New legislation in PA Pending?

[BankerA]

I thought I heard on the radio today (AM 580) that legislation was submitted to charge $20 to hunt on PA game lands and even to hike on PA game lands. Anyone else hear about this?

[63-Yankee]

Originally Posted by BankerA

I thought I heard on the radio today (AM 580) that legislation was submitted to charge $20 to hunt on PA game lands and even to hike on PA game lands. Anyone else hear about this?

Nope, I haven't heard anything like that. I did hear that the cost of the hunting license was going to increase $15 or $20 for the 2006-2007 season though. I still think it's a good value for what you get.

[Archiver]

Had not heard that about paying $ for Hiking too....seems pretty bizarre if you ask me.

[irish40s&w]

What I had heard was the Game Commission was thinking about making people who use State Land for hunting buy a stamp (similar to a trout stamp) to go with your hunting license. Of course it will be an extra charge of15 or 20 dollars.

I read an article regarding this, but I can't find it. If I do I will post it.

[63-Yankee]

I don't know how I missed that.

Rep. Bruce Smith, R-92, the chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, is introducing a bill that would create a $20 conservation stamp that both hunters and non-hunters — such as hikers and bird-watchers — would have to purchase to use state game lands.

I just read a little about it at huntingpa.com

[irish40s&w]

Thanks for the link.

[BankerA]

Thanks for the info...I was beginning to think I was hearing things.
I appreciate the link!

[Mike45]

Anybody know the status of this bill? A tax for hiking or birdwatching...

[bornagainin556]

I think that it makes it fair for everyone. Other states do it. Think about it:
Hunting license fees, as well as taxes collected from the Pittman-Robertson Act, are all used to help support state and federal hunting areas. The non-hunter now has access to SGLs and Federal Reserves because of hunters spending their hard earned money. In many cases, these non-hunters are the ones trying to stop/decrease hunting in many areas, yet they reap the benefits of SGL use for FREE.
I don't mind paying the extra money, as long as non-hunters pay that same fee.

[Matt]

IMO a hunting license should be required to set foot on a SGL. It isn't public land. It's hunting land bought by hunters for hunting.