It was good to see that Rep. Staback is looking out for the sportsmen of Pa though!! Some other interesting quotes from the article:

"As it stands now, if the audit does take place, I don't see a hunting license fee increase taking effect until 2010," Staback said. "I will be open to beginning deliberations about a backtag increase next year, but I just don't think it is realistic to expect to have a package passed and in place before July. That just isn't going to happen."

Without an audit, Staback said all bets are off. He continues to insist that the deer-management controversy is addressed before the agency receives new funding.

"I will say this, if the Game Commission is willing to put their best foot forward and cooperate with an audit, I think the agency can come out of this looking very good," he said. "An audit may very well prove they have been doing a good job.

"Or it may show that there is a better way to manage the deer herd, and if the commission is willing to make adjustments, that will satisfy me."


"We need to bring this to a head - this has been bandied about for three years," he said. "The sportsmen across the state need to be convinced that the PGC is managing deer the best way possible. And if they are, I don't think a license increase will be a problem."

The Unified Sportsmen are disturbed by false statements Game Commission officials are putting out concerning the lawsuit, Mohr noted.

"The general operating budget of the state is covering the Game Commission's legal costs," Mohr added. "Our lawsuit isn't costing the agency or hunters a penny."