that sounds about right . i think they should loose the right to own any fire arms, for a long period of time 10 years or so as well . people that poach for horns or blood lust should receive no sympathy at all .

They should also be fined for shooting at un-identified objects. Worst moving brush shooters ever live in PA. Won't hunt on public land there, period. I agree there should be stiffer fines, maybe not taking their guns and right to hunt away until the 2nd offense.

I would be ok with the alaska law being used, and also a complete removal of your license for 3-5 years. Would also like other states to honor not selling you a license as well in that time period.

When I took hunter safety in Pa., the officer teaching said most of the poachers were using .22s and driving pickup trucks. That sort of trailer-trash poaching style seems more in line with what I'd expect up there than rich guys which silencers. While that image makes the public madder and more supportive of the measure no doubt, I never got the impression that there were a whole bunch of silencers (suppressors, if you prefer) floating around in Pennsy.

Just a little about the law - First off, there is something called the "Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact" which is compromised of 31 states (currently, and growing all the time; 4 are in the process of passing legislation to become members). The WVC basically honors any and all suspensions imposed by other states that are in the compact.

Example:
Frank is hunting in Colorado and poaches a 6x6 bull elk. Frank is convicted of illegal possession of the bull elk, and also has his hunting AND fishing privileges suspended for a period of 10 years. Since Colorado is a member of the WVC, Frank is now suspended in 30 other states for the same 10 years.

If Frank even attempts to purchase any kind of hunting or fishing license in any of the 30 other states that are members of the WVC, he will be automatically suspended for another 2 years, and fined $500 more.

Next - and it will be last also... - Colorado is a wonderful state when it comes to prosecuting poachers. We have a "Samson Surcharge" which was established after the senseless poaching of "Samson" in Rocky Mountain National Park. Basically, this surcharge will be added to any fines that are imposed by the tickets the poacher has received if the animal he/she has poached is a "trophy" animal. There are different criteria that establishes a "trophy" for each species of big game animal in Colorado. The surcharges range from $40,000 for a trophy bighorn sheep, to $7,000 for a deer (whitetail or mule deer) and pronghorn antelope.

The other thing - Colorado has the ability to seize anything and everything that was used to complete the crime of poaching....guns, cars, binoculars, rangefinders, knives, etc.

Hope this helps a little bit - at least it should shine a little light for Colorado law!!

I find it unfortunate that the NRA does not support this bill.

Never heard of anybody shootin for horns to feed their family, sound to me if they do that then they dont need the meat that bad because if they did they would shoot a doe or better yet ask the state or a food bank for help.The bad thing is that the more big bucks that get a lot of press by real sportsman can get other people greety and they will spotlight or do just about whatever they have to to get those big horns even poach on a WMA.I say take every thing they used to kill the animal fine them $25,000 and lock em up for 2 years in the nastiest state pen we can find and I bet when they get out they wont want poach anymore. just my 2 cents worth.

Poachers should lose their license. After two or thre penalties, having local DNR officials give you a sneer or bad look would make you think it would be enough. People who poach deer for their backstraps or for their antlers should not be allowed to hunt. Varying laws aside, spotlighting with a rifle and taking deer off private land without permission is just flat-out wrong.

I hunt in Pa. and hear often from the wardens and farmers about the poaching problem. A ton of it goes on in the early fall when bucks are in bachelor groups, devastating local herds. Lock 'em up. On the other hand, a guy who can't make ends meet(meat) takes one to feed his family, Should he face the same harsh penalty? A lot of recent poaching in pa has been college-age kids. Partying, drinking, shooting. Not good. As far as feeling safe in Penns woods, i hunt public land, but on opening morning i go where i can expect to see NO hunters, deep. But it's not unsafe.