Sometimes, I feel like my columns are actually a postscript for a never-ending Harrisburg soap opera. Truthfully, if I wanted to be nice to myself I can claim my perpetual tales of the “Adventures of the PGC” is more of a hysterical, check that, I mean historical, documentary. Considering the current political pressures created by the proponents of Fish and Game merger, the timing of this column is not good for the boys at Elmerton Ave. It saddens me to write it. However, the following is actually happening and you have the right to know. Maybe, things need to get worse before they can get better.
I must take you back to my column “Can a Ruby Ridge Happen in PA?” The column is on my site if you need a refresher. Here’s the shorthand version.
Eighty-year old Bob Floyd kills an elk in his yard for damaging his trees. While at the scene, WCO Clint Deniker and WCO Doty McDowell enter Mr. Floyd’s home without his permission. WCO Clint Deniker assaults Adam Waltz in Bob Floyd’s home. Bob Floyd then signs a statement admitting he killed the elk. WCO John Wasserman secures multiple search warrants and the PGC searches the properties of James Pletcher, Art Gavlock and Bob Floyd, looking for the rifle used to kill the elk. This writer was not happy with these occurrences and the entire matter appeared to be a PGC shake down and intimidation strategy against our citizens. Bob Floyd was dragged into court by the PGC, but found not guilty of any wrongdoing.
Now, our citizens have taken the offensive. On February 3, 2004 a 60-day Intent to Sue notice was filed by Attorney Don Bailey of Harrisburg in US District Court in Williamsport. The plaintiffs are James Pletcher, Art Gavlock, Adam Waltz, and Robert and Jean Floyd. The PGC’s Ron Stout, John Wasserman, Doty McDowell and Clint Deniker were all named as defendants. PGC Executive Director Vern Ross was also named as a defendant and co-conspirator in this embarrassing debacle. The core of the matter is violations of the civil rights of our citizens guaranteed by the First and Fourth Amendments of the US Constitution. This is big. Civil rights cases are always followed with extreme interest.
One can not stop themselves from contemplating the time and sportsmen’s money wasted in this preposterous situation. With illegal poaching of our deer reaching epidemic proportions in many areas of our state, the PGC is bogged down with this nonsense. The Sandy Reynolds case is another example of law enforcement’s distorted sense of priorities.
If civil rights considerations were addressed at the onset of the elk program, much of this could have been totally avoided. Instead, we have the PGC entangled in court cases throughout the state originating from our citizens trying to protect their property from an invasive species placed across our landscape.
All of this could not come at a worse time for the PGC. Preoccupied by backroom merger talks by backroom merger operatives, the PGC does not need this bad press or additional headache. Vern Ross can’t easily fire the individuals, either. I’m told their public service union contracts prevent their dismissal without a hearing to first determine if they have violated the law. Compounded by the bizarre “1.6 million deer” statement by Dr. Gary Alt, the PGC must feel like they are in a pressure cooker.
When this story initially broke, I recall vividly speaking with PGC personnel. I could not understand for the life of me why the PGC didn’t just pick-up the elk and leave. I have predicted elk and Dr. Alt’s deer management program will be the end of the PGC’s independence if they don’t scrutinize their actions and formulate a strategy to deal with these threats.
Someone or maybe multiple people at Elmerton Ave. are not thinking very clearly or there is no control or leadership. Law enforcement is obviously not aware of the terminal damage they could do to the entire agency by being overzealous in the pursuit of their duties. Law enforcement is the loudest PGC voice advocating independence while at the same moment some WCO’s violate our citizens’ rights. Similarly, public land hunters are the greatest advocates of PGC independence while Marrett Grund and Gary Alt are systematically eradicating our deer herd on our State Game and Forest Lands.
Considering all of the above, can someone please explain to me what the hell is going on?
Jim Slinsky is the host and producer of the “Sportsman’s Connection”, a nationally syndicated, outdoor-talk radio program. For a station near you or to contact Jim, visit his website at www.outdoortalknetwork.com.