A Few Random Thoughts

Many years ago, sportswriter Phil Musik penned columns where he told us, “Here’s what I think, I think.”

Anyhow, here’s my version of Musik’s idea.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) has control of the state’s deer herd and other game animals. In fact, I have occasionally read that the state owns the deer herd. Well, if that’s the case, what’s to prevent landowners from charging the PGC rent for the deer that inhabit their properties? This only makes sense, since the landowners, who are often farmers, essentially feed the deer and provide shelter for them. Sure, landowners have a few special privileges concerning deer and harvesting them, but they often lose thousands of dollars due to crop damage because of the deer. It might be interesting to see what would happen if a group of landowners submitted a bill for rent to the PGC for the deer living on their properties.

Several people commented about my use of a “hero” photo with my column describing my harvest of a gobbler in 2023. Several thought it was a good photo, unlike some of my poor photographs that my son, Bob, calls “Rich Tate pictures.” I am a little embarrassed that I used it. It appears that I tried to lionize myself as a hunter by using the photo, much like people who “kill for clout” on social media every time they harvest an animal. That was not my intention: I will try to use better judgment down the line.

I think Rep. Dave Maloney (R, Berks), who is a member of the state House Game and Fisheries Committee, is a true sportsmen’s advocate. It was his diligence that discovered questionable PGC activities under the “leadership” of former Executive Director Bryan Burhans. In a recent email to me, Maloney shows concern about the way the new Executive Director, Steve Smith, “a Burhans confidant,” was hired. Smith was hired behind closed doors at an executive session of the Board of PGC Commissioners. Maloney notes, “There was no record of a vote being taken. This would appear to be a violation of the Sunshine Act,” though PGC spokesman Travis Lau said that the board acted appropriately regarding Smith’s appointment. Nevertheless, let’s hope that Rep. Maloney continues to keep his eye on the rogue agency.

After further researching CWD, I have found that most researchers still believe there is a significant species barrier that makes a jump of CWD to humans from eating venison unlikely. However, why take a chance by eating meat from an infected deer?