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Wildlife conservation efforts in PA are some of the best in the country. Because
of numerous efforts on behalf of the game commission and related government servants
Pennsylvania is an excellent example of how to protect wildlife.
Rules and regulations
in Pennsylvania are in place to protect existing wildlife and encourage the growth of all
species. This also allows individuals the freedom to participate in hobbies that are
important to them. In particular the Pennsylvania state game regulations on hunters help
with the conservation of the states wildlife.
To best understand wildlife conservation in both Pennsylvania and the United
States one must thoroughly explore the history of conservation and how regulations
protecting wildlife evolved. Before the 1850’s wildlife management was limited to
individuals killing predators. Most species roamed free and were only hunted when they
posed a threat to mankind. In the mid 1850’s the California Gold Rush caused great
expansion westward. The U.S. population doubled between 1840 and 1860. The
Homestead Laws of 1862 allowed anyone to claim 160 acres of land as their own. This
major increase in land development caused over fishing and hunting, resulting in many
species quickly becoming endangered. Some species, like the great bison and the
passenger pigeon, were completely decimated by the intrusion of the railroads and
hunters who looked to make a profit from their hides and meat. As a result the beginning
of the conservation movement began to take shape in the United States.
Since habitat plays an important role in the conservation of wild life the first step
was to protect the habitat of these species from predators and natural disasters. This
meant keeping poachers and other individuals with unsavory motives away from the
animals as much as it meant keeping the animals in their natural habitat. In 1870 a group
of explorers in Montana begged the governor to do something to protect the Yellowstone
area. They felt that the area was too beautiful to be exploited and that it should be
considered a national treasure. Then president Ulysses Grant agreed and established the
first national park, Yellowstone National Park in 1872. Unfortunately hunters and
poachers did not abide by the rules governing the park and soldiers had to guard it for
more than 10 years. Eventually, Yellowstone became the first wildlife refuge in 1894
after President Grover Cleveland signed the Yellowstone Protection Act.
A pioneer in the conservation movement was Theodore Roosevelt. An avid
outdoorsmen, he loved to hunt but also felt a connection with nature. He organized the
Boone and Crockett Club whose sole purpose was to protect the large game of the United
States. Other sportsmen and conservation clubs were quickly formed including the New
York Zoological Society and the Audubon Society. Under Roosevelt’s guidance, these
groups joined together to lobby for stricter laws regarding hunting for meat and millinery
trade, to ban unethical sports hunting and to begin to restore big game populations. The
first national legislation was passed in 1900 with the Lacy Game and Wild Birds
Preservation
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and Disposition Act. This law made it a federal offense to take illegally hunted game
across state lines. It also controlled the exportation of exotic species and strengthened
state game laws. When Theodore Roosevelt became president in 1901he formed the
Bureau of Biological Survey, which began as a research organization and ended as a
policy writing power. In 1902 the Reclamation Act was passed and in 1903 Pelican
Island, Florida became the first property of the National Wildlife Refuge System. By
1908 he had added property in Alaska, Oregon, and Nebraska. In all, he set aside over
148 million acres during his presidency.
Preservation of land continued with the formation of National Parks at Glacier,
Lassen, Denali and Grand Canyon. In 1916 the National Parks Service was formed to
manage the parks and the wildlife in them. Scientists studied animal habitats and played
important roles in sustaining wildlife. Little funding existed to support wildlife research
but with the passage of the Pittman-Robertson Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act in
1937 help was on the way. This act put a tax on all hunting equipment and ammunition
and was returned to states based on the amount of hunting licenses sold, population and
land area. The funds were to be used for wildlife research, restoration and education.
After World War II the number of hunters increased dramatically and large scale
conservation projects resulted. Deer, elk, mountain goats, bears, beavers and turkeys all
benefited from the fund as large restocking efforts were underway. By
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1950, due to military threats in Europe, the U.S. had to redirect some funds to military
development. The Nature Conservatory was formed in 1951 to preserve lands the
government could not afford.
In later years many federal laws and regulations were put in place to continue to
protect wildlife and encourage preservation. The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Flora and Fauna Species, signed in 1969, prohibited exportation or
importation of any item made from an endangered species. The Alaskan National
Interest Lands Conservation Act of 1980 added 53 million acres to the Wildlife Refuge
System. During the 1980’s and 1990’s conservation became more and more prominent
with the establishment of many new programs including the Wetlands Reserve Program,
the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program, and the Grasslands Reserve Program. In 2001,
the Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit was formed. It is made up of 270 universities
in 17 regions. This program is funded by federal agencies and promotes academic
research. Funding for non-game species is provided through the Conservation and
Restoration Act which diverts money from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service to
states for wildlife conservation. This Act was signed in 2005.
