Wildlife Management Institute (WMI) has completed its research study of the Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC). WMI, a third-party, non-profit organization, conducted this study to evaluate opportunities to improve the long-term sustainability of both commissions.
Through this broad look at both agencies, WMI has made several recommendations that both the PGC and PFBC will take into consideration, specifically as to how those recommendations could directly impact the hunters and anglers of the Commonwealth. As noted in the report, more granular evaluation is needed before any implementation takes place.
Some notable takeaways:
- The study does not mention a recommendation for merging the PGC and PFBC into one agency.
- There are recommendations to consolidate services across some administrative areas to increase efficiency (pg. 68).
- The study recommends the unification of the PGC Bureau of Wildlife Protection and the PFBC Bureau of Law Enforcement. This unified force would be under the purview of the PGC. (pgs. 59, 69).
- A recommendation to look for opportunities co-locate staff in field offices (pg. 69).
The full study can be found here.
From PGC Executive Director Steve Smith:
“The Pennsylvania Game Commission takes its fiscal responsibility seriously, and that includes being good stewards of every dollar entrusted to us. In part, that is why we chose to do this study now, when the Commission is in solid financial standing. Our focus will always be on making thoughtful decisions and investments that will protect the interests of Pennsylvania hunters.
It is of the utmost importance to note that the recommendations within this study do not reflect any imminent or immediate action from the Game Commission.
This robust report warrants meticulous review and in-depth communication with our constituents, our board of commissioners, legislators, stakeholders and the Fish and Boat Commission.
We appreciate the extensive amount of effort that WMI put into this study to locate potential areas of improvement that could ultimately benefit the Game Commission, the Fish and Boat Commission and Pennsylvania’s hunters, anglers and wildlife resources.”