"You must listen to me son because you will not live long enough to make all the mistakes yourself" was my father’s homegrown logic. By now you’ve heard Dr. Gary Alt has resigned effective December 31, 2004. There is a possibility he may have until January 31, 2005 to rescind that resignation. This deer management "war" is not over by a long shot.

Let us defer discussing why Alt failed for a later column. For the moment it is far more critical to understand how we got here. I am certain you recall Alt came to us when Tom Ridge was our Governor. Truthfully, the end game has always been agency merger with DCNR ultimately controlling the PGC, PFBC and our State Game Lands. That statement is an irrefutable fact.

Alt’s job was to reduce our deer herd to intolerable levels and force the PGC into chaos and financial turmoil. He did his job perfectly. It was never about improving deer hunting. It is now confirmed that Alt was promised a substantial promotion and salary increase if he completed his mission. Deputy Executive Director of the PGC was the ultimate carrot for Alt if he was successful.  In essence, Alt gambled away his entire career in a political scheme to get promoted.  What a shame.

Alt blaming our deer as the single point failure for our oak regeneration problems was scientifically bankrupt. PA and every state east of the Mississippi have been battling with oak regeneration problems for the past 50 years. We did not have a regeneration or deer problem worthy of eradicating our deer herd. Alt made many, many mistakes in his quest for money and power.

As the scheme unfolded and we transitioned from the Ridge to the Rendell Administration this kill the deer/merger “freight train" began to pick up steam. Alt let it be known he wanted to be top dog at the Agency. Alt went on to make pro-merger statements in public. Alt’s lack of people skills became apparent as he alienated everyone around him. A Napoleon complex began to emerge.

Alt gradually drew closer to DCNR from where his power originated by the graces of Governor Rendell. Deer eradication was in full swing with Vern Ross and our PGC Commissioners becoming completely undermined by the influence of the Administration. Frankly, a few of our PGC Commissioners were so enthralled with Alt that it was inconceivable to them that Alt’s actions were political. (It was further unimaginable that a radio talk show host could possibly know more about deer management than Gary Alt.)

On the eve of Alt’s resignation a few politicians and their operatives began screaming for Vern Ross to be fired. The plan was always to make Gary Alt our Executive Director of the PGC so a friendly takeover by the DCNR could be orchestrated. Alt would sell us that one, too. The entire web of deception has failed because we never had 1.6 million deer and our herd collapsed under the weight of the filthy politics.

If your objective is to return to sensible deer management and end this nonsense, it is imperative that you do a few simple things. First, support Vern Ross through these trying times and not permit a power vacuum to be created at the PGC by his firing. The merger operatives will try hard to recall Alt from retirement and put him in charge of the PGC. Second, you must go to the January 23 PGC meeting and let your feelings be known. DCNR will be there to perform a full court press to continue the deer slaughter, statewide. Third, you must contact your Senator and State Rep and express your feelings in no uncertain terms. Ask your politicians to fix the loophole so no Governor can ever fire a PGC Commissioner, again. Furthermore, ask your representatives for full investigative hearings into this political debacle.

When we look back over the effectiveness of this deer eradication program, it becomes apparent that this was too big to have been engineered by Gary Alt, the forestry industry or the environmentalists. They all played a role, but there is only one man with the power to have engineered this fiasco. Edward Rendell granted DCNR the authority to conduct this runaway freight train with Alt as the coalman. The other players were necessary, but nonetheless merely a supporting cast.

I will leave you to think about this and paraphrase my father to make my point. "You must listen to me my friend because you may not live long enough to enjoy another fulfilling deer season."

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