinsky
07/28/07

June 6, 2007 will be a day the lives in infamy, at least in the Commonwealth of PA. It is the day that Robert DeMatteis, owner of Oakwood Mink Farm in Butler County, had his life changed forever. It is the day animal-rights extremists will have difficulty distancing themselves from an act of reprehensible domestic terrorism. Read More

Relief is Coming, Maybe
By Jim Slinsky
07/07/07

Witnessing the workings of the PA legislature over the past sixteen weeks has truly been a life altering experience. Admittedly, my dealings were primarily with members of the House Game and Fisheries Committee (HGFC), but characterizing that committee’s performance as exemplary would not be an exaggeration. I have been impressed with their understanding, compassion and willingness to write legislation to address the ever-growing concerns of our sporting class. Read More

USP Makes Substantial Legislative Progress

By Jim Slinsky
06/02/07

Contrary to what you may have heard our legislators are deeply concerned with the issues of our times. Of course, you can probably bring to my attention a few legislators who could care less, but they don’t last very long. Elections weed out the self-serving. Read More

A Red Herring Swims Upstream

By Jim Slinsky
05/19/07

Predictably, the state is in an uproar over the removal of Commissioner Tom Boop as President of the PGC Board of Commissioners (BOC). Recently, State Rep. Merle Philips and State Rep. Robert Belfanti, Jr. blasted the guilty Commissioners with their words from the House floor. My sources tell me the Executive Staff of the Agency is also quite upset over this political maneuver. Read More

PGC Commissioners Remove President Tom Boop

By Jim Slinsky
05/05/07

Just when you thought our glorious PGC Board of Commissioners (BOC) could not possibly embarrass themselves any further; they do. This caper will be recorded as the second greatest debacle in the history of the PGC, just a click behind the firing of PGC Commissioner George Venesky by Governor Ridge. Read More

Starve Them or Save Them

By Jim Slinsky
04/14/07

It has been my distinct pleasure to travel to Harrisburg for the past eight weeks or so and visit with a growing number of our distinguished senators and state representatives. I was a bit apprehensive at first that our legislators would be too busy with other issues to discuss deer management, the PGC and where hunting is headed. It was a pleasant surprise to find out that our legislators are as concerned as we are. Read More

DCNR Intervenes in PGC Commissioner Selection Process

By Jim Slinsky
03/24/07

What started as a rumor waiting to be confirmed has become a political disaster. DCNR Secretary Mike DeBerardinis is now selecting the PGC Commissioner candidate to be sent to the Senate for confirmation. The Governor is in the middle of the process, but has evolved into a mere rubber stamp of Mr. DeBerardinis’ choice. A better current example of assumed authority and abuse of power escapes me. Read More

Shots Fired Across the Bow

By Jim Slinsky
03/10/07

March 5, 2007 may be remembered as a turning point in the current deer management war. It may not. It was that time of the year when the PGC answered questions by our House Game and Fisheries Committee legislative members about their current state of affairs. Yours truly was seated in the second row off to the left. The anticipation was building for weeks. Word on the street was the PGC was going to get clobbered. Read More

Should Agencies Be Permitted to Lobby Legislators?

By Jim Slinsky
02/17/07

There is an interesting scenario unfolding in Montana. Gary Marbut, President of the Montana Shooting Sports Association filed suit to stop Montana’s Fish, Wildlife and Parks from lobbying their state legislators. This is not a new issue or astounding revelation. This writer pecked out a column years ago about the same controversy in Pennsylvania. However, in view of the PGC’s powder burns and subsequent bleeding from both feet, it may be time to revisit this issue. Read More

A Matter of Discretion

By Jim Slinsky
01/20/07

It was all the rage for a few days, but the dismissal of the Unified Sportsmen of PA’s lawsuit against the PGC seems to have been drowned out by a plethora of new controversies. The hunting license increase boiled to the top within days of the court’s ruling. The upcoming PGC Commissioner meeting and the 2007 doe allocations are now on everyone’s mind and lips. The scientific mountain lion permit to Dr. Dennis Wydra was again denied by the PGC. I suppose we can say the beat goes on. Read More

Flashback Articles

Lesson From An Old Dog Named Blackstone

By Jim Slinsky
2004

He was old and I was young. He was actually my father’s dog long before I was born. A jet-black body with a gray face, legs and tail, he was affectionately named Blackstone. His big, black nose glistened like a piece of anthracite coal fresh from the ground. He and I were great buddies, but I was barely old enough to understand our relationship. Read More

The Fly Rod is for Everyone

By Jim Slinsky
2003

The fly rod for angling has gained significant popularity in recent years. This is easily substantiated by the number of new fly fishing expositions. No longer are outdoor shows just for hunters. When it is announced the event is fly fishing only, tens of thousands attend. I think it is a very positive trend. Read More

Breaking the Ice With Stones

By Jim Slinsky

2003

The act of fly-fishing is a beautiful thing. It has been said shooting a rifle is a science, but shooting a shotgun is an art. If this is true, then the act of fly-fishing is both, art and science. I cannot think of another outdoor endeavor where physical skill must be matched with specialized techniques and a heavy dose of scientific knowledge. Fly-fishing is a specialty game and it will either hook you or turn you off. Read More

Reflections on a Trout Stream...

By Jim Slinsky
2003

It’s 7:30 AM and I wheel into my favorite parking place beside my favorite trout stream. My son is with me and we are about to embark on another season of trout fishing together. It was a 75-yard walk back to the bridge, but we are not going to start there. We will cut through the woods and get down below the crowd and fish our way to the next bridge. Read More

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