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WMI Deer Audit Clobbers PGC's Deer Program

By Jim Slinsky
04/05/10

You may have heard or read by now that the Deer Audit conducted by the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) was a complete vindication of the PGC's deer management program. Unfortunately, I can't stop anyone from rolling their own before they write a column. If you take the time to read this document, you will conclude that this is the biggest PGC embarrassment since the MAT Report. In very professional terminology, Scot Williamson, V-P of WMI and author of this audit, literally chopped the legs right off the PGC's three-legged deer management stool. You've heard the spin; healthy deer, healthy forests and minimum human-deer conflicts. The last goal has somewhat morphed into stakeholder involvement or as we know it, Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC). Scot Williamson is a skillful writer and you must read the audit slowly and carefully.Read More

Is It 1946 or 1965?

By Jim Slinsky
01/16/10

Coming off the worst deer season in anyone's memory, the homeboys are just a wee-bit upset.  My phone has been ringing off the hook, the language of most is not printable and the hunting stories sound like the proverbial broken record.  No shots heard, no tracks found and no deer seen.  The PGC will claim these observations are purely anecdotal and have no relevancy to the size of the PA deer herd.  I beg to differ.  Put 600,000 people in the woods on the same day at the same time and you have the first step of a deer study.  Field observations are utilized all the time for grouse, pheasants, ducks and even songbirds.  It's funny how field counting is valid for every species except deer. Read More

USP/PGC Deer Management Lawsuit Update

By Jim Slinsky
08/22/09

Most of you realize that any engagement of the PA Game Commission quickly and easily turns into an entanglement.  Challenging government is no small undertaking.  One only needs to look at the federal government and how it is reacting to the people challenging the new, national health care proposals.  The terms "radicals", "extremists" and "small vocal minority" must be in a government handbook explaining how to deal with the public when they become irate. Read More

That Controversial Deer Audit

By Jim Slinsky
07/18/09

Never has there been an issue mired in so much misinformation than the current deer management audit recently awarded to the Wildlife Management Institute (WMI). Truthfully, this audit has become as controversial as our deer management. A few are still trying to stop the audit based on the allegation that it will be nothing but a whitewash of the current PA Game Commission's (PGC) deer management plan. Read More

HSUS and PGC Go Hand in Hand

By Jim Slinsky
06/13/09

Just when you thought the PGC's activities could not possibly get any more absurd, something just happened that should make PA hunters cry.  Are you sitting down?  Mr. Steve Smith the PGC's Legislative Liaison visited PA House legislators with Ms. Sarah Speed of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS)!  Ms. Speed is the HSUS PA Director.  Can you imagine that - the Humane Society?  A real Romeo and Juliet story in the making for sure. Read More

A Moratorium on Land Buying

By Jim Slinsky
04/04/09

As you are probably aware, I am not a big believer in political coincidences.  In politics, things happen for a reason.  There is almost always a game plan or shall we say an agenda, that is driving new legislation or new policy that manifests itself incrementally.  You have to be willing to play the "connect the dots" game to get a feel for where we are headed.  In all fairness sometimes it is incompetence that is the devil, other times it is malice. Read More

Another Lawsuit?

By Jim Slinsky
03/21/09

The PGC Commissioner selection process is one of the most absurd political systems in all of PA politics. Over the past eleven years I have addressed this topic before. The more you know about this distorted, unresponsive system, the more infuriating it becomes. I can think of at least one statewide sportsmen's advocacy group that has had enough and just might inject themselves into the nonsense in an effort to resolve it. Read More

Anything But Science

By Jim Slinsky
02/07/09

If one takes the time to look around the country and investigate the myriad of wildlife and fisheries management controversies in all states, one should get deeply concerned. To the casual and uninformed the heated debates appear to be nothing more than business as usual. Wildlife resource management always was and always will be, controversial. Read More

David and Goliath

By Jim Slinsky
01/17/09

It has been some time since I sat down and pecked out a column. Between hunting season, my national radio show and a major house remodeling project, my life has been insane. I won't bore you with the details. It seems everyone's life these days' borders on madness. Read More

HB 1214 Defeated in Committee

By Jim Slinsky
10/18/08

Stranger things have happened in Harrisburg, but I can't remember when or why. Last week HB 1214 was released by Senator Gibson Armstrong, Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee to his committee for a vote. For the record all legislation passed by the House must pass the Senate Appropriations Committee before going to the full Senate. The process is set-up to determine the cost of all new legislation to the Commonwealth. Read More

