Letter of submission to and for the joint public hearing to discuss crop damage scheduled October 23, 2023
PA Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee
PA Senate Game and Fisheries Committee
Pennsylvania Game Commission
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau
PA Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee and PA Senate Game and Fisheries Committee - as you all discuss what can be done to help the agriculture community with their crop damage concern it comes down to two options. First is financial and second is a long-term and sustainable solution. The financial solution involves helping secure funding for crop loss through the established United States Department of Agriculture crop loss Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP). This is a federal program available to all farmers. To secure this funding it involves a legislative commitment to bring it to PA farmers for use. The second and long-term sustainable solution is sitting in the Senate Game and Fisheries Committee right now. Senate Bill 67 would provide full regulatory authority to the Pennsylvania Game Commission to authorize seven-day-a-week hunting. Just like yourselves, hunter-conservationists are busy with life and work. SB67 would provide another tool for the PGC to use so hunters can help harvest animals in a sustainable manner to assist with the over $70 million loss yearly in crop damage situations. Farmers are trying to help themselves ninety-one percent of Pennsylvania farmers allowed deer hunting on their farms, Farmers and hunters are working together for the common goal of less crop damage. The best way to legislatively assist is to provide full regulatory authority to the PGC to allow the most benefit of time and days when hunters are available. Combine that with bringing and educating the agriculture community on the USDA NAP program you have the perfect storm and path forward to the ongoing economic crop loss concern of yourselves and agriculturalists.
Pennsylvania Game Commission - as you participate in this forum understand that hunter-conservationists are standing beside you knowing the sustainability of PA’s wildlife is always top of mind and top of mission for the agency. There is no disputing wildlife causes financial loss not only in agriculture but in other industries as well. What also is indisputable is how sustainable hunting practices and your agency having full regulatory authority for seven-day-a-week hunting will help. Many lawmakers are under the misguided impression that seven-day-a-week hunting will be detrimental. As wildlife managers and conservationists, we know better. The bottom line is farmers need hunters and hunters need farmers As reported fencing and shooting were the only methods rated as being at least moderately effective in helping with crop damage. This falls directly in line with the goal of SB67 and full regulatory authority to provide additional time and opportunity for hunters to harvest animals on farms helping mitigate wildlife crop damage. This is the time to bridge the legislative body and recognize where the real help will come from and how it can be implemented.
Pennsylvania Farm Bureau - hunters want to help with the crop damage issue. Recognizing the value of SB67 and accepting its goal will go a long way in the viability of the solution moving forward. There is no need to reinvent the wheel. Just add another spoke to it. Combining SB67 with the USDA NAP program creates the perfect scenario for small and large farms alike that need assistance with crop damage. It helps financially as well as provides a long-term sustainable option.
Letter sent and endorsed by the undersigned organizations. To discuss this contact 717-350-6741.
/s/ Hunters United for Sunday Hunting
/s/ Hunter Nation
/s/ Keystone Conservation Action
/s/ Pennsylvania Cooperating Conservation Organizations
References:
University of Wildlife Damage to Agricultural Crops in Pennsylvania: The Farmers' Perspective Dated 1997 / Updated listing 2023
USDA Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP)
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