Property rights have taken a beating over the last decade.  Some of you will disagree and say it has been far longer.  Obviously, we must be ever diligent and protect and preserve the three pillars of our freedoms, the First Amendment, the Second Amendment and the right to own property.

            You may have heard by now the judge dismissed the request for a trial by jury in the Bob Floyd case.  I have seen PGC press releases in various newspapers proclaiming vindication of the Agency against the allegations of Bob Floyd, Adam Waltz, Art Gavlock and Jim Pletcher.  The PGC actually appears to be quite proud they won this one (for the moment).  Needless to say, Bob Floyd’s attorney, Mr. Don Bailey was extremely disappointed by the dismissal.  Within days he appealed the decision to a higher federal court.  Stay tuned.  This one is not over until it is over.

            While all of this was playing out, another major private property rights case was unfolding in again, Clinton County.  This time it involved a dentist, William Edwards.  Apparently, Dr. Edwards was suspected of poaching turkeys on his private, posted property.  One night in the complete darkness a PGC WCO crawled on his belly some ridiculous distance to get into position and started making sounds like a turkey.  Dr. Edwards came out of his house with a shotgun and was arrested.

            At the magistrate level, Dr. Edwards was found guilty.  He appealed that decision to the county court and it was reversed.  Dr. Edwards was declared not guilty because his private property rights were violated.  Judge Michael Williamson ruled that private, posted property is exactly that, posted and private.  Judge Williamson ruled that the PGC must have probable cause and/or a warrant to enter private property.  Probable cause means a verifiable source who is willing to testify to the wrongdoing.  (I do not believe anonymous tips quality as “probable cause”.)

            Of course, this ruling challenged the very way the PGC has done business for decades.  I believe there is a stipulation in Title 34 that says the PGC can enter private property in the execution of their duties except for standing buildings.  A short time after Judge Williamson’s ruling the PGC quietly announced they were taking this one to the PA Supreme Court.  Clinton County Assistant District Attorney Lori Rothrock presented the appeal to the high court.

            Interestingly, the PGC got their ruling about one month ago.  I have yet to see a single newspaper reporter or outdoor columnist report on this critical issue.  The PA Supreme Court decided in favor of Dr. William Edwards and agreed with the decision of Judge Michael Williamson.  Just like any other law enforcement agency the PGC must have probable cause or obtain a warrant to enter private property.  The ramifications of this ruling are monumental. 

It always amazed me that local and state law enforcement agencies handled the rights of known criminals with extreme care.  Whether it is drug dealers, armed robbers or pedophiles, law enforcement is aware that civil rights violations could easily result in the dismissal of all charges.  However, the PGC appeared to be exempt from civil rights considerations.  For decades people would comment the PGC was the most powerful law enforcement agency in the state.  I can only speculate that the rigorous law enforcement in the early part of this century established their perceived authority.

It was just a matter of time before the limitations of the PGC’s authority would be established legally.  In our litigious society it was inevitable that the method of arrest or circumstances surrounding a summons would be challenged all the way to the PA Supreme Court. 

No one in their right mind condones the illegal killing of a turkey, deer, squirrel or any other wild animal.  PA has a long history of enthusiastic law enforcement to protect our natural resources.  The PGC’s job of protecting those natural resources has just become a bit harder.

While some may say this ruling is a setback in the fight to protect our game and non-game animals, wiser thinking should prevail.  Law enforcement has a difficult job in the fields and in our cities and streets.  Never should we disregard the civil rights or property rights of our citizens to facilitate the efforts of law enforcement. 

No matter how noble the cause, the rights of the people are above the law.

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