The Coming Crossroads

By Jim Slinsky
10/11/08

Things are a little tentative in Harrisburg right now. Many legislators are deeply concerned about their reelection bids. We see this at the national level and across the entire political landscape. The public is spitting mad. The public is accusing our legislators of serving themselves before they serve the people. The public is sick and tired of increasing taxes, laws that violate their constitutional rights and agencies that act upon the best interests of special interests and ignore the wishes of the silent majority. It is potentially one of those "throw the bums out" election years. This conundrum has our politicians scrambling. Read More

The Total Package

By Jim Slinsky
09/20/08

Recently, State Representative Ed Staback has refined his HB2205 commonly referred to as the "poaching bill". SR Staback is committed to crack down on those guilty of repeated poaching violations. Poachers are a threat to our whitetail resource. I can not tell you how many repeat poachers we have. Soon, I will write the PGC and try to determine the magnitude of the problem. Read More

The Gas War Heats Up

By Jim Slinsky
08/16/08

There is never a lull in Harrisburg. The political controversies seemingly never end. The deer management debacle is still unresolved, the PGC continues to push for a license increase, but gas revenue potential has now become the hottest topic in town. The gas war is sure to be extra heated. This one is about money, big money. Read More

Something is Terribly Wrong

By Jim Slinsky
08/02/08

You may not be aware that the PA Senate recently confirmed a new PGC Commissioner, Mr. Ron Weaner to fill the position previously held by Commissioner Steve Mohr. Mr. Mohr retired from the Commission and went on to become the President of the Unified Sportsmen of PA (USP). This in itself says volumes about our Commissioner state of affairs. I haven't met Mr. Weaner, but I did see his resume. Claiming he is connected at the hip to the PGC (the agency) would not be a stretch. Mr. Weaner is a farmer and we all know how much farmers love deer. Something is terribly wrong with our system. Read More

Which Resource First?

By Jim Slinsky
07/12/08

Over the years I am certain you have heard the mantra "resource first". The PA Federation of Sportsmen"s Clubs is notorious for promoting this slogan in the deer management debate. Recently, Tim Schaffer of the Fish Commission has been utilizing these ambiguous words in regard to trout stocking. Our House Game and Fisheries Committee has already responded with curative legislation and the PGC and the PFBC are not real happy. Read More

USP Deer Lawsuit Moves Forward

By Jim Slinsky
06/21/08

On June 16, 2008 the Commonwealth Court of PA made their decision official. It rejected the preliminary objections of the PA Game Commission and granted the Unified Sportsmen of PA their day in court, so to speak. Judge Robert Simpson wrote the majority decision. Read More

What’s in a Title?

By Jim Slinsky
06/14/08

In today's fast-paced society and world of negative campaigns, a label has become a common weapon of spin. He's controversial, he's an extremist, he's anti-hunting are labels thrown around to identify or misidentify those with whom others disagree. A label (one little word) can often sum up the feelings about an individual or group quickly and quite nicely. To complicate matters there is also the issue of titles. He's a lobbyist, he's an advisor, he's a legislative liaison, which further confuses the listener or reader. Unfortunately, the people most confused by all of this spin are our legislators. The label and title game has their heads spinning. Read More

The River Loses Its' Godfather

By Jim Slinsky
06/07/08

This will not be an easy column to write. I have been teetering on the edge of a nervous breakdown for more than a week. Mr. Theodore S. Miller, 47, affectionately known as "Teddy" passed away on June 3, 2008. He was my dear friend for 14 years. He will be missed by sportsmen across this great Commonwealth. Read More

Moonlight Over Harrisburg

By Jim Slinsky
05/31/08

Debates and controversies can become complex in Harrisburg. We all have our sense of fair play, ethics and morals, but these judgment calls can vary greatly from person to person. "Whose ox is getting gored" is a fairly common thought process around town. While someone or group might be benefiting from an arrangement, someone else is probably not. I suspect the Gas Rush of 2008 is destined to bring out the worst and the best in people. Read More

Business as Usual?

By Jim Slinsky
05/24/08

Legislative change comes hard in PA. We are not the slowest moving state in the nation. Incredibly, compared to other states we are running in the middle of the pack. Yes, there are states that move even slower and a few that are quicker on the trigger. This is a good thing if we are talking about new gun laws, but not so good when we want a long-standing problem resolved. Right now there are issues pending in the Senate that very well may define the future of hunting in the Pennsylvania. Read More

The PA Wells Program

By Jim Slinsky
05/17/08

"Pennsylvania is the new Texas" are the passionate words emanating from the halls of Harrisburg these days. Our legislators have big smiles on their faces. The thought of gas royalties pouring into the state's coffers has more than a few legislators planning our financial future. Let's be honest. Our citizens are taxed out. Read More

Conspiracy or Coincidence?

