Home » National Hunting » Notes off a soiled cuff: Thoughts on possible merger of Pennsylvania fish and game agencies

Notes off a soiled cuff: Thoughts on possible merger of Pennsylvania fish and game agencies

When I first heard about the new study of ways the Game and Fish & Boat commissions should work together, immediately I thought of Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman and his comments about a merger of the agencies last year.

At a budget hearing for both commissions in 2024, his first question to then Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans was abrupt: “Why do we need you?” he asked.

Then, looking at Tim Schaeffer, Fish & Boat commission executive director, he said, “I mean, why do we need both of you?”

Later in the hearing, noting that Pennsylvania is the only state in the country to manage fish and wildlife with two separate agencies, Pittman suggested that it’s time to scrap the expensive setup.

“Yes we have a 220-year history of these commissions, and that’s great, but things do change,” he told the directors. “You are an instrument of this commonwealth – we created you and we can change you because it might be time to take a fresh look … to determine whether it may be time for a new, better and more efficient approach on your use of funds.”

It will be interesting to see how Pittman and other lawmakers respond to the study report from Wildlife Management Institute next year.

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* One lawmaker who clearly is not looking for a merger of the Game and Fish & Boat commissions is Sen. Greg Rothman, R-Cumberland, Dauphin and Perry counties, chairman of the House Game and Fisheries Committee.

But he does want to see some of their operations consolidated to make them more efficient.

I asked him if the agencies were merged, would it make lawmakers look any differently at the big nest egg – close to $500 million – that the Game Commission has built up in recent years from windfall Marcellus shale natural gas receipts, emanating from the state game lands it owns.

Some lawmakers have sought to raid the fund to use it for projects that don’t benefit wildlife or hunters and trappers. Rothman’s reply was interesting.

“Look, I’ve been probably the loudest since becoming chair of the Senate committee on fish and game, on the fact that that money should be spent – that they (Game Commission) don’t need to have a huge reserve,” he said.

“I’ve been encouraging them to spend the money on capital projects, but not operational. But on the other hand, this may allow them to share some of those resources too, which ultimately will keep license costs low.”

I took that to mean that some of the Game Commission reserves should be spent on water quality or water-related projects under the auspices of the Fish & Boat Commission. Obviously, some will think that’s a good thing – others not so much.

* In this space last issue, I wrongly implied that a resolution sponsored by Rep. Jim Haddock would die. Turns out it passed with a later date.

The House Game and Fisheries Committee approved a resolution to designate this Dec. 27 as “Pennsylvania Elk Hunt Day.” This ceremonial resolution recognizes the history and management of the state’s elk population, celebrates the 102nd anniversary of the first regulated hunt and the 25th anniversary of its reinstatement, and raises public awareness about the importance of elk conservation in the state.

6 thoughts on “Notes off a soiled cuff: Thoughts on possible merger of Pennsylvania fish and game agencies”

Aaron Rensel
December 2, 2025 at 6:44 am

Two wrongs won’t make right. I think both of these agencies are dysfunctional. Merging them will only fester more corruption.

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Pat Scanlon
December 2, 2025 at 6:56 am

In Maryland the state police serve double duty, and sometimes patrol checking licenses. Buck season and trout season are at different times. One agency handles everything in every other state, why do we need two agencies. And why do we need the LCB?

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Walleyeman
December 2, 2025 at 7:17 am

The Game Commission is hood-winking the public. They took in about $320M in oil and gas revenues in 2023 alone. And then, took in another $100M+ in 2024. The 2025 numbers aren’t out yet, but you can all but guarantee it will be in the $100M – $200M range. Their annual budget isn’t close to the amount of their reserves. So…why are the residents of the Commonwealth paying a single dime for hunting licenses? And it’s a shame the Commission has wasted so many resources on trying to foster programs that simply aren’t self-sustaining. $27 for a stamp to hunt pheasants? That’s a joke. How about stop stocking an animal that is basically just domesticated chum for coyotes. The elk hunt? Another joke. About 100 people get to hunt those in any given year. Meanwhile, the Commission spends an inordinate amount of the budget building “viewing areas” for the elk and decimating forest land to create grazing habitat. Let’s be honest, elk in PA are simply not a sustainable resource. You shouldn’t have to continue to destroy forest land and alter the ecosystem to sustain the elk. Most hunters would elect to go out West to do a real elk hunt anyways.
The Commission has lost its way. Now I’m starting to see signage on state game land to market different areas of the properties as “deer focus areas” etc, etc. The Commission shouldn’t need to solicit or market areas as being something. That’s just a way for them to make the public think they are doing something. I’m really tired of hearing about how many “hunting opportunities” the Commission has made. Just manage the forests and the game that is sustainable to the state. That’s your job. Stop wasting my money. And stop stealing and hoarding the public’s money, to the detriment of the public.

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1. Lee m Doran
  December 2, 2025 at 8:27 am
  
  The game commission is self funded. There are no state taxes paid into making it function. That is why it was setup originally to keep politicians hands out of the money jar for their sweetheart projects.
  
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Ed Schwartz
December 2, 2025 at 7:29 am

That’s not going to happen-ALL Pa government agencies care about one thing ONLY- REVENUE! Does anyone really think that the PA fish commission and game commission care one bit about the hunters and fishermen? They are just a revenue source. Just keep on raising the fees on licenses that’s what they are there for!

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Jerry Spangler
December 2, 2025 at 10:26 am

Great information here. Let’s add in revenues from timber sales and any remaining mineral sales and get an up to date of both annual income and revenues.
Anyone who enjoys the outdoors needs to see more articles and follow up comments like this we see here.

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