English and Kortz’s Legislation to Protect Honest Hunters Passes House
HARRISBURG - Legislation introduced by Rep. Hal English (R-Allegheny) and Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), which would protect hunters who turn themselves into the Game Commission after mistakenly taking an animal, has passed the House unanimously, 192-0.
“Presently, a hunter who harvests a deer or turkey of the wrong sex or who accidentally takes two animals can turn them into a wildlife conservation officer and receive a new tag, pay a small fine and suffer no license revocation,” said English. “Our bill would expand this practice to include the other two big game animals, bear and elk.”
House Bill 359 would amend Title 34 relating to license revocations as a result of a Game Code violation.
“Our measure does not change any of the penalties that a hunter faces for illegal out-of-season kills, except for the elimination of license revocations in those instances where the hunter self-reports and surrenders the animal,” said English.
“This bill would help address situations where a hunter erroneously wanders into a wrong area, takes an out-of-season game animal, but upon learning of the honest mistake and within 24 hours, turns himself or herself and the animal into the Game Commission,” said Kortz.
“The bill is designed to promote ethical hunting practices by allowing hunters to keep their licenses when they are honest about reporting a mistaken kill,” said English.
The bill now heads to the Senate.
Representative Hal English
30th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Mike Madry
717.260.6587
mmadry@pahousegop.com
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