In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation to amend Title 34 (Game) to allow non-resident individuals who pay taxes on private real estate property in Pennsylvania to receive a hunting license at the resident rate. More specifically, these non-resident real estate tax payers would be considered residents for the purpose of licensing under the Game and Wildlife Code.

I have heard from numerous non-resident individuals who own property in our state and contribute financially to our Commonwealth by paying thousands of dollars in real estate taxes yet must purchase a hunting license at the much higher non-resident rate each year when they wish to hunt here.  Many of these properties are generational homesteads, hunting camps, or other recreational properties, and many are owned, and real estate taxes paid, by individuals who still have family here in Pennsylvania or were former residents themselves.

I believe that considering these individuals’ contribution to our state’s economy through the payment of real estate taxes, they should be able to hunt here at the resident rate.  Please join me in cosponsoring/supporting this commonsense legislation.

Thank you for your consideration of this proposal.
 

Statutes/Laws affected:
Printer's No. 0771: 34-2702