By Jim Slinsky
05/10/08

It is only natural as one gets older and contemplates the difficulties of life in their remaining years to fantasize about having lived in a simpler time. The great historical events and extraordinary individuals of the last two hundred years have unquestionably shaped this nation and the people we are. Personally, I have often wished I could have met Teddy Roosevelt, Wyatt Earp or Wild Bill Hickok. I wish I could have witnessed in my day the Gold Rush of California and Alaska. Read More

Alternative Financing or New Bosses?

By Jim Slinsky
05/03/08

A few days ago there was yet another historic meeting in Harrisburg. SR David Levdansky, Chairman of the House Finance Committee wanted to hear input on his HB1676, which dedicates a portion of our sales tax revenue to the PA Game Commission and PA Fish and Boat Commission. This is the Missouri system of public financing for wildlife agencies. Read More

Surrogate Gets A New Job

By Jim Slinsky
04/26/08

From what I can see, our state legislators are hard working, busy people. When they are in Harrisburg their days are hectic and complex. I have yet to see a legislator reading the paper. Meetings in their offices are non-stop. When sessions begin they rush-out onto the floor. After session, there maybe more meetings in their office, a Committee meeting or perhaps a meeting in their district. Jump in the car and drive a few hours and don't be late. Read More

Independent Deer Audit Coming to PA

By Jim Slinsky
04/19/08

At some point in our lives we have all come across a situation that conclusively confirms that old cliche "truth can be stranger than fiction". Try this one on for size; after 102 years an independent deer audit is coming to PA. House Resolution 642 authorizing the audit passed on April 7, 2008 by a vote of 201 to 0. Read More

The Perfect Stream

By Jim Slinsky
04/12/08

It was one of those days last spring that was absolutely perfect for fishing. I decided to give my good buddy and world class fly fisherman Brian Tartar from Silver Springs Outfitters a call and ask the big question. "Hey Brian, where can I go and catch 18" brown trout in numbers?" He responded without hesitation. "If I knew that Jim, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you". Of course, we laughed and laughed. A year later we are still talking about that question. Read More

HB 2381 - More Positive Legislation

By Jim Slinsky
04/05/08

As a writer and broadcaster traveling to Harrisburg to meet directly with legislators has become a life-altering experience. There is no better way to evaluate a person than looking him or her in the eye and pressing the flesh. One learns volumes about a legislator after a 30-minute face to face conversation. Read More

State Agency or Independent Agency?

By Jim Slinsky
03/29/08

You probably don't realize it, but things are more than a little hot in Harrisburg right now. All the rage is HB1214, which changes a PGC Commissioner term to two (2), four-year terms with Senate reconfirmation required to serve the second term. The PGC is utilizing their new Legislative Liaison, Mr. Steve Smith to lobby our Senators hard to defeat this bill. Common sense dictates that the Agency probably could care less how long a Commissioner serves. Most likely, a few current Commissioners are pressuring the Agency to utilize their new Legislative Liaison to aggressively fight this legislation. Steve Smith is working the Capital doing his lobbying job. Read More

New Guns Laws and a Rally

By Jim Slinsky
03/22/08

Unless you have been in Patagonia chasing big rainbows for the past month, you should know the meaning of the Second Amendment was just argued before the US Supreme Court. Preliminary speculation by the homeboys says our freedoms did well with five of the eight justices sounding like they are going to rule in favor of the individual interpretation. Anytime one goes to court it is the equivalent of rolling the dice. In view of a truckload of supporting documentation, one must ask themselves what are the other three justices thinking? I guess we will need to wait to find out what the meaning of the word is----is. Interestingly, the man who started this case rolling, Mr. Robert Levy, the multi-millionaire scholar from the Cato Institute was a guest on my radio show. Read More

Who's Your Buddy?

By Jim Slinsky
03/15/08

We are all actors upon a stage. That's all life really is. We are characters acting out our parts. Some of us have bit parts, others have leading roles. No one has handed us a script. We ad lib on a daily basis, but nonetheless the show must and will go on. The curtain is about to be pulled back in Harrisburg. The actors will enter from the wings. We are uncertain if we are about to witness a tragedy, a comedy or a riveting rendition of man against man in the struggle for survival and dominance. I am sitting on the edge of my chair. Read More

Some Good Legislative News, Maybe

By Jim Slinsky
03/01/08

There is no shortage of bad news these days. Whether it is the local, state or federal arena, we are bombarded with bad news on a daily basis. If you are all wrapped-up in the political issues of our day, you also get hit with the press alerts of bad, pending legislation. Most of it is downright depressing. Read More

On the Anniversary of Iwo Jima

By Jim Slinsky
02/23/08

Art Gavlock of Clinton County is a decorated WWII hero having landed with his fellow Marines in 1945 on Iwo Jima Island in the South Pacific. At that time Art Gavlock was locked in a battle for his life. Some 63 years later, Art Gavlock is now locked in a battle for his rights. Read More

Should PFBC Director Doug Austen Resign?

