Petition Seeks New Game Commission Name

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Should the Pennsylvania Game Commission change its name to “showcase” its full efforts… like, maybe, call it the Pennsylvania Wildlife Commission?

That query is at the heart of a petition for a name that more accurately describes the commission’s work managing, among other things, the nongame species that make up the majority of animals in the state.

Ted Nichols II, 41, a conservationist from Lebanon County, started the petition on Change.org with the intention of sending it to state lawmakers here. He isn’t asking for a specific name, just one that better fits its diverse parts.

“Times change and the name of the Game Commission doesn’t accurately reflect its mission. It’s not 1895 anymore,” said Nichols, citing the year the Game Commission came into being. “The name really doesn’t showcase what it actually does.”

The word ‘game’ is used but 11 times in agencies across the country because all other states changed the name of their agency, said Nichols, who said he isn’t handling the petition in any official capacity.

“I’m someone who enjoys wildlife in all form, nongame and game,” he said. “And when you look at what is the scope of the Game Commission’s mission, they are responsible for 480 species – only 26 are game animals and 51 are bird species.”

Because of several current state agencies like the Department of Environmental Resources, Fish and Boat Commission and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, the public today is confused about who handles wildlife matters.

Said Nichols: “There are a lot of confused calls that take place at each of those agencies.”

The name is “basically everything,” he said.

“The name that we use for our state’s wildlife agency just really isn’t descriptive of its mission.”

Nichols asks petition signers help “to modernize this agency’s name so that every Pennsylvanian can appreciate what this vital organization truly stands for.”

To see the petition, visit Charnge.org/PAGamechange.

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Should PA Game Commission change its name??Photo byMika BaumeisteronUnsplash