Pennsylvania Game Commission

Last updated
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Pennsylvania Game Commission Logo.svg
Agency overview
Formed1895;129 years ago (1895)
Jurisdiction Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Headquarters Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Employees
  • <900 - 2023
  • 1,000+ part time & volunteer
Annual budget$266,532,308 Fiscal Year 2022 [lower-alpha 1]
Agency executives
  • Steven Smith, Executive Director
  • David J. Gustafson, Deputy Executive Director
  • David Mitchell, Deputy Director of Field Operations
Website www.pgc.pa.gov
Footnotes
[1]

The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) is the state agency responsible for wildlife conservation and management in Pennsylvania in the United States. It was originally founded 129 years ago and currently utilizes more than 700 full-time employees and thousands of part-time and volunteers in its official mission to "manage and protect wildlife and their habitats while promoting hunting and trapping for current and future generations." [2]

Contents

History

In the late 1800s as a result of deforestation, pollution and unregulated hunting/trapping, wildlife decreased in population and diversity. The wildlife, then-commonly referred to as "game," was to be protected by establishing the Game Commission in 1895 by the state Legislature. It was—and still is—funded primarily through the sale of licenses, State Game Land natural resource revenue, and a federal excise tax on guns and ammunition. [3]

Game Wardens

Game Warden vehicle in Harrisburg, PA. PA Game Warden vehicle.png
Game Warden vehicle in Harrisburg, PA.

The main workforce of the Pennsylvania Game Commission are Game Wardens, formerly known as Wildlife Conservation Officers (and originally Game Protectors). [4]

Game Wardens serve as sworn law enforcement officers for wildlife crimes, enforcing the hunting/trapping and conservation laws. They patrol the Pennsylvania State Game Lands and teach hunter-trapper education courses as well as providing many other educational opportunities for the Pennsylvania public, including wildlife programs for schools and community organizations. [5]

Initial training for Game Wardens occurs at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation in Harrisburg. New recruiting classes are formed when positions open up, which is normally every 2nd or 3rd year. Classes are usually kept below 30 students. Training is an 11-month program in Law Enforcement, Natural Resource Management, Wildlife Management, and other subjects.

Deputy Game Wardens are part-time, whereas State Game Wardens are full-time, career-oriented positions. Serving as a Deputy does not lead to promotion into a State Game Warden position. Deputies function in all phases of Game Commission activities and assume the powers as authorized by the Game and Wildlife Code, subject to limitations established by Commission regulations and operating procedures. [6]

Deputies are commonly involved in: law enforcement patrols and investigations, answering complaints and calls for service, nuisance wildlife control, hunter-trapper education classes, educational programs, and assisting other agencies. [7]

Fallen wardens

Pennsylvania Game Commission patch PA Game Warden Patch.png
Pennsylvania Game Commission patch
Previous Pennsylvania Game Commission patch PA - Game Commission.jpg
Previous Pennsylvania Game Commission patch

Since the establishment of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, eleven Game Wardens have died while on duty.

RankNameEnd of WatchCause of deathRef
Game ProtectorL. Seeley HoukMarch 2, 1906Shot by leader of a organized crime ring in Hillsville while issuing a game citation. [8]
Deputy Game ProtectorCharles BeechamNovember 4, 1906Shot attempting to arrest a man near Scranton for hunting on a Sunday. [9]
Game ProtectorJoseph McHughNovember 7, 1915Shot while searching for poachers in Carbon County. [10]
Field SuperintendentElias W. "Woody" KellyAugust 10, 1919Struck by train in Warren County while inspecting state game preserves. [11]
Chief Game ProtectorJoseph H. KalbfusAugust 10, 1919Struck by train in Warren County while inspecting state game preserves. [12]
Deputy Game ProtectorDarrell S. SolidaDecember 6, 1931Shot while investigating an illegal deer kill near Troutville. [13]
Game ProtectorWalter M. MiddletonDecember 1, 1935Vehicle accident while en route to assist other officers during deer hunting season. [14]
Game ProtectorJohn B. RossJuly 18, 1942Boat capsized while rescuing citizens of Port Allegany during flood. [15]
Game ProtectorRobert E. ZimmermanMay 13, 1957Vehicle accident en route to a Divisional Office [16]
Land Management OfficerWoodrow E. PortzlineOctober 24, 1973Heart attack while investigating reports of trespassing and poaching at a farm. [17]
Wildlife Conservation OfficerDavid L. GroveNovember 11, 2010Shot in Freedom Township, Adams County while investigating reports of ongoing nighttime shooting and poaching. [18]

Official game publications

See also

Notes

  1. The PGC does not receive General Fund appropriations from the state legislator.

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References

  1. Pennsylvania Game Commission (2022). "2022 PGC Annual Legislative Report" (PDF). www.pgc.pa.gov. p. 36. Retrieved 10 October 2023.
  2. "About Us". Pennsylvania Game Commission. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  3. "About Us". Pennsylvania Game Commission. Retrieved 2021-05-05.
  4. Leader, Times (2018-01-08). "New name, same job for PGC game wardens". Times Leader. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  5. "About the Pennsylvania Game Commission". Pennsylvania Game Commission. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  6. "Game Laws".
  7. "Deputy Game Warden" . Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  8. "Game Officer L. Seeley Houk". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  9. "Deputy Game Protector Charles Beecham". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  10. "Game Protector Joseph McHugh". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  11. "Field Superintendent Elias W. "Woody" Kelly". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  12. "Chief Game Protector Joseph H. Kalbfus". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  13. "Deputy Game Protector Darrell S. Solida". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  14. "Game Protector Walter M. Middleton". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  15. "Game Protector John B. Ross". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  16. "Game Protector Robert Earl Zimmerman". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  17. "Land Management Officer Woodrow E. Portzline". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  18. "Wildlife Conservation Officer David Lynn Grove". The Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP). Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  19. "Pennsylvania Game News". Pennsylvania Game Commission. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
  20. "Hunting & Trapping Digest". Pennsylvania Game Commission. Retrieved 2021-06-18.