The Pennsylvania House Game and Fisheries Committee has advanced legislation allowing greater Sunday hunting opportunities, empowering the Game Commission to determine how many Sundays could be open for various seasons. House Bill 1431 aims to enhance hunting experiences while addressing crop damage caused by deer, a significant concern for local farmers. Meanwhile, an attempt to shift the opening day of the rifle deer season from Saturday to Monday after Thanksgiving was voted down, drawing critical discussions about the implications for hunters and migratory waterfowl.
Additionally, House Bill 1507 seeks to help out-of-state college students acquire Pennsylvania hunting licenses at resident rates, significantly lower than the non-resident fees. This initiative responds to the financial strains many students face, as highlighted by Rep. Mandy Steele. Furthermore, Senate Bill 518 aligns the state game code with the Fifth Amendment, granting hunters the right to remain silent if questioned by game wardens, marking a significant shift in law enforcement interactions with hunters in Pennsylvania.
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