[at-l] Interesting law: PA game lands - the real kicker

[mcdermot@verizon.net (McDermott)]

I just found this on the "PA game commission news release" dated
4/9/2002 (Release # 28-02).  They were talking about new amendments to
the PA state game laws.

"Following more than a year of public comment and discussion, the
Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners today unanimously gave final
approval to several changes in State Game Lands use regulations to
better protect these wild places from misuse and degradation. The
regulations will not take effect until Feb. 1, 2003."

A third amendment included in the final package would require non
hunting users of State Game Lands to wear florescent orange from Nov. 15
through Dec. 15, except on Sundays. This one-month timeframe includes
the bear and concurrent firearms deer seasons. Hunters also are required
to display the minimum 250-square-inches of florescent orange in each
season.

The following is the exact wording of the amendment:

"No one may participate in an organized activity or event involving more
than 10 persons, except for hunting or trapping. This would not apply to
those activities that are not in conflict with the intended uses or
purposes of State Game Lands or those activities that do not pose a
potential environmental or safety problem. Also, those not engaged in
hunting, trapping or fishing on State Game Lands from Nov. 15 through
Dec. 15, inclusive, except for Sundays, must wear a minimum of 250
square inches of fluorescent orange on head, chest or back combined, or,
in lieu thereof, a hat."

This requires all persons to wear 250 square inches of daylight
fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined
visible in a 360=B0 arc from 2 hours before sunrise to 2 hours after sunset=
.
notice it says "except Sundays", for what its worth. There is never
hunting on Sunday.
Also, most thru hiking will be done by "Nov15 thru Dec 15".  This will
probably apply to section hikers and weekend hikers mostly.

The 360 arc rule would probably require hikers to also wear orange on
their backpacks, or hunters behind you would not see the orange.
I also think the way it is worded you could just wear an orange hat, but
not sure on this point.    When you put on your backpack any orange
covered by the pack would probably  not count towards the 250 square
inch rule.  Also, an orange hat may not be seen from behind with a pack on.
Also, the orange must be a specific approved color of orange, approved
by the PA game commission, not just any orange.

But forget about the orange thing, the following amendment  is the real
kicker:
"No one may consume, possess or transport alcoholic beverages or
controlled substances on State Game Lands;"
If you were thru hiking and drinking alcohol you would be guilty of 1)
consuming, 2)possession and 3)transportation all at the same time.


See the following link for full details.
http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/PGC/newsroom/2002/nr028-02.htm#HARRISBURG

Panzer