PENNSYLVANIA

PENNSYLVANIA
Pa. Game Commissionseeks reports of violators
HARRISBURG -- Michael Dubaich, Pennsylvania Game Commission's law enforcement director, is asking hunters for their cooperation in reporting violations of the game and wildlife laws and regulations.
"The illegal killing or taking of wildlife is not just a violation of huntings' ethics of fair chase and sportsmanship, but also is a crime committed against all Pennsylvanians," Dubaich said. "In many cases, the game commission would never have been able to successfully prosecute such criminals without the information and assistance of the public."
To report a violator, call the game commission regional office serving the county where the violation occurred.
Pa. considers addingweek to deer season
FISHERTOWN, Pa. (AP) -- The Pennsylvania Game Commission is considering adding Thanksgiving week to the traditional deer hunting season next year, the commission's president said.
Samuel J. Dunkle, emphasizing that he was speaking for himself and not the commission, said at a banquet of the Woodland Owners of the Southern Alleghenies on Tuesday that the state's deer management efforts of the past few years haven't reduced the herd.
Gary Alt, deer management section supervisor, estimated that the deer herd in Pennsylvania has increased 20 percent since 1998, Dunkle said.
Changes in recent years have included concurrent doe and buck seasons. The commission will consider a 2004 deer season that includes the week of Nov. 20-27, he said.
Whether to extend the deer season depends greatly on how that would effect the bear season, Game Commission spokesman Jerry Feaser said.
Yet more deer hunters could have the effect of flushing out more bear and result in more success for bear hunters, Feaser said.
Game officials will proceed with caution, he said.
The extended deer hunting season will be discussed during meetings from Jan. 25 through Jan. 27, he said. Public comments will be accepted Jan. 25, and a vote will occur Jan. 27.