Pennsylvania hunters are currently limited under statute to one shell in the chamber and two shells in the magazine when hunting snow geese in the Commonwealth with a semi-automatic or magazine feed shotgun. The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) enforces the law that deems it illegal for hunters pursuing unprotected birds to load their shotguns in excess of this limit. However, this is counterproductive during the Snow Goose Conservation Season when the number of geese has surpassed sustainable numbers. In addition, according to a recent press release from the PGC regarding Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI):
 
“Snow geese appear to be one of the most susceptible species, likely due to their large flock sizes and manner of feeding and roosting; their populations are at highest densities in Pennsylvania during their Fall (August-December) and Winter (February-May) migrations, during which times HPAI is most likely to cause mass die-offs.”
 
With this in mind, I plan to introduce legislation to allow the PGC to direct that hunters be permitted to lawfully hunt any snow goose during the Snow Goose Conservation Season using a semiautomatic or magazine feed shotgun without regard to the two-shell magazine capacity when deemed appropriate by the commission. This will not only ensure a more sustainable and prosperous snow goose population in the Commonwealth but mitigate the spread of HPAI.
 
Allowing flexibility where current limitations may be a hinderance to good wildlife management is crucial in supporting the health of Pennsylvania’s snow goose population. I hope that you will join me in support of this legislation to benefit Pennsylvania hunters while providing safe and efficient wildlife conservation.