June 10, 2025

Dear Representative,

On behalf of Pennsylvania Farm Bureau, I write to express our strong support for House Bill 1431 introduced by Representative Mandy Steele. This important legislation offers meaningful reforms to Pennsylvania’s wildlife management laws, with a particular focus on providing the agricultural community with the support it needs to address the growing impact of wildlife on farm operations.

The reforms included in House Bill 1431 are especially important for farmers who continue to face significant crop losses and land damage due to the overpopulation of deer. The bill simplifies the reporting process for crop damage harvests and streamlines carcass handling requirements, reducing the regulatory burden on farmers and enabling them to focus more time and resources on their operations. Strengthened trespass penalties further support landowners by deterring unauthorized hunting and promoting respect for private property, which is critical for the safety and productivity of working farms.

House Bill 1431 also ensures that the farming community will have a voice on the Pennsylvania Game Commission board of Commissioners by requiring representation from an individual who is actively engaged in agricultural operations and understands the critical intersection of agriculture and wildlife management. Given that farmers manage approximately 7.3 million acres of land in the Commonwealth, it is essential that agricultural perspectives are reflected in decisions that directly impact wildlife populations, land use, and farm operations. Additionally, the bill updates Pennsylvania’s Sunday hunting laws to expand opportunities for hunters while preserving important protections for landowners through clear written permission requirements.

This legislation reflects a thoughtful, balanced approach to wildlife management that benefits both the agricultural and hunting communities. House Bill 1431 is the result of ongoing collaboration among stakeholders and is a positive step toward modernizing state wildlife policy in a way that recognizes the real and growing pressures facing Pennsylvania farmers.

We respectfully urge you to support House Bill 1431 and help move it forward. Its passage will offer long-term benefits to rural communities, landowners, and the broader public by ensuring that wildlife management decisions are fair, effective, and inclusive.

Sincerely,

Mitchell Kurek

State and Local Affairs Specialist, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau