Autumn driving tours of Pennsylvania State Gamelands have been cancelled this year because of the cost.
The tours, which have provided the public an opportunity to interact with Game Commission personnel directly responsible for managing and protecting game lands, have proven popular. Some tours, like the 17-mile tour through State Game Lands 211 in Dauphin and Lebanon counties, or the 28-mile circular tour through State Game Lands 12 in Bradford County, regularly attract thousands of people each year. Officials say they offer a scenic glimpse of all that state game lands have to offer.
While the tours are free to participants, they come at a cost to the Game Commission, which incurs personnel costs associated with planning, preparing for and hosting the tours.
And in lean financial times for the agency, the Game Commission has opted to forgo this year’s tours, Executive Director R. Matthew Hough said.
“It’s a tough decision because we feel there’s a big benefit to hosting these tours and teaching people more about Pennsylvania’s wildlife, habitat and state game lands,” Hough said. “We know those people who were looking forward to taking tours this fall will be disappointed by the news they’ve been canceled. But in our current financial climate, the Game Commission must continue to look for ways to cut costs where it can.”
Unlike most state agencies, the Game Commission does not receive an allocation from the state’s general fund. The agency is funded primarily by hunters and trappers, either through the purchase of their licenses, the agency’s share of the federal excise tax collected on the sporting arms and ammunition, and from revenue derived from the 1.5 million-acre state game lands system hunters, trappers and others have helped assemble over the years.
Pennsylvania’s hunter ranks continue to be strong. The Keystone State leads the nation in hunting and furtaker licenses and permits sold.
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