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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Edward G. Staback |
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Staback introduces bill to curb poaching, other game violations
HARRISBURG, Jan. 29 – State Rep. Ed Staback, D-Lackawanna/Wayne, announced today that he has introduced legislation aimed at combating the disturbing growth of poaching and other serious game law violations.
The legislation (H.B. 2205) proposes increased fines, terms of imprisonment, periods of license revocation and grading of offenses for the most egregious violations of the state’s game laws.
Staback said the measure was written in response to the increasing number of poaching violations, including the multiple taking of threatened and endangered species and big game animals. The current penalties for those offenses have proven too lenient in the view of prosecutors, law enforcement officers and many members of the outdoor community.
“Whether for the unethical harvesting of valuable animal parts or for what Wildlife Conservation Officers have labeled as 'thrill kills,' the malicious killing of animals not only impacts local wildlife populations, it severely tarnishes the public perception of hunting," Staback said. "In fact, in my experience, hunters are the most vocal proponents of serious consequences for any illegal taking of animals.”
The Staback measure is the first time a bill of this magnitude has been proposed since the re-codification of the game laws in the 1980s.
Included in H.B. 2205 is a broadening of the definition of poaching, the creation of new offenses for multiple violations, an increase in the pool of money within the Game Fund from which to pay out rewards for information and increases in related penalties, including adding the possibility of jail time for certain wanton acts. The legislation will make Pennsylvania's penalties equitable with neighboring states.
“Simply put, the penalties for poaching currently on the books have shown themselves to be not strict enough to match the seriousness of the crime or to act as an effective deterrent. The goal of my legislation is to correct that imbalance while adjusting other penalties within Title 34 to better protect the Commonwealth’s wildlife resources and to reflect the seriousness of game law violations to the state’s citizens, especially sportsmen,” Staback said.
The Game and Fisheries Committee will host a hearing on the bill at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 7 in Room 140, Main Capitol.
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