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

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.

Although "death by jacklight" sounds pretty good, the new penalty seems as if it may help cut down on the poaching.

There's a lot of poaching here in PA. A lot of people are caught, but there's a lot more who never get caught. Maybe the idea of paying out the arse, and spending some time in jail will make a few people think twice. If not, at least the PGC will make some money on the deal.

+1 for PA. They should do their jail time on chain gang roadkill patrol.

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

So the former penalty for shooting a deer at night using a light was $200 to $300? That's cheaper than most states nonresident license LOL!

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.

I say great for PA, if the courts will actually sentence anyone to what was written. In MI our laws are pretty good, but our courts never sentence anyone to what is allowed. By the time the defence attorney gets done wheeling and dealing with the prosecutor, and the judge makes his STERN lecture and reduced sentence (insert: only trying to feed his family, recently out of work, was only a quick and poor decision when the deer suddenly appeared out of no where, had "had a few" and was't thinking clearly, etc., etc., etc.), little or no jail time is ever given, and fines are reduced. Only the cost of the animal remains constant. Maybe our courts should take into consideration the size of the poached animal and reduce the cost to the state accordingly?

I think this is all disingenuous bullshit.

Call it night deer hunting, slap a license fee on it to get a tag and be done with it.

Thanks Clay C. You hit the nail on its head.
I don't condone the taking of game illegally even though some of my friends think that I have a sordid past.
IF SOME ONE KILLS ANY TYPE of game or fish to sell,then fine them big the JAIL.

Good Luck PA, I really hope it works for your state. Keep what I have been saying in mind and see what the actual fines and jail time is given out. You will be able to see who's playing politics with you wildlife funds.

Well put Beekeeper, +1 for you Sir!

I've been through Pa enough to be a resident of the State. Not only Beekeeper put it best, I would also charge the individuals shooting at night with reckless endangerment and bury them under the jail! Some people have no idea what places people live, even when they live in the area!!!

IDIOTS!

Nycflyangler, you scare the hell out of me!

NYCflyangler,

Ah... you fancy yourself to be some sort of intellectual. Save your stilted whit for your cocktail party friends who no doubt are impressed by your half baked banter as they posess even less knowledge than you do.

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**!

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.