Owners of several sporting goods stores are complaining
about a bill introduced recently in the state General Assembly, which would
remove rules that require hunters to display hunting licenses in back tags.
Instead, hunters would carry wallet-sized licenses.

 

House Bill 460 was introduced by Rep. Neal P. Goodman and
supported by Rep. Russell H. Fairchild, R-85 of Lewisburg, and Rep. Merle H.
Phillips, R-108 of RR2 Sunbury,

 

“Along with the added convenience of not having to poke
holes in expensive outer garments, my bill responds to the new smaller licenses
now available from the Game Commission through their newly computerized Point
of Sales system of licensing,” Goodman said in a statement.”The current display
requirement … is out of date and inconvenient for hunters, especially those
who wish to change coats while in the field.”

 

Sporting goods chains claim hundreds of businesses in Pennsylvania rely on the
income they receive through selling back tags, as do the industries that produce
the plastic for the holders.