HARRISBURG, PA — The Pennsylvania Game Commission, tasked with protecting and managing wildlife across the Keystone State’s 46,000 square miles, has had a busy year. According to Executive Director Bryan Burhans, the agency’s accomplishments are a testament to the dedication of its employees, volunteers, and board members.
The work of the Commission’s State Game Wardens is nothing short of remarkable, issuing 5,567 warnings and initiating 6,911 prosecutions during the fiscal year 2022-2023. Their efforts, leading to a 98.2% success rate in prosecutions, reflect the high caliber of training and professionalism within the ranks of Pennsylvania’s wardens.
Of particular interest, and passion for Pennsylvanians, is the management of white-tailed deer. The Commission takes seriously its task of maintaining a science-based approach to deer management, investing considerable resources in the study of the annual deer harvest, which averages around 400,000 deer. This diligence allows for the monitoring of the age and sex of harvested deer, essential data that informs future management decisions.
Further, the Commission is actively studying and managing a variety of species in addition to the deer. Research projects include monitoring the bear population with GPS collars, studying wild turkey populations across different landscapes, combating the white-nose syndrome in bat populations, examining the genetic diversity in grouse, and banding songbirds as part of a continent-wide effort to identify threats.
Habitat creation and preservation are also vital. The Commission used prescribed fire on nearly 9,000 acres last year, improved habitat on an additional 25,000 acres via timber harvests, added more than 3,500 acres to the State Game Lands system, and made significant infrastructure improvements.
The Commission isn’t just about protecting wildlife; it is also about creating and enhancing opportunities for hunters and improving access to outdoor activities. The past year saw the construction of six new public shooting ranges and two archery ranges, with more in the pipeline. Over 29,000 new hunters were certified, and the “Learn to Hunt” program continued to attract new participants.
Education is a key aspect of the Commission’s work, with records set in Pennsylvania’s National Archery in the Schools Program, a program that helps students develop focus, discipline, and patience while preparing the next generation of hunters and recreational shooters.
The Commission’s commitment to hunting as a mechanism for managing deer populations extends to heavily populated areas. In partnership with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, mentored hunts were offered in Philadelphia, opening up hunting to new participants.
Based on the continued demand for hunting licenses, Pennsylvania ranks second only to Texas in licenses sold and consistently ranks in the top five states for a variety of deer hunting categories. The state is also renowned as a top turkey hunting state, and its abundant small game hunting opportunities are, in part, thanks to the over 225,000 pheasants raised and stocked across the state.
All told, these noteworthy achievements highlight Pennsylvania’s commitment to wildlife, the hunting heritage, and promoting the outdoors for its residents. As Executive Director Burhans concludes his testimony, his last statement sums it up best: “We monitor, research, manage, and create habitat for all species in between, from barn owls to woodrats.”
To view a copy of the agency’s annual legislative report, visit www.pgc.pa.gov and click on the link under “About Us” on the homepage.
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