HARRISBURG -- Stopping poachers is a prime duty for wildlife conservation officers, also known as game wardens.
There are 136 game wardens in Pennsylvania, but Snyder County has just one.
Tipsters needed
People who witness illegal hunting activity can contact the game commission in three ways:
by calling (814) 643-1831; through the toll-free TIP line at 1 (888) PGC-8001; or online at www.pgc.state.pa.us and move to the "Turn in Poachers" link.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission has established a "Turn-In-a-Poacher" program to strengthen the commonwealth's efforts to apprehend people suspected of killing threatened or endangered species or multiple big-game animals.
The program encourages citizen involvement by offering a reward to callers who provide tips that lead to the prosecution of those who kill endangered or threatened species or unlawfully take multiple big-game animals (white-tailed deer, black bear, wild turkey and elk).
Tipsters get $100
The TIP program was authorized by the General Assembly as part of a legislative package to deter crimes against wildlife.
The act authorizes the game commission to increase by $200 fines against individuals convicted of killing threatened or endangered species or unlawfully taking multiple big-game animals. That money is then placed in a special fund from which $100 will be used to pay the individual providing the tip.
Penalty
The current fine for illegally killing a deer is $300 to $800 with no chance of imprisonment.
Increased penalties under consideration
Legislation pending in Harrisburg would boost the penalty for illegally killing a deer to $1,500 to $3,000 and up to six months imprisonment. Poaching three or more big animals at night with a light, over the limit, or out of season, will result in a third-degree felony charge that would carry 12 to 36 months imprisonment and $10,000 to $15,000 in fines.
In addition the legislation extends the "look back" period for chronic offenders from two to 10 years and provides for the application of the felony offense for the third big-game animal killed at night with a light, over the bag limit, or out of season.
News
Want to turn in a poacher?
- News
-
-
Masked robber hits McClure bank
McCLURE — Police said a man with a handgun entered the MCS bank at 1 E. Specht St. just after 9 a.m., Tuesday and demanded money from a teller before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
-
Union County deputy excels at academy
LEWISBURG — Feel safer, Union County: A deputy sheriff received the Michael VanKuren Memorial Award for Defensive Tactics during his recent graduation from the Pennsylvania Deputy Sheriff’s Academy.
-
Shoch too good to lose, Point supervisors say
NORTHUMBERLAND — Point Township Supervisors Randy Yoxheimer and Montie Peters credit attorney Rick Shoch with helping them weather difficult years as they fended off a slew of lawsuits from developers, disgruntled former employees and residents.
-
Two firemen face trial in arsons
DANVILLE — A firefighter said “it kind of hit me hard” after two fellow firemen were charged with setting fires in Montour and Northumberland counties and calling in false alarms in Union County.
-
Lewisburg high school back on drawing board
LEWISBURG — The Lewisburg Area School District is moving forward with a flexible version of its master facilities plan with the possibility that construction, including a new Lewisburg Area High School, could begin as soon as 2015 or as late as 2018.
-
Storms knock out power to more than 700 this afternoon
SUNBURY - More than 700 homes and businesses lost electrical service this afternoon when a line of heavy thunderstorms rolled through the region.
-
Masked gunman robs McClure bank
McCLURE - Police said a man displaying a handgun entered the MCS bank in Mcclure Borough just after 9 a.m., Tuesday and demanded money from a teller before making off with an undisclosed amount of cash.
-
'To Do': Carnival
MILTON -The Lions Carnival held from 6 to 9 p.m. May 30 at Brown Avenue Park.
-
Electronic fingerprinting soon needed to provide long-term elder care
HARRISBURG — The Pennsylvania Department of Aging will soon begin using an electronic fingerprinting process to screen people applying to work in a long-term care facility or home health care agency.
-
Buggy driver falls asleep in Lancaster County; collides with bus
NEW PROVIDENCE — Pennsylvania State Police say the 15-year-old driver of a horse and buggy fell asleep at the reins and collided with a school bus.
-
17-year-old New Columbia boy in critical condition after Sunday crash
WATSONTOWN -- State police said a 17-year-old New Columbia boy is in the hospital in critical condition after the car he was driving crossed the center line on Route 405 and slammed into an oncoming car.
-
60 and Counting
The singer John Prine wrote these lines in a song titled ‘The Late John Garfield Blues: “An old man sleeps with his conscience at night. Young kids sleep with their dreams.”
- More News Headlines
-
