BOSCOLA CALLS ON GAME COMMISSION TO REFORM PRACTICE

BETHLEHEM (December 21, 2004) – State Senator Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton-Lehigh-Monroe) today released a letter addressed to the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Game Commission, Vernon R. Ross, urging Lehigh County to become known as a “shotgun only” designated county.  After the November 30^th incident when 18-year-old Casey Burns was shot by a hunter’s stray bullet while sitting in her car outside her North Whitehall Township home in Lehigh County, Boscola has called on the Game Commission to take appropriate action.

“I am relieved that Casey is continuing to recover and that her unborn child is not in any danger,” Boscola said.  “While that is the best news, we still need to examine our hunting policy in Lehigh County,” said Boscola.

As a member of the Senate Game & Fisheries Committee, Boscola sent the letter to Ross explaining her support for changing the designation of the wildlife management unit “5C” in Lehigh County to a “shotgun only” status, as a way to prevent another helpless individual from being struck by a stray bullet. 

“While the great majority of hunters are responsible, we need to look at this issue from a public safety standpoint.  Various hunting areas throughout the Commonwealth are growing more ‘suburban’ and more residential, which is why we need to review this designation in Lehigh County,” said Boscola.  “No one should ever have to go through a horrible tragedy like this again,” Boscola said.

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