Good change, but it could be even more harsh.

I still prefer the chain gang idea, although someone did mention a noose.....

good change to the law. especially if it reads, "MANDATORY 90 days in jail" and not just "up to".

The new penalties sound like they might actually encourage people to follow the rules...especially since the previous fines were less than some people would spend during deer season.

if to many people make the gamble then the penalty before was not harsh enough good call Penn.

I think they should add loss of firearm, vehicle and/or other equipment used in breaking the law.

I hunt in Pa. and poaching in our area is a problem. I understand it's hard to deter at 2 a.m. so severe penalties are a good idea

Pa deer hunter wrote:

"Poachers are not performing some sort of community service they are thieves and in most cases tresspassers(SIC) when they get caught they deserve what they get."

How are they doing anything different then the professional exterminators the municipalities hire to come in and kill off the nuisance deer?

Oh yeah, they're doing it for free so you and I don't have to pay for it. Free is good.

"The problem isn't deer overpopulation it's urban sprawl people building homes and developments in the country where deer live. This land can no longer be hunted but the deer still live their(SIC)."

If people live there, then there's really not room for the deer to be there as well. If the deer population won't move, then they're over populated and need to be dealt with.

"Then when these distracted drivers hit a deer it's the deer's fault?"

No, but deer don't vote, so they're screwed. Deer are very good at appearing out of nowhere, so it's more than being distracted. People getting killed in deer related accidents are just as dead as people who are stalked and killed by coyotes. So the deer are overpopulated for the living space they have and need to be thinned.

Now obviously the poachers are technically committing a crime. However, since the government instead of opening legitimate hunting for these nuisance deer, are pandering to the anti-hunting crowd.

The poachers are doing what the government doesn't have the guts to do, defy PETA & Co's wishes.

They're no different than someone who goes out and picks up garbage off the side of the road. It's the government's job to do so, but they're not doing it.

All you people complaining about the poachers are is being PETA & Co's bitches. Congratulations! You're now a PETA spokesperson.

"I know Beekeeper dosen't(SIC) need me to speak for them but I think you are the one with your head up your a**!"

You both need remedial work in basic logic and critical thinking, as well as a doctor to extract your head from your respective anal canals.

"Also no one is talking out both sides of their mouths."

Your post proved that most people here are talking out of both sides of their mouths.

If the poaching is tor the antlers ,then I say hang em from there N**S, BUT,if it was for food for the kids, than a little less punishment.

Don, reminds me of the poaching problem in Alaska for bear bladders and here in the lower 48, deer horns are smuggled overseas to be ground up into a powder for medical purposes

as a pa residence, I think the new law is great, with already low deer numbers in my area, poachers are the last thing we need... it would be nice to see 70 plus deer in an evening of spotting again.

country road I'm pretty sure they do take firearms and other equipment.(not sure about vehicle's though) Ncflyangler Hunting is much more than finding,killing and eating. what about ethics,sportsmanship and respect for the animal you hunt! Not to mention how dangerous the first day of deer season would be if it started at midnight! GET REAL!!!

Nycflyangler Poachers are not performing some sort of community service they are thieves and in most cases tresspassers when they get caught they deserve what they get. Also no one is talking out both sides of their mouths. The problem isn't deer overpopulation it's urban sprawl people building homes and developments in the country where deer live. This land can no longer be hunted but the deer still live their. These people wish to escape the lights and noise of the city but in many cases they bring it with them they talk on their cell phones or worse yet tex while driving. Then when these distracted drivers hit a deer it's the deer's fault? I know Beekeeper dosen't need me to speak for them but I think you are the one with your head up your a**!