Delaney named PGC board president

BY KEVIN WOODRUFF

Wyoming County Press Examiner

Pennsylvania Game Commission District 7 Commissioner James Delaney was named president of the board of commissioners during a PGC meeting last week.

Delaney, of Wilkes-Barre, who has land in Forkston, is currently responsible for decisions in Wyoming, Susquehanna, Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.

He said on Wednesday that it is an honor to be named president, after serving as vice president on 2009 and secretary in 2008.

As president, he will be in charge of facilitating the message of the majority of commissioners, helping develop policies and coordinating and running PGC meetings among other duties.

Actions that were taken at last week's PGC commissioners meeting that hold bearing for some time to come include the preliminary approval of an open bear season in Pennsylvania.

Included in those changes are a statewide five-day archery bear season (Nov. 15-19), and a three-day statewide bear season that would open on Saturday, Nov. 20, and then continue on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 22 and 23.

The Board also eliminated all extended bear seasons that previously were held during all or portions of the first week of the firearms deer season.

Although these changes were approved on Tuesday, they are now open for public comment and will go up for final adoption at the PGC's April meeting.

"It will give our sportsmen a lot more opportunities," Delaney said, "and will give businesses more opportunities."

He noted that the Saturday opener on Nov. 20 could be the second busiest hunting opener of the season.

"There are currently around 140,000 bear hunters in Pennsylvania," Delaney said. "And with the additional season, I think we'll start to see more participation."

Although Delaney has an interest in bear hunting in the state, being a bear hunter himself, he said that he has a commitment to all of Pennsylvania's 467 species of wildlife.

As president, Delaney hopes to bring a more scientific approach to the PGC's current deer management system.

"I think it's important to use a scientific approach," Delaney said, "aong with listening to our local sportsmen."

He said that hunters in the state will see many positive changes throughout his term as president.

"I plan to work hand-in-hand with all of the commissioners," Delaney said.

One issue that faces wildlife throughout many parts of Pennsylvania including Susquehanna and Wyoming counties is the ever-increasing presence of Marcellus shale exploration.

"I feel that the game commission has a really good handle on it," Delaney said.

Delaney said that any decision the PGC makes about oil and gas leasing is stringent.

He also noted that the PGC biologists are educated and informed about issues surrounding Marcellus shale.

"In any decision we make, wildlife is our main concern," Delaney said.