Pennsylvania Game News - August 2009 - 30

PGC Executive Director Carl G. Roe praised the House Game and Fisheries Committee and its chairmen, Rep. Edward G. Staback and Rep. Craig Dally, for its near unanimous approval of House Bill 97, which would increase penalties and fines for poaching. The bill was sponsored by Rep. Staback. “Increasing penalties for serious violations is one of the operational objectives in our Strategic Plan, and we welcome this first-step in the process taken by the Committee,” Roe said. “Enactment of this bill will mark the first comprehensive piece of legislation to increase Game and Wildlife Code Penalties since 1987, and we believe it will significantly enhance wildlife protection in the Commonwealth. “We also believe that there will be widespread public support for this legislation as indicated by surveys that showed 96 percent of Pennsylvania’s citizens feel that wildlife protection is a vitally important function.” Roe said that the causes of poaching vary, but the myth that most poachers are committing their offenses to provide food for their families is, in reality, almost never the case. “Most often, poaching today is committed by criminals driving $30,000 vehicles, using expensive night-vision technology, illegal silencers and firearms,” Roe said. “Most commonly, the causes are simply greed, obsessive behavior in collecting antlers; in some cases poachers take great pride in their infamous status in local communities. A disturbing and increasingly common cause is killing simply for thrill with no intention of making use of any part of the animal.” Roe called on the full House to pass this historic measure, so the Senate can begin consideration as soon as possible. river. I told them I had a witness to the incident, and the information led me to them. They still denied any involvement. I asked them their names and they readily supplied that information and their drivers’ licenses. I asked to see the firearms, and 30 once again they obliged. I recorded all the information and asked if I could take a look at their pontoon boat. The nervous man, Nelly, became more agitated, but granted me permission to look on his boat. Expecting to find some blood and hair, my confidence grew. With plenty of sunlight I inspected the boat from stem to stern, including a cooler and a rope near the motor. “Nothing,” I mumbled to myself. Not one hair or drop of blood. As I approached the once nervous gentlemen, I could sense he knew I had nothing. I gathered my thoughts and told the two I would return. They acknowledged and said they weren’t going anywhere. I knocked on several of the neighbors’ doors to inquire if they had heard or seen anything, and all responded that they had heard the shooting, but didn’t see any deer. Several also commented that gun shots in that area weren’t uncommon. I went back to my truck and pulled out my map, looking for the best route to get to the opposite bank in Armstrong County. It was heavily wooded and steep, and according to my map, the only access was an old logging road. I tried the different dispatch centers and other officers again, but my efforts were futile. Taking a look I noticed several other boats docked in West Monterey. An older gentleman I had spoken to moments before was still standing on his porch watching intently, so I went over and asked if any of the boats were his. He said the second pontoon boat was his, so I asked if he could help me out. He happily agreed and within minutes we were heading south to Armstrong County. I looked up at my suspects, and once again, Nelly was showing signs of guilt and worry. As we puttered across the channel I watched the bank ahead. I instructed GAME NEWS

Pennsylvania Game News - August 2009

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