In the state of Pennsylvania the history of conservation follows much the same
path of the United States Government. After little or no conservation efforts in the 1700s
and 1800s the Pennsylvania Game Commission was formed
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in 1895. Trappers and hunters realized that many species had been overhunted and
lobbied to provide protection for these animals and their habitats. Unfortunately it was
too late for some species. The passenger pigeon was lost forever. Elk and mountain
lions were now extinct. Other species, like the bear, the white-tailed deer, and wild
turkeys were at their lowest levels. Complicating the wildlife protection issues were
pollution being caused by mining, waste from factories and lack of laws regarding
dumping of sewage into rivers and waterways. In addition logging companies were
stripping complete mountains of trees and vegetation. Protection was a must if these
species were to survive. Restrictive hunting laws and officers to enforce them protected
the wildlife and allowed the populations to grow. Stocking from other states was
completed to help bolster the populations as well. Many efforts were successful and by
1936 the state had established a school for its conservation officers. This was the first
school of its kind in the country. It still exists today in Harrisburg, PA and its sole
purpose is to train Wildlife Conservation Officers in education, research and
hunter/trapper training. By incorporating these three components into everyday
conservation Pennsylvania has managed to become a top example of successful wildlife
management.
Hunting regulations in Pennsylvania are simple but strongly enforced. Every
hunter and/or trapper in Pennsylvania must complete a hunter’s safety course before they
can obtain a hunting license and permits to bag game. The
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hunters safety course teaches proper firearm usage, responsible hunting behavior and
outdoor safety. Basic shooting, as well as trapping and fur taking techniques are also a
part of the course requirements. Finally, the new outdoorsmen/women are schooled in
wildlife conservation and management. Topics covered include the fines for
overhunting/trapping, leaving the habitat intact and basic respect for the environment.
Once this course is completed the
hunter/trapper must show proof of course completion before they can receive their license
and permits. Another strictly enforced regulation involves hunting only in season. Each
species has a certain season in which it can be hunted. Hunting species out of season is a
severe violation as seasons are provided in order to let the populations replenish
themselves. In addition, limits are placed on how many animals can be hunted or trapped
per person. Based on population numbers this amount can increase or decrease from one
year to the next. Violating the hunting season and limits can result in very stiff fines.
Any behavior considered detrimental to the environment or the wildlife supported by it
can result in immediate revocation of all privileges. This can include, but is not limited
to, abuse of wildlife, failure to report injured animals and damage to natural resources.
By strictly enforcing these regulations the Pennsylvania Game Commission has
established itself as an agency that not only efficiently controls its sporting activities but
is able to manage wildlife conservation and preservation as well.
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The main source of funding for the Game Commission comes from taxes and
licenses levied on firearms and licenses. Small endowments provide additional funding
and are usually used for specific programs, usually educationally based. Currently the
Game Commission has not raised license fees since 1999. Due to the increase in all
aspects of wildlife care, there is a strong consensus to do so for the 2010 hunting season.
This will mean a small increase to the hunting public but a huge boost to the resources
the Game Commission so desperately requires. Without adequate funding the
commission has a hard time providing effective wildlife education and continuing to
maintain effective wildlife conservation. Increases in food, medical care, technology
services and education have made the increase inevitable. In order to continue to provide
the level of conservation and preservation that they are accustomed to additional revenue
must be provided. The Game Commission employees are paid from state sources so
truly every dollar from licenses and firearms goes directly to the management of wildlife
resources.
The Game Commission has been successful in bringing back deer, turkey, bear,
bobcats, river otters, wood ducks, and geese. Some species, such as bald eagles and
falcons, that were once endangered, have been rejuvenated and are thriving.
Unfortunately, some species are not responding well to recent land developments. Quail,
woodcock, and many grassland birds are rapidly declining due to habitat intrusion. With
people leaving the cities and moving into rural
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areas there are new challenges for land managers and wildlife specialists. New homes and
resorts being built in outlying, mountainous and formerly low populated areas are causing
complete disruption of animal habitats and the overall eco balance. Wildlife specialists
are looking for ways to protect species while at the same time allowing development to
continue. This involves acting proactively to help naturally relocate species as well as to
evaluate on a consistent basis the effectiveness of their actions.
In evaluating how Pennsylvania’s regulations on hunting help promote wildlife
conversation one must look at several things. Initially Pennsylvania provides a
knowledgeable background to all hunters by requiring the safety course. This
raises awareness about how valuable our resources are and how important it is to
take proper care of them. By requiring all licensed hunters to abide by the rules
pertaining to seasonal bagging of game Pennsylvania is able to exert indirect
control over the breeding and population control of all species. This ensures
adequate time for species to repopulate and establish sufficient habitats. Finally
the carefully controlled limits on quantity are perhaps the most proficient way of
controlling loss of wildlife. By ensuring that only a percentage of any one species
is removed from the wilderness annually Pennsylvania is perhaps exhibiting the
best form of wilderness conservation. By continuing to promote, enforce and
educate all Pennsylvanians on conservation and preservation Pennsylvania will
continue to be a leader in protecting wildlife.
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Pennsylvania State Regulations on Hunters Helps With The States Wildlife
Conservation
Kevin Benjamin Wysong
Social Studies 1985: Senior Seminar
Mr. Alexander
March 25th, 2010