For over 100 years, the PA Game Commission has relied on volunteers, deputy game wardens, to supplement the district officers in carrying out their duty to manage and protect one of Pennsylvania’s greatest resources – wildlife.
While each county may have only one or two full-time paid officers, they were historically assisted by several volunteer officers, the deputies. These were men and women who gave up their time, all hours of the day and night, seven days a week, to help protect the wildlife. At one point, there were over 1,000 deputies across the state, helping protect this valuable resource.
Now, for reasons unknown, the Game Commission has terminated the deputy program. As of Sept. 1, there will be no more deputies. That means one or maybe two officers per county will be responsible for protecting and managing all wildlife issues, everything from law enforcement patrol to nuisance complaints, seven days (and nights) a week. Really?
I don’t know what the prime focus of the Game Commission is anymore, but it certainly isn’t wildlife management and protection.
Larry McCarter, Harrisburg, Pa.
