Improved Relations with PGC Wildlife Conservation Officers

This past spring TNC staff met with local PGC Wildlife Conservation Officers at West Branch Forest to discuss issues of concern regarding wildlife crimes and hunting related incidents that reflect poorly on the hunting community. Last year there were multiple hunting related incidents involving poaching, vandalism, and theft that caused TNC to call into question its Hunter Management Plan for the West Branch property. Some TNC staff were in favor of leasing the property to an interested hunting club who would pay a premium for exclusive hunting rights. After much time and deliberation it was decided to maintain the property’s enrollment in the Game Commission’s Public Access Program, which will offer additional support through increased law enforcement for the upcoming hunting seasons. The Nature Conservancy acknowledges that the vast majority of our hunters are respectable sportsmen who share our values and respect the opportunity to hunt on private land. I urge participating hunters to be watchful of suspicious behavior and to report illegal activities to the property authorities to prevent one or two bad apples from spoiling a good thing. Be aware that Wildlife Conservation Officers now have full access to West Branch Forest and have been given keys and combinations to the existing gate locks. Note that there has been a series of night time poaching and camp firewood theft occurring throughout the greater Renovo area.