Elk Auction Bill Heads to Governor
Governor Ed Rendell is expected to sign legislation co-sponsored by state Rep. Dan Surra, D-Elk/Clearfield, that would allow the state to raise funds for the improvement of elk habitats by holding an annual auction for an elk hunting license in Pennsylvania.
"The demand for elk hunting licenses far outstrips the 40 elk licenses that are currently made available each year," Surra said. "Holding an auction to offer an additional license could raise a significant amount of funding for the Game Commission's efforts to maintain and improve the elk range."
Surra said the auction would be held by an organization independent of the Game Commission, such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The organization could keep a portion of the proceeds for running the auction, but at least 80 percent of the proceeds would be directed toward improving the elk range. The auction would be open to both residents and non-residents of Pennsylvania.
The legislation authorizes the auction for five years, during which the Game Commission would have to prepare an annual report to the legislature on how the proceeds are being used. After five years, the General Assembly would evaluate the program and would have to reauthorize it in order for the auction to continue.
"Similar auctions for a variety of game conservation tags and licenses have raised as much as $80,000 in other states," Surra said. "This is an opportunity to raise funding for maintaining one of this region's most important natural resources while freeing up Game Commission funding for other purposes and giving more people an opportunity to experience an elk hunt."
Surra said the legislation is supported by a variety of sportsmen groups, including the Safari Club of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The governor is expected to sign the bill (H.B. 747) soon.
"The demand for elk hunting licenses far outstrips the 40 elk licenses that are currently made available each year," Surra said. "Holding an auction to offer an additional license could raise a significant amount of funding for the Game Commission's efforts to maintain and improve the elk range."
Surra said the auction would be held by an organization independent of the Game Commission, such as the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. The organization could keep a portion of the proceeds for running the auction, but at least 80 percent of the proceeds would be directed toward improving the elk range. The auction would be open to both residents and non-residents of Pennsylvania.
The legislation authorizes the auction for five years, during which the Game Commission would have to prepare an annual report to the legislature on how the proceeds are being used. After five years, the General Assembly would evaluate the program and would have to reauthorize it in order for the auction to continue.
"Similar auctions for a variety of game conservation tags and licenses have raised as much as $80,000 in other states," Surra said. "This is an opportunity to raise funding for maintaining one of this region's most important natural resources while freeing up Game Commission funding for other purposes and giving more people an opportunity to experience an elk hunt."
Surra said the legislation is supported by a variety of sportsmen groups, including the Safari Club of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Pennsylvania Federation of Sportsmen's Clubs and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
The governor is expected to sign the bill (H.B. 747) soon.
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