By Jim Slinsky
02/16/08

When conspiracy theories play out right before your eyes, they are no longer theories. They become fact. The politics surrounding merging our fish and game commissions took a major leap forward in the past two weeks and we shall see who has the courage to address it. By that I mean if our legislators will take action or if you will take action. We have arrived at the point of "a man's got to do what a man's got to do", which is very difficult for some to act out. Read More

A Champion Living Amongst Us

By Jim Slinsky
02/09/08

Few experiences in life can surpass the sense of accomplishment and recognition that is bestowed upon you after becoming the recipient of a national award. It is the ultimate honor, the ultimate in gratification. It makes one smile when no one is around to see you take that deep breath. Read More

A Statistical Powerhouse?

By Jim Slinsky
02/04/08

On December 27, 2007 the Philadelphia Inquirer ran a column about our elk program and the PA Wilds that simply must be dissected and discussed. I've seen "pie in the sky" hyped-up columns about government programs before, but this one takes the cake. Frankly, it reads like a DCNR press release. Such glowing accolades and impressive numbers I have not seen located in one column about one program in a long, long time. Read More

Supreme Court or Court of Activists?

By Jim Slinsky
01/26/08

Americans are busy people, most of us anyway. Our jobs, our families, our hobbies pretty much consume us without much time left for a book, television, the newspaper or the Internet. I realize there are exceptions to this generalization, but it's fairly safe to say most get their news/politics in ten-second sound bites. We have come to accept that politics never end with new legislation introduced everyday to save the world or save us from ourselves. Read More

Who's Your President?

By Jim Slinsky
01/19/08

Few of us think of our life and times as a snapshot of history, but it is. What we have witnessed and survived will be revisited and discussed by generations to come. Some of the players embroiled in our current controversies will be recorded in the history books quite fondly, others certainly will not. Read More

All is Not Lost!

By Jim Slinsky
01/05/08

A famous man once said "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." Certainly an interesting comment considering Edmund Burke put those words together in the mid-1700's. Things haven't changed much in the last almost 300 years. You speak of your liberties and government speaks of your security. History reveals government's pursuit of noble causes has been the vehicle of choice for driving our freedoms into obscurity. It's an old game that is really getting old. Read More

Flashback Articles

Lesson From An Old Dog Named Blackstone

By Jim Slinsky
2004

He was old and I was young. He was actually my father's dog long before I was born. A jet-black body with a gray face, legs and tail, he was affectionately named Blackstone. His big, black nose glistened like a piece of anthracite coal fresh from the ground. He and I were great buddies, but I was barely old enough to understand our relationship. Read More

The Fly Rod is for Everyone

By Jim Slinsky
2003

The fly rod for angling has gained significant popularity in recent years. This is easily substantiated by the number of new fly fishing expositions. No longer are outdoor shows just for hunters. When it is announced the event is fly fishing only, tens of thousands attend. I think it is a very positive trend. Read More

Breaking the Ice With Stones

By Jim Slinsky
2003

The act of fly-fishing is a beautiful thing. It has been said shooting a rifle is a science, but shooting a shotgun is an art. If this is true, then the act of fly-fishing is both, art and science. I cannot think of another outdoor endeavor where physical skill must be matched with specialized techniques and a heavy dose of scientific knowledge. Fly-fishing is a specialty game and it will either hook you or turn you off. Read More

Reflections on a Trout Stream...

By Jim Slinsky
2003

It's 7:30 AM and I wheel into my favorite parking place beside my favorite trout stream. My son is with me and we are about to embark on another season of trout fishing together. It was a 75-yard walk back to the bridge, but we are not going to start there. We will cut through the woods and get down below the crowd and fish our way to the next bridge. Read More

New Boots and a Thick, Juicy Steak

By Jim Slinsky
2002

It was 1977 and my dear friend Charlie Fedak built a beautiful cabin on his prime ten acres in Stevensville, Bradford County, PA. Charlie had owned the land for some years, but this year he finally had the cabin up. It was a rectangular design, but by deer season only the kitchen and bathroom was completed. Interior walls were yet to come. Read More

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