Commissioner Putnam Denies DCNR Influence

Here is Commissioner David Putman told a member of another MB regarding DCNR’s influence on the PGC and the DMP.

“I have seen no connection between DCNR and the PGC. If you believe that the hunters of this state have less pull with the PGC than DCNR, you are very mistaken. I have not seen anything to lead me to believe that DCNR's concerns carry any weight with staff or the commissioners. I know it makes good fiction to devise a grand conspiracy, but the facts are the herd was too high and needed to come down.

DCNR staff also wanted to see the herd come down as did all of the timber producers. Virtually every natural resource professional in the state has recognized that our herd was too high since the 1940's. Just because a lot of people had common goals does not constitute a conspiracy. If there was a conspiracy it goes back to the 1940's. It makes good entertainment, but not any sense. The PGC could give a rat's butt about DCNR and their forest certification, however we both want a deer herd that is in balance with the habitat. “

In response to Putman’s comments I quoted the following response of DCNR from the 2004 SCS Field Audit of DCNR.

“
"
BOF RESPONSE: “The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Bureau of Forestry have taken several significant steps to address the overabundant deer herd on State Forests and State Parks and throughout the Commonwealth. Secretary DiBerardinis has raised the issue to its highest level in state government and has personally assumed leadership on moving the issue forward. To that end, the Secretary placed a moratorium on the use of DCNR grant monies for use in purchasing State Game lands stating that he could not,in good conscience, help fund projects with an agency that is preventing him from meeting his public trust responsibilities of managing DCNR lands sustainably.

The Secretary was invited to meet with the President of the Pennsylvania Game Commissioners, Pennsylvania Game Commissioners, and Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) Executive staff to address the deer and other resource management issues. As a result of the meeting, the Secretary believes that the
deer issue and the department’s perspectives are receiving serious attention and consideration by the Game Commissioners and PGC Executive staff. Due to this open dialogue, the Secretary has lifted the moratorium on the use of DCNR grant funds for potential PGC acquisitions. The Department has submitted written statement to the PGC for consideration. Subsequent meetings with Commissioners and PGC Executive Staff are scheduled. In addition, the Department has developed an Action Plan that will prioritize and guide the department’s efforts over the next several years. White-tailed deer is clearly identified as one of the top priorities for department activities.
Copies of the DCNR Action Plan outlining the department’s concerns, strategies and objectives are available.
One of the current tools available to help alleviate some deer pressure on State Forest lands is DMAP (Deer Management Assistance Program). The Bureau of Forestry used DMAP aggressively on State Forest lands. The BOF enrolled over 700,000 acres in the program for this hunting season. This resulted in over
20,000 coupons issued for the harvest of antlerless deer.”

It appears that Putman either didn’t read the report from ACSL or he is in the state of denial ,not PA.

BTW, as yet he did not reply to my email.

Thanks for remembering. I forgot.

Wrong again. Before I posted it,I went back to see if I could find if I posted it in this MB and I either didn't go back far enough or just missed it. A guy on another MB questioned the credibility of the claims made by John Eveland and that is why I brought up the topic.
Sorry my memory just isn't as good as I would like it to be.

Must be one of the boards you are banned from ,, thus the need to re-post your opinions on this borad for a second time..... ??????

Wrong again. Meathunter brought up the subject on a MB where I can post anytime I want to . As yet he has not replied to my post and neither has Dave Putnam and he is still misleading hunters with his claims about the previous DMP.

I agree! Here is what Putnam had to say about the previous deer management.

“DCNR staff also wanted to see the herd come down as did all of the timber producers. Virtually every natural resource professional in the state has recognized that our herd was too high since the 1940's. Just because a lot of people had common goals does not constitute a conspiracy”

He is so ignorant that he doesn't even know the herd was at the PGC deer density goals in 1981 and that the PGC was actually allowing the herd to increase in many WMUs. Furthermore he doesn't have a clue that the herd in 2G was at it's gaol in 1999. That level of ignorance on the BOC is very hard to overcome.

Actually it kinda is. lol

But the guy was dead serious and made the statement while preaching about the evil deer ruining the habitat and wasnt meant as humor.

Only things that make it not funny is that the guy was a Pa game commission biologist (though thankfully turkey), and im sure he was a fine turkey biologist,but had extreme views on deer. And that a current commissioner holds him as their idol and shares his management philosophies is a bit dis-settling, especially when communications with hunters are confirming it without shadow of doubt that hes not on the right side of the fence.