Fish and Game Merger---What say you

I've always been an advocate of the joining of the two agencies.
 
Many states have just one agency that covers hunting and fishing and it seems to work for them...
 
Just like this time of the year not much at all for the Game wardens to do. Not much hunting going on.
If they were Wildlife resources officers they could be patrolling for fishing violations as well.  

Ct had a Dept of Fish and Game  for years that eventually morphed into Dept of Environmental Protection.
  I see very little to none of the 'issues' here that you folks in PA unfortunately experience. Actually dont recall anyone ever complaining bout similar issues.
 Good luck--

Yeah, Esox, that 5 mil was just the money saved by cutting what the legislative Budget & finance committee auditors felt were "duplicate" staff positions and quantified the savings of salary & benefits.   They left the door open for other potential "cuts" to staff, and also did not quantify the cost savings of buildings, vehicles other general operating expenses were not included in that 5 mil.  Also considering inflation, Id say those savings should be considered absolute rock bottom minimal. 
 
From what I have read on the current proposal, multiple "scenarios" are supposed to be looked into.
 
As for supporting, I won't leap prematurely one way or the other.   Leaning towards supporting a responsibly done merger, and  I do support looking into this, but for me, support for going full steam ahead will be dependant on the details.   Lots of considerations and possibilities here. 

I agree with that.

I talked to our local Senator last week about this and he told me..
"it is going to happen" ... combining the PGC and PFBC ..
 
he assured me there was no thoughts of involving DCNR into any merger...
they (politicians) know anglers and hunters are both against that.
 
I told him to "go for it" 

   As Budget Chairman in a City with a gross budget of over 200 mil gotta say that ya cant talk bout fees, taxes or services in these fiscal times  without facing the fact that people may well be involved.
   Thats not even talking bout $ reductions -just staying the same with diminished revenues and escalating costs can be a  chore.
 Bet if ya check the gross budgets of those 2 Depts that 5 mil savings is large in dollars but not a huge percentage savings .
   Time will eat that right up considering annual normal cost increases and todays poor revenue climate.(ex- how many user or lisense fee hikes would make up 5 mil).
 Sounds like you folks are lucky they are considering it on several fronts.

Those annual normal cost increases would still be there for two separate agencies as well.
But with 5mil less of an over all budget there would be no annual normal cost increase for that  5 mil if there was just one agency.
 
 
 

On a side note the PGC is five days later than they have ever been in getting out their estimate of our deer harvest.  Perhaps they are having a hard time with reality and looking for a way around it. 
 
 They are probably not going to be too happy having to share their 54 million surplus with the PFBC.  With a ever decreasing game population and the PGC's ever increasing move towards promoting non game species at least with the merger we may get a few more pellet heads to chase.

On a side note the PGC is five days later than they have ever been in getting out their estimate of our deer harvest.

 
The fudge hasnt dried on them yet.
 

 Perhaps they are having a hard time with reality and looking for a way around it.

 
Or checking with wcos to see how the mast was in each area, so they know whether to blame low harvests on too much mast or too little mast this season.  lmao.
 

Last year, they thought they were using fudge, but it was something else.  

I agree with DPMS. While I believe it can be positive it will be interesting to see what the new group calls itself.  "Pa fish and game"  or  " Pa wildlife conservation and protection".