Tom Venesky

A bill being drafted by a Pennsylvania legislator would create a program to erect deer fencing around crops, and part of the cost would be paid by the Pennsylvania Game Commission.
State Rep. Perry Stambaugh, R-New Bloomfield, is circulating a co-sponsorship memo for what he said is a long-term solution to the crop-damage issue. Stambaugh intends to introduce a bill in February that would create a 50/50 cost-share program between farmers and foresters and the Game Commission to erect wildlife-deterrent fencing to protect crops and forests from damage, mainly from deer.

Citing the possibility of additional Sunday hunting days and efforts to expand the ag tag program, the Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners’ Wildlife Management Committee was reluctant to advance several measures to expand deer hunting opportunities for consideration at the January quarterly meeting.
During a Dec. 19 virtual meeting, the committee voted against a proposal to create a general unit antlerless deer license that could be used in multiple wildlife management units.